EP2559628A1 - Stackable container and container assembly with several such containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The container (2) has coupling elements (4) that are arranged on opposite side walls (7,7a,7b). Each coupling element is provided with a mounting portion (15) with which tank (5) is moved downward, such that tank is fixed to latch portion (16) along a release direction. The coupling element is provided with mounting portion by a plug connector, such that tank is secured at mounting portion to prevent the pivoting of latch portion along the release direction. The latch portion mounted on mounting portion is pivoted along the release direction by plug connector. An independent claim is included for container assembly.

Description

The invention relates to a stackable container, having a rectangular plan view, having a bottom wall in use position bottom wall and four starting from the bottom wall upwardly projecting, side by side opposite box-shaped container body, and with at least two coupling elements, each taking a Working position outside on one of two opposing side walls in the lower region are arranged or attachable to allow a vertically continuous coupling of the container with a further container placed underneath, each coupling element has a fixing portion with which it fixes in the working position on the container body is, and has a downwardly projecting, in spring-back manner in a release direction relative to the container body pivotable latch portion. The invention further relates to a container arrangement with a plurality of such stackable containers.

A stackable container of this type as well as a composed of several such stackable containers container assembly go out of the WO 2007/121745 A1 out. The known stackable container has a box-shaped, upwardly open container body with opposite pairs Side walls, wherein in the lower region of two opposing side walls outside each provided with a Schnappriegelabschnitt a coupling element is arranged. The latch portion protrudes downwardly and is pivotable in a releasing manner in a release direction to facilitate coupling and decoupling with a further container of the same type disposed below the container. A coupling element is rotatably mounted on a bearing shaft and biased by a separate spring. The other coupling element may consist of a resilient material. Each coupling element is fastened by means of a fastening portion on the container body of the container, wherein the fastening portion is rotatably mounted in one case on the bearing shaft and in the other case is integrally connected to the container body.

Stackable containers with a box-shaped container body are often used in internal logistical measures, for example, to handle shipping orders or to supply individual workstations with work materials in manufacturing technology. Especially in the empty state, the containers are stacked so that they take up as little storage space as possible until they are used.

In the in the WO 2007/121745 A1 described containers stacking is always connected to a vertically connected coupling, which is due to the fact that each container is fixedly equipped with two coupling elements, which arrive in the stacked state of two containers with the respective underlying container in positive coupling engagement. Although such coupling facilitates the safe transport of a stack of containers consisting of several stacked containers, it is sometimes also perceived as unfavorable because the stacked ones Always isolate containers only by complicated single decoupling.

The invention has for its object to provide measures to simplify the handling of stackable container at the same time cost-effective design.

To solve this problem is provided in the stackable container of the type mentioned that each coupling element is fixed in the working position with its attachment portion by a plug connection to the container body, that the attachment portion in a Mitverschwenken with the pivoted in the release direction snap latch portion preventing manner the container body is supported, wherein it is inherently resiliently designed such that its snap latch portion is pivotable relative to the fastening portion supported by the connector in the release direction.

The invention is further achieved by a container arrangement, which comprises a plurality of stackable containers of the aforementioned construction, which are coupled to one another vertically in the stacked state by coupling elements arranged in the working position.

Thus, there is the simple possibility, the container body of a stackable container depending on the application either with coupling elements to equip or not to stock. If the containers are to be stacked on each other without vertically connected coupling in an easily separable manner, the coupling elements remain unmounted and consequently do not occupy a working position fixed to a container body. In the context of applications, however, which involves vertically connected coupling of stacked containers make desirable, the coupling elements can be very easily fixed by the connector in its working position on the associated container body. The production of the connector is particularly simple because no separate spring means must be mounted to produce the resilient pivoting of the latch portion. Each coupling element has an inherent spring elasticity, which ensures the spring-back pivoting of the latch portion when the coupling element is fixed and supported with its attachment portion by the connector on the container body. Apart from the simple assembly, this also allows a very cost-effective production of the coupling elements.

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

It is particularly advantageous if the coupling elements are releasably secured in the working position on the container body. Thus, a stackable container can be converted at any time between a possibility of use with vertical coupling and a possibility of use without vertical coupling. If a coupling is not desired, the coupling elements can be removed from the working position, that is to say remove from the container body and keep it independent of the container body until it can be used again.

Each side wall of the container body designed for plug-in fastening of a coupling element expediently has on its outer side a receiving shaft with an insertion opening aligned in the height direction of the container body. Appropriately, this insertion is oriented in the position of use of the container body in which its container opening facing upwards, upwards. The to be fixed Coupling element can be very easily inserted here with its attachment portion through the insertion hole into the receiving shaft.

An inserted into the receiving shaft mounting portion is suitably supported by the receiving shaft limiting shaft wall. In particular, a support is provided at right angles to the expansion plane of the associated side wall of the container body. In this way, the mounting portion undergoes the necessary support, which prevents it from comprehending the occurring in the release direction pivotal movement of the latch portion so that selbiger returns to its normal position when an effective force in the release direction is removed.

