EP3581511A1 - Stackable transport and/or storage container made from plastic - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a stackable transport and / or storage container made of plastic, which is equipped with side walls (2, 3) articulated to a floor (1). The side walls (2, 3) can be transferred into a transport position parallel to the floor and into an upright storage position. At least one side wall (2, 3) is equipped on its outside with at least one label holder (4). According to the invention, the label holder (4) has only two lateral clamping webs (4) which releasably fix a label (5) held therein exclusively on its narrow sides.

Description

The invention relates to a stackable transport and / or storage container made of plastic, with side walls articulated to a floor, which can be converted into a transport position parallel to the floor and into an upright storage position, at least one side wall on its outside being equipped with at least one label holder.

Stackable transport and / or storage containers made of plastic are known in various designs. Because the container in question can assume both a transport position parallel to the floor and an upright storage position, such transport and / or storage containers are particularly suitable for the circular economy. This means that after filling with fruit and vegetables, for example, the transport and / or storage container in question can be transferred to the transport position, cleaned and refilled, for example after the sale.

The required locking of the side walls with each other in the erected storage position can be done using a rotary lock, as in the EP 2 256 049 B1 the applicant is described by way of example. In principle, a push lock or slide lock is also possible, as is the subject of WO 00/68099 A1 is. The design of the relevant stackable transport and / or storage containers made of plastic not only simplifies cleaning, but such folding boxes are particularly suitable for wholesalers and retailers as reusable containers for transporting and presenting preferably fruits and vegetables.

Due to the intended use described above and in order to identify the relevant transport and / or storage container or the goods stored therein, at least one side wall is equipped on its outside with at least one label holder, as exemplified in the Fig. 1 of the generic state of the art according to the EP 1 785 360 A1 will be shown. The label holder there is obviously designed in a trough-like manner and has a limiting web on the underside and two lateral webs. As a result, the label in question is held on the side and underside.

In particular, the lower boundary web runs practically transverse to the longitudinal extent of the transport and / or storage container in question. This is particularly problematic if the container in question assumes its transport position parallel to the floor and several transport and storage containers are to be stacked on and above one another. Because during these stacking processes or during the upstream cleaning, the containers or transport boxes are mainly moved in their longitudinal direction, so that in practice the lower boundary web of the label holder is often torn off or at least damaged. In addition, such stackable transport and / or storage containers made of plastic are typically cleaned with warm or hot cleaning liquid, so that any bends or weak points in the plastic are particularly attacked during this process. The invention as a whole aims to remedy this.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a stackable transport and / or storage container made of plastic in such a way that permanent use is made available and in particular damage to the label holder is excluded or almost impossible.

To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes according to the invention in a generic stackable transport and / or storage container made of plastic that the label holder has only two lateral clamping webs, which releasably fix a label held therein exclusively on its narrow sides.

The invention therefore only uses two lateral clamping webs that define the label holder. These two lateral clamping webs each releasably fix the narrow sides of the label held therein. The invention is based on a predominantly rectangular label, the two long sides of which are consequently free of the clamping webs according to the invention. Because these only attack the narrow sides of the label. An additional lower limiting web as in the prior art is expressly missing, so that such a web naturally cannot shear off or be damaged in any other way.

According to an advantageous embodiment, all side walls are each equipped with a label holder. As a result, the stackable transport and / or storage container made of plastic according to the invention can be used universally. This is because the label holder on each side wall enables comprehensive and optional identification of the goods received in the transport and / or storage container in question, regardless of its orientation. Both the two transverse side walls and the two longitudinal side walls are each equipped with an associated label holder. In addition, the respective label holder is usually arranged centrally in relation to the associated side wall. In addition, the respective label holder has been placed below one Recess, for example a passage opening, has proven to be particularly favorable.

This recess or passage opening is located both on the transverse side walls and on the longitudinal side walls, usually in the middle and near the upper edge of the relevant side wall. The label holder according to the invention is arranged below or to the side thereof. In addition, the design is usually made such that the lateral clamping webs on the transverse side walls in the transport position of the transport and / or storage container in question run in the longitudinal direction of the container. In this way, the lateral clamping webs on the transverse side walls, in particular in the transport position, are not torn off or otherwise damaged.

