EP3377416A1

EP3377416A1 - Container made of plastic

Info

Publication number: EP3377416A1
Application number: EP16808925.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian ROELOFS; Arthur F. Van Der Knaap
Original assignee: Euro Pool System Int BV; Euro Pool System International BV
Current assignee: Euro Pool System Int BV; Euro Pool System International BV
Priority date: 2015-11-17
Filing date: 2016-11-17
Publication date: 2018-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 2036-11-17
Also published as: DK3712084T3; EP3377416B1; AU2016355962A1; EP3712084A1; US11180282B2; WO2017085171A1; US20190031392A1; RU2717771C2; ES2825327T3; DE202015106211U1; NZ743535A; AU2016355962B2; EP3712084B1; ES2946289T3; RU2018121533A3; DK3377416T3; MA52985A; PT3377416T; PT3712084T; PL3712084T3

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) made of plastic, comprising a rectangular base (2) and four lateral walls (3, 4). The lower face of the base (2) has a first stacking contour (20) on the outer edge of the base, and the lateral walls (3, 4) have a second stacking contour (30, 40) on the upper edge region of the lateral walls. When containers (1) are stacked one over the other, the first stacking contour (20) of an upper container (1) and the second stacking contour (30, 40) of a lower container (1) engage with each other in a centering manner. The upper edge region of at least two opposing lateral walls (3, 4) is reinforced by at least one respective profiled reinforcement section (5) attached to the remaining lateral wall (3, 4) in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner, and the profiled reinforcement section (5) or each profiled reinforcement section has at least one profiled section web (50) on the section upper face facing away from the container (1), said profiled section web running in the longitudinal direction of the profiled reinforcement section (5) and forming a sliding path (11) for another container (1) to be placed thereon.

Description

Description:

Plastic container

The invention relates to containers made of plastic, having a rectangular bottom and four side walls, wherein the bottom has a first stack contour at its outer edge on the underside, wherein the side walls have a second stack contour at its upper edge region and wherein in a stacking of containers one above the other the first stack contour of upper container and the second stack contour of a lower container in a centering engagement with each other.

From DE 20 2014 101 556 U1 a container for the transport and storage of goods is known, with a rectangular bottom and four upstanding from the ground, rigid or hinged side walls, the bottom underside stack edges and the side walls each have a stacking surface wherein the stacking edges and the stacking surfaces are designed to stack a plurality of containers one above the other.

For containers for sensitive goods, such as fruits, the side walls should be as yielding as possible to avoid pressure points on the good. This compliance of the sidewalls, on the other hand, creates the problem of an increased risk of buckling of the upper edge of the sidewalls of lower, heavily loaded containers in a stack of loaded containers, making the stack unstable.

There are already containers with a reinforced upper edge area known.

In the document DE 20 006 094 U1 a plastic container with latchable lid is described in which at the container edge on the upper side of the container facing a catch for the lid at least one inward and / or externally radially projecting and at least over a partial circumference of the container extending reinforcing rib is formed. By the reinforcing rib, the upper edge of the container and thus the sealing area between the container and lid are additionally stabilized. Since the reinforcing rib is formed on the side wall, it is made of the same material as the rest of the side wall, so that if the side wall is made of a plastic having some flexibility or flexibility, the reinforcing effect of the reinforcing rib is small.

The document DE 296 01 187 U1 shows a charge carrier made of foam, in particular of particle foam, with at least one stack edge, and deals with the problem of an increase in the load-bearing capacity. To solve a stiffening profile is provided here at least a portion of the stack edge. Disadvantageously, charge carriers made of foam require relatively thick walls, whereby nevertheless only a low mechanical load capacity and a rather small useful volume relative to the outside dimensions are achieved. The use of such charge carriers is limited to applications with only minor mechanical and thermal loads.

