EP2619103B1 - Transportation and display box - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to boxes for the transport of goods, which make it possible to present the goods transported in the box to a consumer and to facilitate his access to the goods in the box.

A large number of products are transported in boxes opened at the top. For example, a variety of different box shapes are known in the beverage industry for transporting beverage bottles or smaller containers of beverage bottles (for example, so-called "six-packs") from production to retail, whereas in retail the boxes are usually stacked so that access can only be from above and therefore, products that can only be accessed in a box that is in a lower position in the stack when all the boxes above are removed, which is extremely uncomfortable, time consuming and laborious only for the transport of goods of a certain kind, eg bottles, so that other boxes have to be used for the transport of other goods.

It would therefore be advantageous to provide boxes that allow products accessed in the box to be accessed more efficiently and easily.

Some embodiments therefore have a bottom and at least two pairs of opposing sidewalls, wherein a first one of the sidewalls is configured to allow removal from the products contained in the case. For this purpose, the first side wall extends at least partially from the bottom in the vertical direction only by a smaller removal height, which is smaller than the height of one or more of the remaining side walls. The extraction height is determined so that from the first side wall a lateral opening is defined with a dimension that allows access or removal of products contained in the box through the side opening.

According to a first aspect, embodiments provide a box of the above-mentioned embodiment, further comprising a blocking element extending between the two opposite side walls adjoining the first side wall, and which is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the blocking element is arranged in the first position between the opposite side walls and spaced from the first side wall, wherein the blocking element is arranged in the second position with the first side wall overlapping. Such a box is eg off EP 2 062 827 11 known.

The locking member according to the embodiments of the invention comprises a bracket extending between the opposed side walls and two struts disposed at the opposite ends of the bracket, a first end of the struts being disposed at the opposite ends of the bracket, and a second end the struts are rotatably mounted on the corresponding side wall. The opposed sidewalls and the first sidewall may include recesses for receiving the stirrup and the struts, wherein the recesses may be such that the struts and the stirrup in the first and second positions of the detent member, respectively, have a surface of the opposed sidewall facing the first sidewall Side walls or with an outer surface of a side wall are flush. Further, a locking member may be provided which cooperates with the locking member to securely hold the locking member in the first and second positions, respectively. To form the locking element, the struts and / or the bracket of the locking element may be formed to engage with portions of the opposite side walls and the first side wall, according to embodiments, the struts and / or the bracket for this purpose, one or more locking elements to cooperate with corresponding latching element receiving portions of the side walls. The blocking element may be disposed at the second position at a distance from the ground that corresponds to about one third, one half or two thirds of the height of the opposite side walls. Furthermore, the blocking element can be designed to be additionally arranged at a further position spaced from the first side wall, in which case the struts can be telescopically designed to selectively arrange the blocking element at the second or at the further position.

According to a further aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a box of the above type, further comprising an insert for placing on the bottom of the box, the insert being designed depending on the products to be accommodated in the box.

According to embodiments, the insert may be detachably connectable to the floor and / or the side surfaces, preferably only using special tools. The insert may be plate-shaped, and a bottom-facing first surface of the insert may be conformed to a structure of the floor. The first surface opposite surface of the plate-shaped insert is structured according to the male product. The insert may include sleeves, longitudinal struts, cross struts and / or depressions. Embodiments further provide a system comprising a box according to embodiments of the invention and a plurality of inserts structured for different products, wherein one of the inserts can be optionally placed in the box.

According to this aspect, there is thus provided a freely configurable system which can be readily adapted to various products to be contained in the box, for example by a service provider who provides the boxes according to the configuration desired by a customer and holds the appropriate inserts, and the crates assembled without inserts accordingly, in which case it is provided that the inserts are exchangeable only using a special tool, which has only the box manufacturer in his possession.

According to embodiments of the invention, the box will be bounded vertically upwards by the first side wall area extending from the floor (which may also be the entire side wall) of lower removal height. That is, above this first side wall area there is no further frictional connection between the adjacent side walls. In other words, the first side wall is at least partially less high than the surrounding or as some of the surrounding side walls, so that in the box can also be intervened laterally so as to easily gain access to the products in the boxes even when stacked are located in lower boxes of the stack.

In this case, the height of the first side wall in some embodiments is nevertheless such that the specific products transported in the box can not fall out of the box during transport. In some embodiments, the box is designed to carry bottles or bottles pre-packaged in smaller containers, for which reason the first side wall has a height sufficient to prevent individual bottles from falling out of the box. In some embodiments, the height is between 1 and 10cm. In some other embodiments, this height is between 2 and 5 cm, or more generally more than 2 cm.

In some embodiments, the first sidewall has two sidewall portions at each of its edges adjacent the adjacent sidewalls which extend to the level of the adjacent sidewalls to increase the stability of the crate.

