EP3145825B1

EP3145825B1 - Container system

Info

Publication number: EP3145825B1
Application number: EP14724495.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jan Vinke; Richard Kellerer
Original assignee: Schoeller Allibert GmbH
Current assignee: Schoeller Allibert GmbH
Priority date: 2014-05-19
Filing date: 2014-05-19
Publication date: 2019-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2034-05-19
Also published as: ES2763653T3; WO2015176740A1; EP3145825A1

Description

The present invention relates to a container system, and more specifically to a system of stackable and/or nestable containers.
Using stackable and nestable containers for merchandise storage and handling is known. When the containers are full, they are placed in a first direction and are stacked on top of each other to protect the merchandise contained in the containers placed underneath. Empty containers are nestable in a second direction, which optimizes the empty return of containers and limits transport costs.
Modular type systems are also known, in which containers are stackable on containers with the same or different dimensions. Such systems are described, for example, in documents US 4 386 700 , which accords with the preamble of claim 1, DE 24 33 734 , DE 37 18 504 , FR 2 681 048 , EP 0 770 557 , GB 2 136 399 and GB 1 203 403 .
Nevertheless, the use of these stackable and nestable containers is not without disadvantages. In fact, these containers are not suitable for the storage and transport of products that may be damaged by the retention of water in the containers. This is the case, for example, with seafood, particularly fish. Another disadvantage with this type of container is that stacks of stacked containers are not stable and the containers move in relation to each other since the upper containers are simply placed on the rims formed on the inner surface of the lower containers.
The present invention is defined by a system of stackable and/or nestable type containers according to appended claim 1.
Products, such as fish, need to be stored and/or transported with ice that, when melting, releases water likely to damage the fish. Containers in which the bottom and/or walls are in a mesh or a grid through which water may flow are known. First, this type of surface tends to damage the products contained in the container. Moreover, these surfaces create retention areas that are difficult to clean and unhygienic. Another disadvantage is that, when full containers are in the stacked position, water flows from an upper container into the lower container and comes into contact with the contents of the lower container.
The present invention enables evacuation of this water outside the containers, thereby preventing contact with the products contained in containers placed in the lower position. In the context of the invention, the "inside of the container" designates the inner volume defined by the bottom and the wall or walls of the container; a container in an "upper position" designates a container placed on top of another or other containers; and a container in a "lower position" designates a container placed under another or other containers.
The first container comprises a means to evacuate liquid out of the first container and the second container comprises a means to evacuate liquid out of the second container that can be aligned with the liquid evacuation means of the first container. In other words, the liquid evacuation means of the first container and of the second container are adjacent so as to minimize or prevent the flow of liquid inside the containers and in particular inside the second container. The liquid evacuation means comprises an opening in fluid communication between the inside of the container and the outside of the container, for example, an opening through the wall and/or bottom of the container.
The second container comprises stabilizing means enabling the liquid evacuation means of the first container to be aligned with the liquid evacuation means of the second container.
The second container comprises a reinforcement that is able to receive a column from the first container in support, the stabilizing means being situated in said reinforcement. The column of the first container has a shape that is substantially complementary to that of the reinforcement so as to prevent lateral movements of the container with relation to the second container. The stabilizing means is an additional means for stabilizing stacked containers. The stabilizing means comprise at least one stabilizing rib and preferably two stabilizing ribs.
In addition or alternatively, the second container comprises a groove that is able to receive a column from the first container, the stabilizing means being situated in said groove. In practice, the groove of the second container is formed by a column from the second container, with a shape that is substantially complementary to the column of the first container. The stabilizing means is an additional means for stabilizing nested containers. The stabilizing means comprise at least one stabilizing rib and preferably two stabilizing ribs.
Preferably, at least one of the columns of the first container comprises a means to evacuate liquid outside the first container. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the columns of the first container are recessed in relation to the inside of the container. Thus, the columns do not affect the usable volume of the container and the products placed in the container do not prevent the evacuation of water outside the container.
