EP3464091B1

EP3464091B1 - Display container

Info

Publication number: EP3464091B1
Application number: EP17791725.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giuseppe Conti; Federico RONCONI
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-06-01
Filing date: 2017-05-30
Publication date: 2020-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 2037-05-30
Also published as: EP3464091A2; US20190248540A1

Description

The present invention relates to a box-like display container, preferably transparent.
The container in question can be used, in particular, for the storage of various types of objects so that it is possible to see the contents without opening the same container.
One of the possible uses is to store footwear so as to replace the traditional carton boxes that do not allow to see the contents.
Another possible use of the invention is to provide a container usable for exhibition purposes, namely for display cabinets, exhibition and museum stands that allow the presentation of objects of various types.
The container can also be a furniture item, also thanks to its modular composition. Transparent containers are currently made of glass or plastic material, which have some drawbacks. In the case of glass, the constructions are negatively characterized by the relatively high weight and by the possibility of breakage as a result of bumps. In addition, glass containers have a complex structure to allow an opening to access inside. In the case of plastic containers, they have an opening which is little useful, usually constituted by a top cover which prevents the container from opening when the same container is stacked.
US 2010/295424 discloses a merchandising display and dispensing system for displaying and dispensing articles, including cylindrical shaped articles or rolls of disk-shaped articles. In particular, US 2010/295424 relates to a modular display and dispensing system having a plurality of modules fitted with one another. Each module comprises a left side panel and a right side panel which are fitted together and form a serpentine chute which feeds articles by gravity to an access tray where an article can be removed by hand, thus permitting another article to enter the tray.
In general, in addition, the transparent containers used in the exhibitions consist of boxes having a fixed configuration, resulting in a substantially unchanged encumbrance during the transport phase, when empty and in use.
With the present invention, it is possible to conserve and expose objects in an extremely flexible manner by allowing to stack more containers together, ensuring that they can be opened even when stacked.
Another advantage lies in that it is possible to market and transport the disassembled container to occupy an extremely limited space when compared to the volume offered in use. In addition, the mounting of the container is extremely simple, while ensuring an effective capacity once assembled and allowing disassembly without damaging the component parts. In addition, it is possible to connect different containers between them by means of connection means that can be easily and comfortably inserted and disconnected in their respective seats.
Another advantage comes from the possibility of opening the door in a simple and intuitive way, even when multiple containers are arranged stacked. In particular, the door or mobile wall may kept in the closed position thanks to the conformation of the elements that define the connection between the same door and the container structure.
Another advantage comes from the fact that the container is made of a single material: this simplifies manufacturing, assembly and disposal.
Another advantage is the possibility of assembly in a differentiated manner, that is the door or moving wall can be assembled to the structure when bases and fixed parts are assembled or even later.
Another advantage is that some of the container faces are equal to each other and in this way it is possible to limit the total number of elements needed to make the container.
In addition, by appropriately dimensioning the container, it is possible to produce display cases and furniture that allow for the presentation of products of various sizes.
The present invention provides a transparent display container with excellent functionality and ease of use with a box-like body that is also aesthetically pleasing and therefore can be used in any type of environment and / or exhibit / commercial event. This result has been achieved in accordance with the innovation by adopting the idea of making a display container exhibiting the features described in claim 1. Other features are subject to dependent claims.
The advantages and the characteristics of this innovation will be more and better understood by every technician from the following description and drawings of the attached figures, which should not be considered in a limitative sense, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a possible embodiment of the display container of the invention, in final configuration, or mounted;
Figs. 2A, 2B are partial side views of the example of Fig. 1, relating to the front portion provided with an opening door, with the door closed (Fig.2A) and open (Fig.2B);
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the parts making up the embodiment shown in the preceding figures with some enlarged details;
Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of another possible embodiment of the box-like container of the invention, in a final configuration; the representation of the box-like container is only schematic with the function of providing a reference for the correct identification of the components shown in the following figures;
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the parts which can form a box-like container made in accordance with the present invention; in the drawing, one of the parts, in particular a side wall, is reproduced in three different possible embodiments, marked respectively with 6, 6a and 6b;
Figs. 6 and 7 are plan views of the parts shown in Fig. 5, represented in a different scale and with enlarged details;
Fig. 8 is an enlarged side view of a connecting member usable in accordance with the present invention.