In contrast, the lateral clamping webs on the longitudinal side walls are oriented transversely in comparison to the longitudinal direction of the container. However, the lateral clamping webs are sunk on the respective longitudinal side wall in the transport position, and consequently experience a protected placement. This is because, in the transport position parallel to the floor, the two longitudinal side walls usually lie directly on the floor, whereas the two transverse side walls come to rest on the longitudinal side walls in the transport position.

In this way, in the transport position, it is achieved on the one hand that the lateral clamping webs on the transverse side walls run in the longitudinal direction of the container and accordingly have no edges and webs projecting in the transverse direction which can shear off. On the other hand, the clamping webs oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction of the container are located in the protected and recessed position on the longitudinal side walls Transport position, so that damage and shearing are avoided in this area per se.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the two lateral clamping webs, taken together, define a receiving slot that tapers in the insertion direction of the label. This means that the clamping webs ultimately form an optimized insertion slope for the label contained therein. Due to the clamping action realized with the help of the lateral clamping webs, the label is on the one hand perfectly received and held in the label holder and on the other hand an exchange of the relevant label is particularly simple and intuitive possible by pulling the label in question out of the insertion direction of the label holder according to the invention.

For this purpose, the respective clamping web is generally L-shaped in cross section or as an L-leg with a fastening leg connected to the associated side wall and a holding leg engaging behind or overlapping the label. The two legs advantageously adjoin each other at an obtuse angle. In particular, an inclination of the fastening leg connected to the associated side wall is observed, which prevents any damage. In addition, the above components of other transport and / or storage containers as well as holding or fixing elements during manipulation cause the incline to overrun and overflow.

In addition, the design is usually made such that the fastening leg has a decreasing length or width in the direction of insertion of the label in the direction of the associated side wall. As a result, the previously described clamping effect of the lateral clamping webs provided in detail. In addition, this results in the receiving slot tapering in the direction of insertion of the label by itself.

In order to enable a particularly stable design and attachment of the fastening leg on the associated side wall, the fastening leg is also advantageously U-shaped in cross section. As a result, the holding leg that engages behind the label is connected over a large area to the U-shaped fastening leg and in this way damage and shearing can be effectively prevented. In addition, the design is also such that an edge in the area of the base of the L-shaped clamping web forms an acute angle with an outer surface of the side wall. Ultimately, this acute angle specifies the angle of the implemented insertion bevel in the insertion direction of the label. In fact, angles are observed that are in the range of up to a maximum of 5 °.

In addition, it has proven useful if the two edges of the clamping webs defining the label holder run towards one another in the opposite direction of insertion. This increases the overall stability of the clamping web.

In order to keep the weight of the stackable transport and / or storage container made of plastic according to the invention as low as possible, various recesses and openings are provided and implemented. In addition, the design is usually made so that the respective clamping web engages over an opening in the associated side wall. Here, the invention is based on the knowledge that an opening in the region of the clamping web neither impairs its stability nor does it hold the Labels are required in the label holder, so that an opening made at this point can advantageously be placed to reduce weight.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the stackable transport and / or storage container made of plastic according to the invention is equipped with a rotary lock of the respective side walls. For this purpose, the individual procedure is such that the two longitudinal side walls are equipped with an actuating member for an associated rotary latch. For this purpose, the rotary bolt may have end bolts or locking cams which interact with associated counter-bolt members on the corresponding transverse side walls, as was already mentioned and referred to in the introduction EP 2 256 049 B1 the applicant is described in detail. Of course, other interlocks are also conceivable and are included in the invention. Also a slide lock corresponding to the one already mentioned in the introduction WO 00/68099 A1 is conceivable.

In order to ensure and support the stackability of the individual transport and / or storage containers made of plastic, in particular in the transport position, a recess is also provided on the respective transverse side wall for a centering pin engaging therein. The centering pin is located on the bottom of a further transport and / or storage container placed in the transport position on the relevant transport and / or storage container. In any case, the centering pin and the associated recess ensure that, in addition to other centering and counter-centering means, the transport and / or storage container in the transport position can be simply stacked on top of one another and stacked in a slip-resistant manner.