The receiving shaft expediently has a partially open outer shaft wall on the outside facing away from the associated side wall of the container. Such an opening may be formed like a window. It is particularly expedient to reduce the outer shaft wall to only two mutually spaced, edge-side retaining strips, which are each preceded by an edge portion of the inserted attachment portion. Such an embodiment provides on the one hand for the desired support of the attachment portion and also offers the possibility to use the receiving shaft when not using a coupling element for receiving an information and / or identification badge.

Preferably, the receiving shaft has an inner shaft wall formed directly from the associated side wall of the container body, so that the receiving shaft can be realized very inexpensively. Conveniently, the inner and / or an outer shaft wall upstream of the inner shaft wall with respect to the height direction of the container inclined so that a measured transversely to the height direction of the container body distance between the inner shaft wall and the outer shaft wall with increasing shaft depth, ie with increasing distance to the insertion enlarged. Such a measure favors to provide the coupling element with a shape that contributes to a jamming of the mounting portion in the receiving shaft and / or to implement measures for an easily manageable latching fastening of the coupling element as needed.

The coupling element which is switched on or engaged in the working position can be fixed by any securing measures with respect to the container body, so that it is held captive. For example, the attachment portion can be fixed in the attached state frictionally. It can be pressed, for example, with bias in a receiving shaft.

Particularly advantageous is a safety measure is considered in which the respective coupling element is locked in its working position with manufactured connector with the container body. Such a locking connection prevents in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner unintentional removal of the fixed by a connector on the container body coupling element. For example, the attachment portion may comprise at least one locking projection, which engages in the working position formed on a container body locking edge transverse to the insertion direction.

Preferably, it is a releasable latching connection, so that the coupling element can be removed at any time from the working position when it is not needed.

In any case, it is advantageous if the latching of the coupling element is caused by a locking connection formed between the fastening section and the container body. Thus, the pivoting movement of the latch portion is not affected by the latching fixation.

If the container body is equipped with a receiving shaft in which the fixing portion of the fixed coupling element dips, it is advantageous if the fixing portion has on its the bottom surface of the receiving shaft end face facing at least a first locking means, which formed with a in the region of the bottom surface of the receiving shaft second locking means is in locking engagement or can be brought. It is advantageous in this case if the latching and possibly also possible unlatching can be accomplished by virtue of the fact that the fastening section in the interior of the receiving shaft can be pivoted relative to the container body when a corresponding actuating force is exerted on it. The actuating force for locking results in particular by the fact that the mounting portion is pushed in its insertion direction of the receiving shaft and thereby slides with its locking means on the locking means of the container body. The unlocking is advantageously carried out by manual direct loading of the attachment portion, in particular in the region of its locking means.

In any case, the coupling element is in particular designed such that the possible pivotal movement of the fastening section causing latching or unlatching can not be brought about by the spring-back pivoting of the snap-lock section. In this regard, the fastening portion is virtually decoupled from the latching portion by the connector fixing it, due to the inherent resilience of the coupling member.

The locking movement and possibly unlocking enabling pivotal movement of the mounting portion within the receiving shaft can be favored that increases the measured between the inner and the outer shaft wall of the receiving portion distance in the direction of the insertion opening opposite bottom surface of the receiving shaft.

For the mounting portion, in particular, a plate-shaped design is recommended. It is very easy to manufacture and ensures high rigidity. The same applies to the snap latch section.

A particularly advantageous designed coupling element has a U-shaped configuration with two legs interconnected by a connecting web. One of these legs defines the attachment portion, the other leg the latch portion. By the connecting web, the inherent spring elasticity of the coupling element can be ensured, which makes it possible to pivot the spring latch portion relative to the mounting portion resiliently spring-back. Suitably, an embodiment of the coupling element, in which the pivotal movement of the latch portion ensuring inherent spring elasticity is ensured by the structure of the latch portion at least significantly himself.

In the case of a U-shaped coupling element, the leg forming the snap-lock portion is expediently longer than the leg forming the fastening portion, so that the fastening portion is surmounted by the snap-lock portion. The projecting beyond the attachment portion end portion of the latch portion expediently carries a suitable for positive coupling with a further container below disposed locking projection, said locking projection is in particular oriented so that it faces the container body or projects to the fixed to the opposite side wall coupling element. Accordingly, the loosening direction of the latch portion is directed outward from the container body. This facilitates decoupling, since it is very easy to grasp both coupling elements, each with one hand, at its snap-lock section and to bend or pivot resiliently outwardly.

The respective coupling element is expediently fixed on taking on its working position under a bias on the container body. Such a bias voltage can be realized particularly easily by the fact that, in the case of a U-shaped coupling element, the two legs are provided with a profile approaching one another at their free ends. This results in a relative inclination between the two sections, which can cause a bias voltage and thus a holding force in the assembled state of the coupling element in cooperation with the container body.

