EP3428084A1 - Multi-bottle container, such as sixpacks and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

In a multi-bottle container, such as six-packs and the like, with a box-shaped outer packaging of the bottom of the container is centrally in the bottom longitudinal direction with successively arranged slots (26) and transverse thereto provided slots (28).

Description

The invention relates to a multi-bottle container according to the preamble of claim 1.

In the beverage market more and more multi-bottle containers are spreading, which are usually formed from a cardboard outer packaging, possibly also made of plastic films and designed for the inclusion of four, six, eight and possibly also ten or twelve bottles. Multi-bottle packages are most commonly used to hold six bottles, commonly referred to as six-packs. The transport of such six-packs or corresponding multi-bottle containers is often carried out by conventional crates, which are usually prepared both for the reception of multi-bottle containers as well as for the setting of single bottles. Bottle crates for receiving multi-bottle containers are formed in the box interior usually with sleeves, which protrude from the box bottom upwards and are arranged centrally between four adjacent parking spaces. In the case of the return transport of single bottles, the sleeves serve to hold the bottles set and, in the case of transport, to dip containers insert the sleeves in openings at the bottom of the container and engage between four adjacent bottles. For this reason, in packages in the form of six-packs in the bottom of the container at least two openings, in particular with diamond-shaped and thus adapted to the quills cross section, arranged one behind the other in the symmetry axis of the soil, ie in the central region of the soil. In the case of eight-packs, three diamond-shaped loops arranged one behind the other and, in the case of four-packs, only one central opening are arranged centrally in the bottom of the bundle.

When carrying such crates, the boxes are usually held laterally and thus in an inclined position, which may have the result that the only supported on the sleeves quill during transport in case of improper handling can also fall out of the bottle crate. This would result in the breakage of the bottles.

A big disadvantage of today's Pinolenkästen is the noise to break the bottles. By the cardboard composite, the bottle diameters are pressed together and the bottle assembly is fixed as a unit. The empty bottles are placed individually and loosely in the spaces between the sleeves and are not fixed. Already when lifting the box, the bottle bellies of the empty bottles strike against each other unprotected between the sleeves. Already in the empties return occurs on the roller belts of the receiving branches increased noise, which continues in the truck ride. The constant beating of the bottles can even lead to breakage.

In order to remedy these drawbacks, crates have been created, which instead of centrally provided between four adjacent slots pens support members side of the bottle storage spaces of a bottle crate, either between themselves or with adjacent side walls of the box, the pitches or Flaschenaufnahmeabteile limit the setting of the bottles , If a six-pack is used in such a configured bottle crate, then instead of two sleeves, several, in particular at least seven support members (in the case of six-packs) grip from the bottom into the container, part of which is aligned in the longitudinal direction and one part in the transverse direction of the container. This has the consequence that the maintenance of the container within such a bottle crate is much better. In addition, this placement of support members has the consequence, especially if they are designed as arcuate support members, that in the Flaschenaufnahmeabteile or on the Places set bottles are kept at a distance from each other, so that disturbing rattling noise during transport of these boxes can be avoided.

The object of the invention is to provide appropriate containers, in particular six-packs and the like, which are equipped in a simple manner for a stable and noise-free adjustment in such crates.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous and preferred developments of the invention are characterized by the features contained in the subclaims.

According to the invention, the bottom of a multi-bottle container, in particular six-pack, designed so that when setting the container in bottle crates support members in the lateral areas of each Flascheneinstellplatzes can dive in such a container, that is, the support members no longer reach into areas a, which are present in the middle between four adjacent parking spaces or bottle receiving compartments of such a container, but off-center on the sides of the parking spaces. For this purpose, openings are provided in the bottom at these areas, in particular in the form of elongated slots, which are designed for immersing such support members. In the case of a six-pack, which are designed to accommodate six bottles in usually two adjacent and mutually parallel rows, each with three consecutively arranged bottles and thus with six appropriately placed parking spaces, the elongated slots are located on the sides of the parking spaces in the case of six packs three spaced apart slots in the bottom center and in the longitudinal direction of the container and two transverse rows, each with two complementary transverse slots, so that in the case of six-pack preferably a total of seven openings in the form of elongated slots are present. In this case, due to the lateral arrangement of the parking spaces, the openings provided in the transverse direction are formed on the gap between the longitudinally spaced-apart slots and thus outside the middle between four adjacent parking spaces.