Document DE 297 10 185 U1 describes a stackable packaging, in particular of foamed material, which has an outer wall with an upper-side edge, and with a lower-side support, next to which inner side stops are provided, with packages stacked one above the other with the upper-side edge the lower package and the lower surface of the upper package are on top of each other and the side stops in this stacking layer are inside laterally adjacent to the upper side edge of the lower package. It is further provided that the support surface of the upper side edge is formed rising at least over a portion of its transverse extent to the inner side stop side and that the lower-side support has an approximately corresponding counter-shaping. The outer wall may have at its upper edge a wall reinforcement profile, the upper side forms the support surface for the support of a stacked, adjacent packaging. In addition, the wall reinforcement profile can be designed as a profile which can be attached to the upper-side edge of the outer wall, preferably with a roughly U-shaped cross-section. This known packaging made of foamed material also requires relatively thick walls, whereby only a small amount of mechanical loadability and a relative to the external dimensions rather small useful volume can be achieved. The use of such packaging is also limited to applications with only minor mechanical and thermal loads.

For the present invention, therefore, the task of creating containers of the type mentioned above, which have a high mechanical stability and load capacity, which may have sidewalls with a certain flexibility to protect the Guts in the container and the safe stacking of loaded containers one above the other guarantee.

A first solution of the object is achieved according to the invention with a container of the type mentioned, which is characterized in that the upper edge region of at least two opposing side walls is reinforced by each at least one positively and / or non-positively attached to the other side wall reinforcing profile and that / has each reinforcing profile on its side facing away from the container top at least one extending in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing profile, a slide for a aufzusetzenden further container forming profile web.

With the invention is advantageously created the possibility to reinforce two or more side walls of the container with a reinforcing profile, the material of which can be selected independently of the material of the side wall itself. In this way, a particularly large reinforcing effect can be achieved with appropriate choice of material for the reinforcing profiles. The side walls of the container, which are particularly burdened when stacking containers on top of each other, can be stabilized with relatively little technical effort so that bulging of the upper edge of loaded containers in the container stack can be excluded at conventional stack heights and loads. At the same time, the side walls can advantageously have a certain degree of resilience in the container. In order to facilitate a manual stacking of the containers one above the other, the / each reinforcing profile has on its upper side facing away from the container at least one profile web extending in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing profile and forming a slide for a further container to be placed on. Thus, it is sufficient to first place an upper container with only partial cover on a lower container, in order then to seal the upper container. ter to move along the slideway of the lower container in its final stacking position.

In a further embodiment of the container, it is provided that the stack contour of the / each side wall having a reinforcing profile is in each case formed on the upper side on the reinforcing profile. In this embodiment, the stack contour is particularly stable and resistant to wear, which contributes to a good durability of the container.

In an alternative embodiment of the container, the stack contour of the / each side wall having a reinforcing profile is in each case formed on the upper side at the upper edge of the side wall separately from the reinforcing profile. This embodiment of the container offers the possibility to use the container without reinforcing profiles, for example when used only with light goods.

As mentioned above, the reinforcing profile is positively and / or non-positively attached to the remaining side wall. For a concrete embodiment of this connection is provided in a first embodiment that the / each reinforcing profile in a side wall facing the lower region has a downwardly open groove or a downwardly facing web, that at the upper edge of the remaining side wall an upwardly facing web or an upwardly open groove is formed and that the reinforcing profile snapped with its groove on the web of the side wall or clamped or pushed or welded or glued or snapped or clamped with its web in the groove of the side wall or inserted or welded or glued. The reinforcing profile is thus connected in this case during manufacture of the container from above with the associated side wall.

In an alternative embodiment, it is provided that the / each reinforcing profile in a lateral region facing the side wall has a groove open to the side or a web pointing to the side, that at the upper edge of the remaining side wall a side facing web or an open to the side Groove is formed and that the reinforcing profile snapped with its groove on the web of the side wall or clamped or pushed or welded or glued or snapped or pinched with its web in the groove of the side wall or inserted or welded or glued. Here is done connecting the reinforcing profile with the associated side wall from the side, ie in a direction perpendicular to the wall plane.

Thus, even with a rough use of the container, the cohesion of side wall and reinforcing profile is retained, it is proposed that cooperating on the side wall and on the associated reinforcing profile locking elements are formed. These locking elements engage in the attachment of the reinforcing profile on the remaining side wall in engagement with each other, so that an automatic release of the reinforcing profile is excluded from the side wall, but any desired non-destructive disassembly or replacement of the reinforcing profile remains possible.