Preferably, the liquid evacuation means of the first container comprise a liquid evacuation means, for example, an opening, at the base of the column or in an area adjacent to the base of the column. In the system according to the present invention, water is evacuated outside the container in a passive manner since the water naturally accumulates at the bottom of the container and flows via the evacuation means. The evacuation does not require any external intervention, either by the user or mechanically (for example, requiring the utilization of a pump or other mechanical means). It is interesting to note that the container may be used alone or may be combined with a second container in a system as described in this application.
Preferably, the second container comprises a rim that can receive the columns from the first container in support, particularly in the stacked position. This rim enables the structure formed by the containers to be reinforced, particularly in the stacked position, so as to prevent the walls of the second container from bulging under the weight of the first container and its contents.
Preferably, the rim of the second container comprises the means for evacuating liquid outside the second container. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the rim of the second container comprises a reinforcement that is able to receive a column from the first container in support, the liquid evacuation means of the second container being situated in said reinforcement. The reinforcement enables the containers to be stacked while preventing the containers from moving against each other. The liquid evacuation means of the upper container may be aligned with the evacuation means of the second container for evacuating outside said containers. Thus, when the containers are in the stacked position, the water flowing from the first container is evacuated outside the second container at the rim, under the opening of the second container, without entering the second container and thus without entering in contact with the contents of the second container.
Preferably, the second container comprises a groove that is able to receive a column from the first container, the liquid evacuation means of the second container being situated in said groove. In practice, the groove of the second container will be formed by a column from the second container. Thus, when a first container is nested in a second container with the same dimensions, the columns of the first container are positioned in the grooves (or columns) of the second container so that water can flow from one container to the other by the evacuation means situated at the lower end of the columns of the nested containers.
Preferably, the second container comprises a groove that is able to receive a column from the first container, the stabilizing means being situated in said groove. In practice, the groove of the second container is formed by a column from the second container, with a shape that is substantially complementary to the column of the first container. The stabilizing means is an additional means for stabilizing nested containers. The stabilizing means may comprise at least one stabilizing rib and preferably two stabilizing ribs.
Preferably, the first container comprises a bottom, said bottom comprising at least one groove in fluid communication with the liquid evacuation means. The groove enables water from, for example, ice placed in the container or from the washing of products to be guided towards the evacuation means. Another advantage of a groove (or grooves) is the reinforcement of the bottom of the container.
Preferably, the first container comprises a bottom, said bottom comprising a first surface that is substantially perpendicular with relation to the wall or walls of the container and a second surface that slopes downwardly with relation to the first surface and in fluid communication with the evacuation means. This second surface guides the water accumulated at the bottom of the container to the evacuation means.
Another object of the present disclosure is a system of stackable and/or nestable containers comprising at least one first container and at least one second container, the first container comprising a plurality of columns enabling the stacking and/or nesting of the first container with the second container, characterized by the fact that the second container comprises a means for stabilizing the first container with relation to the second container.
Preferably, the second container comprises a rim comprising a reinforcement that is able to receive a column from the first container in support, the reinforcement comprising at least one rib that is able to retain the column in said reinforcement.
Preferably, the second container comprises a groove that is able to receive a column from the first container, the groove comprising at least one rib that is able to retain the column in said groove.
Preferably, the dimensions of the bottom of the first container are smaller than those of the opening defined by the rim of the second container.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, said system is a modular type system in which the first container and the second container have different dimensions. The modular system comprises stackable and/or nestable containers with different dimensions.
Preferably, in the case of containers with different dimensions, the first container is stackable on the second container in a first position, and nestable in the second container in a second position that is 180° from the first position. The longitudinal walls of the first container will be placed in parallel with relation to the longitudinal walls of the second container in a first position, and the first container will be rotated 180° with relation to its vertical axis to be nested in the second position.
In the event where the upper container has dimensions that are smaller than those of the lower container, the longitudinal walls of the upper container may be placed perpendicularly with relation to the longitudinal walls of the lower container in the stacked position. Moreover, in the event where the upper container has dimensions that are larger than those of the lower container, the containers can be stacked with the longitudinal walls of the upper container placed perpendicularly with relation to the longitudinal walls of one, or preferably, several lower containers.
The system of stackable and/or nestable containers may comprise at least one evacuation means as defined above and at least one stabilizing means as defined above.
