EP2595888A1

EP2595888A1 - Stackable and nesting bottle case

Info

Publication number: EP2595888A1
Application number: EP11723265.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hans-Joachim Wiedmann; Marcus Wille; Martin Fetzer
Original assignee: Schoeller Arca Systems GmbH
Current assignee: Schoeller Allibert GmbH
Priority date: 2010-07-21
Filing date: 2011-05-23
Publication date: 2013-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 2031-05-23
Also published as: CA2804852A1; BR112012032110A2; PE20131167A1; EP2595888B1; CN102971222A; WO2012010232A1; US20130112582A1; DE102010031770A1; US8474617B2; DE102010031770B4; MX2013000716A; PL2595888T3

Abstract

The invention relates to a bottle case (10, 10'), comprising a case bottom (11), four side parts (12, 13, 14, 15) rising from the bottom, and a framework (16) having compartments (17) for accommodating bottles, wherein the bottle case (10, 10') also has an structural feature (20) on at least two opposite side parts and on the case bottom for rotated stacking of a plurality of bottle cases. Said bottle case (10, 10') is suitable for transporting bottles whether the bottles are full or empty and for transporting the cases back and forth in the empty state.

Description

STACKABLE AND NESTABLE BOTTLE BOX

description

The invention relates to a bottle crate according to the preamble of claim 1.

Bottle crates usually have a box bottom, which carries a framework for receiving the bottles, as well as four fixedly formed on the bottom circumferentially arranged side walls, so that a stable and rattle-free transport of filled crates is possible to the place of use. This backup of the bottles through the framework is therefore necessary to avoid in the case of glass bottles and a shock or impact damage to prevent tipping over of the bottles and also to ensure a high degree of rattle and thus to avoid corresponding rattling noises.

Due to decreed bottle deposit and / or bottle return systems, provision must be made at appropriate points of sale of beverage bottles for a corresponding collection of empty bottles for return transport. This turns out to be difficult in a number of points of sale, especially supermarkets, but also beverage shops, since the most diverse bottles are returned to this point of sale as empties, which differ in height, diameter and the like, but must nevertheless be accepted and returned. Frequently, suitable boxes or containers are not provided for such return transport. Therefore, such empty bottles are often deposited for the return transport in any containers, but this often leads to the destruction of the bottles. In addition, the containers with the empties must be transported to local collection points, where the different containers themselves can not be used and therefore simply have to be disposed of.

Also known are 180 ° stackable yogurt cup carriers from DE 195 10 084 C, 180 ° offset stackable basket boxes from DE 920 5 337 Ul, 90 ° offset stackable crates from DE 20 2004 009 031 Ul and DE 920 3 805 Ul , stackable offset Bottle crates from US 2005/0230281 AI, 180 ° offset stackable crates from US 6,082,542 A and US 4,304,334 A.

The object of the invention is to provide a bottle crate with a corresponding framework for the bottle receptacle, which on the one hand is suitable for the transport of bottles, whether they are filled or empty, and on the other hand also for the return or forward transport in the empty state suitable is. In this case, the bottle case should be particularly stable and lightweight at the same time.

This object is achieved by a bottle crate according to claim 1, wherein expedient developments of the invention are characterized by the features contained in the subclaims.

In particular, the object is achieved by a bottle crate with a box bottom, four side parts rising up from the ground substantially in the vertical direction, and a truss with compartments for accommodating bottles. The side panels are designed largely open. Furthermore, the bottle crate has a facial expression on at least two opposite side parts and on the bottom of the box for a rotational stacking of several crates, which is designed such that an upper bottle crate

- Can be placed on a lower bottle case in a Aufsetzstellung, and

is adjustable in a nest position in a preferably rotated by 180 ° with respect to the Aufsetzstellung about a vertical axis alignment in the lower bottle crate,

where the facial expressions are formed out

- At least one projecting into the box interior pillar element respectively at least two opposite side parts, and

- At least one matching to the pillar element edge-side recess on the box bottom respectively at the two opposite side parts,

wherein the column member and the recess of each side member are arranged such that in the set position, the column member of the upper bottle crate can be brought into coincidence with the column elements of the lower bottle crate and so the column elements of the upper crate can be placed on the column elements of the lower bottle crate, and in the nest position the column elements of the lower bottle crate with the respective Weil recess of the upper bottle crate can be brought into cover and so are received in the respective recess of the upper bottle crate,

the pillar elements substantially forming the side parts of the bottle crate, the pillar elements being connected to one another at an upper end of the bottle crate with a peripheral frame element,

wherein the side parts are open.