So that several of the stackable containers can be coupled with one another without problems in any stacking order, the container body in the region of its bottom wall opposite top at least on the equipped with a coupling element or equippable side walls on such a coupling portion that he from Schnappriegelabschnitt of the coupling element on this container sitting similar stackable container for vertically connected coupling is under attack. The coupling portion is formed in particular by a transverse to the height direction of the container body outwardly projecting edge portion of the respective side wall, said edge portion may be designed in particular rib-shaped.

Thus, stackable containers, in particular of the same type, can be stacked on one another in any stacking order and, if necessary, also coupled to each other in an inseparable manner.

A preferred design of the container body provides that extends in the lower region of the side walls around all side walls around a height distance from the bottom wall arranged and outwardly projecting support rib, which is preferably designed band-like. In connection therewith, the outer cross section of the container body below this support rib is smaller than the inner cross section of the container interior bounded by the side walls in the area of the container opening located at the top of the side walls, wherein the side walls define on their upper side a particular circumferential and upwardly facing support surface whose outline expediently corresponds at least substantially to that of the support surface.

In such an embodiment, a plurality of containers can be stacked in such a way that the respective top-sitting container with the underside of its support rib on the overhead support surface of the underlying container is supported and simultaneously with the bottom wall having lower end portion of the side walls from above a piece wide in dips the container interior of the lower container. By this immersion of the lower end portion of the overhead container body in the container interior of the underlying container body, a transverse fixation of the stacked containers is achieved transversely to the height direction of the container, so that mutual slippage is restricted or prevented.

If a receiving shaft is provided for the plug-in fastening of the coupling elements, this is expediently arranged so that the support rib forms the bottom surface of this receiving shaft. Thus, the inserted mounting portion can be supported with its front side from above on the support rib. In the working position, each coupling element is preferably arranged on the container body such that it protrudes downwards past the support rib with its snap-lock rib, the latter having below the supporting rib a locking projection projecting transversely and in particular toward the associated side wall, which is used to couple a container arranged underneath this lower container can be brought into a releasable locking engagement.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen stapelbaren Behälters mit in der Arbeitsstellung montierten Kopplungselementen,

Figur 2

den Behälter aus Figur 1 im abgenommenen Zustand eines Kopplungselementes,

Figur 3

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform eines steckbar mit dem Behälterkörper des Behälters verbindbaren Kopplungselementes,

Figur 4

eine weitere Ansicht des Kopplungselementes aus Figur 3 in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Figur 5

eine Seitenansicht des Kopplungselementes,

Figur 6

eine frontale Rückansicht des Kopplungselementes,

Figur 7

eine aus zwei aufeinandergestapelten stapelbaren Behältern bestehende Behälteranordnung, wobei der obere Behälter mit Kopplungselementen ausgestattet ist und der untere Behälter nicht mit Kopplungselementen bestückt ist,

Figur 8

einen vertikalen Schnitt durch die Behälteranordnung aus Figur 1 gemäß Schnittlinie VIII-VIII,

Figur 9

einen weiteren Schnitt durch die Behälteranordnung aus Figur 7 gemäß Schnittlinie IX-IX, wobei die Schnittebene durch ein Kopplungselement hindurch verläuft, wobei der oberhalb der Schnittebene liegende Schnappriegelabschnitt lediglich strichpunktiert angedeutet ist, und

Figur 10

die Behälteranordnung aus Figuren 7 bis 9 im noch nicht miteinander gekoppelten Zustand der beiden stapelbaren Behälter.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this show:

FIG. 1

a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the stackable invention Container with coupling elements mounted in the working position,

FIG. 2

the container off FIG. 1 in the removed state of a coupling element,

FIG. 3

a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a pluggable connectable to the container body of the container coupling element,

FIG. 4

another view of the coupling element FIG. 3 in perspective,

FIG. 5

a side view of the coupling element,

FIG. 6

a frontal rear view of the coupling element,

FIG. 7

a container assembly consisting of two stackable containers stacked on top of each other, wherein the upper container is equipped with coupling elements and the lower container is not equipped with coupling elements,

FIG. 8

a vertical section through the container assembly FIG. 1 according to section line VIII-VIII,

FIG. 9

another section through the container assembly FIG. 7 according to section line IX-IX, wherein the cutting plane passes through a coupling element, wherein the above the cutting plane lying latch portion is indicated only by dash-dotted lines, and

FIG. 10

the container assembly FIGS. 7 to 9 in not yet coupled together state of the two stackable container.

In the FIGS. 7 to 10 illustrated container assembly 1 is composed of a plurality of stackable containers 2 shown in the stacked state, which are of the same type among each other, wherein the FIGS. 1 to 6 illustrate a single of these stackable container 2 and its components. By way of example, the container arrangement 1 consists of two containers 2, the number, however, being arbitrary in principle.

Each of the stackable containers 2 hereinafter referred to only as "containers" has certain dimensions which can best be described in conjunction with a Cartesian coordinate system. More specifically, the container 2 has a rectangular outline extending along an x-axis and a y-axis perpendicular thereto. Furthermore, the container 2 has an extension in the direction of a z-axis perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis, which defines its vertical axis or height direction 3 in the usual position of use of the container 2.