Preferably, the bottom of the container is provided centrally in the longitudinal direction of the container with a number of elongated first slots corresponding to the number (n) of pairs of bottle pairs and with complementary second slots arranged in several parallel ones Rows arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the bottom, wherein the number of transverse rows (n-1) of the number (n) of the Flaschenabteilteilpaare. The transverse slots are arranged at a lateral distance from the slots extending in the longitudinal direction of the container and at a gap between these first slots. In this respect, the four receiving compartments bounding slots are arranged in a cross shape.

Such containers usually have only two rows with successively arranged Flaschenaufnahmeabteilen or parking spaces, so that for each transverse row one transverse slot is arranged on both sides of the longitudinal central axis of the container. In two longitudinal rows of Flaschenaufnahmenteils this container thus each pitch of the container is also limited by the outer walls of the container, the inner sides of each pitch of the container are limited by the slot-like openings arranged perpendicular to each pitch to each other and while spaced from each other according to the facial expressions the provided on the bottle crate flat support members.

The middle floor area between four adjacent parking spaces of the container is free of slits and can if necessary be reinforced, which can be done suitably by ribbing, multilayer cardboard training or a corresponding coating.

The elongated slots, which are adapted in length and width to the support members of the bottle crate, are preferably oval-shaped in plan view, with the two longitudinal sides of the slots expediently being bulged outwardly, namely with a comparatively large radius of curvature. The front ends of the slots may be straight or suitably rounded, the length of the slots is suitably 1.5 to 4.5 cm. The width is advantageously in the range of 0.3 to 2.5 mm. However, this information is not limiting and ultimately it depends on the adaptation to the support members of the bottle crate, on which the container is to be inserted.

Of course, the opening facial expressions described above, in particular in the form of slit-like openings provided laterally at the locations in the bottom of the container, do not preclude that, if required, other openings may also be provided in different geometries, if this is considered expedient. For example, the edges can be alone be known opening slits provided that allow a partial bottle penetration especially in the area of the bottom of the container.

Another alternative advantageous embodiment of the bottom of a multi-bottle packaging, which is formed in particular from cardboard, has differently designed opening configurations in relation to the previously described opening formations in the form of slots. These alternative opening configurations of function and arrangement are comparable with those of the previously described slot-like opening configurations, so that previously made statements also apply to this opening training. Each opening formation is in this case formed by two spaced-apart web openings, between which a slot-like opening extends, which preferably connects the two web openings with each other. When placing or inserting the packaging in a bottle crate with corresponding web members whose upper ends of the longitudinal legs dive into the spaced apart web openings, wherein a cross member of the support member engages through the slot-like opening which is provided between the two web openings and in particular the two Connecting web openings together. Preferably, the web openings are formed complementary to the longitudinal legs of the support members, which pass through the openings when placing the package.

In a further advantageous embodiment, these opening formations including the slot-like formation between the web openings are formed as piercing openings, in particular the slot-like opening is formed by corresponding perforations in the bottom of the bottle crate. If necessary, the web openings can also be formed by piercing slots or perforations or radially arranged slots or perforations as piercing openings, which open when the packaging is placed on the web members.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische schematische Ansicht eines Mehrflaschen-Packs und zwar in Art eines Sixpacks in einer Ansicht von unten

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf einen Teilbereich des Bodens des in Fig. 1 dargestellten Gebindes

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung eines Eckbereichs eines mit Stützgliedern versehenen Flaschenkastens mit Stützgliedern für die Einstellung von Gebinden in Form der Mehrfach-Packs gemäß Fig. 1 und 2, sowie

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines Flaschenkastens mit Stützgliedern, für den das erfindungsgemäße Gebinde zum Zwecke des Aufsteckens gerüstet ist.