According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the side walls of the first and/or second container comprises a lower level portion having a top surface at a lower level than the top surface of the remainder of said side wall. The lower level portion provides for a gap between the top surface of the container and the bottom of a container stacked thereupon. The gap makes the content of the container visible for inspection.
Preferably, the top surface of said lower level portion extends along at least half of the longitudinal extension of said side wall and/or across the middle of said side wall. For example, the lower level portion can extend along approximately three quarters of the longitudinal extension of the side wall. Thereby, there is a sufficiently wide gap between stacked containers for the inspection of the container content.
The lower level portion may be provided in each of two opposing side walls of the first and/or second container. Thereby, inspection of the content of the lower one of two stacked containers is possible from two sides.
The first and second containers may each comprise a pair of opposing first side walls and a pair of opposing second side walls extending between said first side walls, wherein the first side walls are longer than the second side walls, wherein said lower level portion is provided in one or both of said longer side walls. This provides a sufficiently long gap for inspection of goods in stacked containers.
In one embodiment, at least one or each of the corner portions of the first container comprises a recess for receiving a respective bottom portion of a column of the second container when stacked upon the first container, wherein the bottom surface of the recess is at the same level as the level of the top surface of said lower level portion of the side wall of the first container. This feature also contributes to providing a sufficiently large gap between stacked containers.
In one embodiment a portion of the top surface of one of the side walls, or of one of each of opposing pairs of side walls, comprises a marking, or a different profile or contour than the corresponding portion of the top surface of the opposing side wall. For example, said marking or profile or contour is formed by a wavelike upper surface. The wavelike upper surface may be provided at a handle portion of the first and second containers. These features facilitate the correct alignment of containers on top of one another for either stacking or nesting, as desired.
Another object of the present disclosure is a container for a system as defined above. The container may be such as any one of the first containers or second containers described above. A container comprising one or more of the characteristics described in relation to any one of the first containers or second containers described above is also contemplated.
The invention will be better understood and its various advantages and characteristics will be clearer upon reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. The figures are presented for indicative purposes and in no way limit the invention. The figures show:

Figure 1A: a perspective view of the top of a first example of a container of a system according to the invention;
Figure 1B: a perspective view of the bottom of the container from Figure 1A;
Figure 1C: a top view of the container from Figure 1A;
Figure 1D: a bottom view of the container from Figure 1A;
Figure 1E: a front longitudinal view of the container from Figure 1A;
Figure 1F: a rear longitudinal view of the container from Figure 1A;
Figure 1G: a lateral view of the container from Figure 1A;
Figure 2A: a perspective view of the top of a second example of a container of a system according to the invention;
Figure 2B: a perspective view of the bottom of the container from Figure 2A;
Figure 2C: a top view of the container from Figure 2A;
Figure 2D: a bottom view of the container from Figure 2A;
Figure 2E: a front longitudinal view of the container from Figure 2A;
Figure 2F: a rear longitudinal view of the container from Figure 2A;
Figure 2G: a right lateral view of the container from Figure 2A;
Figure 2H: a left lateral view of the container from Figure 2A;
Figure 3A: a perspective view of the top of a third example of a container of a system according to the invention;
Figure 3B: a perspective view of the bottom of the container from Figure 3A;
Figure 3C: a top view of the container from Figure 3A;
Figure 3D: a bottom view of the container from Figure 3A;
Figure 3E: a front longitudinal view of the container from Figure 3A;
Figure 3F: a rear longitudinal view of the container from Figure 3A;
Figure 3G: a lateral view of the container from Figure 3A;
Figure 4: a longitudinal view of two containers from Figure 1A pre-nesting;
Figure 5: a partial view of a container of a system according to the invention;
Figure 6: a longitudinal view of two containers from Figure 1A pre-stacking;
Figure 7: a perspective view of two containers of a system according to the invention in the stacked position;
Figures 8A and 8B: two partial views of a container of a system according to the invention;
Figure 9: a perspective view of a system according to the invention in the stacked position;
Figure 10 a perspective illustration of a container for a system according to another embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 11 an illustration of a portion of the container of Figure 10;
Figure 12 an illustration of another portion of the container of Figure 10;
Figure 13 an illustration of stacked and nested containers of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 14 an illustration of a portion of the stacked and nested containers of Figure 13; and
Figure 15 another perspective illustration of the container of Figure 10.