The containers 2 are stackable in the height direction 3. Insofar as reference is made below to stacked containers 2, the container 2 arranged at the top is also referred to as the upper container 2a and the container 2 arranged below this upper container 2a as the lower container 2b.

All containers 2 are expediently identical to each other. This favors stacking in any order.

Each container 2 has a plurality of coupling elements 4, by means of which it can be coupled vertically contiguous in the stacked state of a container arrangement 1 as an upper container 2a with the lower container 2b arranged underneath. In other words, the containers 2 a, 2 b coupled in this way are connected in such a way that they can no longer be lifted apart from one another in the z-axis direction or height direction 3. It is then based on a positive connection tensile connection in the height direction 3 before.

The following description of a container 2 applies equally to all containers of the container arrangement 1.

The container 2 has a box-shaped container body 5. More specifically, this container body 5, which has the already mentioned rectangular plan, wherein he expediently in the x-axis direction has a greater length than in the y-axis direction. However, a square layout would also be possible.

The container body 5 has a bottom wall 6 arranged in the position of use at the bottom, the shape of which is responsible for the rectangular layout and has four side edges, one of four sidewalls 7 of the container body 5 in the z-axis direction or in this respect slightly inclined, respectively , The four side walls 7 are interconnected and define a total of a frame-shaped contoured peripheral wall 8, which defines a container interior 12 together with the bottom wall 6.

The container interior 12 is open at the bottom wall 6 opposite top of the container body 5. The opening is referred to as a container opening 13.

The container 2 could include a container lid associated with the container opening 13 to close the container interior 12 in a manner accessible when needed. However, such a container lid is not shown in the drawing.

The peripheral wall 8 is composed of four mutually opposite side walls 7 together, wherein a first pair of opposing side walls 7 consists of a first side wall 7a and a second side wall 7b, while a second pair of opposing side walls of a third side wall 7c and a fourth Sidewall 7d exists.

The sidewalls 7, 7a, 7b of at least one of the two mentioned side wall pairs are each assigned at least one coupling element 4. Preferably, only one of these side wall pairs corresponding coupling elements 4 are associated with, for example, the first side wall 7a, a first coupling element 4a and the second side wall 7b is associated with a second coupling element 4b.

For the sake of simplicity, the two coupling elements 4a, 4b will also be referred to collectively together with the reference number "4" below.

A special feature of each container 2 is that the container body 5 can be optionally equipped with the coupling elements 4 or in this regard is empty. If the container body 5 is equipped with a coupling element 4, this assumes a working position on the container body 5. This is evident in the FIG. 1 as well as in the upper containers 2a of FIGS. 7 to 10 ,

At the in FIG. 2 illustrated container 2 and in the lower containers 2b of FIGS. 7 to 10 the container body 5 is not equipped with coupling elements 4, because he is currently not intended to be coupled to a further container 2 disposed thereunder. The FIG. 2 However, illustrated by means of dash-dotted arrows 14a, 14b, as a coupling element 4 can be mounted on a hitherto still unpopulated container body 5.

The working position of the coupling elements 4 is located on the outside of the associated side wall 7 in the lower, the bottom wall 6 associated area.

Each coupling element 4 has a fastening section 15 and a snap-lock section 16. The latch portion 16 carries at least one transversely projecting locking projection 17. With the help of the mounting portion 15 of each coupling element 4 in the context of a plug connection taking the working position on the associated side wall 7 can be fastened. In other words, the container 2 per coupling element 4 to be fixed is equipped with a plug-in connection device 18, to which the attachment section 15 and a counterpart section formed on the container body 5-exemplarily a receiving shaft 38 to be explained-belong. Thus, the coupling element 4 by means of a in FIG. 2 Arranged by arrow 22 plugging operation on the associated side wall 7a or 7b mounted and secured.

When a coupling element 4 is mounted in the working position, its snap-lock portion 16 projects downwards in the z-axis direction, but expediently does not project beyond the bottom surface 23 of the bottom wall 6, which is oriented downwards. This has the advantage that the Leave container 2 with its bottom wall 6 on any surface, without being hindered by the coupling elements 4.

The at least one locking projection 17 is arranged on the inner surface 24 of the snap latch section 16 facing the occupant position of the adjacent side wall 7 and thus protrudes in the direction of the coupling element 4 mounted on the opposite side wall 7.

In the region of the upper side of the side walls 7 equipped with a coupling element 4, for example on the upper side of the first and second side walls 7a, 7b, the container body 5 has a coupling section 25 in each case, with the first side wall 7a for better differentiation disposed coupling portion 25 as the first coupling portion 25a and arranged on the second side wall 7b coupling portion 25 is referred to as the second coupling portion 25b. The first coupling section 25a lies in the z-axis direction over the first coupling element 4a, the second coupling section 25b lies in the z-axis direction above the first coupling element 4b.