As a result, a stackable transport and / or storage container made of plastic is described, which is equipped with an optimized label holder. This comes with only two lateral clamping bars and expressly dispenses with a lower limiting bar. As a result, damage to the label holder, in contrast to the prior art, is almost impossible or can be reduced to an absolute minimum. This is of enormous importance against the background when the transport and / or storage containers in question are routed in reusable systems and in circulation. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

Fig. 1

den erfindungsgemäßen stapelbaren Transport- und/oder Lagerbehälter aus Kunststoff in aufgerichteter Lagerstellung,

Fig. 2

den Gegenstand nach Fig. 1 in bodenparalleler Transportstellung,

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht auf die Längsseitenwand mit dem dort angeordneten erfindungsgemäßen Etikettenhalter von außen,

Fig. 4

eine zu Fig. 3 korrespondierende Aussicht von innen und

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt durch den Etikettenhalter nach der Fig. 3 und 4.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of a drawing illustrating only one exemplary embodiment; show it:

Fig. 1

the stackable transport and / or storage container according to the invention made of plastic in the upright storage position,

Fig. 2

the subject Fig. 1 in the parallel transport position,

Fig. 3

3 shows a perspective view of the longitudinal side wall with the label holder according to the invention arranged there from the outside,

Fig. 4

one too Fig. 3 corresponding view from inside and

Fig. 5

a section through the label holder after the Fig. 3 and 4 ,

In the figures, a stackable transport and / or storage container made of plastic is shown. This has a bottom 1 and hinged to the bottom 1 side walls 2, 3. The side walls 2, 3 are transverse side walls 2 and longitudinal side walls 3. The side walls 2, 3 can be transferred into a parallel transport position, as shown in the Fig. 2 is shown. In addition, the side walls 2, 3 one in the Fig. 1 assume the reproduced erected storage position.

It can be seen that when taking the transport position parallel to the floor after the Fig. 2 first the two longitudinal side walls 3 are placed on the floor 1. Here, the design in the exemplary embodiment is such that the two longitudinal side walls 3 connect to one another with their upper edges without a gap. The transverse side walls 2 are then folded down onto the longitudinal side walls 3 deposited on the floor 1 and placed thereon.

Based on Fig. 1 one recognizes that at least one side wall 2, 3 is equipped on its outside with at least one label holder 4. According to the invention, the label holder 4 has only two lateral clamping webs 4 and expressly dispenses with a lower limiting web. The two lateral clamping webs 4 of the label holder 4 are designed such that they releasably fix a rectangular label 5 held therein exclusively on its narrow sides. The label 5 received in the label holder 4 is only indicated and may be designed as a cardboard label, plastic label, etc. In addition, the label 5 can in principle also be designed as an electronic display area, for example to identify plastic items inside the stackable transport and / or storage container.

It can be seen that all side walls 2, 3 are each equipped with a label holder 4. In addition, the lateral clamping webs 4 on the transverse side walls 2 are in the transport position according to FIG Fig. 2 arranged in the longitudinal direction L of the container. In contrast, the clamping webs 4 on the long side walls 3 have an orientation largely transversely to the longitudinal direction of the container L. However, since the label holder 4 on the long side walls 3 in the in Fig. 2 Transport position shown are sunk, can damage the Label holder 4 practically does not occur in the transport position. Such damage is also almost impossible with a view of the clamping webs 4 on the transverse side walls 2 because the clamping webs 4 extend in this area in the longitudinal direction of the container L and the transport and / or storage containers are mainly manipulated in the longitudinal direction of the container L and in the transport position.

The respective label holders 4 are predominantly arranged centrally in relation to the associated side wall 2, 3. In addition, an arrangement of the relevant label holder 4 below a respective recess 6 has proven to be particularly favorable. In the example, the recess 6 is a passage opening 6 through which, for example, a person can pass and move the transport and / or storage container in question. Based on the representation in the Fig. 2 it is clear that the recesses or through openings 6 in the longitudinal side walls 3 are equipped with an associated actuating element 7 for a rotary latch 8 which is only indicated and runs along an upper edge of the relevant longitudinal side wall 3.

The rotary latch 8 has a locking cam (not shown in more detail on the end), which interacts with an associated counter-locking element on the transverse side wall 2 in order to move the side walls 2, 3 in the direction shown in FIG Fig. 1 shown upright storage position to lock each other. The design of the counter-locking element in the form of an elastic locking lug, which is engaged by the locking cam in the locking position, may be chosen to be comparable to that in FIG EP 2 256 049 B1 the applicant is described in detail. Of course, any other interlocks in this area are also conceivable, as they were presented in detail in the introduction to the description.