Container 1 illustrated in the figures has a substantially parallepiped shape that is open at the top and comprises a substantially rectangular bottom 2, two lateral walls 3, 4 and two longitudinal walls 5, 6. However, containers according to the present disclosure with different shapes, for example substantially cylindrical or cubic, are also contemplated.
Container 1 comprises a rim 7 that extends along the upper part of walls 3-6. Rim 7 may completely or partially encircle the opening created by the upper part of walls 3-6. For example, in the container illustrated in the figures, a grip 8 is situated and centred in the upper part of each lateral wall 3, 4. Depending on usage, grips 8 may also or alternatively be situated in the longitudinal walls. The function of rim 7 is to reinforce container 1 and prevent walls 3-6 from bulging, particularly when full containers are stacked on container 1. When the containers are nested, the rim prevents the containers from being wedged within each other.
Columns 9 are formed in walls 3-6 of container 1. In container 1, columns 9 are integrally formed in walls 3-6. Columns 9 enable a first container 1A to be stacked on a second container 1B in one direction (Figure 6) and enable the first container 1A to be nested in a second container 1B in the opposite direction (Figure 4) after a 180° rotation around the vertical axis of container 1. Two colours may be used to differentiate the nestable side from the stackable side (i.e., two-toned).
Columns 9 are hollow to enable nesting of the containers. This structure also limits production costs and lightens container 1. Columns 9 are recessed in relation to the inner volume of container 1 defined by bottom 2, lateral walls 3, 4 and longitudinal walls 5, 6 of the container, so as to not block the usable volume of container 1. In the container 1 illustrated in the figures, the hollow columns 9 of container 1B form a groove 10 that can partially receive, in the nested position, columns 9 of container 1A. Columns 9 of container 1A and grooves 10 of container 2A substantially form an inverted trapezium extending from the upper opening of container 1 to bottom 2 to facilitate the insertion of columns 9 in grooves 10 and to stabilize columns 9 in grooves 10, but other shapes (for example, substantially conical columns) are also contemplated.
The number of columns 9 depends on, for example, the dimensions of container 1. Columns 9 reinforce the walls 3-6 in which they are formed and therefore the longer the wall 3-6, the higher the number of columns 9. Of course, the number and position of columns 9 on each wall 3-6 facilitates and depends on the stacking and nesting combinations contemplated.
The containers 1 illustrated in the figures comprise two types of means 11, 12 for evacuating liquid outside the containers (Figure 5).
A first evacuation means 11 comprises an opening in the upper part of container 1, for example, near or in rim 7 of container 1. In the figures, the opening is situated in a reinforcement 13 formed in the upper surface of rim 7. The dimensions of reinforcement 13 are substantially complementary to those of the lower part of a column 9 of a second container, so that column 9 may be accommodated and retained therein in the stacked position. In the event of a container without a reinforcement, the opening may be situated on the upper surface of rim 7. In the event of a container without a rim, the opening may be situated on the upper surface of wall 3-6 or on a peripheral flange. In the event where the columns are formed inside the container, it would in practice be possible to have water evacuation means in the upper part of the container. However, a container with recessed columns 9 is preferable so as to not block the inner usable volume of the containers. Moreover, in this type of container, the water evacuated would be redirected inside the lower container.
A second evacuation means 12 comprises an opening in the lower part of a column 9, in the bottom of column 9, in a part adjacent to the bottom of column 9 or in the angle formed by the bottom 2 of container 1 and a wall of column 9.
These evacuation means 11, 12 are particularly advantageous in the case of systems of stackable, nestable, stackable and nestable containers and the containers may also be used alone, particularly if they comprise an evacuation means 12.
The containers 1 illustrated in the figures comprise the following stabilizing means 14, 15 of a first container 1A with relation to a second container 2A (Figure 5). The base of column 9 of container 1A has a substantially "T" shape.