By way of example, the coupling sections 25a, 25b are each formed by a longitudinal section of a terminal rib 26, which forms the upper end of the circumferential wall 8 and frames the container opening 13. It protrudes from the peripheral wall 8 in each case to the outside and thus forms an engageable from below edge portion of the peripheral wall 8 and the side walls 7. If two containers 2 according to FIGS. 7 to 9 aufeinanderitzen and are coupled by the coupling elements 4 of the upper container 2a vertically tensile strength each other, engages the latch portion 16 of each coupling element 4 laterally at the underlying coupling portion 25 of the bottom Container 2b over and under engages with its locking projection 17 this coupling portion 25 comparable to a bolt. If the upper container 2a is now raised, the lower container 2b is raised, since the same is supported by the locking projections 17 of the coupling elements 4 of the upper container 2a engaging under its coupling sections 25a, 25b.

The coupling of two containers 2 expediently does not require immediate application of hands to the coupling elements 4. It suffices for this purpose to set up the upper container 2a in the direction of the arrow 27 coinciding with the z-axis direction from above onto the lower container 2b and press it with a certain force. In this case, then slide the locking projections 17 with a downwardly oriented inclined surface 28 on the outer edge of the coupling portions 25a, 25b and are pushed away from the associated side wall 7a, 7b, which is directed away from the adjacent side wall 7a, 7b pivoting the entire snap lock portion 16 in a through an arrow illustrated solving direction 32 results.

This pivoting in the release direction 32 takes place by overcoming a resetting spring force, which results from the fact that the coupling element 4 is inherently resilient and is also supported with its attachment portion 15 by the aforementioned connector 18 on the container body 5.

By pivoting in the release direction 32, the latch portion 16 can be moved with its locking projection 17 on the underlying coupling portion 25a, 25b, wherein it automatically, due to the inherent spring elasticity, again in the direction of previously occupied Starting position snaps back after the locking projection 17 has passed the associated coupling portion 25a, 25b. By this snap back the locking projection 17 passes under the coupling portion 25a, 25b and it is in the z-axis direction, a coupling effecting positive locking between the two containers 2a, 2b before.

By the connector between the mounting portion 15 and the container body 5, the attachment portion is at least so supported relative to the container body 5, that he can not participate in the release direction 32 occurring pivotal movement of the latch portion 16, which has the described structure of the restoring spring force result. Thus results in a spring bias of the deflected latch portion 16 in the direction of its normal position without the use of a separate, in addition to the coupling element 4 existing spring means.

The connector device 18 is particularly designed so that a befindliches in the working position coupling element 4 can be removed again from the container body 5, if necessary, without having to make any destruction or damage. This provides the ability to retrofit a container 2 at any time.

So that the coupling elements 4 are held captive when taking the working position on the container body 5, however, suitably securing means 33 are present. For example, the securing means 33 may consist in a pertinent embodiment of the plug connection device 18 such that the coupling elements 4 are inserted with their attachment sections 15 in a press fit into the container body 5. One of these deviating, particularly advantageous Embodiment of the securing means 33 is present in the embodiment, where they are designed in the form of a latching connection device 34. This locking connection device 34 is expediently designed so that it allows a detachable latching connection between the coupling element 4 and the container body 5. As a result, in turn, the possibility is created to change at a container body 5 at any time between a fitted with coupling elements 4 equipment and a related equipment unpopulated.

In the following, a particularly expedient equipment and design of the container 2 will now be explained with reference to the embodiment.

The container body 5 has in the lower region of its peripheral wall 8 formed by the side walls 7 on the outer surface facing away from the container interior 12 with a height distance in the z-axis direction to the bottom wall 6 and extending like a frame around the peripheral wall 8 around supporting rib 35. It is preferably designed band-shaped. In addition, the upwardly facing, facing away from the bottom wall 6 upper end face 36 of the peripheral wall 8 and the side walls 7 an upwardly facing, the container opening 13 expediently surrounding framing support surface 37. Conveniently, the support surface 37 of the upwardly facing surface of the end rib 26 formed.

The peripheral wall 8 projects downward beyond the support rib 35. The outer cross section of the container body 5 is below the support rib 35 is smaller than the inner cross section of the container interior 12 in the region of the container opening 13. This configuration is exemplary very simply realized in that the four side walls 7, starting from the bottom wall 6 diverge in the direction of the container opening 13 and slightly diverge diagonally. Seen in cross-section, this results in a conical configuration of each side wall pair forming side walls 7a, 7b and 7c, 7d.

The distance of the support surface 37 to the vertical axis 3 is expediently the same as the correspondingly measured distance of the support rib 35 to the vertical axis 3. By way of example, the support surface 37 and the support rib 35 have the same outline. When viewed in the z-axis direction, the support surface 37 and the support rib 35 overlap.

This has the result that in the stacked state of two containers 2, the upper container 2a is seated with the underside of its support rib 35 on the support surface 37 of the lower container 2b and at the same time the bottom wall 6 having lower end portion of the container body 5 of the upper container 2a in the container interior 12 of the lower container 2b dips.