In accordance with the present invention, and in particular with reference to the drawings of the accompanying figures from 1 to 3, a box-like container (which is preferably but not exclusively transparent and which is marked with 1 as a whole) in the configuration of use is parallelepiped and is provided with a front opening door which opens outwardly rotating around a horizontal axis placed at the bottom.
For its construction can be used a single material, e.g, plexiglass, of variable thickness depending on the final use, i.e. depending on the loads that could be applied to the container structure (1).
In the illustrated embodiment, the container (1) is shaped so as to be able to receive within it a pair of shoes disposed with a plant resting on the bottom base of the container. Obviously, the dimensions (and thicknesses) may vary depending on the final use.
The container structure (1) consists of six faces that are assembled together.
In particular, the container (1) comprises a bottom base (2) and an upper base (3) connected together by three fixed walls (4, 5, 6) and a movable wall (7) defining an opening door.
The bases (2) and (3) have a rectangular planar development and, in the illustrated example, each of them has a respective set of through holes or rectangular grooves (20) and (30) arranged along a larger side (21) (31) also referred to as end side in this description. Other sets of slots (20) and (30) are arranged along the lower sides (22) and (32) of the bases (2) and (3).
The fixed walls comprise a bottom or end wall (4) and two side walls (5) and (6), which are interposed between the two bases (2, 3) corresponding respectively to the end side (21, 31) and to the smaller sides (22, 32) of the two bases (2, 3).
The bottom wall (4) is provided with a first set of teeth (40) which in the example have a rectangular profile and are arranged along the major sides of the wall (4) so that they can be inserted into the corresponding rectangular holes (20) and (30) provided on the bases (2) and (3) at the major sides (21) and (31). The wall (4) is also provided with a second set of teeth (49), which in the example have a rectangular profile and are arranged along the smaller sides of the wall (4) so that they can be inserted into corresponding rectangular holes (59) and (69) provided on the side walls (5) and (6), as described below. One or more walls may be non-transparent; one or more walls, such as the bottom wall (4), can be made of mirror in the inner face.
The side walls (5) and (6) (which are equal to each other) are provided with a series of teeth (50) and (60) which in the example have a rectangular profile and are arranged along the major sides of the walls (5) and (6) so that they can be inserted into the corresponding rectangular holes (20) and (30) provided on the bases (2) and (3) in correspondence of the lower sides (22) and (32) of the bases. The side walls (5) and (6) are also provided with a series of rectangular holes (59) and (69) disposed along one of the minor sides of each of the walls (5) and (6), in order to receive the aforementioned teeth (49) presented by the bottom wall (4).
The rectangular slots (20, 30, 59, 69) and the corresponding teeth (40, 50, 60) engaging the same slots constitute the reversible fixing means of the container which determine its positioning in the configuration of use when assembled. The mounting of the container, i.e. the fixing of its walls to form a box-like body, can also be achieved with other solutions, for example with slots and teeth which are differently shaped and / or differently disposed in respect to that shown in the drawings.
Each of the two side walls (5) and (6) is furthermore provided with a hole (57), (67) provided at the bottom and a seat (58), (68) provided above. The holes (57), (67) and the seats (58), (68) are arranged on the lower sides of the side walls (5) and (6) at the front, i.e.in correspondence of the areas close to the movable wall or door (7).
The holes (57) and (67) are oval shaped to allow the slight displacement of the appendices (77) described below to facilitate easy opening of the door (7).
The movable wall (7) has a substantially rectangular development and is provided with a manual gripping means which in the example is represented by a hole (70) which is shaped to be a drop. Obviously the presence of the hole (70) is not mandatory and the same hole can be replaced by another means of engagement or a different conformation of the door (7).
The movable wall (7) is provided with four appendices (77, 78) defining corresponding pins. The lower pins (77) are intended to be inserted into the holes (57) and (67) provided on the two side walls (5) and (6), while the upper pins (78) are intended to be inserted into the grooves (58) and (68) of the two side walls (5) and (6).