According to the invention, a second solution of the object set out above succeeds with a container of the aforementioned type, which is characterized in that the upper edge region of at least two opposing side walls is reinforced by at least one reinforcing profile arranged in or on the side wall and extending in the side wall longitudinal direction and that the / each reinforcing profile is offset relative to the stack contour towards the ground. In this container, the reinforcing profile only has the function of reinforcement and can therefore be optimized for this purpose without any restrictions.

A preferred embodiment of the container according to the second solution provides that the upper edge region of at least two opposing side walls is formed with at least one separate from the reinforcing profile in sidewall longitudinal direction slideway for aufzusetzenden another container. Thus, even for the second container ergonomic for handling personnel particularly favorable stacking of containers is ensured one above the other.

Further, the invention provides that the / each having a reinforcing profile side wall is a two- or multi-component injection molded part, which is produced by successively injection of at least two different plastics in a sidewall or container injection mold, wherein a plastic for the reinforcing profile reinforced Plastic and a plastic for the remaining side wall or the rest of the container is an unreinforced plastic. In this embodiment, the container is inexpensive to produce as a mass part.

Alternatively, there is the possibility that the / each having a reinforcing profile side wall by inserting a formed by a reinforced, prefabricated component reinforcing profile in a side wall or container injection molding tool and then injecting the rest of the side wall or the other containers forming unreinforced plastic in the side wall - Or container injection tool is generated. This embodiment also allows cost-effective mass production.

In order to avoid unwanted deformations of the reinforced side walls of the container due to possibly different thermal expansion coefficients of reinforcing profile and remaining side wall, the invention also proposes that in or on / each reinforcing profile having side wall, the reinforcing profile with the plastic of the side wall is unfused and is displaceable in small limits relative to the remaining side wall.

Alternatively, in the case of the second container according to the invention, the / each reinforcing profile can be latched or clamped or pushed together or welded or glued to the associated side wall.

Further, it is preferably provided for the container that the upper edge region of two opposing, longer side walls is reinforced by a respective over the length of the associated side wall continuous reinforcing profile. This effectively counteracts the danger of buckling inherent in the longer side walls.

Alternatively, the container can also be designed so that the upper edge region of all side walls is reinforced by a respective over the length of the associated side wall continuous reinforcing profile.

If in the container, the vertical power dissipation in the container stack takes place mainly over the corner regions of the stacked containers, then it is appropriate that the upper edge region of end portions of two at each other container corners adjacent side walls is reinforced by each extending over a corner reinforcing profile.

A particularly large reinforcing effect can be achieved if the upper edge region of all side walls is reinforced by a single, frame-shaped, circumferential reinforcing profile.

Preferably, it is further provided that the side walls are made of an unreinforced thermoplastic material and that the / each reinforcing profile consists of a fiber-reinforced plastic or of metal. The side walls per se or the container itself can therefore be made of a relatively inexpensive material, in particular as injection molded parts. The reinforcing profiles are made of a more stable material. The fiber-reinforced plastic is preferably reinforced with glass, carbon or natural fibers, from which the reinforcing profile is also advantageously produced by injection molding.

For the container described above with slideways provides a further embodiment that below the slideways having side walls lying portions of the stack contour of the bottom are each designed with a groove, that the slideways and grooves are each formed so that when placing an upper container on a lower container in a longitudinal direction of the slideways and grooves relative to each other staggered position of the upper container slidably in an elevated position on the slideways of the lower container and that during or after a displacement of the upper container in a congruent with the lower container position the Slides enter the grooves under lowering of the upper container in a Stapelendposition. The container in this embodiment offers several advantages. First, it allows an upper container to be placed on a lower container with a displacement of the container relative to each other and then moving the upper container on the lower container in the congruent stacking position, which in particular a manual stacking of the container, especially in its loaded state Handling personnel facilitates. In this sliding of the upper container on the underlying container, the upper container initially slides in an elevated position on the slideways of the lower container and lowers only at the end of the displacement process in its Stapelendposition. As a result, a higher or greater gap between the two the containers, specifically between the cargo, such as fruits, in the lower container on one side and the bottom of the bottom of the upper container on the other side reaches. In this way, sensitive goods in the lower container, especially fruits that project slightly above the container edge upwards, not damaged by rubbing or scratching.

Since predominantly vertical forces occur during stacking of the containers, the slide tracks are preferably designed in each case as a vertically aligned, continuous or interrupted web.