In further embodiments of the present invention, the box has four side walls, wherein grip openings are arranged at least in the side walls adjoining the first side wall. The grip openings have a region running parallel to the floor as well as a region running perpendicular to the floor. In some embodiments, the region extending perpendicular to the bottom is arranged in the direction of the first side wall. In some embodiments, moreover, the first, horizontal and substantially parallel to the bottom opening portion in the vertical opening portion with a radius that is large enough to grip the box in the radius can go over. In these embodiments of the invention, it is therefore possible to grasp and lift the box also in the radius or in the vertical opening portion, so that it tilts when gripping to the rear. This reduces the likelihood of articles falling out during transport such as the bottles from the box through the openings of the first side wall.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the box also has in the adjacent to the first side wall floor area a larger support surface for the products to be transported, as an average in the remaining area of the floor. This means, in other words, that if the ground is not fully formed for weight-saving reasons, but for example consists of individual struts, the number of struts per area, so the butt is increased in the adjacent to the first side wall area. As a result, a good placed in the box near the side wall, for example a beverage bottle or can with a large contact surface, is in contact with the floor. This prevents the bottle or beverage can from sliding or tilting in recesses between the floor braces to prevent accidental falling out of the can or bottle during shipping.

Further, in some embodiments, the sidewalls adjacent the first sidewall are less high at the end face adjacent to the first sidewall than at the face opposite the sidewall. That is, in the direction of the opening, the side walls adjoining the opening are lower, so that on the one hand the space available for removal is increased and, on the other hand, the light incidence or the viewing angle in the interior of the box is increased to make the items transported in the box, such as bottles or the like, more visible.

In some other embodiments, the remaining side walls, which do not correspond to the first side wall, are hinged relative to the floor, so that the box in a folded state can be brought, in which the rest of the side walls approximately parallel to the ground resting on this or are located above the ground. This allows the crate to be transported cheaper and more efficiently in the deflated state.

Some embodiments have an additional movable sidewall area that extends above the first sidewall in the vertical direction and that may be either detached or folded down. This can have the advantage that in the unfolded state of the movable side wall area additionally increases the stability or security, so that no goods or products can fall out of the box. Further, in the folded or unfolded state, the movable side wall portion can be used to present product information or the like.

In some embodiments, the movable side wall portion is formed lattice-shaped or formed from a plurality of webs, so that the box can be cleaned with high-pressure radiation without separating the movable side wall portion of the box or unintentionally release this from the box by the high pressure ,

Also, in some embodiments, the remaining sidewalls are laminated on the inside thereof with a foil that contains product information that can be readily viewed from the outside.
In some other embodiments, a light film is provided, so that the objects or bottles transported in the box can be better visually perceived by the light reflection.

In some other embodiments, the remaining three side walls, which do not correspond to the lower wall, are the same height so that the boxes are stackable with the bottom of a box coming to rest on the remaining three side walls of the underlying box. For this purpose, special recesses or contours may be provided both in the bottom and in the upper ends of the remaining side walls, in which engage the corresponding recesses or contours of the floor or the other side walls so as to allow the stackability and a to ensure a secure footing.

In some embodiments of boxes according to the invention suitable for storage or presentation of beverage bottles or cans, the bottom has a plurality of quills extending upwardly from the bottom in the vertical direction. Quills are three-dimensional objects that are on the ground are and which are shaped so that the bottles are held or fixed by the outer boundary surfaces of the quills, so that falling out of the bottles is effectively prevented. In some embodiments, the sleeves in the vertical direction on only a small amount, so that they can also be referred to as Quill stumps. The height and the outer shape of some quills is chosen so that they prevent in conjunction with the first side wall falling out of the bottles through the side opening. In order to still ensure removal, in some embodiments, the sleeves are not higher at their highest point than the first side wall. In some embodiments, the outer boundary surfaces of the sleeves have a varying height to best match this to the tasks set. In order to allow the bottles to tilt out in the direction of the first side wall and nevertheless to ensure good stability, the sleeves have a lower height in a direction parallel to the side wall than in the direction of the first side wall, so that tilting parallel to the first side wall is allowed, whereas tilting a direction perpendicular thereto is made difficult and the bottles are securely held.

Fig. 1

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Kiste zum Transport von Flaschen;

Fig. 2

das Ausführungsbeispiel von Fig. 1 bestückt mit "Sixpacks";

Fig. 3

Befüllte, gestapelte Kisten gemäß dem Ausführungsbeispiel von Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

das Ausführungsbeispiel von Fig. 1 in einer Ansicht von unten;

Fig. 5

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer Kiste;

Fig. 6

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer Kiste mit klappbaren Seitenwänden;

Fig. 7

das Ausführungsbeispiel von Fig. 6 im teilweise eingeklappten Zustand;

Fig. 8

das Ausführungsbeispiel von Fig. 6 im vollständig eingeklappten Zustand;

Fig. 9

das Ausführungsbeispiel von Fig. 6 befüllt mit Flaschen;

Fig. 10

das Ausführungsbeispiel von Fig. 6 befüllt mit "Sixpacks";

Fig. 11

eine Aufsicht auf das Ausführungsbeispiel von Fig. 6;

Fig. 12

eine Detailansicht von in einigen Ausführungsbeispielen verwendeten Pinolen;

Fig. 13(a)

eine Kiste gemäß Fig. 1 mit einem Sperrelement gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung in einer ersten, offenen Position;

Fig. 13(b)

die Kiste aus Fig. 13(a) mit dem Sperrelement in der zweiten, geschlossenen Position;

Fig. 14

eine gestapelte Anordnung einer Kiste aus Fig. 1 und einer Kiste aus Fig. 13;

Fig. 15

eine Kiste gemäß Fig. 1 mit einem austauschbaren Einsatz;

Fig. 16(a)-(d)

Ausführungsbeispiele für Einsätze, die in der Kiste gemäß Fig. 16 verwendet werden können.