Fig. 5

eine Bodenansicht einer konventionellen Verpackung

Fig. 6

eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Mehrflaschen-Packs für die Aufnahme von beispielsweise sechs Flaschen in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von unten, wobei allerdings lediglich der Verpackungsboden aus Karton dargestellt ist sowie

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Beispiels eines Stützglieds von mehreren Stützgliedern eines Flaschenkastens, der insbesondere für die Aufnahme einer Mehrweg-Verpackung gemäß Ausführungsform nach Fig. 6 geeignet ist.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to purely schematic drawings. Show in it

Fig. 1

a perspective schematic view of a multi-bottle pack and indeed in the manner of a six-pack in a view from below

Fig. 2

a plan view of a portion of the bottom of in Fig. 1 illustrated container

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of a corner region of a provided with support members bottle crate with support members for the adjustment of containers in the form of multiple packs according to Fig. 1 and 2 , such as

Fig. 4

a perspective view of another embodiment of a bottle crate with support members, for which the container according to the invention is equipped for the purpose of Aufsteckens.

Fig. 5

a bottom view of a conventional packaging

Fig. 6

a further embodiment of a multi-bottle pack for receiving, for example, six bottles in a perspective view from below, but only the packaging base is shown in cardboard and

Fig. 7

a perspective view of an example of a support member of a plurality of support members of a bottle crate, in particular for receiving a reusable packaging according to the embodiment according to Fig. 6 suitable is.

Fig. 1 shows an inventive presentation of a multi-bottle pack or multi-bottle packs, as they are more and more used in the beverage trade for the sale of beverage bottles. Such containers are designed to accommodate four, six, eight and sometimes ten and twelve bottles, the most common on the market, the so-called six-packs, ie containers that accommodate a total of six bottles, and indeed in two parallel juxtaposed rows ä three bottles each. These generally known containers are usually made of cardboard, but there are also more and more containers made of plastic films entrance on the market.

Typically, such packs, such as those in U.S. Pat Fig. 1 transported six-pack in crates that can accommodate several such packs. For this purpose, the Bottle crate on the bottom of the box arranged quills, which protrude from the bottom of the box upwards and are usually arranged centrally between each four Flascheneinstellplätzen. In order for a container, such as a six-pack six-pack, to be received in such a box, the bottom of these containers is analogous in the case of a six-pack with two substantially diamond-shaped openings Fig. 5 provided so that such six-packs can be inserted from above into the bottle crate, wherein formed in the box quillons can reach into these diamond-shaped openings 2 in the bottom 6 of such a container 4. In the case of a four-pack with four bottles received therein, it only needs a diamond-shaped opening 2, in the case of eight-packs three consecutively centered in the bottom 6 of the container 4 formed openings 2. Such an embodiment of the bottom of such a conventional container is in Fig. 5 shown.

That in the FIGS. 1 and 2 described multi-bottle pack, here in the form of a six-pack, is created for inclusion in crates, which is different from the usual Pinolenkästen formed with flat support members which protrude from the box bottom upwards and are designed substantially as open bottom support bracket. Such crates are in the Figures 3 and 4 for illustration and for better understanding of the container according to the invention shown. According to Fig. 3 The support members 8, which protrude from the bottom of the box 10 upwards, two longitudinal arms 12 and 14 arranged parallel to each other, which are connected at their upper end by a transverse web 16 here arcuately shaped and thus make a downwardly open U-shaped support bracket , Such support brackets may also be in V or C form. The support members 8 are arranged on the sides of Flascheneinstellplätzen 18, wherein Flascheneinstellplätze, such as Fig. 4 also shows side and by the longitudinal and narrow side walls 20 and 22 of the bottle crate. In case of Fig. 4 the bottle crate can also be divided into two halves by a partial wall 24 extending in the middle and running parallel to the longitudinal side wall 20, of which two six-packs and thus a total of four six-packs can be accommodated in each box half in the present design and arrangement of the support members 8.

Unlike the Quillboxes here are the support members on which the container must be placed when setting in the crates, not formed centrally between each four adjacent Flascheneinstellplätzen arranged Quills, but by so to speak flat support members 8, each on the sides of the bottle spaces 18 are arranged, and in each case stand-alone, that is, are arranged isolated from each other with an intermediate distance to adjacent support members 8.