The side parts are z. B. as two longitudinal side parts or long side parts and two end side parts or short side parts.

An essential point of the invention is that the bottle crate is stackable when loaded with empties in the set position, so that the empties is not affected by a bottle crate arranged above. In addition, a box can also be set deeper in a box arranged below it in the nest position and so stored space-saving or even be transported if no empties is included. The axis of rotation here means an axle which extends vertically upwards from the floor during use of the bottle crate.

Preferably, the facial expression is formed such that in the set position of the lower and upper bottle crate are arranged in the same orientation and in the nest position in the rotated orientation to each other.

In a preferred embodiment, the facial expression is formed so that the upper bottle crate is placed on the truss of the lower bottle crate and adjustable in the lower bottle crate or that at least one Aufsitzelement is provided, the placing in the nest position of the upper crate on the truss of the lower Bottle crate prevented.

Preferably, at least two or a plurality of column members are provided on each of the two opposing side members, and at least two or a plurality of peripheral recesses fitting the column members are provided on the box bottom on each of the two opposing side members. All four side parts can thus have column elements and recesses. A box level, which is arranged parallel to the box floor, z. B. be divided into four quadrants, according to a coordinate system. Each quadrant preferably has corresponding column elements and recesses, wherein these are arranged on a side part such that when two stacked boxes stacked in the placement column element on column member and recess meets recess. In the nest position then meet the column elements on the corresponding recesses. For example, on a longitudinal side part in quadrant I recess - column element - recess arranged immediately opposite (on the opposite longitudinal side part) in quadrant IV are also recess - column element - recess arranged. In quadrant II, however, column element - recess - column element are arranged, directly opposite in quadrant III also column element - recess - column element. The positions of the individual column elements and recesses are in turn arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to mirror planes, which in each case extend centrally between the opposite side parts.

Thus, either the column elements can be brought into coincidence (placement position) or else the column elements and corresponding recesses can be brought into coincidence (nest position). In the set-up position, the recesses of the upper and lower boxes are also arranged to cover one another, although this has no influence on the stacking.

Of course, it is also possible to provide at least one column element on all four side parts (including the corresponding recesses). Thus, the lower bottle crate has at least four bearing surfaces for the upper bottle crate and this is stably stored on the lower box. For a stable structure of the box, therefore, several columns are arranged on the side parts, preferably on all side parts.

That is, in the same orientation of the boxes (placement position), the column members of top and bottom bottle crates are stackable and the top crate sits on the bottom crate, essentially without sinking into the bottom box. At best, the upper box sinks slightly into the lower, namely if the column elements of the lower box do not reach the upper edge.

A rotation of the upper bottle crate by 1 80 ° with respect to the lower bottle crate (and thus in relation to the Aufsetzstellung) about an axis extending vertically out of the box bottom out, causing the column elements of the upper bottle crate no longer in Cover can be brought to the column elements of the lower bottle crate. Rather, when placing the upper box on the lower slide the column elements of the lower bottle crate into the corresponding recesses on the box bottom of the upper box (or the recesses of the upper box take the column elements of the lower box) and the nest position is reached.

In the nest position, the upper bottle case is expediently on the framework of the lower bottle crate, wherein the framework has a lower height seen from the box bottom, as the column elements. That is, the pillar members extend beyond the truss from the bottom along the side panels.

Also, an explicit Aufsitzelement (even more) may be provided, on which the second bottle crate is placed. Preferably, this Aufsitzelement extends beyond the truss, so that a placement of the upper bottle crate on the truss of the lower prevents and the framework is preserved. This takes into account that trusses often have a fragile structure that is fragile. The ride-on elements protect the truss below.

Additional corner column elements increase the stability of the bottle crate. These are also to be arranged accordingly, so that Aufsetzstellung and nest position can be made possible.

Each of the column elements advantageously extends in use from the floor in a substantially vertical upward direction, wherein each of the lower and the upper end face of the column member are formed as bearing surfaces. In the Aufsetzstellung so serve the bearing surfaces of the column elements for receiving the stacked crates. The upper bottle case sits on the bearing surfaces of the Column elements of the lower bottle crate on. The lower end faces are essentially formed by the box bottom.

For easier transport, it is expedient to design the box in lightweight construction and therefore reduced weight as possible. The side parts can thus be formed only by the pillar elements, that is, the pillar elements substantially form the side parts of the bottle crate, wherein the pillar elements are connected to one another at an upper end of the bottle crate with a peripheral frame member. Further elements may be provided which form the side part with, for example, for stabilization.