Preferred embodiments will be explained below with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

an embodiment of a box for transporting bottles;

Fig. 2

the embodiment of Fig. 1 equipped with "six-packs";

Fig. 3

Filled, stacked boxes according to the embodiment of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4

the embodiment of Fig. 1 in a view from below;

Fig. 5

another embodiment of a box;

Fig. 6

a further embodiment of a box with hinged side walls;

Fig. 7

the embodiment of Fig. 6 in the partially folded state;

Fig. 8

the embodiment of Fig. 6 in the fully folded state;

Fig. 9

the embodiment of Fig. 6 filled with bottles;

Fig. 10

the embodiment of Fig. 6 filled with "sixpacks";

Fig. 11

a view of the embodiment of Fig. 6 ;

Fig. 12

a detailed view of quill used in some embodiments;

Fig. 13 (a)

a box according to Fig. 1 with a blocking element according to an embodiment of the present invention in a first, open position;

Fig. 13 (b)

the box off Fig. 13 (a) with the blocking element in the second, closed position;

Fig. 14

a stacked arrangement of a box Fig. 1 and a box Fig. 13 ;

Fig. 15

a box according to Fig. 1 with a replaceable insert;

Fig. 16 (a) - (d)

Embodiments of inserts in the box according to Fig. 16 can be used.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a box 10 for drinks. The bottom 12 is not continuous in the illustrated embodiment, but consists of a grid-like structure. As seen from the box of Fig. 3 From below, the bottom 12 is formed by a plurality of webs or struts. These are arranged close enough so that the goods to be transported, so for example a bottle, can not fall through the bottom of the box or tilts uncontrollably when the edge of a bottle tilts into one of the cavities between the webs.

The box further comprises two pairs of respective opposite side walls 14a, 14b and 16a, 16b which extend upwardly from the bottom 12, ie in the vertical direction 18. *** " A first of the four side walls, in this example side wall 16b, extends only a small removal height 20 in the vertical direction 18.

The removal height 20 is less than the height of the remaining side walls 14a, 14b and 16a, so that a lateral opening is formed which allows access to or removal of contained and transported in the box bottles or products through the side opening. Above the first side wall 16b there is no further structure of the box. On the floor 12 of the in Fig. 1 In addition, a plurality of sleeves are arranged, of which the sleeve 22a and the sleeve 22b are highlighted by way of example. The lateral opening for removal of the products is thus produced in that the first side wall 16b has a lower height than the adjacent or the remaining side walls. Height should be understood here, as in the following figures, the dimension in the positive vertical direction 18. The term "top" denotes a position in the positive vertical direction 18, the term "bottom" a position having a smaller coordinate in the vertical direction 18. As sides are to be understood any directions that limit the box in the directions parallel to the surface of the bottom 12.

By the first side wall 16b, a lateral opening is defined or formed, which allows access to the removal of transported in the box bottles. Of course, in other embodiments, other products may be transported in the box. In the box of Fig. 1 So-called "six-packs" can also be transported, ie pre-packed containers of six bottles.

In alternative embodiments, not shown here, the side wall is not in its entire length, the low removal height 20, but extending from the adjacent side walls 14a and 14b fixed side wall sections in the lateral opening, the lateral opening still remains so large that a Removal of the products or bottles is guaranteed. Such boxes can have increased stability.

This in Fig. 1 Shown embodiment of a box 10 further comprises a movable side wall portion 23 which is rotatably supported relative to a fixed first side wall 16b via hinges 24a to 24c. The movable side wall portion 23 is in Fig. 1 shown in a folded-down position, where this is folded down with respect to the first side wall 16b. In the folded-up position, which will be illustrated below with reference to some further embodiments, the movable side wall portion 23 extends in the vertical direction 18 upwards. As a result, the security can be additionally increased to the extent that located in the box 10 bottles do not tilt outward. In addition, the movable part can be used to present product information or the like.

The side walls 14a and 14b adjacent to the first side wall 16b each have a handle opening 28a and 28b on which the box can be lifted and carried. In this case, the handle openings both a first, parallel to the bottom view extending opening portion and a second, extending substantially in the vertical direction opening area, whose function is described below with reference to Fig. 3 will be explained in more detail.

Further, the side walls 14a and 14b adjacent to the first side wall 16b have beveled edge portions 30a and 30b at their end facing the first side wall, through which light may fall into the cases even when they are stacked. When in Fig. 1 In the embodiment shown, the ends of the side walls 14a and 14b adjoining the first side wall 16b have a smaller height than at their opposite end. It goes without saying that, although in the in Fig. 1 In the embodiment shown, the recessed part of the side wall is substantially triangular, any other shapes of the recess can also be used for alternative embodiments. In some embodiments, the height increases from the first side wall 16b side walls 14a and 14b continuously up to the maximum height. Of course, in alternative embodiments, the increase in height may also be staircase or stepwise.