For this purpose, the bottom 6 of in Fig. 1 shown container 2, here exemplarily in the form of a six-pack, designed with a corresponding mimicry, namely with longitudinal openings in the form of longitudinal slots 26 and transversely transverse slots 28 which allow openings for attaching the container on Stützgliedermimiken, as exemplified by Figures 3 and 4 are shown.

In this respect points Fig. 1 a total of seven slots 26, 28, namely, three aligned in the longitudinal direction of the bottom longitudinal slots 26 and arranged on the gap to the spaced longitudinal slots 26 transverse slots 28, each of which a transverse slot on each side of the row formed by the longitudinal slots 26 is arranged.

This facial expression is also in Fig. 2 represented, with dashed lines the bottles set in the container from above are indicated. As can be seen, the longitudinal and transverse slots together with the container walls in the case of the six-pack limit a total of six parking spaces for the bottles. Out Fig. 2 is clearly visible as a result of the bottles shown in dashed lines that the bottles are arranged at a certain distance from each other. If such a container on a bottle crate with the facial expressions in accordance with Figures 3 and 4 inserted, then grip the support members 8 in the longitudinal and transverse slots 26, 28 between the bottles located in the container 30. This has the consequence that each set multi-bottle container with the opening facial expression analogous to FIGS. 1 and 2 is held over a plurality of support members, which dive into the slots 26, 28, so that the packages are kept very stable in the bottle crates and therefore can not fall out of the box in the usual support positions with oblique orientation of the box.

The longitudinal and transverse slots 26, 28 are formed elongated and each form a substantially oval-shaped opening in plan view, wherein the opposite longitudinal sides 32 of each slot represent bulges with a large radius. The narrow sides 34 of the slots can also be rounded or straight, as shown in the illustrated embodiment Fig. 2 ,

Different from the usual with rhomboid openings for the quills formed container trays longitudinal and transverse slots 26, 28 are no longer centrally located between each four adjacent bottle shelves, but the middle area between each four adjacent bottle shelves of the bottom of the container preferably closed in the bottom wall and the longitudinal and transverse slots are shifted towards the sides of the bottle storage spaces of the container from the middle between four adjacent parking spaces to the outside.

The longitudinal extension of the slots 26, 28 is substantially offset to the bottle diameter of the bottles received in the container and is, without being limiting, preferably in the range of 20 to 40 mm, preferably in the range of 25 to 37 mm. The transverse extent of the slots is in the range of 8 mm to 15 mm. These dimensions of the slots 26, 28 are ultimately dependent on the maximum length and width of the outline of the support members which dive into the openings so that the containers are placed on the crates with these support members. In this respect, the choice of width and length of the slots depends on the size of the support members used and is thus chosen suitably.

In the illustration according to Fig. 1 the container 4 has two opposite side walls 5 and 7. Usually, these containers on the other two sides, which are usually the narrow sides of such a container, open, so that access to the bottles is possible. However, this is not mandatory, since there are also containers with circumferentially closed side wall. Since the support members can be designed comparatively narrow in width, the elongated slots are thus reduced in width, resulting from the introduced openings a lower weakening of the soil than in conventional provided for Quill boxes with central "quill" openings of Case is.

The embodiment according to Fig. 6 shows a bottom of a cardboard six-pack, with differently shaped opening formations 40 with three in the longitudinal direction with distance in series successively arranged opening formations 40a and transverse and set on the gap between the openings formed in the longitudinal direction transverse opening formations 40b. The opening formations 40a and 40b, which extend in the longitudinal or in the transverse direction to each other, as far as the training, the same design, so it is sufficient to describe one of the opening training. Accordingly, each opening formation has two spaced apart web openings 42, 44, which are preferably connected to each other through an opening slot 46.