For a bumpless transition of an upper container from an initially shifted, elevated position into its lowered stack end position, the invention provides that each slide is stepped or chamfered or rounded at its end regions.

Slideways on two long side walls are useful for the practical use of the containers. Alternatively, slideways may be provided on two short side walls.

In order to enable a secure mixed stacking of the container according to the invention with conventional containers of the same base dimensions, it is provided that the two side walls not having the slideways each have one or more spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of these side walls, a conventional container placed on a container according to the invention Move in the longitudinal direction of the slideways securing bumps whose height corresponds to the height of the slideways.

The containers according to the invention may be rigid containers whose side walls are integral with the floor or fixedly connected, or they may be collapsible containers whose side walls are hinged to the floor.

Embodiments of the container according to the invention will be explained below with reference to a drawing. The figures of the drawing show: 1 shows a first container, each with a reinforcing profile on two opposite, longer side walls, in view obliquely from above,

FIG. 2 shows the container from FIG. 1 in a front view onto one of the longer side walls with the reinforcing profile attached thereto;

FIG. 3 shows one of the longer side walls of the container from FIG. 1 and a reinforcing profile not yet attached thereto, in a view obliquely from above,

4 shows a part of the longer side wall and the associated reinforcement profile from FIG. 3 in an enlarged detail view, FIG.

5 shows a part of the longer side wall and the associated reinforcing profile from FIG. 3, in an enlarged view, partly in view and partly in a first vertical section, FIG.

6 shows a part of the longer side wall and the associated reinforcing profile from FIG. 3, in an enlarged view, partly in view and partly in a second vertical section, FIG.

7 shows a container, each having a reinforcing profile on two opposite, longer side walls, in view of a shorter side wall,

8 shows a further container, each with a reinforcing profile on two opposite, longer side walls, in view obliquely from above,

FIG. 9 shows one of the longer side walls of the container from FIG. 8 and a reinforcing profile not yet connected thereto, in a view obliquely from above,

FIG. 10 shows the side wall from FIG. 9 with the reinforcing profile connected thereto, in a view obliquely from above, 1 1 one of the longer side walls of a further container and a not yet associated reinforcing profile, in a view obliquely from above,

FIG. 12 shows the side wall from FIG. 11 with the reinforcing profile connected thereto, viewed obliquely from above, and FIG

13 shows one of the longer side walls of a further container and a reinforcing profile connected thereto, in a view obliquely from above.

In the following description of the figures, the same parts in the various drawing figures are always provided with the same reference numerals, so that not all drawings have to be explained again.

1 of the drawing shows a container 1 with a bottom 2, with two opposite first, longer side walls 3 and with two opposing second, shorter side walls 4, in view obliquely from above. The container 1 is here designed as a folding container, in which the side walls 3, 4 are hingedly connected to the bottom 2, so that they between the illustrated in Figure 1, erect utility position and a rest position in which the four side walls 3, 4 inwards are folded down to the bottom 2, is adjustable.

Furthermore, the side walls 3, 4 are provided in a manner known per se with a handle opening 31, 41 and with releasable locking means 43 for mutual locking of the side walls 3, 4 in their use position.

By means of a lower stack contour 20 at the outer edge region of the bottom 2 and depending on an upper stack contour 30, 40 on the upper edge of the side walls 3, 4, several containers 1 can be stacked one above the other in a centering manner.

The bottom 2 and the side walls 3, 4 are here injection molded parts made of a thermoplastic material, wherein at least the side walls 3 have flexible wall portions 33 with a certain flexibility to protect stored in the container 1 or transported Good. In order to safely and reliably stack such containers 1 on top of each other, without it, in particular in lower containers 1 in a container stack of loaded containers 1, comes to a bulging of the upper edge of the side walls 3 to the outside, here is ever a reinforcing 5 to the two opposite, longer side walls 3 positively mounted, locked here. The reinforcing profiles 5 are made of a material, in particular fiber-reinforced plastic or metal, which is more stable than the material of which the side walls 3 are made, usually an unreinforced plastic. The reinforcing profiles 5 thus ensure that the side walls 3 in their upper edge region have a particularly high stability, whereby an undesirable buckling of the upper edge of the side walls 3 is avoided in a container stack.