In the Fig. 1 shown box is stackable, that is, the contours of the upper ends of the side walls 14a, 14b and 16a are designed such that when stacking with the contour or the structure of the bottom of another box engages (see, for example Fig. 3 ), so that the boxes can be stacked on top of each other. Nevertheless, the side opening defined by the first side wall 16b allows bottles or bottle packs, such as six-packs, to be taken out of the interior of the box, even when stacked.

In some embodiments, the inwardly facing surfaces of the sidewalls 14a, 14b and 16a are light colored so that the light incidence caused by the apertures 30a and 30b makes the bottles within the box readily visible to the outside observer. In alternative embodiments, the surfaces are covered with product references or advertisements.

This in Fig. 1 The illustrated embodiment further includes on at least one of the side walls (in the case of side wall 14b shown here) a plurality of vertically extending webs 32a to 32d projecting inwardly from a side surface, which prevent the bottles inside the box from the quills be held, come with their entire side surface with the side wall in contact and pollute them over a large area. At the in Fig. 1 In the embodiment shown, the webs 32a to 32d are each arranged so that the bottles abut with their outermost radius at the positions of the webs 32a to 32d on the outer wall. Thus, it can be prevented that large areas of the inner surfaces of the side walls are contaminated, since this is the case only for the webs.

Fig.2 shows the embodiment of the box 10 of Fig. 1 in the condition filled with 3 six-packs.

The six-packs 40a, 40b and 40c each contain six individual bottles not shown here for reasons of clarity.

The six-packs are held in addition to the sleeves, which engage from below in the purpose for this purpose below open six-pack, by the webs 42a and 42b, which, as in Fig. 1 represented, are arranged on the bottom 12 of the box 10.

As seen from the view of Fig. 3 , which shows two boxes 10 and 10a in the stacked state, it becomes clear that the products or bottles can also be removed from the lower box 10 in the stacked state. This of course also applies to the six-packs 40a, 40b and 40c, if they are transported or presented as an alternative to individual bottles in the boxes. Like from the Figures 2 and 3 becomes apparent, the in Fig. 1 illustrated special embodiment of a box with respect to the bottles to be transported on a high flexibility, since on the one hand six packs and on the other individual bottles can be transported with the box. This follows from the in Fig. 1 illustrated arrangement of the sleeves 22a and 22b and the webs 42a and 42b.

It goes without saying that in other embodiments of the box 10, the sleeve arrangement can be chosen differently. For example, can be completely dispensed with webs in some embodiments, and instead only sleeves can be used. At the in Fig. 1 However, both embodiments are possible, since each individual bottle, which is inserted in one of the free spaces between sleeves and / or webs, in each of four directions either through a side wall of a web, through a quill or one of the side walls 14a, 14b, 16a or 16b of the box is supported so that it is stably supported for transport.

As in Fig. 3 As can be seen, it is due to the stackability of the boxes and the possibility of lateral removal, which is created by the first side wall 16 b, now possible to offer different products for sale in a column of stacked boxes. The side wall 16b prevents it in interaction with the sleeves, that during transport, the bottles can tip out of the box 10, so the side wall 16b is dimensioned so that it prevents a tilting out of the box during transport. It still remains low enough that the bottles can be removed from the front of the box, even if there is another box 10a on the box 10. For this purpose, according to some embodiments, the bottles are first lifted slightly and then tilted out to the front. This is made possible in some embodiments by a special embodiment of the sleeves, as described below with reference to Fig. 12 will be described in more detail.

Fig. 3 clearly shows a further property of some embodiments, namely the particular configuration of the handle openings 28a and 28b. The handle opening is curved and extends both horizontally and vertically. In other words, the handle opening 28a has a first opening area 50a extending parallel to the floor 12 and a second opening area 50b extending substantially in the vertical direction 18. The demarcation between vertical and horizontal opening area is in Fig. 3 merely as an example. The handle opening 28a thus also extends with a significant extension in the vertical direction, so that the handle opening 28a can also be used in the vertical opening area by a person. Of course, in alternative embodiments, the handle opening 28a may be shaped differently than that in FIG Fig. 3 pointed embodiment. For example, this may also have a square or rectangular cross-section, so that the box can be lifted both from above by means of the horizontal opening portion 50a and from the side by means of the vertical opening portion 50b.

At the in Fig. 3 In the embodiment shown, the vertical opening region is located on the side associated with the first side wall 16b and merges with the outer contour (that is, at the contour pointing in the direction of the first side wall) with a large radius into the horizontal opening region 50a. As a result, when the box is lifted, it can also be gripped in the radius, so that when the vertical opening area is on the side associated with the first side wall 16b, the box tilts backwards (in the direction of the side wall 16a) that falling out of the individual bottles is additionally prevented by the inclination of the box when carrying.