Advantageously, the grooves (58) and (68) are arranged more internally than the holes (57) and (67) spaced out of a value indicated by (L) in the figures. This allows the door (7) to tilt inwards when it is in the closing position. In Fig. 2 is indicated with (A) the angle that the plane defined by the same door (7) forms with a vertical plane corresponding to the vertical edge of the side walls (5) and (6).
Each groove (58), (68) has an inner portion (56) extending downwards so as to make the pins (78) of the door (7) even more stable, preventing involuntary openings, even when the container (1) is moved.
The oval shape of the holes (57) and (67) allows the door to move vertically to optimize the opening and closing operations of the door (7).
The opening of the door (7) can be made even more functional thanks to the special dimensioning of the bases (2) and (3). In fact, providing at the lower base (2) a slightly lower depth than the upper base (3) a slight recess (e.g., 3mm, or a variable value depending on the thickness of the plate) is obtained from the front edge (27) of the bottom base (2). This allows to rotate the door (7) downwards, eliminating any interference with the same lower edge (27).
The door (7) may also be equipped with a safety closure. To this end, an additional hole may be provided on the upper base (3) in correspondence of the hole (70) for passing a chain and / or a padlock.
As mentioned above, the container (1) can be stacked safely. To this end, means for blocking the movement between two or more superimposed containers are provided. The means for blocking the movement can be realized as in the illustrated examples, in which the bases (2) and (3) are provided with holes (80) and corresponding cylindrical elements (8). In practice, the lower base (2) of a first container disposed above is provided with four holes (80) for receiving four corresponding cylindrical pins or pins (8) presented by the upper base (3) of a second container (1), placed below the first. The pins will have a corresponding section for conformation and dimensions to the respective holes so as to be preferably received with slight interference. In this way, the two containers (1) cannot slide between them and are constrained. The binding can also be realized by making the holes on the two bases (2) and (3) and inserting into the same holes complementarily shaped rods or pins having a height such as to cross both bases. Other types of locking means may also be provided for overlapping containers.
In accordance with the present invention, and in particular with reference to the drawings of the accompanying figures from 4 to 8, a box-like container (which is preferably but not exclusively transparent and which is marked with 1 as a whole) in the configuration of use is parallelepiped and is provided with a front opening door which opens outwardly rotating around a horizontal axis placed at the bottom.
For its construction can be used a single material, e.g. plexiglass, of variable thickness depending on the final use, i.e. depending on the loads that could be applied to the container structure (1).
In the illustrated embodiment, the container (1) is shaped so as to be able to receive within it a pair of shoes disposed with a plant resting on the bottom base of the container. Obviously, the dimensions (and thicknesses) may vary depending on the final use.
The container structure (1) consists of six faces that are assembled together.
In particular, the container (1) comprises a bottom base (2) and an upper base (3) connected together by three fixed walls (4, 5, 6) and a movable wall (7) defining an opening door.
The bases (2) and (3) have a rectangular planar development and, in the illustrated example, each of them has a respective set of through holes or rectangular grooves (20) and (30) arranged along a larger side (21) (31) also referred to as the end side in this description. Other sets of slots (20) and (30) are arranged along the lower sides (22) and (32) of the bases (2) and (3).
The fixed walls comprise a bottom or end wall (4) and two side walls (5) and (6), which are interposed between the two bases (2, 3) corresponding respectively to the end side (21, 31) and to the smaller sides (22, 32) of the two bases (2, 3).
The bottom wall (4) is provided with a first set of teeth (40) which in the example have a rectangular profile and are arranged along the major sides of the wall (4) so that they can be inserted into the corresponding rectangular holes (20) and (30) provided on the bases (2) and (3) at the major sides (21) and (31). The wall (4) is also provided with a second set of teeth (49), which in the example have a rectangular profile and are arranged along the smaller sides of the wall (4), so that they can be inserted into corresponding rectangular holes 59) and (69) provided on the side walls (5) and (6), as described below. One or more walls may be non-transparent; one or more walls, such as the bottom wall (4), can be made of mirror in the inner face.