Reinforcement 13 constitutes stabilization means. Its partially complementary shape to the lower part of column 9 of container 1A enables lateral movements of container 1A with relation to container 1B to be reduced or prevented.
Stabilizing means 14 improve the stabilization of container 1A stacked on container 1B and limit the deformation of the longitudinal walls of the lower container (Figures 7, 8A and 8B). In the containers illustrated in the figures, two ribs partially close reinforcement 13 so as to retain column 9 of container 1A in reinforcement 13. The ribs leave an opening so as to facilitate washing of the container, and more specifically washing of reinforcement 13. The ribs project from the reinforcement 13 surface so as to not block the inner volume of container 1B. In the figures, reinforcement 13 receives the horizontal part of the "T" formed by the base of column 9 of container 1A and the opening between the ribs receives the vertical part of the "T" formed by the base of column 9 of container 1A.
Grooves 10 constitute a stabilizing means when the containers are nested. Their partially complementary shape to column 9 of container 1A enables the lateral movements of container 1A with relation to container 1B to be reduced or prevented.
Stabilizing means 15 improve the alignment of the liquid evacuation means of container 1A with the liquid evacuation means of container 1B on which it is nested (Figure 5). In the containers illustrated in the figures, two ribs are formed in the bottom of groove 10 and along the walls of groove 10 so as to not block the liquid evacuation means 12 or the inner volume of container 1B. The ribs are such that the base of groove 10 has a shape complementary to the base of column 9 of container 1A so that the space between the ribs receives the vertical part of the "T" formed by the base of column 9 of container 1A.
The bottom of container 1A may also have a bottom 2 with dimensions substantially smaller than those of the opening formed by the walls of container 1B so as to improve the stabilization of container 1A stacked on container 1B and to enable container 1A to be nested in container 1B.
The bottom 2 of container 1 has a smooth surface so as to not damage the products contained in the container, for example, products such as fish and fruits that tend to bruise. This smooth bottom 2 does not have a retention area and facilitates the washing of container 1.
Moreover, bottom 2 has a structure that improves the evacuation of liquid outside the containers. The bottom 2 of the containers illustrated in the figures comprises grooves 16 enabling not only reinforcement of bottom 2, but also the liquid to be directed to the evacuation openings 12. The bottom thus comprises sloping surfaces 17 to guide the liquid to the evacuation openings 12.
Full containers 1 may be stacked by placing columns 9 of container 1A in reinforcements 13 in rim 7 of container 1B. Columns 9 are stabilized in reinforcements 13 and retained by ribs 14. The evacuation opening 12 of container 1A is aligned with the evacuation opening 11 of container 1B on which it is stacked.
In container 1A, water (and/or another liquid) accumulates in the bottom 2 of the container, and is guided by grooves 16 and sloping surfaces 17 to finally be evacuated by openings 12 of container 1A. The water traverses opening 12 of container 1A towards the outside of container 1A, and then opening 11 of container 2A towards the outside of container 2A without entering the inner volume of container 2A. The water may thus be evacuated outside the containers without damaging the products contained in the containers in the stacked position.
Empty containers 1 are nested (Figure 4) by sliding columns 9 of container 1A into grooves 10 of container 1B to form a system according to the present invention. Columns 9 of container 1A are maintained in trapezoidal grooves 10 and by stabilizing ribs 15 such that the evacuation opening 12 of container 1A is aligned with the evacuation opening 12 of container 1B on which it is nested.
In container 1A, water (and/or another liquid) accumulates in the bottom 2 of the container, and is guided by grooves 16 and sloping surfaces 17 to finally be evacuated by openings 12 of container 1A. The water traverses the opening 12 of container 1A towards the outside of container 1A, and then opening 12 of container 2A towards the outside of container 2A without entering the inner volume of container 2A. Empty containers do not require a drying step and are just nested for empty return.
Containers 1 may be used alone or with other containers in a system such as described above. The liquid evacuation and column stabilizing means may be used alone or in combination in a system according to the present invention.
In a nestable container system, containers 1 preferably have at least one evacuation means in a groove 10. In a stackable container system, containers 1 preferably have at least one evacuation means in rim 7. In a stackable and nestable container system, containers 1 preferably have at least one evacuation means of each type.