In some embodiments, as with reference to FIG Fig. 4 A perspective view from below of the box of Fig. 1 shows and based on Fig. 11 . which shows a bottom view of a further embodiment illustrated, additionally increases security by a special design of the bottom 12 in the area adjacent to the first side wall 16b region 50.

In some embodiments, the floor 12 is not formed over the entire surface, but formed to save weight and for easier cleaning by an arrangement of ribs. These cover the surface of the bottom 12 so that the individual bottles rest securely on the floor 12 with their bottom of the bottle. In the region 50 of the front edge, that is to say in the region 50 adjoining the first side wall 16b, the number or surface density of the ribs is increased compared with the remaining region, so that the bottles located there do not tilt outwards by themselves can, if they are tilted by external influences from its rest position slightly toward the first side wall 16b. This is avoided by placing the ribs in the region 50 adjacent the first sidewall 16b so close that the edge of a bottle can not tilt between the void spaces between two adjacent ribs. In other words, in the area 50 adjacent to the first side wall 16b, the floor 12 has a support surface for the bottles that is larger than the support surface provided on average over the floor per unit area, to allow secure retention of the bottles.

How out Fig. 4 also seen, the bottom 12 at the adjacent to the side walls 14a, 14b and 16a region an increase of a plurality of ribs whose contour is formed so that when placed on another box in the interior of the side walls in the contour of the side walls of the other Box intervenes to ensure stackability and a secure footing when stacked.

Further, the bottom of the box in the middle of a strut 52 which extends from the side wall 16a to the first side wall 16b and the webs in the vertical direction have a greater extent than the other webs of the soil. This strut 52 serves to additionally support the first side wall 16b of lesser height in order to increase the stability of the box. The strut 52 is centrally located so that the strut, which extends farther down than the rest of the ground, does not interfere with the removal of the bottles from the lower box when stacked.

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment, which differs from the embodiments discussed with reference to the preceding figures essentially in that with the in Fig. 5 shown embodiment, other bottle sizes can be transported. While that in Fig. 1 shown embodiment adapted to bottles with the content 0.5 l, that is in Fig. 5 shown embodiment of a box adapted to bottles with content of 0.33 l. Therefore, the embodiment differs from Fig. 5 essentially in the arrangement of the sleeves of the embodiment of Fig. 1 and in the thickness of the side walls 14a, 14b and 16a, which has been altered to hold the bottles located inside the box with the same outer volume of the box. For example, the in Fig. 5 The box shown has five sleeves 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d and 54e adjacent to the first side wall 16b to hold a total of six bottles of 0.33 liters in the first row. Furthermore, the box of Fig. 5 only a continuous web 56 in the middle of the box, so that alternatively four six-packs can be transported with the box.

Furthermore, the embodiment of FIG Fig. 5 unlike the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4 the box with upwardly folded movable side wall portion 23 on the first side wall 16b. By the way, the design features of the box of Fig. 5 those of Fig. 1 correspond and each have identical functionality is based on a re-discussion of the box with Fig. 1 omitted matching components. In addition, it should be mentioned here that the in Fig. 5 shown box as well as the in Fig. 1 shown box on the side wall 16 a, which is opposite to the first side wall 16 b, at least one opening 58 which extends through the side wall 16 a, so that the box by means of the opening on a wall or a shelf or the like can be hung or hung.

To increase the security of the attachment point in the FIGS. 1 and 5 shown embodiments in each case additionally an optional second attachment opening 60.

This in Fig. 6 embodiment shown is also configured for the transport of 24 pieces of bottles each with 0.33 1 content and corresponds in many parts to the in Fig. 5 shown embodiment. In the embodiment of Fig. 5 However, the side walls 14a, 14b and 16a or at least parts of the side walls 14a, 14b and 16a arranged hingedly with respect to the bottom by means of hinges. They are so foldable that they can be folded in the direction of the ground, and are in a folded state substantially parallel to the ground, as in Fig. 7 is illustrated for the side wall 16 a, which is in the folded state parallel to the surface of the bottom 12. Fig. 8 shows all the side walls 14a, 14b and 16a in the folded state, so that in the folded state, the box can be easily transported back to the brewery or a bottler, without consuming a lot of storage space. This can significantly reduce transport costs.

Although based on the FIGS. 6 to 8 the hinged side walls 14a, 14b and 16a are shown only for a box configured to carry 24 bottles of 0.33 liters, it goes without saying that the in Fig. 1 shown box for 0.5 l bottles with hinged side walls can be equipped. Generally applies to all of the embodiments shown here, that the features that are described or shown with reference to the individual embodiments can be combined with each other in order to arrive at alternative further embodiments boxes.

Fig. 9 illustrates the embodiment of Fig. 5 when loaded, there are 24 bottles in the box.

As well as in Fig. 5 Here, too, the movable side wall portion 23 is in the unfolded position so as to additionally secure the bottles of the foremost row or to affix product labels for transport on the outside of the flexible member 23 which are not relevant to the presentation of the product.

Fig. 10 shows the embodiment of Fig. 5 with an alternative form of loading, namely with four six-packs 70a, 70b, 70c and 70d.