Preferably, each of the column elements is designed as a hollow column element, preferably with a triangular cross-section, in particular preferably with a roof-like structure, the roof gable points into the interior of the bottle crate. The hollow design of the column elements also contributes to the fact that the box is designed in a lightweight construction.

In order nevertheless to ensure sufficient stability of the arrangement, the hollow column element has at least one reinforcing rib in the interior. This preferably extends substantially transversely to the direction of extension of the column element (transverse rib) and is preferably arranged centrally. Thus, the stability of the column member and thus the bottle crate can be further increased.

An advantageous embodiment provides that the height of the framework is less than Vi the height of the side parts of the bottle crate, preferably 0.2 to 0.4 times the side part height. This height is sufficient to safely transport empties, at the same time the framework has a suitable height to ensure the nest position.

Preferably, the bottle crate is made of a plastic, on the one hand ensures durability and on the other hand supports the lightweight construction. It would also be possible to design the facial expressions in such a way that pillar elements projecting into the box interior are provided on at least two opposite side parts, each of the pillar elements facing a matching edge-side recesses on the box bottom on the opposite side part. With respect to a side part, the recesses and column elements z. B. symmetrically to a mirror or plane of symmetry (which in turn extends centrally between the two opposite side parts) to each other. Thus, in the placement position, the column elements of the upper bottle crate can be placed on the column elements of the lower bottle crate. In the nest position, the column elements of the lower bottle crate are receivable in the respective recesses of the upper bottle crate. Thus, the upper bottle crate is placed on the framework of the lower bottle crate.

Alternatively, it would be possible to form the mimic for offset stacking (spin stacking) so that an upper box then enters nest position when it is arranged in the same orientation as a lower box. Only a rotation of 1 80 ° would allow a Aufsetzstellung.

For this embodiment, the column elements z. B. formed such that a column member of a lower box can slide in a column member of an upper box. A possible reinforcing rib (in particular the transverse rib) in each case in the column elements of the upper box could then serve as a support surface and limit the nest position at the desired height.

In a rotated upper bottle crate (by 1 80 ° with respect to the nest position, about an axis extending vertically from the bottom) the column elements would no longer match each other (depending on the design at least not all) and the box bottom of the upper box would simply lie on the column elements of the lower box or on their support surfaces on (Aufsetzstellung).

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Show in it a perspective view of a bottle crate according to the invention,

a side view of the bottle crate (longitudinal side), a section along the line IIb-IIb of Fig. 2a (front side), a side view of two superimposed according to the invention in the

Stack arranged crates (longitudinal side, nest position), a section along the line Illb-IIIb of Fig. 3a (front side;

Nest position)

a perspective view of two according to the invention arranged one above the other in the stack crates in Aufsetzstellung, a perspective view of two stacked according to the invention arranged in the stack crates in nest position, another perspective view of two superimposed stacked crates in the nest position, the box in section is shown, a schematic plan view of a bottle crate in "minimal version".

In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same and like parts.

The bottle crate 10 shown in Fig. 1 is formed of a box bottom 1 1, with circumferentially arranged side parts (longitudinal side parts 12, 1 3, front side parts 14, 15), wherein within the box 10 on the bottom of the box 1 1 and between the side panels a truss 16th from intersecting and parallel aligned compartment walls is arranged or formed, which limits corresponding compartments or bottle receiving compartments 17, in which in the usual way bottles 100 (empty or filled, see Fig. 4) can be inserted. These are secured within the framework 16 against falling over, but also against clashing and thus stably received. The open side parts 12, 13, 14, 15 are formed of column elements 50, 60 which are arranged at certain distances from one another (only one pillar element 50 on the one longitudinal side part 12 and one pillar element 60 on the longitudinal side part 13 are respectively denoted by the corresponding reference numerals) marked with the corresponding reference numeral; on the front side parts, the column elements are not provided with reference numerals for a better overview). The column members 50, 60 extend upwardly from the box bottom 11 in use in a substantially vertical direction V from the box bottom 11 and are at an upper end with a frame member 90 extending in use in a substantially horizontal direction H or box connected with each other.

