EP2640646A1 - Contenant empilable pourvu d'un peigne supérieur - Google Patents

Contenant empilable pourvu d'un peigne supérieur

Info

Publication number
EP2640646A1
EP2640646A1 EP11796772.9A EP11796772A EP2640646A1 EP 2640646 A1 EP2640646 A1 EP 2640646A1 EP 11796772 A EP11796772 A EP 11796772A EP 2640646 A1 EP2640646 A1 EP 2640646A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
chime
ridges
wall
recessed area
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP11796772.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2640646B1 (fr
Inventor
Andrew Smith
Sergio Sonzogni
Philip Andrew Walton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
PET Engineering and Services SRL
Original Assignee
PET Engineering and Services SRL
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by PET Engineering and Services SRL filed Critical PET Engineering and Services SRL
Publication of EP2640646A1 publication Critical patent/EP2640646A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2640646B1 publication Critical patent/EP2640646B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/0209—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position
    • B65D21/0215—Containers with stacking feet or corner elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/0209—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position
    • B65D21/0224—Auxiliary removable stacking elements other than covers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/0209—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position
    • B65D21/023—Closed containers provided with local cooperating elements in the top and bottom surfaces, e.g. projection and recess
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
    • B65D1/12—Cans, casks, barrels, or drums
    • B65D1/14—Cans, casks, barrels, or drums characterised by shape
    • B65D1/16—Cans, casks, barrels, or drums characterised by shape of curved cross-section, e.g. cylindrical

Definitions

  • This invention relates to containers, particularly kegs, which are suitable for holding beverages such as beer or fruit juices or other liquids.
  • Kegs for holding beverages such as beer are traditionally made of metal. After use the keg is cleaned and re-filled so that the keg may be used many times during its lifetime.
  • kegs are used to transport the contents for long distances, sometimes between continents, and transport costs can make it uneconomical to return the kegs for reuse.
  • Kegs are traditionally provided with top and bottom chimes secured to opposite ends of a container body.
  • the top chime provides handles for handling the kegs while the bottom chime provides a stable base upon which the keg may stand.
  • the chimes also provide protection for the container body which is easily dented or damaged, particularly if the container is moved by rolling it on its side.
  • the chimes are generally injection moulded and the container body is formed by blow moulding. Injection moulded chimes are strong and are capable of doing the same job as metal chimes. Furthermore, the top and bottom chimes can be designed to inter-engage with each other such that the kegs can be safely stacked during storage and transportation.
  • manufacture of such chimes requires relatively expensive injection moulding tools and adds a significant amount to the cost.
  • the present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of keg or similar container which can be manufactured with reduced cost and energy consumption, which is easy to handle with low risk of damage, and which can stand in a stable condition, either alone or stacked with other similar kegs.
  • the present invention proposes a container which includes a container body and a top chime formed with a peripheral skirt and an integral continuous peripheral handle, the container body having a side wall, a top wall which is received within the chime, and a bottom wall,
  • the bottom wall of the container is formed with ridges extending outwards from a central region, the ridges being shaped to support the container stably on a flat surface and to engage a recessed area of the top chime when one such container is stacked upon another in use.
  • the ridges preferably include at least one foot-like projection which engages within the recessed area.
  • the recessed area may be formed on the outer periphery of the chime or inset from its outer periphery.
  • the deepest parts of the channels formed between the ridges are preferably conjoined to form a domed region of the bottom wall which merges into the side wall. Such a configuration ensures that the bottom wall of the container is able to withstand internal gas pressures with little or no outward distortion.
  • the ridges and projections may be formed by a simple pressing or moulding operation, requiring a minimum amount of additional material.
  • the contents of the container produce internal pressure on the bottom wall which, in its preferred configuration, has a high tendency to resist distortion.
  • Figure 1 is side view of two stacked kegs in accordance with the invention
  • Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional detail of the stacked kegs, sectioned axially through the bottom ridges;
  • Figure 3 is an axial section through the bottom of one of the kegs in between the bottom ridges;
  • Figure 4 is a sectional detail of a second form of keg in accordance with the invention, stacked one upon another.
  • each keg comprises a keg body 1 and a top chime 2 which incorporates a valve assembly (not shown).
  • Fig. 2 shows, in axial section, the bottom portion of the upper keg which is supported on the top portion of the lower keg.
  • the body 1 of each keg is formed in one piece, e.g. by blow moulding, and incorporates a cylindrical side wall 10, a domed top wall 1 1 incorporating a central neck 12, and a bottom wall 13.
  • the neck 12 receives a valve assembly 4 provided with a draw tube 5 which extends to the bottom of the keg allowing pressurised liquid to be withdrawn from the bottom of the keg.
  • the valve assembly When the valve assembly is not engaged by a suitable fitting it closes under spring pressure in known manner to sealably retain pressurised liquid within the container.
  • the bottom wall 13 is moulded to form six co-planar ridges 14 which radiate outwardly from a central region 16, thus providing the bottom wall with a petaloid configuration (like the petals of a flower).
  • the channels which are formed between the ridges 14 are viewed in axial section as in Fig. 3, the deepest part of those channels meet at central region 16 such that they are conjoined to form a continuous domed region 15 which merges smoothly into the cylindrical side wall 10.
  • Such a configuration ensures that the bottom wall of the keg is able to withstand internal gas pressures with little or no outward distortion.
  • the outermost end of each ridge 14 is formed with an integral downward projection 17, forming six integral feet which are capable of supporting the keg stably on a flat surface.
  • the top chime 3 is formed in one piece by injection moulding and includes a ring-shaped handle 20 joined to a central hub 21 by radial spokes 22.
  • the handle 20 is also provided with axially-extending channel-shaped members 23 which connect the handle to a peripheral skirt 24 which fits closely over the upper end of the keg body 1 .
  • the handle 20 is formed as a continuous upwardly-open double channel, comprising a bottom wall 25, two upstanding middle and inner walls 26 and 27, and a shorter upstanding outer wall 28 forming an external step-like recess between the outer wall 28 and the adjacent inner wall 26.
  • the top chime 3 may be secured to the keg body via the peripheral skirt 24 and may also be held in place by the valve assembly 4.
  • the contents of the keg exert an outward pressure upon the petaloid bottom wall 13 which is resisted by the domed region 15.
  • the internal pressure is also exerted on the integral ridges 14 and foot projections 17 to ensure that the ridges and projections are held rigid and provide stable firm support for the filled keg.
  • the middle and inner walls 26 and 27 of the handle 20 provide firm support for the radial ridges 14, and the projections 17 locate within the external recess formed by the walls 26 and 28 to radially locate the upper keg relative to the middle wall 26.
  • Fig.s 1 to 3 provides maximum spacing between the projections 17 and provides the pressurised keg with a high level of stability when stood on a flat surface.
  • Fig. 4 shows an alternative arrangement in which the foot-like projections 30 are formed part-way along the length of the bottom ridges 14 so that they locate with a central recessed area of the top chime 2 which is bounded by the inner wall 27 of the handle 20.
  • the keg may be slightly less stable when stood on a flat surface the projections produce less stretching of the plastic during blow moulding and may therefore reduce the risk of weakness in the wall of the container body.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
  • Stackable Containers (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)