Fig. 11 Finally, a plan view of the embodiment of Fig. 5 4, it can be seen that the quill 54c has a different geometric shape than the quills 54a, 54b and 54d or 54e, to allow the setting of six-packs. In alternative embodiments, however, the central sleeve 54c may, of course, have the same shape as the remaining sleeves, such as sleeve 54a. Likewise, any other quills may have the shape of the sleeve 54c.

Like the supervisor in Fig. 11 can be seen, even in the case of boxes for 24 bottles of the bottom 12 is constructed in the adjacent to the first side wall 16 area 50 with a larger contact surface than the average contact surface of the entire floor to prevent accidental dumping of the bottles from the box prevent.

Fig. 12 shows an enlarged view of the sleeves 54a to 54c, so that their special shape is visible, which allows in conjunction with the first side wall 16b to keep the bottles both safe and forward removable. To achieve this, some embodiments of sleeves have an outer surface whose height in the vertical direction 18 is not constant. The outer boundary surface of the sleeve 54a is to be understood below as the created surface 70, that is to say the surface or those Surface elements that limit the quill laterally, ie in all directions orthogonal to the vertical direction 18.

The outer boundary surface 70 has a varying height, as already described above. Here, the quill is less high in a first side surface area 75 that is parallel to the first side wall 16b and secures a bottle backwards (in the direction 72 away from the first side wall 16b) than in a second side surface area 76 that holds the bottle prevents tilting in a direction 74 parallel to the first side wall 16b.

At the in Fig. 12 shown quill 54a, which has a substantially diamond-shaped cross-section, which has a tip in the direction of the first side wall 16b, the function of preventing the tilting backwards so a first boundary surface area 75 is met, the quill substantially in the direction parallel to first side wall 16b completes. A second boundary surface area 76 delimiting the sleeve 54b in the direction of the first side wall 16b prevents tilting of the bottles parallel to the first side wall 16b.

The first side surface area 75 is lower than the second side surface area 76 in order to allow for tilting the bottles forward tilting without having to raise the bottle so far that it may already abut the bottom of another box that is stacked on the considered box is.

The second boundary area 76, on the other hand, prevents tilting in the direction parallel to the first side wall 16b and can therefore be higher to increase the stability. Generally, both the sleeves 54a and 54b and the sleeve 54c provide maximum stability while allowing for tipping out forward, in that the sleeves have a lower height in the direction parallel to the side wall than in the direction perpendicular to the side wall.

Furthermore, the quills are in Fig. 12 provided with outer boundary surfaces which are concavely inwardly arched between the tips of the substantially diamond-shaped basic shape, wherein the radius of the curvature substantially corresponds to the diameter of a bottle in order to hold the bottle still safe can.

Based on Figures 13 and 14 In the following, an aspect of the invention will be described according to which a box, such as that described with reference to FIGS FIGS. 1 to 12 has been explained, is provided with a further element, a blocking element, which, for example serves as transport protection. Fig. 13 shows a box that is essentially the box Fig. 1 so that a re-description of the various already based on the FIG. 1 described elements no longer occurs. As can be seen, the box comprises according to Fig. 13 (a) a locking member 100 having a bracket 102 that includes two opposite ends. At a first end 102a of the bracket 102, a first strut 104 is arranged, and at a second end 102b of the bracket 102, a second strut 106 is arranged. The bracket 102 facing away from the ends 104a and 106a of the struts 104, 106 are rotatably disposed on the opposite side surfaces or end surfaces 14a and 14b. At the in Fig. 13 (a) illustrated situation, the blocking element or transport protection element 100 is in a position which is between a first position and a second position. Based on Fig. 13 (b) is the in Fig. 13 (a) shown box again, but now with the locking element 100 in a first position in which the bracket 102 extends between the side walls 14a and 14b, which is spaced from the lower side wall 16b. At the in Fig. 13 (b) As shown, the bracket 102 is halfway up the side walls 14a and 14b, but the present invention is not limited to this arrangement. Rather, the bracket 102 may be arranged either higher or lower depending on the circumstances. The struts 104 and 106 are configured and stored such that when folding the bracket 102 from the in Fig. 13 (a) shown position in the Fig. 13 (b) shown position of the bracket 102 occupies a desired distance to the lower, lower side wall 116b. How out Fig. 13 (b) can be seen, the side walls 14a and 14b and the low side wall 16b facing surfaces of these two end walls are structured to the struts 104 and 106 and the region in which the bracket 102 is connected to the struts 104 and 106, ie opposite ends 102a and 102b of the bracket 102 in recesses or recesses, in such a way that adjusts a flush front surface.

Fig. 14 shows a stacked arrangement of a box Fig. 1 , according to a box according to Fig. 13 is arranged, but here the situation is shown in which the bracket 102 is arranged in a second position in which it is arranged overlapping with the low side wall 14 b. As can be seen, the low side wall 16b is also structured by recesses or recesses so as to secure the bracket 102 in the in Fig. 14 shown, so that a flush front surface of the side wall 16b adjusts.