By nesting the stacked containers 2a, 2b results perpendicular to the z-axis, possibly with some play afflicted positive connection between the two container bodies 5, so that the upper container 2a can not slide down from the lower container 2b even in the uncoupled state.

The connector device 18 is exemplarily designed so that it allows a plug connection in the manner of a push-in connection. Each coupling element 4 can be inserted or pushed in with its fastening section 15 into a receptacle of the container body 5 provided for this purpose.

By way of example, a receiving shaft 38 for plug-in receptacle of the attachment portion 15 of a coupling element 4 is formed on the outside of each of the first and second side walls 7a, 7b. The receiving shaft 38 is above the support rib 35 and has on its upper side an upwardly facing, in particular slit-like narrow insertion opening 42.

The receiving shaft 38 has an inner shaft wall 43, which is expediently formed directly from the associated first or second side wall 7a, 7b, and an outer shaft wall 44, which is externally disposed at a certain distance from the outer shaft wall 44 on the outside.

Further, the receiving shaft 38 at its insertion opening 42 opposite bottom on a bottom surface 45, by which it is limited to the bottom. This bottom surface 45 of the receiving shaft 38 is expediently formed directly by the support rib 35. Accordingly, the receiving shaft 38 preferably connects at the top directly to the on the associated side wall 7a, 7b formed portion of the support rib 35.

The outer shaft wall 44 may be completely closed. As an example, however, it is partially open and is limited to two spaced-apart edge-side strip-shaped sections, which are referred to as retaining strips 46. Between the two retaining strips 46 there is a window-like opening opening into the receiving shaft 38, the advantage of which lies in the fact that an information and / or identification label inserted at the removed coupling element 4 into the receiving shaft 38 is easily recognizable from the outside.

In particular from FIGS. 8 and 10 is clearly seen that the outer shaft wall 44 expediently extends in a plane inclined to the vertical axis 3. The inner shaft wall 43 has due to the inclination of the associated side wall 7 also has an inclined course, but with respect to the outer shaft wall 44 opposite direction of inclination - with respect to the vertical axis 3 -, so that measured transversely to the height direction 3 distance between the inner shaft wall 43 and the outer shaft wall 44, starting from the insertion opening 42 in the direction of the bottom surface 45 increases.

Each coupling element 4 has expediently a U-shaped form, in particular from FIGS. 2 to 6 is clearly visible. In this case, each coupling element 4 has a first leg 47 forming the fastening section 15 and a second leg 48 forming the snap-lock section 16. The two legs 47, 48 are integrally connected to one another by a preferably web-shaped connecting web 49. At least one stiffening web 52 can be integrally formed on the connecting web 49 within the U opening, which is also integrally formed on the end regions of the first and second legs 47, 48 adjoining the connecting web 49. In this way, a particularly good stiffening of the connection between the two legs 47, 48 is achieved, with the result that a successful in the release direction 32 pivoting the latch portion 16 does not affect the structural stability between the connecting web 49 and the mounting portion 15. The actual spring-elastic deformation takes place here within the snap-lock section 16 and, in particular, in the upper end section of the second leg 48 adjoining the connecting web 49 and the optionally present reinforcing web 52.

The second leg 48 forming the latch portion 16 expediently has-in the direction towards its free end remote from the connecting web 49 -a greater length than the first leg 47 forming the fastening portion 15, so that it opposes that first leg 47 at the connecting web 49 Side surmounted. The end section of the second leg 48 projecting beyond the first leg 47 has the locking projection 17, specifically on the inner surface 24 facing the first leg 47 and in particular on its end region. The locking projection 17 is designed in particular hook-shaped.

Incidentally, each coupling element 4 is preferably a one-piece body, which consists of a plastic material having the necessary spring elasticity.

In order to assemble a coupling element 4 in the working position, it is brought into abutment with downwardly projecting latch portion 16 and with the associated side wall 7 facing attachment portion 15 according to arrow 14a above the insertion opening 42 of the receiving shaft 38 on the side wall 7. Starting from this position, the coupling element 4 is linearly displaced in the Z-axis direction according to arrow 14b, so that the preferably plate-shaped fastening portion 15 is inserted or inserted through the insertion opening 42 into the receiving shaft 38. The insertion depth is preferably limited by the fact that the attachment portion 15 is seated with its end face 53 opposite the connecting web 49 on the bottom surface 45 of the receiving shaft 38. By the inner shaft wall 43 upstream, exemplarily formed by the two retaining strips 46 outer shaft wall 44 of the immersion in the receiving shaft 38 mounting portion 15 is supported to the outside. Towards the inside, the support takes place through the inner shaft wall 43.

Inserted in this way, the two shaft walls 43, 44 jointly define an abutment for the fastening section 15, so that the latter is prevented from comprehending the pivot movement of the snap-lock section 16. As a result, in the loosening of the latch portion 16 in the release direction 32, the already mentioned resetting spring force can be formed.