On the upper side, each reinforcing profile 5 has an upwardly directed, in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing profile 5 and the associated side wall 3 extending profile web 50. The profile webs 50 form on its upper side a slideway 1 1, on which an upper container 1 on a lower container 1 after only one partially overlapping touchdown can be easily moved to its final stacking position.

The end portions 12 of the slide 1 1 are chamfered to move the upper container 1 in a relative to the lower container 1 elevated position and lower the upper container 1 only immediately before or upon reaching the congruent position of the upper container 1 relative to the lower container 1 , As a result, the goods in the lower container 1 is protected from damage by pushing the upper container 1.

So that conventional containers with the same basic surface dimensions can be safely stacked on the container 1, two upstanding bumps 44 are integrally formed on the upper edge of the shorter side walls 4 formed by the upper stacking contour 40. These bumps 44 lock a container placed on the container 1 conventional container against accidental displacement along the slideways 1 1 via a congruent stacking position relative to the container 1 arranged below. Figure 2 shows the container 1 of Figure 1 in a front view of one of the longer side walls 3 with the reinforcing profile 5 attached thereto. Bottom of Figure 2, the bottom 2 with its stack contour 20 is visible. At the upper edge of the side wall 3, the reinforcing profile 5 is connected to the side wall 3. Below a central portion of the reinforcing profile 5 lies in the side wall 3 whose handle opening 31st A central surface region of the side wall 3, which is enclosed by the four edge regions of the side wall 3, forms the flexible wall region 33, which has a certain flexibility. At the top of the reinforcing profile 5 whose profile web 50 is visible, which forms the stack contour 30 of the side wall 3 and one of the slideways 1 1 with the slanted slideway end portions 12.

Figure 3 shows one of the longer side walls 3 and not yet attached reinforcing profile 5, in a view obliquely from above. The side wall 3 has at its upper edge an upwardly facing web 35, on which at regular intervals locking elements 34 are formed in the form of protruding from the surface of the web locking lugs. The above the side wall 3 shown, not yet associated with this reinforcing profile 5 has on its underside a groove 53, with which the reinforcing profile 5 in the vertical direction from top to bottom on the web 35 is positively plugged. By means of the reinforcing profile 5 in a positionally arranged locking elements 54 in the form of locking openings while the locking profile 5 is reliable, but releasably releasably engaged with the locking elements 34 on the side wall 3, whereby the desired reinforcement and stiffening of the upper edge region of the side wall 3 is achieved.

At the lower edge of the side wall 3, several, here four, hinges 32 are visible in Figure 3, with which in a known manner, the side wall 3 is pivotally connected to the bottom 2 of the container 1, not shown here.

FIG. 4 shows a part of the longer side wall 3 and the reinforcing profile 5 of FIG. 3 connected thereto in an enlarged detail view. At the bottom left in FIG. 4, part of the side wall 3 with the handle opening 31 is visible. In addition, the reinforcing profile 5 runs.

Right above the handle opening 31 is one of the pairs of locking elements 34, 54 visible, wherein the locking element 34 of the side wall 3 has the shape of a locking lug, which engages in the locking element formed as a detent element 54 of the reinforcing profile 5.

Furthermore, Figure 4 illustrates that the reinforcing profile 5 has on its side facing the interior of the container side a plurality of parallel side profile wings 51, which make the reinforcing profile 5 with relatively little material use particularly rigid.

At the top of the reinforcing profile 5 extends the vertical profile web 50, the upper side of the slide 1 1 of the side wall 3 forms.

Figure 5 shows a part of the longer side wall 3 and the associated reinforcing profile 5 in an enlarged view, partly in view and partly in a first vertical section. On the right in Figure 5 sectional area can be seen how the reinforcing profile 5 is placed positively with its groove 53 on the web 35 on the upper edge of the side wall 3.

Furthermore, FIG. 5 shows that the reinforcing profile 5 also has on its side facing away from the viewer, facing the container interior surface parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing profile 5 extending lateral profile wings 51 for effective stiffening.

Figure 6 shows a portion of the longer side wall 3 and the associated reinforcing profile 5 in an enlarged view, partly in view and partly in a second vertical section. The cut runs through one of the pairs of locking elements 34, 54, so that their interaction is particularly clearly visible here.