As a result, the bottom 6 of the in Fig. 6 illustrated multi-bottle packaging in the manner of a six-pack in a special way for placing on a box with support members according to Fig. 7 , Wherein each support member 8 of such a bottle crate has two mutually parallel longitudinal legs 12, 14, which form a passage opening between them. The upper ends of the longitudinal legs 12, 14 protrude above a connecting the two longitudinal leg cross member 48 upwards, wherein the protruding ends in Fig. 7 50 and 52 are designated. The protruding ends 50, 52 may be tapered at the front, which facilitates the placement of multi-bottle packaging formed in particular from cardboard, since the pointed ends 50, 52 also facilitate the puncturing of the cardboard bottom 6. The protruding ends 50, 52 dive into the openings 42, 44 and the appropriately tapered top cross member 48 engages through the slot-like openings 46 in the bottom of the box. 6

This embodiment allows in particular closely dimensioned opening cross-sections for the opening formations 40, which contributes to increasing the strength of the cardboard bottom 6 and thus the packaging. To set the packaging they are placed with pressure on the support members 8.

In a further embodiment, it is possible in this case that, instead of the approximately at the longitudinal webs 12, 14 and their ends 50, 52 adapted openings 42, 44 cross-set transverse slots or more radial transverse slots are provided which upon placement of the package through the in particular pointed ends 50, 52 are pierced and then form the openings. Also, the opening slots 46 may be perforated as needed, as shown Fig. 8 shows that when placing the packaging, the cross members 48 pierce the perforations. This allows a firm reception of the packaging in the bottles, but nevertheless also a simple removal, since there is only a plug connection. Otherwise limit the opening formations 40 together with the packaging walls corresponding parking spaces, here for example six parking spaces for adjusting bottles in the multi-bottle packaging. The opening formations 40 thus differ from the slot-like openings of the previous embodiment, wherein the notion of slots used to describe the first embodiment is to be understood very broadly, and also the opening configurations according to FIG Fig. 6 is concerned, so that the arrangement of the opening formations to one another in principle corresponds to those of the first and second slots of the previous embodiment and the corresponding description with respect. Arrangement to each other and to the walls of the package equally for the embodiment according to Fig. 5 are applicable to avoid repetition.

Claims (12)

Multi-bottle packages (4), such as six-packs and the like, with a box-shaped outer packaging with two parallel rows arranged one behind the other in pairs of compartments (18) for receiving bottles, wherein the outer packaging of a bottom (6) and at least two opposite side walls (5 7) and the base (6) is provided with engagement openings (24, 26) for attaching the container (4) to support members of a bottle crate;
characterized in that
the base (6) of the container (4) is provided centrally in the longitudinal direction of the bottom with a number of elongated first opening formations (26) corresponding to the number (n) of pairs of bottle compartments and second opening formations (28) complementary thereto, preferably through slots (24, 26) are formed and arranged in a plurality of parallel rows transverse to the longitudinal direction of the bottom, with lateral spacing to and between the first opening formations (26), and that the number of transverse rows (n-1) is the number (n) of pairs of bottles. Container according to claim 1,
characterized in that
each transverse row has two second opening formations or slots (28) which are respectively arranged on both sides of the first opening formations or slots (26). Container according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the bottle receiving compartments of the container (6) are bounded laterally by the first and second opening formations or slots (26, 28), respectively. Container according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the bottom (6) is stiffened in the between four cross-arranged first and second slots (26, 28), preferably ribbed, multi-layered and / or coated. Container according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the slots (26, 28) are complementarily shaped. Container according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the slots (26, 28) are adapted in length and width to the support members of the container receiving bottle crate. Container according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the slots have a width in the range of 0.3 to 2.5 mm and a length in the range of 1.5 to 4.5 cm. Container according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the elongate slots (26, 28) have an oval or rectangular top view with rounded corners. Container according to claim 7 or 8,
characterized in that
the two longitudinal sides (32) are bulged in the direction outwards. Container according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
with the same mimic of the arrangement of the opening configurations according to the first and second slots, the opening formations (40) have two web openings (42, 44) arranged at a distance from one another, between each of which a slot-like opening, in particular in the form of a slot (46), extends. Container according to claim 10,
characterized in that
the slot (46) of the opening formation (40) bridges the two web openings (42, 44) of the opening formation (40) or connects them to one another. Container according to claim 10 or 11,
characterized in that
the slots (46) are formed by perforations in the bottom (6) of the package, and in that preferably the web openings (42, 44) are formed as piercing openings by slots or perforations placed crosswise or radially to each other, such that the openings including the perforated ones Slot formation by piercing the bottom (6) when placing the package on the support members (8) are formed.

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