Abstract

Un contenant, tel qu'un fût de bière, comprend un corps de contenant moulé par soufflage et un peigne supérieur 2 moulé par injection. Le peigne 2 comporte une anse périphérique continue 20 qui est reliée à un moyeu central 21 par des rayons radiaux 22, avec une collerette périphérique 24 qui s'ajuste sur la partie supérieure du corps de contenant. La base du corps de contenant est pourvue d'arêtes radiales 14 et de canaux intercalés 15 produisant une configuration en pétale. Les arêtes 14 sont pourvues de saillies incorporées du type pieds 17 qui se trouvent dans une zone renfoncée du peigne délimitée par l'anse 20 pour permettre aux contenants d'être empilés d'une manière stable. Les parties les plus profondes des canaux formés entre les arêtes 14 se rejoignent pour former une paroi de région bombée 15 qui fusionne avec la paroi latérale 10. Le contenu du contenant exerce une pression interne sur la paroi inférieure qui une tendance faible à se déformer lors de l'utilisation.
EP11796772.9A 2010-11-17 2011-10-27 Contenant empilable pourvu d'un peigne supérieur Active EP2640646B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1019456.1A GB2485555B (en) 2010-11-17 2010-11-17 Stackable container with a top chime
PCT/GB2011/052093 WO2012066303A1 (fr) 2010-11-17 2011-10-27 Contenant empilable pourvu d'un peigne supérieur

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2640646A1 true EP2640646A1 (fr) 2013-09-25
EP2640646B1 EP2640646B1 (fr) 2016-12-21

Family

ID=43431575

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11796772.9A Active EP2640646B1 (fr) 2010-11-17 2011-10-27 Contenant empilable pourvu d'un peigne supérieur

Country Status (12)

Country Link
US (1) US20130256180A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2640646B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2013542896A (fr)
CN (1) CN103339037B (fr)
AU (1) AU2011330976A1 (fr)
BR (1) BR112013012070A2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2817878A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2485555B (fr)
IL (1) IL226304A0 (fr)
MX (1) MX2013005307A (fr)
RU (1) RU2578118C2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2012066303A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020249933A1 (fr) 2019-06-10 2020-12-17 Polykeg S.R.L. Terminal d'écoulement pour tube plongeur de contenant

Families Citing this family (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD716143S1 (en) * 2011-11-22 2014-10-28 3M Innovative Properties Company End cap for a container
USD842579S1 (en) 2016-09-23 2019-03-05 Silvia Romana Marabini Barrel
GB2560028A (en) * 2017-02-28 2018-08-29 Ipet Tech Ltd Stackable hollow plastic container
GB2560058B (en) 2017-02-28 2020-10-28 Ipet Tech Ltd Stackable hollow plastic container
WO2019049153A1 (fr) 2017-09-07 2019-03-14 Chait Yochanan Gobelets à empiler

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020249933A1 (fr) 2019-06-10 2020-12-17 Polykeg S.R.L. Terminal d'écoulement pour tube plongeur de contenant

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2817878A1 (fr) 2012-05-24
JP2013542896A (ja) 2013-11-28
RU2013127267A (ru) 2014-12-27
AU2011330976A1 (en) 2013-07-04
CN103339037B (zh) 2015-05-13
GB2485555B (en) 2014-06-04
RU2578118C2 (ru) 2016-03-20
MX2013005307A (es) 2013-09-26
CN103339037A (zh) 2013-10-02
IL226304A0 (en) 2013-07-31
US20130256180A1 (en) 2013-10-03
EP2640646B1 (fr) 2016-12-21
BR112013012070A2 (pt) 2016-08-16
WO2012066303A1 (fr) 2012-05-24
GB201019456D0 (en) 2010-12-29
GB2485555A (en) 2012-05-23

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