Figure 7 shows a container 1, each with a reinforcing profile 5 on two opposite, longer side walls 3, in view of a shorter side wall 4. Left and right in Figure 7 is therefore one of the two longer side walls 3. Below in Figure 7 is the Floor 2 with its bottom stack contour 20.

On the upper side, the container 1 on the side facing the viewer shorter side wall 4 on the upper edge forming stack contour 40. At a distance from the Above the handle opening 41 parallel to the surface of the side wall 42 extend two horizontally displaceable, resilient locking means 43. At the upper edge of the side wall 4 are at a distance from each other two upwardly projecting hump 44 formed, which serve to secure a patch on the container 1 conventional container the same base dimensions in its congruent stacking position relative to the container 1 and to block a displacement of the upper, conventional container along the slides 1 1 from the congruent stacking position.

On the left and right in FIG. 7, the associated stack contours 30 are visible along the upper edge of the two side walls 3. The stack contours 30 are each formed here by one of the rest of the side wall 3 at the top raftered reinforcing profiles 5, each having on the upper side a longitudinally extending profile web 50, the upper side each forms a slideway 1 1.

The bottom 2 has at its left and right in Figure 7 perpendicular to the drawing plane extending longitudinal sides downwardly open grooves 21, which are arranged congruent to the profile webs 50. Is placed on the container 1, an identical further container 1 initially with an offset in the longitudinal direction of the slideways 1 1, the upper container 1 by means of its grooves 21 on the slideways 1 1 of the lower container 1 in a raised position during displacement up to a with the lower container 1 congruent Stapelendposition be moved in which then the upper container 1 relative to the lower container 1 by cooperation of the correspondingly shaped slideways 1 1 and grooves 21 sinks into its final stacking position.

Figure 8 shows a further container 1, each with a reinforcing profile 5 on two opposite, longer side walls 3, in view obliquely from above. In contrast to the container according to Figure 1, the reinforcing profiles 5 are here designed as inserts, which are inserted as prefabricated parts in the manufacture of the container 1 or its side walls 3 in an injection mold, in which then the remaining side wall is injected, whereby the reinforcing profiles. 5 securely connected to the respective remaining side wall 3. The slideways 1 1 at the top of the stack contours 30 of the longer side walls 3 are not part of the reinforcing profiles 5, but part of the remaining side walls 3 and formed respectively at the top of a one-piece with the side wall 3 web 35.

With regard to the other parts and details of the container 1 shown in Figure 8, reference is made to the preceding description.

FIG. 9 shows one of the longer side walls 3 of the container from FIG. 8 and, separated from it, an associated reinforcing profile 5, in a view obliquely from above. As FIG. 9 makes clear, here the reinforcing profile 5 has two longitudinal webs 55 extending parallel to each other and in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing profile 5 and a plurality of transverse webs 56 interconnecting these in the longitudinal direction. In the finished state of the side wall 3, the plastic material surrounds the remaining side wall 3, the transverse webs 56 of the reinforcing profile 5, whereby this is securely connected to the remaining side wall 3.

Furthermore, it is clearly visible on the basis of FIG. 9 that here the slide track 11 is formed on the upper side of the web 35 of the stacked contour 30 of the side wall 3, that is, not part of the reinforcing profile 5.

Figure 10 shows the side wall of Figure 9 with the associated reinforcing profile 5, again in a view obliquely from above. Here it is particularly visible that the reinforcing profile 5 extends below the slideway 1 1 and forms with its upper side together with the upper edge of the side wall 3 a part of the stack contour 30.

Figure 1 1 shows one of the longer side walls 3 of a further container 1 and a not yet associated reinforcing profile 5, in a view obliquely from above. In this embodiment, the reinforcing profile 5 with the remaining side wall by plugging in the direction from top to bottom can be latched, including the side wall 3 locking elements 34 and the reinforcing profile 5 has cooperating locking elements 54.