Moreover, in a nestable container system, containers 1 preferably have at least one stabilizing means in a column 9. In a stackable container system, containers 1 preferably have at least one stabilizing means in rim 7. In a stackable and nestable container system, containers 1 preferably have at least one stabilizing means of each type.
Figures 10 to 15 illustrate a system of stackable and nestable containers according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 illustrates a first container 20 comprising opposing pairs of long side walls 21 and short side walls 22. The long side walls 21 comprise a portion 23 where the upper surface is at a lower level than the upper surface of the remaining portion 24 of the long side walls 21. This feature enables the inspection of goods contained in the container 21 when another container 25 is stacked upon it, as illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. That is, the lower rim formed by this lower level portion of the long side walls 21 provides a gap 26 in between the bottom of the container 25 and the top surface of the container 20. The gap 26 makes the content of the container 20 visible for inspection.
One of each of the pairs of long and short side walls 21, 22 comprises a profiled portion 27 and 28, respectively. In particular, in the portions 27 and 28, the respective side walls 21 and 22 have a wavelike top surface. The corresponding portions 29 and 30 of the respective opposing side walls 21, 22 have a different (planar) top surface. This feature facilitates the stacking or nesting of containers by a user, as illustrated in Figure 13. That is, if the profiled portions 27 and 28 of two containers 20 and 31 are aligned with one another, the upper container 20 comes to nest in the lower container 31. In contrast, if containers - such as the containers 20 and 25 in Figure 12 - are aligned such that the profiled portions 27 and 28 come to reside at opposite ends, the containers can be stacked upon one another.
In the illustrated embodiment, the profiled portion 28 is arranged at a handle portion of the container 20.
As illustrated in Figures 10 and 15, the bottom surface 32 of the container 20 comprises an elevated centre portion 33 to direct liquid toward exits 34 at the side walls 21 and 22 and exits 35 at the corners of the container 20. Effective evacuation of liquid is further improved by grooves or channels 37, 38, 39 along the side walls 21, 22 and near the exits 34, 35. In particular, the channels 37 extend at the bottom of and along the side walls 21, while the channels 38 extend at the bottom of and along the side walls 22. The channels 39 extend perpendicularly to the channels 37 and lead into the channels 37. The channels 37 are bounded on one side by the walls 21 and on the other side by longitudinal projections 40 extending in parallel to the side walls 21. Similarly, the channels 38 are bounded on one side by the walls 22 and on the other side by longitudinal projections 41 extending in parallel to the side walls 22. The projections 40 are interrupted by the channels 39. The channels 37, 38, 39 as well as the projections 40, 41 are illustrated in more detail in Figures 11 and 12.
Figure 11 also shows in more detail the stabilizing means 15 as described above in connection with Figure 5.
It is noted that the features shown in and described in connection with Figures 10 to 15 may also be provided in the containers shown in and described in connection with Figures 1 to 9. Equally, the features shown in and described in connection with Figures 1 to 9 may also be provided in the containers shown in and described in connection with Figures 10 to 15.

