EP2949589B1 - Container with partition assembly - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a container for transporting and storing articles of different sizes.

State of the art

The state of the art includes the documents DE-A1-10 2011 055676 , EP-A1-2 457 841 , US-A-4,763,787 , US-A1-2011 / 186475 , GB-A-2,086,351 and JP-A-H08 198255 .

It is known to make containers for receiving objects of different sizes. The objects are received in compartments defined by intersecting partitions forming a cross. A case of bottles comprising individual housings for these with an internal cross formed of intersecting partitions is an example. In the case of an American box the brace can be laid flat together with the crate.

The present applicant has set itself the objective of producing a container with compartments, which can be of different sizes.

He also set himself the goal of being able to flatten the container and then put it back in volume without having to manipulate the different parts of the container. Operations to move from one position to another must be as simple as possible.

Another objective is to make a container the size of a pallet with good ergonomics.

Another objective is to produce a container with compartments that can be laid flat for empty transport.

Presentation of the invention

It is possible to achieve these objectives with a container having the features of claim 1.

By allowing the spider to be folded in a flap movement on the bottom panel, substantially reduces the volume of the container for a vacuum transport thereof. In addition ergonomically it is preferable and advantageous to move a panel or a partition by simply pivoting around a hinge, which is implicit in the case of the operation of folding a panel.

Attaching the cross to the bottom panel makes handling easier.

Advantageously, the spider comprises an upper interlayer articulated around a hinge parallel to the bottom panel, the height of the spider being lower than that of the belt of the container. In this way, an upper compartment is created between the spacer and the upper edge of the container belt.

According to the invention, the cross comprises a bottom flap, panels hinged to the bottom flap and partitions articulated on a panel of the spider. The flattening of the cross comprises the folding of the partitions on the crossbar panel, and the folding of the crossbar panel on the bottom door. The ergonomics of the container thus defined is optimal.

Preferably, the spider comprises partitions hinged on two parallel spider panels between them.

Advantageously, the spacer is articulated on a crossbar itself hinged to the bottom flap so as to be laid flat.

The container preferably comprises at least two superposed braces and separated by a spacer.

According to another characteristic, the attachment of the bottom flap to the bottom panel is removable.

According to another characteristic, at least one panel of the belt comprises a tilting flap around a hinge parallel to the bottom panel whose hinge is higher than the top of the braces.

The invention applies in particular to pallet containers whose bottom panel has studs forming supports.

The invention also relates to a container whose bottom panel comprises a peripheral edge providing a receiving volume of the belt and the spider set flat.

Presentation of figures

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the following detailed explanatory description of an embodiment of the invention given as a purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

• La figure 1 montre un container avec un croisillon interne formant des compartiments selon l'invention ;
• La figure 2 montre le croisillon du container de la figure 1, seul ;
• Les figures 3 à 7 montre les différentes étapes de mise à plat du croisillon dans le container ;
• Les figures 8 à 10 montrent la mise à plat de la ceinture sur le plateau de la palette ;
• Les figures 11 à 14 montrent la combinaison de deux croisillons superposés.

On these drawings

• The figure 1 shows a container with an internal spider forming compartments according to the invention;
• The figure 2 shows the cross of the container of the figure 1 , alone ;
• The Figures 3 to 7 shows the different steps of flattening the cross in the container;
• The Figures 8 to 10 show the flattening of the belt on the pallet plate;
• The Figures 11 to 14 show the combination of two superimposed braces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The Figures 1 to 8 show an example of a compartment container according to the invention. The container 1 is here with a pallet; it comprises a belt 3 erected on a pallet 5 whose plate 50 forms the bottom panel of the invention. The belt as known is formed of panels 30 hinged together around hinges perpendicular to the bottom panel. It is wedged on the plate 50 of the pallet thanks to a peripheral rim 52 of the plate inside which it is arranged. This belt includes movable flaps around hinges parallel to the bottom to facilitate access to the contents of the container. Inside the belt is a spider 10.

This cross is itself formed of panels and shutters hinged together so that it can be laid flat. In this example, the spider 10 comprises a bottom flap 12 bearing on the pallet plate which is thus masked. On this bottom flap 12 are fixed two vertical panels 14 and 16 parallel to each other and a side panel 18. The two panels 14 and 16 are articulated around hinges along the bottom door.