The side walls (5) and (6) (which are equal to each other) are provided with a series of teeth (50) and (60) which in the example have a rectangular profile and are arranged along the major sides of the walls (5) and (6) so that they can be inserted into the corresponding rectangular holes (20) and (30) provided on the bases (2) and (3) at the lower sides (22) and (32) of the bases. The side walls (5) and (6) are also provided with a series of rectangular holes (59) and (69) disposed along one of the minor sides of each of the walls (5) and (6), in order to receive the aforementioned teeth (49) presented by the bottom wall (4).
The rectangular grooves (20, 30, 59, 69) and the corresponding teeth (40, 50, 60) engaging the same slots constitute the reversible fixing means of the container which determine its positioning in the configuration of use when assembled. The mounting of the container, i.e. the fixing of its walls to form a box-like body, can also be achieved with other solutions, for example with slots and teeth which are differently shaped and / or differently disposed in respect to that shown in the drawings.
Advantageously, the rectangular slots (20, 30, 59, 69) can be configured as in Example A of Fig. 6, where for example, a slot (30) of the side wall (3) has been used to represent all the rectangular slots (20, 30, 59, 69). The slot is formed by a substantially rectangular hole (30a), having a greater side which is arched inwardly, and a straight cut or slot (30b) disposed near the rectangular hole (30a), on the side provided with the arched profile.
The rectangular hole (30a) has a conformation and an area substantially corresponding (or very little greater) to that of the tooth section (40, 50, 60) intended for it. The insertion of the tooth in the hole occurs by force and the insertion (as well as any extraction) is facilitated by the presence of the cut (30b) which allows a temporary elastic enlargement ("warping") of the hole itself.
Each of the two side walls (5) and (6) is furthermore provided with a hole (57), (67) provided at the bottom and a seat (58), (68) provided above. The holes (57), (67) and the seats (58), (68) are arranged on the lower sides of the side walls (5) and (6) at the front, or at the areas close to the movable wall or door (7).
The holes (57) and (67) may be oval shaped to allow the slight displacement of the appendices (77) described below to allow easy opening of the door (7) when the door (7) is mounted. The oval configuration of the holes (57) and (67) relates, in particular, to the examples marked with (6a), (6b) and (5b) in the drawings. In practice, said oval configuration results in a slight vertical play of the door (7) facilitating the closing and opening of the same door, namely inserting and pulling the pins (78) into/out of the grooves (68, 58).
In one of the illustrated embodiments (see Figs. 5-6), the wall marked with (6) is provided with an elongated slot (67a) which allows the door (7) to be mounted even when the box (1) has been assembled by joining the other five faces. In other words, it is possible to mount the box-shaped container (1) by first assembling the fixed walls (bases, side walls and bottom wall), then associating the movable wall or door (7) at a later time; this greatly simplifies assembly operations because it allows to mount the container in different modes. In practice, once the structure is formed by the five fixed walls, it is sufficient to tilt the movable wall (7) to insert the pins (77) into the two slots (67a) in correspondence of the two opposing ends (670, 671), i.e. by inserting a pin (77) in the lower end (670) of a slot (67a) of the wall (6) and the pin (77) opposite in the upper end (671) of the slot (67a) provided on the opposite wall (5).
In the drawings, the wall (5) provided with a slot (67a) has not been represented.
The slot (67a) has an oblique development with the lower end (670) closest to the edge (61) with respect to the upper end (671). This feature, in addition to allowing the most advantageous mounting described above, allows the door (7) to remain in a stable locking position, as described below, when reference is made to the vertical alignment of the holes (67, 57) with the corresponding seats (68, 58) to keep the same door (7) inclined inwardly.
The right wall (6) is identical to the left wall (5); similarly, the right walls (6a) and (6b) will be identical to the corresponding left side walls.
Fig. 5 shows a left wall (5b), as in Fig. 7.
The movable wall (7) has a substantially rectangular development and is provided with a manual gripping means which in the example is represented by a hole (70) which can be shaped to drop. Obviously the presence of the hole (70) is not mandatory and the same hole can be replaced by another means of engagement or a different conformation of the door (7).