How out FIGS. 13 (b) and 14 Further, the opposite ends 102a and 102b of the yoke 102 are configured to be in the first position shown in FIG Fig. 13 (b) is shown, the respective side wall 14a and 14b engage around so one Locking and secure positioning of the bracket 102 to ensure. Similarly, at the in Fig. 14 shown position secure positioning of the bracket 102 achieved in that corresponding engagement elements formed in the low wall, engage with the bracket 102 engage.

The advantage of the aspect of the invention is that now an additional transport protection element is provided, which during transport in the in Fig. 13 (b) is shown, and thus can act on in-box products to prevent movement thereof in the direction of the opening, in other words, to provide a further barrier against falling out of the products. The bracket is rotatably connected to the side surfaces or end surfaces of the box, and can be easily removed from the in Fig. 13 (b) shown, locked position in the open position, so that a free access to the products contained in the box is possible.

The invention is not based on the Figures 13 and 14 Rather, instead of the arrangement of the bracket 102 at about half height of the end walls, a different positioning may be chosen, for example, the distance from the low wall 16b to one third of the height of the side walls or two thirds of the height of the side walls become. Further, according to one embodiment, it may be provided to telescope the struts 104 and 106 so as to position the stirrup 102 from the situation in FIG Fig. 14 to be arranged at different heights along the height of the side walls, so that the height of the locking element 102 can be flexibly adjusted depending on the products contained in the box.

Based on Figs. 15 and 16 a further aspect is described below, wherein the Fig. 15 a box shows, already based on the Fig. 1 has been described, but differs in terms of the design of the bottom 12. At the in Fig. 15 a box 112 is provided, which is arranged on the bottom of the box detachably from the same. The in Fig. 16 Insert 112 shown includes an upper surface 112a, on which a first strut 114 is shown, which extends parallel to the opposite end walls 14a and 14b over the entire depth of the box to the rear wall 16a. Another strut, the crossbar 116, is provided which extends from the side wall 14a at about half the height of the depth of the box to the first strut 114. For example, the insert 112 may be provided to receive carton-packaged products having dimensions corresponding to the resulting compartments in the insert 112. In addition to such products, any products may be provided to comply with in the box Fig. 16 to be included, according to the invention for various products and various inserts 112 may be arranged detachably in the box.

Based on Fig. 16 Some examples of the configuration of the inserts 112 are shown, for example, wherein the surface 112a in FIG Fig. 16 (a) may be provided with rectangular and circular depressions to simultaneously accommodate products having a corresponding footprint. Fig. 16 (b) shows, similar to in Fig. 15 , the arrangement of struts on the upper surface 112a of the insert 112, and according to FIG Fig. 16 (c) For example, quills may be provided on the top surface 112a, similar to that shown in FIG FIGS. 1 to 12 has been described. The Fig. 16 (d) Figure 11 shows a lower surface 112b of the insert 112, with corner-mounted elements 118a-118d serving to engage corresponding elements or recesses in the bottom 12 of the box, the elements 118 preferably being configured such that, for example after a latching with the case bottom a solution of the case bottom is possible only using special tools, so that a box manufacturer can customize the boxes in different ways according to the wishes of the customer, without the customer who uses the box, a possibility has to replace the insert for use with other products. In this way, the boxes can be tailored according to the requirements of the customers and in particular can respond flexibly to increased demands for boxes with certain applications, when at the same time boxes for other products are not so much in demand.

Hereinafter, further embodiments will be described.

According to one embodiment, the box comprises a first pair of short side walls 14a, 14b and a second pair of long side walls 16a, 16b, wherein the first side wall 16b may be one of the long side walls 16a, 16b.

According to one embodiment, the box comprises a movable sidewall region 23 which extends upwardly in the vertical direction 18 on the first side wall 16b and which is movable in the direction of the bottom with respect to the first side wall 16b. The movable side wall portion 23 may be hinged with respect to a fixed to the bottom 12 fixed first side wall 16b.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the box, the side walls 14a, 14b adjoining the first side wall 16b each include a handle opening 28a, 28b for lifting the box, wherein a handle opening 28a, 28b each have a first, parallel to the bottom opening portion and a second, on of the first side wall 16b facing side of the handle opening 28a, 28b located, extending in a substantially vertical direction opening portion, wherein the opening portions 28a, 28b on the side facing away from the bottom 12 in a transition region with a curvature into each other, which is a gripping the box also allows in the transition region, and wherein the radius of curvature is greater than 2 cm.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the box, the floor 12 comprises, at an area adjoining the first side wall 16b, a bearing surface for the products to be transported, which is larger than a bearing surface transmitted over the entire floor 12.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the box, the side walls 14a, 14b adjoining the first side wall 16b have a lower first height than a second height at their opposite end at their end adjoining the first side wall. The height of the side walls 14a, 14b adjacent the first side wall 16b may increase continuously from the first height to the second height.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the box, the remaining side walls 14a, 14b, 16a not corresponding to the first side wall 16b are movably arranged with respect to the bottom 12 such that they can be folded in the direction of the bottom 12 into a folded-down state, in which they are substantially parallel to the bottom 12 are located.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the box, a plurality of sleeves 22a, 22b are arranged on the bottom 12 of the box, which are designed such that they can hold bottles arranged in the box, the height of the sleeves 22a, 22b in the vertical direction 18 being the removal height 20 the first side wall 16b does not exceed.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the box, a plurality of sleeves 22a, 22b are arranged on the bottom 12 of the box, which are designed such that they can hold bottles arranged in the box, wherein the boundary surface of the sleeve 22a has a substantially diamond-shaped cross section parallel to the bottom , and wherein one of the tips of the diamond points in the direction of the first side wall 16b. The The outer boundary surface of the sleeve 22a between the tips of the diamond-shaped cross section may be concavely inwardly curved. The radius of the bulges may correspond approximately to the radius of a bottle body to be held in the box.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the box, the first side wall 16b is detachably connected to the floor 12.

