EP3838786A1 - Récipient doté d'un bras de balle ayant une section transversale localement réduite - Google Patents

Récipient doté d'un bras de balle ayant une section transversale localement réduite Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3838786A1
EP3838786A1 EP20165336.7A EP20165336A EP3838786A1 EP 3838786 A1 EP3838786 A1 EP 3838786A1 EP 20165336 A EP20165336 A EP 20165336A EP 3838786 A1 EP3838786 A1 EP 3838786A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cross
container
section
bale arm
transverse member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP20165336.7A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Andrew Christopher Cope
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Schoeller Allibert GmbH
Original Assignee
Schoeller Allibert GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Schoeller Allibert GmbH filed Critical Schoeller Allibert GmbH
Publication of EP3838786A1 publication Critical patent/EP3838786A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/06—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together with movable parts adapted to be placed in alternative positions for nesting the containers when empty and for stacking them when full
    • B65D21/062—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together with movable parts adapted to be placed in alternative positions for nesting the containers when empty and for stacking them when full the movable parts being attached or integral and displaceable into a position overlying the top of the container, e.g. bails, corner plates

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a container having at least one bale arm for being pivotably supported in opposing side walls in such a manner that it is movable between a stacking position, in which a transverse member of the bale arm extends between the opposing side walls forming a support for a base of another container stacked or stackable thereon, and a resting position in which the stacking member is removed from the opening and rests against a resting wall portion of the container.
  • bale arms of stackable and nestable containers known from the prior art have uniform cross-sections or transverse elements onto which other containers are stackable with increased cross-sections, e.g. known from US 5 617 953 A .
  • GB 2 124 588 A discloses a container having a bale arm, the cross section of which is generally circular but may be flattened or reduced at ends of the bale arm for purpose of wall width minimization.
  • bale arms are usually manufactured from materials such as composite materials or high strength materials which have to be able to carry high loads and are expensive.
  • An object of the present invention relates to avoiding or at least minimizing disadvantages of the prior art.
  • a container having bale arms should be provided which is cost-efficient and/or provides stable and preferably non-shiftable support for a second stackable container.
  • the object is achieved by a container, preferably made of plastic material, having at least one bale arm for being pivotably supported in opposing side walls in such a manner that it is movable between a stacking position, in which a transverse member of the bale arm extends between the opposing side walls forming a support for a base of another container stacked or stackable thereon, and a resting position in which the transverse member is removed from the opening and rests against a resting wall portion of the container, wherein the transverse member comprises lateral portions having a first cross-section, as well as a middle portion connecting the lateral portions and having a second cross-section which is reduced relative to the first cross section.
  • the cross-sectional area of the second cross-section is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first cross-section.
  • the second cross-section may be reduced evenly with respect to the full first cross-section, i.e. they may have a similar shape with a step formed continuously circumferentially between the first and second cross-sections.
  • the step preferably forms an inclined or splined surface connecting the first and second cross-sections.
  • the cross-sections may not be aligned or not coaxially arranged and touch at one or more points at their edges, e.g.
  • the second cross-section being round (a circle or oval or ellipsoid) and smaller than a round first cross-section, with edges of the first and second cross-sections being tangentially adjoined at one location, particular at an upper side of the transverse member when the bale arm is in the stacking position.
  • a weight of the upper container is preferably partially or completely applied to the lateral portions of the transverse member of the bale arm of the lower container.
  • This can be achieved via an appropriate base structure of the upper container, e.g. with a base of the container at an area, where the middle portion of the bale arm of another container may be located during stacking, being recessed in relation to the area where the lateral portion is located or in reverse, the area of the base corresponding to the lateral portion may protrude accordingly.
  • the corresponding load is applied at or near an area of the container wall of the lower container where the bale arm is supported.
  • the lateral portions have a length which is longer than the area of the container wall where the base arm is located, such that the lateral portions stick out over the container wall and at least partially extend over a container interior. Therefore, a bending moment due to a weight applied to the transverse member during stacking may be minimized.
  • the upper and lower containers are preferably identical or similar in construction.
  • the bale arm may include a composite material such as polypropylen (PP) with added talcum, glass fibers or the like or it includes polyamide or similar materials. These materials provide optimal stability. Thus, the bale arm may be slim and easily mountable to the container, while providing stable support even when a high load is applied.
  • the second cross-section is non-circular.
  • a maximum width (length) of the non-circular second cross-section extends vertically when the bale arm is arranged in the stacking position.
  • the second cross-section may have an elliptical or oval cross-section, wherein the major axis thereof is oriented vertically (perpendicular to the base of the container) when the bale arm is in the stacking position.
  • the second cross-section may have a shape of a rhombus, wherein a longer one of the diagonals of the rhombus is oriented vertically (perpendicular to the base of the container) when the bale arm is in the stacking position.
  • a bar such as the transverse member having a compact, non-circular cross-section usually has a higher planar second moment of area (i.e. a higher bending stiffness) with regards to loads applied to the transverse member in the direction of the maximum width compared to other directions, particularly a direction perpendicular to said direction of the maximum width.