Laterally, the receiving shaft 38 is bounded by a respective lateral shaft wall 54, which is formed in particular by each one of the outside of the side wall 7 in the Z-axis direction extending stiffening rib 59.

The preferably present locking connection means 34 includes in the embodiment a arranged on the bottom surface 45 of the receiving shaft 38 second locking means 55, which is formed by the outer edge of the support rib 35 passing through opening 57. In addition, the latching connection device 34 has a first latching means 56 which is arranged on the free end face 53 of the fastening section 15 and which is designed as a latching hook.

Furthermore, the two legs 47, 48 of the coupling element 4 are preferably designed such that they approach each other towards their free ends. The distance between them thus decreases towards their free ends.

Now, when the mounting portion 15 is inserted into the receiving shaft 38 during assembly of a coupling element 4, it moves in an oblique orientation in the direction the bottom surface 45 until the first locking means 56 comes from above at the edge of the opening 57 to the plant. Due to a frontal slight bevel of the first latching means 56 experiences this, when the mounting portion 15 is further pressed in its insertion 14 b in the receiving shaft 38, a temporary resilient deflection in the direction of the inner shaft wall 43 until the first locking means 56 has passed through the opening 57 and then swung back again, so that it engages under the second locking means 55 formed by the edge of the opening 57. Now the locking connection is made.

The distance to the bottom surface 45 towards increasing distance between the inner shaft wall 43 and the outer shaft wall 44 ensures the mentioned pivoting mobility, which is required to carry out the latching operation.

In order to release the latching connection, an actuating force pivoting the first latching means 56 in the direction of the inner shaft wall 43 can be exerted manually or with a tool from the underside of the support rib 35 so that the first latching means 56 is aligned with the opening 57 and the coupling element 4 can be pushed out of the receiving shaft 38 in this position in opposite direction with respect to the arrow 14a or pulled out.

By increasing the distance to the lower end of the receiving shaft 38 between the two shaft walls 43, 44 the mounting portion 15 is provided sufficient freedom of movement available to allow a desired latching and unlatching relative pivotal movement between it and the container body 5. To ensure this freedom of movement, it is advantageous if the outer shaft wall 44 is not parallel to the Z-axis direction extends, but is slightly inclined in this regard, in particular with respect to the associated inner shaft wall 43 opposite direction of inclination. The inclination is chosen in particular such that in the latched state, the first leg 47 bears against the outer shaft wall 44 in parallel alignment inside on this outer shaft wall 44, which has the same result that the apart from the locking projection 17 expediently also plate-shaped snap latch portion 16th is aligned in the normal position in a plane parallel to the Z-axis.

The remote from the inner shaft wall 43 outer edge 58 of the support rib 35 also expediently causes a support of the latch portion 16 on the inner surface 24, in particular for setting a unverschwenkten basic position of the latch portion 16. In this way prevents the coupling element 4 located in the working position such is pivoted overall that the latching engagement between the two locking means 55, 56 is canceled. This makes it clear that in the above-described latching operation of the latch portion 16 by abutment on the outer edge 58 of the support rib 35 causes such a support of the coupling element 4 that the mounting portion 15 must be resiliently deformed to allow the locking engagement between the two locking means 55, 56 ,

One or more or all of the side walls 7 may be externally projecting from the support surface 37 projecting support posts 62, which allow to attach between them and the associated side wall 7 provided with any information sign or label. Such retaining posts 62 can also be used in particular on the optional coupling elements 4 can be provided ausstattbaren first and second side walls 7a, 7b, where they can be used when no coupling element 4 is mounted.

Deviating from the illustrated embodiment, the container arrangement 1 can also have stackable containers 2 of different layouts, which, however, are otherwise identical to the described stackable containers 2. If these multiple stackable containers 2 are made in a corresponding pitch, it is possible to simultaneously place side by side on a larger lower container 2, two or more smaller upper container 2a and coupled as needed. The preferably peripherally formed around the container opening 13 formed end rib 26 can act not only on the coupling element 4 equipped with a first and second side walls 7a, 7b as a coupling portion 25, but also in those areas which extend along the third and fourth side wall 7c, 7d ,

Claims (15)