At its front ends, the reinforcing profile 5 here each has a downwardly facing guide pin 57 which in each case a corresponding receptacle near the Side edges of the side wall 3 can be accommodated. The guide pins 57 prevent in particular a tilting of the reinforcing profile 5, which here again has an upwardly facing profile web 50 with the upper side slide 1 1, on which the stacking of containers 1 of the weight of the respective upper container in its displacement up to the congruent stacking position ,

FIG. 12 shows the side wall 3 from FIG. 11 with the reinforcing profile 5 connected thereto, likewise in a view obliquely from above. The locking elements 34 of the side wall 3 and the locking elements 54 of the reinforcing profile 5 are now in locking engagement with each other and secure the reinforcing profile 5 in its mounting position on the side wall 3. Upwardly protrudes from the reinforcing profile 5 whose longitudinally extending profile web 50 before, the top of the slide 1 1 forms with their bevelled downwardly extending end portions 12.

Finally, FIG. 13 shows one of the longer side walls 3 of a further container 1 and a reinforcing profile 5 connected thereto, in a view obliquely from above. Characteristic of the embodiment shown here is that the reinforcing profile 5 is welded to the remaining side wall 3 or that the side wall 3 including the reinforcing profile 5 is made as a two-component injection molded part. In both embodiments, which do not differ visibly in appearance from the outside, the reinforcing profile 5 is particularly firmly and permanently securely connected to the remaining side wall 3.

The slide 1 1 is formed here at the top of a web 35 of the stack contour 30 of the side wall 3, so in this embodiment is not part of the reinforcing profile. 5

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Sign label

1 container

1 1 slideway

12 end areas of 1 1

2 floor of 1

20 stacking contour on 2

21 grooves in 20

3 first, longer side walls

30 stacking contour on 3

31 handle opening in 3

32 hinges on 3

33 flexible wall area of 3

34 locking elements on 3

35 footbridge on the upper edge of 3

4 second, shorter side walls

40 stack contour / upper edge at 4

41 handle opening in 4

43 locking means

44 bumps on 4

5 reinforcement profiles

50 profile bar at the top 5

51 profile wing on the side of 5

53 groove down in 5 for 35

54 locking elements on 5

55 longitudinal webs

56 crossbars

57 guide pins

Claims

claims:

1 . Container (1) made of plastic, with a rectangular bottom (2) and four side walls (3, 4), wherein the bottom (2) has on its underside at its outer edge a first stack contour (20), wherein the side walls (3, 4) their upper edge region having a second stack contour (30, 40) and wherein in a stacking of containers (1) one above the other the first stack contour (20) of an upper container (1) and the second stack contour (30, 40) of a lower container (1) in a centering engagement with each other, characterized

in that the upper edge region of at least two mutually opposite side walls (3, 4) is reinforced by in each case at least one reinforcing profile (5) attached positively and / or non-positively to the remaining side wall (3, 4) and that the / each reinforcement profile (5) adjoins its top side facing away from the container (1) has at least one profile web (50) extending in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing profile (5), a slide track (1 1) for a aufzusetzenden further container (1).

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the stacking contour (30, 40) of / each reinforcing profile (5) having side wall (3, 4) is formed on the upper side of the reinforcing profile (5).

3. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the stack contour (30, 40) of / each reinforcing profile (5) having side wall (3, 4) each upper side at the upper edge of the side wall (3, 4) separated from the reinforcing profile (5 ) is trained.

4. Container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the / each reinforcing profile (5) in one of the side wall (3, 4) facing lower portion of a downwardly open groove (53) or after has an upwardly pointing web (35) or an upwardly open groove is formed on the upper edge of the remaining side wall (3, 4) and that the reinforcing profile (5) with its groove (53) on the web ( 35) of the side wall (3, 4) snapped or clamped or pushed or welded or glued or with its web in the groove of the side wall (3, 4) snapped or clamped or inserted or welded or glued.

5. Container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the / each reinforcing profile (5) in a side wall (3, 4) facing the lateral region has a side open groove (53) or a side facing web in that a web (35) pointing to the side or a groove open to the side is formed on the upper edge of the remaining side wall (3, 4), and that the reinforcing profile (5) projects with its groove (53) onto the web (35) of the side wall (3). 3, 4) snapped or clamped or postponed or welded or glued or snapped or pinched or pushed or welded or glued with its web in the groove of the side wall (3, 4).

6. Container according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that on the side wall (3, 4) and on the associated reinforcing profile (5) cooperating locking elements (34, 54) are integrally formed.