The movable wall (7) is provided with four appendices (77, 78) defining corresponding pins. The lower pins (77) are intended to be inserted into the holes (57) and (67) provided on the two side walls (5) and (6), while the upper pins (78) are intended to be inserted into the grooves (58) and (68) of the two side walls (5) and (6).
Advantageously, the grooves (58) and (68) are arranged more internally than the holes (57) and (67), spaced from a value indicated by (L) in detail C of Fig. 6. This allows the door (7) to be inclined inwards when it is in the closing position. In Fig. 6, in the lower left part relating to the side wall embodiment (6b), is indicated with (K) the angle that the plane defined by the same door (7) forms with a vertical plane corresponding to the vertical edge (61) of the side wall (6).
Each groove (58), (68) has an inner portion (66) extending down so as to make the pins (78) of the door (7) even more stable, preventing involuntary openings, even when the container (1) is moved. In particular, the groove (68) is externally delimited by a tooth (65) which is higher than the portion (66), thereby causing a retainer holding for the pin (78) inside the seat (58, 68).
The oval shape of the holes (57) and (67) allows the door to move vertically to optimize the opening and closing operations of the door (7) as described above.
The opening of the door (7) can be made even more functional thanks to the special dimensioning of the bases (2) and (3). In fact, providing a slightly lower depth than the upper base (3) at a lower base (3), a slight recess (e.g., 3mm, or a variable value depending on the thickness of the plate) is obtained from the front edge (27) of the bottom base (2). This allows to rotate the door (7) downwards, eliminating any interference with the same lower edge (27).
The door (7) may also be equipped with a safety closure. To this end, an additional hole may be provided on the upper base (3) in correspondence of the hole (70) for passing a chain and / or a padlock.
As mentioned above, the container (1) can be stacked safely. To this end, means for blocking the movement between two or more superimposed containers are provided. The means for blocking the movement can be made of elements that can be inserted into holes presented by the bases.
The connecting elements may have a substantially cylindrical or prismatic conformation and the corresponding holes presented by the bases will have a polygonal or circular conformation.
In the illustrated examples, the bases (2) and (3) have square shaped holes (80) in which a connection element (8) can be inserted, which can be realized as that shown in Fig. 8, where is represented very enlarged in relation to the other parts of the container.
The element (8) can be made in the same material as the other parts of the container (1), for example in plexiglass. The element (8) shown in Fig. 8 has a "mushroom" shape with a larger head (81) and a lower part (82) divided into two semi-parts (83) by a separating line (84), i.e. by a very little gap. The body of the element (8) has a square cross-section so that it can be inserted into a square hole (80). In particular, the element (8) can be inserted and extracted into or out of the square hole (80) by means of a slight force with deformation of its lower part (82) and temporarily approaching the two semi-parts (83). For overlapping multiple containers (1), the upper base (2) of a first container disposed above is provided with four square holes (80) for accommodating four corresponding square rods or pins (8) presented by the lower base (3) of a second container (1) disposed above the first. The pins (8), thanks to their section, corresponding to shape and dimensions to the respective holes, can be received in the latters with slight interference. In this way, the two containers (1) cannot slide between them and are constrained. Other types of locking means may also be provided for overlapping containers. Referring to the embodiment of the side wall (6a) shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the lateral walls (5, 6) may also have holes (80) similar to those of the bases (2, 3). In this way, it is possible to insert a set of elements (8), for example two, for each side wall (5, 6) to define corresponding supports for positioning a shelf. In practice, by introducing the elements (8) into the holes (80) of the side walls (5, 6) it is possible to obtain containers with shelves. The shelves can also be made of plexiglass.
The disclosure is to be understood with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying schemes which constitute embodiments of the invention.
In addition, the execution details may vary in an equivalent manner to the form, size, arrangement of the elements and the nature of the materials used, without departing from the ambit of the idea of the solution adopted or the inventive concept and therefore remaining within the limits of the protection granted of this patent as defined in the claims.