Stackable container, having a rectangular plan view, arranged on a bottom wall in use position bottom wall (6) and four starting from the bottom wall (6) upwardly projecting, pairwise opposite side walls (7) box-shaped container body (5), and at least two coupling elements (4) each disposed or attachable externally to one of two opposing side walls (7, 7a, 7b) in its lower region, occupying a working position, for vertically contiguous coupling of the container (2) to an underlying one to allow further container, each coupling element (4) having a fastening portion (15) with which it is fixed in the working position on the container body (5), and a downwardly projecting, in spring-back manner in a release direction (32) relative to the container body (5) pivotable latch portion (16), characterized in that j edes coupling element (4) in the working position with its attachment portion (15) by a plug connection such on the container body (5) is fixed, that the fixing portion (15) in a Mitverschwenken with the in the release direction (32) pivoted latch portion (16) preventing Manner with respect to the container body (5) is supported, wherein it is inherently resiliently designed such that its snap-lock portion (16) relative to the supported by the connector Attachment portion (15) in the release direction (32) is pivotable. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that each coupling element (4) in the working position is releasably secured to the container body (5). Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that for the plug-fastening of each coupling element (4) on the outside of the associated side wall (7, 7a, 7b) a receiving shaft (38) with a in the height direction of the container body (5) aligned and in particular after is present at the top of the insertion opening (42) into which the associated coupling element (4) is inserted with its attachment portion (15) through the insertion opening (42) when taking its working position, wherein expediently the fixing section (15) dipping into the receiving shaft (38) ) by at least one receiving shaft (38) limiting shaft wall (44) is supported. A container according to claim 3, characterized in that the receiving shaft (38) on the side wall (7) of the container (2) facing away from the outside a partially open outer shaft wall (44), in particular such that the outer shaft wall (44) with two Distance from each other arranged edge-side retaining strips (46) forms, on which the inserted mounting portion (15) is supported. A container according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the receiving shaft (38) has an outer shaft wall (44) at a distance opposite inner shaft wall (43), which is in particular formed directly from the side wall (7) of the container body (5), wherein expediently at least one and preferably both side walls (43, 44) with respect to the height direction (3) of the container body (5) are inclined so that the distance between them, transversely to the height direction (3) of the container body (5) measured distance increases with increasing shaft depth. Container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one coupling element (4) is latched in its working position with the container body (5), in particular in a detachable manner, wherein the latching of the coupling element (4) preferably by a between the Attachment section (15) and the container body (5) formed locking connection is caused. Container according to claim 6, characterized in that in the working position of the coupling element (4) , the fastening section (15) dips into a receiving shaft (38) formed on the outside of the side wall (7) of the container body (5) and has a bottom surface (45). the receiving shaft (38) facing the end face at least a first locking means (56) which is in engagement with a in the region of the bottom surface (45) of the receiving shaft (38) on the container body (5) formed second latching means (55), wherein the latching and optionally unlocking, in particular by an elastically spring-back pivoting of the fastening portion (15) within the receiving shaft (38) relative to the container body (5) is hervorufbar. Container according to claim 7, characterized in that the distance measured between the inner shaft wall (43) and the outer shaft wall (44) of the receiving shaft (38) in the direction of the bottom surface (45) of the receiving shaft (38) opposite the insertion opening (42) ) increases, so that a latching and possibly unlocking effecting Pivoting the attachment portion (15) within the receiving shaft (38) relative to the container body (5) is possible. Container according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the fastening portion (15) and / or the latch portion (16) of the at least one coupling element (4) is plate-shaped. Container according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one and suitably each coupling element (4) has a U-shaped configuration and two by a connecting web (49) interconnected legs (47, 48), wherein the one leg (47) the attachment portion (15) and the other leg (48) forms the latch portion (16). Container according to claim 10, characterized in that the limb (48) forming the snap-lock portion (16) projects beyond the leg (47) forming the attachment portion (15) on the side opposite the connecting web (49) and projects beyond the attachment portion (15) End portion has a transversely and in particular in the direction of the attachment portion (15) projecting locking projection (17), and / or that the two legs (47, 48) of the U-shaped coupling element (4) approach each other towards their free ends. Container according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that each latch portion (16), in particular at its downwardly facing end portion, in the working position the opposite coupling element (4) facing the locking projection (17), and / or that the container body (5) in the area of the top at least one of the side walls (7, 7a, 7b) equipped with a coupling element (4) has in each case a coupling section (25, 25a, 25b) which is designed such that it projects from the snap-lock section (16) of the coupling element (4) the container (2) sitting stackable container of the same type for vertically connected coupling is under attack. Container according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the container body (5) in the lower region of the side walls (7) on the outside with a height distance to the bottom wall (6) circumferentially arranged and outwardly projecting support rib (35), wherein the Outside cross-section of the container body (5) below the support rib (35) is smaller than the inner cross-section of the container walls bounded by the side walls (7) (12) in the region of the above-arranged container opening (13), and wherein the side walls (7) at its top one define in particular circumferential, upwardly facing support surface (37) on which a container placed on the container further container with its support rib (35) can be supported vertically. A container according to claim 13, characterized in that each the working position engaging coupling element (4) is supported with its attachment portion (15) from above on the support rib (35) and with its snap latch portion (16) on the support rib (35) over downwards projects, wherein the support rib (35) expediently the bottom surface (45) of a receiving shaft (38) into which the mounting portion (15) inserted or inserted from above and wherein the support rib (35) further expediently a locking means (55) for Locking attachment of the mounting portion (15) is formed, further wherein the latch portion (16) of the located in the working position Coupling element (4) expediently on an outer edge (58) of the side wall (7) projecting support rib (35) for setting a basic position is supported or supported. Container arrangement with a plurality of stackable containers according to one of Claims 1 to 14, which can be coupled to one another in a vertically continuous manner by coupling elements (4) located in the working position to form a container stack.

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