7. Container (1) made of plastic, with a rectangular bottom (2) and four side walls (3, 4), wherein the bottom (2) has on its underside at its outer edge a first stack contour (20), wherein the side walls (3, 4 ) have at their upper edge region a second stack contour (30, 40) and wherein in a stacking of containers (1) one above the other the first stack contour (20) of an upper container (1) and the second stack contour (30, 40) of a lower container ( 1) in a centering engagement with each other, characterized

in that the upper edge region of at least two mutually opposite side walls (3, 4) is reinforced by in each case at least one reinforcing profile (5) arranged in or on the side wall (3, 4) extending in the sidewall longitudinal direction and in that the / each reinforcement profile (5) is is arranged offset relative to the stack contour (30, 40) in the direction of the bottom (2) out.

8. A container according to claim 7, characterized in that the upper edge region of at least two mutually opposite side walls (3, 4) with at least one of the reinforcing profile (5) separated in sidewall longitudinal direction slideway (1 1) for a aufzusetzenden further container ( 1) is formed.

9. A container according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the / each a reinforcing profile (5) having side wall (3, 4) is a two- or multi-component injection molded part, which by successively injection of at least two different plastics in a side wall or container injection molding tool is produced, wherein a plastic for the reinforcing profile (5) is a reinforced plastic and a plastic for the remaining side wall (3, 4) or the remaining container (1) is an unreinforced plastic.

10. A container according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the / each a reinforcing profile (5) having side wall (3, 4) by inserting a reinforcing profile formed by a reinforced, prefabricated component (5) in a side wall or container injection mold and then injecting an unreinforced plastic forming the remainder of the sidewall (3, 4) or the remaining containers (1) into the sidewall or container injection molding tool.

1 1. Container according to claim 10, characterized in that in or on

the reinforcing profile (5) with the plastic of the side wall (3, 4) is undiluted in each of the side walls (3, 4) having a reinforcing profile (5) and can be displaced within small limits relative to the remaining side wall (3, 4).

12. A container according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the / each reinforcing profile (5) with the associated side wall (3, 4) is latched or jammed or pushed together or welded or glued.

13. Container according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the upper edge region of two opposing, longer side walls (3) by one over the length of the associated side wall (3) continuous reinforcing profile (5) is reinforced.

14. Container according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the upper edge region of all side walls (3, 4) by one over the length of the associated side wall (3, 4) continuous reinforcing profile (5) is reinforced.

15. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the upper edge region of end portions of two adjacent to container corners adjacent side walls (3, 4) by a respective extending over the corner reinforcing profile (5) is reinforced.

16. Container according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the upper edge region of all side walls (3, 4) by a single frame-shaped, circumferential reinforcing profile (5) is reinforced.

17. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the side walls (3, 4) consist of an unreinforced thermoplastic material and in that the / each reinforcing profile (5) consists of a fiber-reinforced plastic or metal.

18. Container according to one of claims 1 to 6 or 8 to 12, characterized in that below the slideways (1 1) having side walls (3, 4) lying portions of the stack contour (20) of the bottom (2), each with a groove (21) are executed, that the slide tracks (1 1) and grooves (21) are each formed so that when a top container

(I) on a lower container (1) in a longitudinal direction of the slideways

(II) and grooves (21) relative to each other offset position of the upper container (1) in an elevated position on the slideways (1 1) of the lower container (1) slidably up and that during or after a displacement of the upper container (1) in a congruent with the lower container (1) position the slideways (1 1) enter while lowering the upper container (1) in a Stapelendposition into the grooves (21).

19. A container according to claim 18, characterized in that the slideways (1 1) are each designed as vertically aligned, continuous or interrupted web.

20. A container according to claim 19, characterized in that each slide (1 1) stepped at their end portions (12) or bevelled or rounded.

21. Container according to claim 18, 19 or 20, characterized in that the slideways (1 1) on two long side walls (3) or on two short side walls (4) are provided.

22. A container according to any one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that the two not the slideways (1 1) having side walls (3 or 4) on the top side one or more spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of these side walls (3 or 4), one on a container (1) mounted conventional container against displacement in the longitudinal direction of the slideways (1 1) securing bumps (44) whose height corresponds to the height of the slideways (1 1).

23. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that it is a rigid container (1) whose side walls (3, 4) with the bottom (2) made in one piece or firmly connected, or that it is a collapsible container (1) whose side walls (3, 4) are hinged to the floor (2).