Claims

Display container of the type constituted by a box-like body in which one or more objects can be stored so that they are visible from the outside, said body being formed by a lower base (2), an upper base (3) and a plurality of walls fixed to said bases (2, 3) in a substantially prismatic configuration of use, and wherein:
- the container (1) is provided with a movable wall (7), which is pivoted about a horizontal axis to be rotated and to allow the access to the inside, and means for closing said movable wall (7) are provided, constituted by means adapted to constrain said rotation around the horizontal axis and to maintain the door inclined with respect to a vertical plane that is orthogonal to said bases (2, 3), and
said movable wall (7) is interposed between two walls (5, 6) or side walls of said plurality of walls fixed to said bases (2, 3), the movable wall (7) being provided with two pairs of opposite appendixes (77, 78) which define corresponding pins; the pins (77) disposed inferiorly being intended to be inserted in corresponding holes (57, 67) provided on said side walls (5, 6), the pins disposed superiorly (78) being intended to be inserted in corresponding grooves (58) and (68) of said two lateral walls (5) and (6),
container characterized in that said grooves (58) and (68) are arranged more internal with respect to the holes (57) and (67), so that when the upper pins (78) are in the grooves the door (7) is inclined towards the interior of the container, and in that the assembling among said walls is realized by coupling holes or rectangular slots (20, 30, 59, 69) with corresponding teeth (40, 50, 60) having a rectangular section, each of said slots (20, 30, 59, 69) being formed by a hole (30a) having a substantially rectangular shape, having a larger side arcuate towards the inner, and a straight cut or split (30b) placed in the proximity of the rectangular hole (30a), in correspondence of the side provided of the arcuate shape.
Display container according to claim 1 , characterized in that said movable wall (7) is interposed between two walls (5, 6) or side walls of said plurality of walls fixed to said bases (2, 3), the movable wall (7) being provided with two pairs of opposite appendixes (77, 78) which define corresponding pins; the pins (77) disposed inferiorly being intended to be inserted in corresponding holes (57, 67) provided on said side walls (5, 6), the pins disposed superiorly (78) being intended to be inserted in corresponding grooves (58) and (68) of said two lateral walls (5) and (6); said holes (57, 67) being formed by an elongated slot (67a) having oblique development, with the inferior extremity (670) closer to the edge (61) of said wall in respect to the superior extremity (671).
Display container according to claim 1 , characterized in that said movable wall (7) is interposed between two walls (5, 6) or side walls of said plurality of walls fixed to said bases (2, 3), the movable wall (7) being provided with two pairs of opposite appendixes (77, 78) which define corresponding pins; the pins (77) disposed inferiorly being intended to be inserted in corresponding holes (57, 67) provided on said side walls (5, 6), the pins disposed superiorly (78) being intended to be inserted in corresponding grooves (58) and (68) of said two lateral walls (5) and (6); said holes (57, 67) being formed by an elongated slot (67a) having oblique development, extending to such a value as to allow, when the container is assembled in its fixed parts (2, 3, 4, 5, 6), the introduction of said pins (77) via tilting of the movable wall (7).
Display container according to claim 1, characterized in that said holes (57) and (67) are oval shaped, so as to allow a displacement of said pins (77) in the closing and opening of the door (7).
Display container according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises blocking means for the translation between two or more superimposed containers.
Display container according to claim 5, characterized in that said blocking means comprise a plurality of holes (80) provided in one or both bases (2, 3) and corresponding pins (8) insertable in said holes (80).
Display container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said movable wall (7) is provided with a gripping means (70).
Display container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocking means between said walls is realized by coupling holes or rectangular slots with corresponding teeth having a rectangular section.
Display container according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises blocking means for the translation between two or more superimposed containers, said blocking means comprising a plurality of holes (80) provided in one or both bases (2, 3) and corresponding pins (8) insertable in said holes (80), each pin being shaped "mushroom" with a square cross-section, with a larger-sized head (81) and a lower part (82) divided into two half-parts (83) by a gap (84).
Display container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made at least partially of transparent material.
Display container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of only one material.
Display container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of plexiglass.