End faces of the column elements 50, 60 are provided as bearing surfaces 51, 52, 61, 62, over which further bottle crates are stackable. Preferably, the box is made of plastic, since this material is very light. In order to support the lightweight construction, the column elements are formed as hollow columns, but reinforced in each case with a reinforcing rib 80 for their stabilization. The respective reinforcing ribs are arranged as transverse ribs. In this embodiment, the column elements form roof-shaped elements with a triangular cross-section whose gable or roof gable 53, 63 projects into the interior of the box (see also Fig. 2a). Other column shapes are conceivable, for. B. round or semicircular or square.

The column members 50, 60 are arranged such that z. For example, an upper box 10 'can be placed on a lower box 10 in a set-up position 30 (eg, Fig. 4) or placed in a lower position 10 in a nest position 40 (e.g., Fig. 5).

In this exemplary embodiment, the column elements 50, 60 face each other from two opposite side parts 12, 13 or 14, 15, moreover, the bottom of the box 1 1 has corresponding edge-side recesses 55, 65 (for recess 65 s, Fig. 5) next to the column elements 50, 60, which are also opposite. Here too, only two recesses are provided for a better overview. However, recesses are also provided on the bottom of the box on the front side parts. The column elements and recesses of a box thus form a mimic 20.

In the set-up position 30, the boxes 10, 10 'stacked one above the other in the same orientation, so that column members 50', 60 'of the upper box 10' on the column members 50, 60 of the lower box 10 on the support surfaces 51, 52 (only for the Box 10 marked with reference numerals) rest. As can be seen in Fig. 1, the column members 50, 60 extend from the bottom 1 1 in the vertical direction V upwards, wherein the peripheral frame member 90 projects slightly beyond the column members 50, 60. The upper box is thus only slightly absorbed in the lower box until it comes to the bottom of the box 1 1 ', in particular with the lower bearing surfaces of the column elements, for sitting on the upper bearing surfaces of the column elements of the lower box.

With the placement position 30, it is possible to keep empties 100 (or even full bottles) in the crates 10 or 10 'and still allow a stacking of several boxes (see Fig. 4).

In a rotated by 180 ° alignment of the upper box 10 'relative to the lower box 10, the upper box 10' can be set deeper into the lower box 10 in the nest position 40. Since, as already described above, the pillar elements 50, 50 ', 60, 60' and the mating recesses on the bottom of the box 1 1 are opposite to the respective opposite side parts, the upper box 10 'rotated in relation to the lower box 10 can be in the lower one Box "10" by the column members 50, 60 of the lower box 10 in the recesses 55 '(see Fig. 5) of the upper box 10' are taken up to the upper box 10 'on the truss 16 of the lower box 10th The mimic 20 is thus designed such that, when the upper box is rotated, corresponding column elements of the lower box can be brought into coincidence with the corresponding recesses of the upper box. Fig. 2a shows a side view of the bottle crate 10 and that one of the longitudinal side parts 12. It can be seen four pillar elements 50 at irregular intervals to each other and the truss 16. Three pillar elements form the side part, one of the columns forms a corner of the box 10 (in Picture right).

A section along the line IIb-IIb of Fig. 2a allows a view of one of the front side parts 15 in Fig. 2b from the inside of the box ago.

Fig. 3a also shows the side view of the bottle crate 10, as in Fig. 2a, but here is an upper bottle crate 10 'set to the lower bottle crate 10 in nest position 40.

Fig. 3b shows a section along the line Illb-IIIb of Fig. 3a.

FIG. 4 now shows a perspective view of two bottle crates 10, 10 'stacked in placement position 30 according to the invention, bottles 100, e.g. B. empties, are included in the departments 17 of the truss 16. The column members of the upper box are located above the column members of the lower box.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of two bottle crates 10, 10 'stacked in the nest position 40 according to the invention. Empties can not be included here, but so many boxes can nest together to save space and can also be stored or transported to save space. Here, the column elements of upper and lower box no longer meet each other but are arranged side by side.

With Fig. 6 again two stacked bottle crates 10, 10 'are shown, wherein a section through the arrangement illustrates the inner workings of the boxes. The upper box 10 'is in its nest position 40 with the box bottom 1 on the truss 16 of the lower box 10. Fig. 7 shows a merely schematic plan view of a bottle crate, wherein a "minimal version" of column elements and recesses is shown. In the set-up position (boxes uniformly aligned) an upper box rests on the column elements on the column elements of the lower box, in the nest position (upper box with respect to the lower rotated by 1 80 °) the column elements of the lower box with the corresponding recesses of the upper box. If one divides a box level into four quadrants, corresponding to a coordinate system, then a column element-recess combination in a quadrant QU and a column element-recess combination (seen from left to right) are provided in a quadrant QIV. Corresponding column elements and recesses could also be provided in the remaining quadrants QI and QU.