Numerical references

1: Container
1A: Upper container
2A: Lower container
2: Bottom
3: Lateral wall
4: Lateral wall
5: Longitudinal wall
6: Longitudinal wall
7: Rim
8: Grip
9: Column
10: Groove
11: Evacuation of liquid by the rim
12: Evacuation of liquid by the column
13: Reinforcement to stabilize a stacked container
14: Stabilization of a stacked container
15: Stabilization of a nested container
16: Groove on the bottom surface
17: Slope on the bottom surface
20: Container
21: Long side walls
22: Short side walls
23: Lower level portion of side walls
24: Remaining portion of side walls
25: Stacked container
26: Gap between stacked containers
27: Profiled portion
28: Profiled portion
29: Non-profiled portion
30: Non-profiled portion
31: Container
32: Bottom of container
33: Elevated portion
34: Exit
35: Exit
37: Channels
38: Channels
39: Channels
40: Projections
41: Projections

Claims

A system of stackable and/or nestable type containers (1; 20; 25; 31) comprising at least one first container (1A; 20; 25) and at least one second container (1B; 31), wherein
the first container (1A; 20; 25) comprises a plurality of columns (9) configured to stack and/or nest the first container (1A; 20; 25) with the second container (1B; 31),
the first container (1A; 20; 25) further comprises at least one liquid evacuation means (11; 12; 34; 35) configured to evacuate liquid to the outside of the first container (1A; 20; 25), and
the second container (1B; 31) comprises at least one liquid evacuation means (11; 12; 34; 35) configured to evacuate liquid to the outside of the second container (1B; 31),
wherein the second container (1B; 31) further comprises at least one of a reinforcement (13) enabling the containers (1; 20; 25; 31) to be stacked and a groove (10) enabling the containers (1; 20; 25; 31) to be nested, each of which partially complementary shaped to the columns (9) of the first container (1A; 20; 25) characterized in that the second container (1B; 31) includes stabilizing means (14; 15) comprising at least one stabilizing rib (14; 15) configured to align the liquid evacuation means (11; 12; 34; 35) of the first container (1A; 20; 25) with the liquid evacuation means (11; 12) of the second container (1B; 31).
The system according to claim 1 in which at least one of the columns (9) from the first container (1A; 20; 25) comprises the or at least one liquid evacuation means (11; 12; 34; 35).
The system according to claim 2 in which the liquid evacuation means (11; 12; 34; 35) of the first container (1A; 20; 25) comprises at least one opening at the base of the column (9) or adjacent to the base of the column (9).
The system according to any one of the previous claims in which the second container (1B; 31) comprises a rim (7) extending completely or partially along an upper part of side walls (3; 4; 5; 6; 21; 22) configured to receive columns (9) from the first container (1A; 20; 25), the rim (7) comprising the or at least one liquid evacuation means (11; 12; 34; 35) of the second container (1B; 31).
The system according to claim 4 in which the rim (7) of the second container (1B; 31) comprises the reinforcement (13) that is configured to receive a column (9) from the first container (1A; 20; 25), the liquid evacuation means (11; 12; 34; 35) of the second container (1B; 31) being situated in said reinforcement (13).
The system according to any one of the previous claims in which the second container (1B; 31) comprises a groove (10) formed by a hollow column (9) that is configured to receive a column (9) from the first container (1A; 20; 25), the liquid evacuation means (11; 12; 34; 35) of the second container (1B; 25) being situated in said groove (10).
The system according to any one of the previous claims in which the columns (9) from the first container (1A; 20; 25) are recessed in relation to the inside of the container (1A; 20; 25).
The system according to any one of the claims 4 to 7 in which the first container (1A; 20; 25) comprises a bottom (2), said bottom (2) comprising at least one groove (37; 38; 39) in fluid communication with the liquid evacuation means (34; 35) and/or said bottom (2) comprising a first surface (33) that is substantially perpendicular with relation to the wall or walls (21; 22) of the container (20; 25; 31) and a second surface (32) that slopes downwardly with relation to the first surface (33) and in fluid communication with the liquid evacuation means (34; 35).
The system according to one of the claims 4 to 8, wherein at least one of the side walls (21; 22) of the first and/or second container (20; 25; 31) comprises a lower level portion (23) having a top surface at a lower level than the top surface of the remainder (24) of said side wall (21; 22).
The system according to claim 9, wherein at least one or each of the corner portions of the first container (20; 25) comprises a recess for receiving a respective bottom portion of a column (9) of the second container (31) when stacked upon the first container (20; 25), wherein the bottom surface of the recess is at the same level as the level of the top surface of said lower level portion (23) of the side wall (21; 22) of the first container (20; 25).
The system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein a portion of the top surface of one of the side walls (21; 22), or of one of each of opposing pairs of side walls (21; 22), comprises a marking, or a different profile or contour than the corresponding portion (29) of the top surface of the opposing side wall (21; 22).
The system of claim 11, wherein the marking or profile or contour is formed by a wavelike upper surface.
The system of claim 12, wherein the wavelike upper surface is provided at a handle portion (8) of the first and second containers (20; 25; 31).