Partitions 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d are interconnected so as to form compartments along the vertical panel 14. The partition 14d is parallel to the panel 14. The partitions 14a, 14b and 14c are perpendicular thereto and can be folded in two . Similarly, the partitions 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d are connected to each other and to the vertical panel 16 so as to form compartments along the vertical panel 16. The two partitions 14d and 16d provide a central compartment between them and the side panels.

An insert 19 is articulated on the side panel 18 around a hinge parallel to the pallet plate. The tab 19 when folded on the spider forms the base of an upper compartment with the belt. The panels constituting the container with its braces are preferably formed of a semi-rigid material such as corrugated cardboard or else such as plastic plates in particular with a honeycomb structure.

The Figures 3 to 7 show the succession of steps of flattening the cross on the pallet plate.

Figures 3 and 4 the partitions are folded respectively against the two vertical panels 14, 16 parallel to come flat against these two panels. From this position, figure 4 the vertical panels 14 and 16 can be folded against the bottom flap 12 itself resting on the pallet plate, Figures 5 and 6 . It is then possible to fold the side panel 18 down, figure 7 . It is noted that the interlayer can be folded on itself.

Once in this position, the belt can be folded on itself and placed flat on the flat brace as seen on the Figures 8, 9 and 10 .

For the setting volume it proceeds in the opposite way. It is found that the manipulations are reduced. The spider can be set flat and put in volume without having to extract it from the container. For example, the bottom pane 12 may remain linked to the pallet plate. The succession of folding unfolding steps is performed with respect to this fixed plane. Only the belt must be moved relative to the pallet to be folded on the pallet.

The attachment of the bottom flap to the tray of the pallet may be permanently but preferably it is removable, for example a fastener type Velcro (trademark) is appropriate.

According to a variant there is a second cross on the first to compartmentalize the upper space of the container above the first spider.

The figures 11 and following show the combination of two braces 10 and 20. It is seen that the upper brace 20 is not compartmentalized in the same way as the lower brace 10. In this example the partitions are connected to the side wall 21 in the manner of an accordion. Once the partitions folded on the side wall 21, figure 12 , this one is folded down, figure 13 on the insert panel 19 which acts as a bottom flap for this cross. Advantageously, the side wall is fixed to the insert 19 to facilitate the folding or deployment of the partitions. It is thus possible to access the lower cross 10. This arrangement makes it possible to continue the folding of the lower crosspiece 10.

Other arrangements remaining within the scope of the invention are within the abilities of those skilled in the art.

Claims (9)

1. Container (1) comprising a belt (3), a bottom panel (50), the belt being formed of panels (30) hinged together and capable of being laid out flat, at least one spider (10) comprising partitions parallel to the panels (30) of the belt (3), the spiders providing compartments there between, said spider (10) being arranged to be folded flat on the bottom panel (50), characterised in that said spider (10) comprises a bottom flap (12) hinged, with a fastener of the flap to the bottom panel (50), the panels (14, 16,18) hinged on the bottom flap (12) and the partitions (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d; 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) hinged on one panel (14, 16) of the spider, the folding flat of the spider (10) comprising the flap of the partitions on the panel of the spider, and the flap of the panel of the spider on the bottom flap.
2. Container according to claim 1 of which the spider (10) comprises a top spacer (19) hinged around a hinge parallel to the bottom panel (50), the height of the spider (10) being less than that of the belt (3).
3. Container according to the preceding claim of which the spider (10) comprises partitions (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d; 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) hinged on two spider panels (14, 16) parallel one with the other.
4. Container according to one of claims 2 and 3 of which the spacer (19) is hinged on a spider panel (18) itself hinged on the bottom flap (12) so as to be capable of being folded flat.
5. Container according to one of the preceding claims comprising at least two spiders (10, 20) superimposed and separated by a spacer.
6. Container according to one of the preceding claims of which the fastener of the bottom flap (12) of the bottom panel (50) is removable.
7. Container according to one of the preceding claims of which at least one panel of the belt (3) comprises a tipping flap of which the hinge is higher than the top of the spiders.
8. Container according to one of the preceding claims of which the bottom panel (50) has studs forming supports.
9. Container according to one of the preceding claims of which the bottom panel (50) comprises a peripheral edge (52) providing a volume for receiving the belt (3) and the spider (10) folded flat.

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