Although discussed above in the context of beverage crates, other embodiments are of course also applicable to other types of products. For example, beverage cans and any other cylindrical objects, such as hair sprays, deodoses or the like can be transported with the boxes according to the invention. Furthermore, the boxes with a lateral opening are also suitable for completely different types of products, which may also differ from a cylindrical basic shape. The boxes are universally applicable for all sorts of products, as they allow that in the stacked state, the products can also be removed laterally from the box. This great advantage is not limited to the type of goods transported.

Claims (15)

1. A box, comprising :

   a floor (12);

   at least two pairs of respectively opposing side walls (14a, 14b, 16a, 16b), wherein a first one of the side walls (16b) extends upwards from the floor (12) in a vertical direction (18) at least partially only by a retrieval height (20) which is lower than the height of one or several of the remaining side walls (14a, 14b, 16a), to define a lateral opening with dimensions which enable an access to and the removal of products contained in the box through the lateral opening; and

   a locking element (100) extending between the two opposing side walls (14a, 14b) which abut on the first side wall (16b), and which is moveable between a first position and a second position,

   wherein the locking element is arranged in the first position between the opposing side walls (14a) and (14b) and spaced apart from the first side wall (16a),

   wherein the locking element (100) is arranged in the second position overlapping the first side wall (16b); and

   wherein the locking element includes a bracket (102) extending between the opposing side walls (14a, 14b) and two struts (104, 106) arranged at the opposing ends (102a, 102b) of the bracket (102),

   characterized in that an end of the struts (104, 106) spaced apart from the bracket (102) is arranged rotationally moveable at the corresponding side wall (14a, 14b).
2. The box according to claim 1, wherein the opposing side walls (14a, 14b) and the first side wall (16b) include recesses to receive the bracket (102) and the struts (104, 106).
3. The box according to claim 2, wherein the recesses are such that the struts (104, 106) and the bracket (102) in the first or second position of the locking element (100) are flush with a surface of the opposing side walls (14a, 14b) facing the first side wall (16b) or with an exterior surface of the one side wall (16b).
4. The box according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising a latching element cooperating with the locking element (100) to keep the locking element securely in the first or the second position.
5. The box according to claim 4, wherein the struts (104, 106) and/or the bracket (102) of the locking element (100) are implemented to engage portions of the opposing side walls (14a, 14b) and/or the first side wall (16b).
6. The box according to claim 5, wherein the struts (104, 106) and/or the bracket (102) of the locking element (100) include one or several snap-in elements to cooperate with corresponding snap-in element receiving portions of the side walls.
7. The box according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the locking element (100) in the second position is arranged at a distance from the floor (12) which is about a third, half or two thirds of the height of the opposing side walls (14a, 14b).
8. The box according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the locking element is implemented to be arranged at a further position spaced apart from the first side wall.
9. The box according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the struts (104, 106) of the locking element (100) are implemented telescopically in order to arrange the locking element (100) selectively at the second position or at the further position.
10. The box according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first side wall (16b) includes one or two side wall sections which extend starting from one of the adjacent side walls in the direction of the lateral opening and comprise a height which is greater than the retrieval height (20).
11. The box according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the side walls (14a, 14b) adjacent to the first side wall (16b) each comprise a grip opening (28a, 28b) for lifting the box, wherein a grip opening (28a, 28b) each comprises a first opening area extending in parallel to the floor and a second opening area located on the side of the grip opening (28a, 28b) facing the first side wall (16b) and passing basically in the vertical direction.
12. The box according to claim 11, wherein the opening areas (28a, 28b) at the side facing away from the floor (12) pass into each other in a transition area with a curvature, which enables a gripping of the box also in the transition area.
13. The box according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein on the floor (12) of the box a plurality of sleeves (22a, 22b) are arranged which are implemented such that they may hold bottles arranged in the box.
14. The box according to claim 13, wherein the sleeves (22a, 22b) comprise an outer boundary surface extending upwards from the floor (12) in a vertical direction (18), wherein the height of the surface varies along the outer circumference of the sleeve.
15. The box according to claim 14, wherein at least one sleeve (22a) comprises a boundary surface area (75) limiting the sleeve (22a) in a direction in parallel to the first side wall (16b) which has a smaller height than a second boundary surface area (76) limiting the sleeve (22a) in the direction of the first side wall (16b).

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