Based on Fig. 3 and 5 one recognizes that the two lateral clamping webs 4 taken together define a receiving slot tapering in the insertion direction E of the label 5. For this purpose, the respective clamping web 4 is designed as an L-shaped cross section or as an L-leg with a fastening leg 4a connected to the associated side wall 2, 3 and a holding leg 4b engaging behind the label 5. The two legs 4a, 4b adjoin each other at an obtuse angle. In addition, the two legs 4a, 4b define an edge 9 overall in the region of a base of the fastening leg 4 which is L-shaped in cross section. The edge 9 in the region of the base of the clamping web which is L-shaped in cross section closes with an outer surface of the side wall 2, 3 acute angle α, as in the side view after the Fig. 5 is shown.

In addition, the two edges 9 of the clamping webs 4 run towards one another in the direction opposite the insertion direction E. This means that the edges 9 form an acute angle β when viewed from above (cf. Fig. 4 ). The acute angle β opens in the insertion direction E.

The mounting leg 4a is U-shaped in cross section, as in the Fig. 4 recognizes. As a result, the holding leg 4b engaging behind the label 5 is connected at the end to the U-shaped fastening leg 4a and is thereby securely held. In addition, the relevant fastening leg 4a in the insertion direction E of the label 5 is equipped with a decreasing length or width B in the direction of the associated side wall 2, 3, as can be seen in the perspective view according to FIG Fig. 5 or recognizes from a side view of the mounting leg 4a. This will make the previous one Defined insertion slope for the label 5 or the receiving slot tapering in the insertion direction of the label 5.

The respective clamping web 4 also overlaps an opening 10 in the associated side wall 2, 3, as can be seen again in the perspective view according to FIG Fig. 3 and 4 recognizes. Here, the invention is based on the knowledge that the stackable transport and / or storage container made of plastic can be equipped with the opening 10 in this area without any problems because the label 5 is detachably and properly held in the receiving slot, which tapers in the insertion direction becomes.

Based on the in the Fig. 1 The storage position shown finally becomes clear that the respective transverse side wall 2 is equipped with a recess 11. The recess 11 is located between the two clamping webs 4 and the edge of the label 5. A centering pin 12 can engage in the recess 11 on a base 1 of a further transport and / or storage container also placed thereon in the transport position. That is in the Fig. 2 only indicated schematically. As a result, the transport and / or storage containers can be stacked on one another in a non-slip manner in the transport position.

Claims (15)

Stackable transport and / or storage container made of plastic, with side walls (2, 3) articulated to a floor (1), which can be transferred into a transport position parallel to the floor and into an upright storage position, at least one side wall (2, 3) its outside is equipped with at least one label holder (4), characterized in that the label holder (4) has only two lateral clamping webs (4) which releasably fix a label (5) held therein exclusively on its narrow sides. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that all side walls (2, 3) are each equipped with a label holder (4). Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lateral clamping webs (4) on the transverse side walls (2) in the transport position extend in the longitudinal direction of the container (L). Container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lateral clamping webs (4) on the longitudinal side wall (3) are arranged sunk in the transport position. Container according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the respective label holder (4) is arranged centrally with respect to the associated side wall (2, 3). Container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the respective label holder (4) is arranged below a recess (6), for example a passage opening (6). Container according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the two lateral clamping webs (4) taken together define a receiving slot tapering in the insertion direction (E) of the label (5). Container according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the respective clamping web (4) is of L-shaped cross section with a fastening leg (4a) connected to the side wall (2, 3) and a holding leg (4b) engaging behind the label (5) is. Container according to claim 8, characterized in that the two legs (4a, 4b) connect to each other at an obtuse angle. Container according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the fastening leg (4a) has a decreasing width (B) in the insertion direction (E) of the label (5) in the direction of the associated side wall (2, 3). Container according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the fastening leg (4a) is U-shaped or C-shaped in cross section. Container according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that an edge (9) in the region of the base of the L-shaped clamping web (4) forms an acute angle with an outer surface of the side wall (2, 3). Container according to claim 12, characterized in that the two edges (9) of the associated clamping webs (4) run towards one another in a direction opposite to the insertion direction (E). Container according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the respective clamping web (4) overlaps an opening (10) in the associated side wall (2, 3). Container according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the two longitudinal side walls (3) are equipped with an actuating member (7) for a rotary bolt (8).

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