It should be noted that the reference numerals are given in detail only for the box 10, for the box 10 '(the upper bottle crate) only partially, since the boxes are formed identically.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 bottle crate

10 'bottle crate

1 1 box bottom

1 Γ box bottom

12 longitudinal side part

1 3 longitudinal side part

14 front side part

15 front side part

16 trusses

17 compartment, bottle compartment

20 facial expressions

30 Aufsetzstellung

40 nest position

50 column element

50 'column element

5 1 Upper support surface

52 Lower bearing surface

53 roof gable

55 recess

55 'recess

60 column element

60 'column element

61 Upper bearing surface

62 Lower bearing surface

63 roof gable

65 recess

80 reinforcement rib

90 frame element

100 bottle, empties

A axis

H Horizontal direction

V Vertical direction

Claims

claims

1. Bottle crate (10, 10 '), with a box bottom (1 1, 1 Γ),

four from the ground substantially vertically upstanding side parts (12, 13, 14, 15) and

a truss (16) with compartments (17) for receiving bottles (100), wherein

the bottle crate (10, 10 ') further comprises a facial expression (20) on at least two opposite side parts (12, 13) and / or (14, 15) and on the bottom of the box (1 1, 1 Γ) for a rotary stacking of several crates (10 , 10 '), which is designed in such a way

that an upper bottle crate (10 ')

- Can be placed on a lower bottle crate (10) in a Aufsetzstellung (30), and

- in a preferably by 180 ° with respect to the Aufsetzstellung (30) about a vertical axis (A) rotated alignment in the lower bottle crate (10) in a nest position (40) is adjustable,

wherein the facial expression (20) is formed from

- At least one projecting into the box interior pillar element (50, 50 ', 60, 60') respectively at least two opposite side parts, and

at least one edge-side recess (55, 65) on the box bottom (11, 11 ') which matches the column element, in each case on the two side parts lying opposite one another,

the pillar element and the recess of each side part being arranged in such a way that

in the set-up position (30), the column element (50 ', 60') of the upper bottle crate (10 ') can be brought into coincidence with the column elements (50, 60) of the lower bottle crate (10) and thus the column elements (50', 60 ') ) of the upper bottle crate (10 ') on the column elements (50, 60) of the lower bottle crate (10) are placed, and in the nest position (40) the column elements (50, 60) of the lower bottle crate (10) with the respective recess of upper bottle crate (10 ') in cover can be brought and so in the respective recess of the upper bottle crate (10 ') are receivable, wherein

the pillar elements (50, 50 ', 60, 60') essentially form the side parts (12, 13, 14, 15) of the bottle crate (10, 10 '), the pillar elements being provided at an upper end of the crate with a peripheral frame element (12). 90) are interconnected, wherein

the side parts (12, 13, 14, 15) are open.

2. Bottle crate according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the mimic (20) is designed such that in the placement position (30) of the lower and upper bottle crate (10, 10 ') in the same orientation and in the nest position (40) are arranged in the rotated orientation to each other.

3. Bottle crate according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that

the upper bottle crate (10 ') on the truss (16) of the lower bottle crate (10) can be placed or that at least one Aufsitzelement is provided which prevents placement of the upper crate on the framework of the lower bottle crate in the nest position.

4. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, in particular according to claim 3,

characterized in that

at least two or a plurality of pillar elements on each of the two opposite side parts, and

- At least two or a plurality of the column elements matching peripheral recesses (55, 65) on the box bottom (1 1, 1 1 ') are provided on each of the two opposite side parts.

5. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, in particular according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that

each of the column elements (50, 50 ', 60, 60') from the bottom (1 1, 1 1 ') extends substantially vertically in the vertical direction (V), wherein each of the lower and the upper end side of the column member as bearing surfaces ( 51, 52, 61, 62) are formed.

6. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, in particular according to one of claims 3 to 5,

characterized in that

each of the column elements is designed as a hollow column element, preferably with a triangular cross-section, in particular preferably with a roof-like structure whose roof gable (53, 63) points into the interior of the bottle crate (10, 10 ').

7. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims, in particular according to claim 6,

characterized in that

the hollow column member has at least one reinforcing rib (80) in its interior.

8. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the height of the framework (16) is less than 'Λ the height of the side parts (12, 13, 14, 15) of the bottle crate (10, 10'), preferably 0.2 to 0.4 times the side part height.

9. Bottle crate according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

this is formed of a plastic.