  • the transverse member may have a defined direction of maximum bending stiffness. Due to this, the second cross-section is reduced in such a manner relative to the bale arm and its arrangement at the container walls, that in a bale arm position where maximum load is applied to the bale arm, i.e.
  • the maximum width of the second cross-section (that is, the maximum bending stiffness) is oriented vertically or in a direction of load appliance. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize the loss of stability and strength of the transverse member in the area of the middle portion during use due to the orientation of the cross-section. Damage to the bale arm due to the bending load is avoided or reduced. On the other hand, in the resting position or in a gripping position in which the applied load is considerably lower or even non-existent, a reduced width of the second cross-section suffices.
  • the maximum width of the second cross-section corresponds to a width of the first cross-section at a corresponding circumferential location, particularly in the vertical direction when the bale arm is in the stacking position.
  • the second cross-section of the bale arm is reduced only at one or two opposing sides of its circumference.
  • an upwards facing side or upper surface area of the transverse member with the bale arm in the stacking position does not include a step (e.g. comprising an inclined or splined surface as described above or the like) formed between the first and second cross-sections, thus providing an even support surface for supporting another stackable or stacked container.
  • the first cross-section is substantially circular and/or the second cross-section is substantially oval. While a circular cross-section is advantageous with regards to round rod-shaped raw materials, the oval cross-section is simple, effectively reduces material relative to the circular cross-section, and has a defined direction of maximum bending stiffness. Also, the oval cross-section is easy to combine with the circular first cross-section due to the similarity of the rounded shapes. It should be noted that the first and/or second cross-sections may alternatively be rectangular or the like. Alternatively, both cross-sections could be oval with the first cross section being wider than the first cross-section. Although round and oval are preferred based on advantages in manufacturing, no particular cross-sections are required.
  • a transitioning area is provided between each of the lateral portions and the middle portion, providing a smooth transition between the first and second cross-sections.
  • a notch effect due to the different cross-sections being connected to one another is reduced.
  • At least one stacking groove is provided at a container bottom, the stacking groove having a width substantially corresponding to the lateral width of the first cross-section when the bale arm is in the stacking position.
  • the stacking groove of the upper container and the lateral portions of the lower container are engaged non-slidably or free of play in a lateral direction perpendicular to an extending direction of the transverse member.
  • the lateral portion has an anti-slip portion at least at a side of the transverse member which faces upwards in the stacking position.
  • the anti-slip portions may comprise a structured surface such as ridges and/or an area with increased surface roughness and/or a coating or attachments (e.g. ridge-shaped) of a material with a high coefficient of friction relative to the surrounding surface of the transverse member.
  • Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a container 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention as well as a detail view of a top corner area of the container 1.
  • a container has a base 2 and two pairs of opposing side walls 3 which are fixedly connected to each other and to the base and are inclined so as to be nestable with a similar container.
  • One pair of the opposing side walls 3 forms four hinge eyes 4, e.g. located in slots or double walled portions, which are arranged at each top corner of the container 1, at an upper rim thereof.
  • Substantially U-shaped bale arms 5 are provided which form a hinge pin 6 at each of their free ends, the hinge pins 6 having a round or oval cross section, which are respectively inserted into the hinge eyes 4 so as to provide a pivotable support of the bale arms 5 at the container walls 3.
  • the bale arms 5 are pivoted to inner end stops formed by the upper rim of the opposing side walls 3 of the container 1 such that transverse members 7 of the bale arms 5 extend across a container interior and are supported by the inner end stops.
  • the transverse members 7 At each of their sides, one of which is depicted in the detail view, the transverse members 7 have lateral portions 8 with a first cross-section which is circular.
  • each transverse member has a middle portion 9 with a second cross-section which is oval, with a maximum width of the second cross-section corresponding to the width or diameter of the first cross-section.
  • the two cross sections are respectively connected via a transitioning area 10, achieving a smooth transition between the first and second cross-sections and thus avoiding a notch effect.
  • the bale arms 5 are in a stacking position where they may provide support for a similar second container stackable thereon.
  • the base 2 of the container has base grooves or base recesses 11 at its lower side which are shaped according to a cross section of the transverse members 7, in particular the lateral portions 8.
  • a lateral width and/or a shape of the first cross-section in the stacking position corresponds to a width and/or a shape of the base recess 11.
  • the base recesses 11 are located according to the transverse members 7 in the stacking position in order serve as an engagement portion against a lateral relative movement or lateral shifting of the two containers 1 relative to one another in a direction perpendicular to the transverse members 7.
  • Each bale arm 5 may be pivoted around the hinge pin 6 towards an outer end stop formed at a resting wall portion at the upper rim of the container 1, particularly on top of an additional container wall 3 which connects the opposing container walls 3 which support the bale arms 5.
  • This position is a resting position or a nesting position (not illustrated) in which the bale arm does not carry any load and in which two similar containers are nestable, since the transverse members 7 of the bale arms 5 do not block access to the container interior from the top.
  • Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the bale arm 5 only.
  • an anti-slip portion 12 comprising ridges which extend in the a circumferential direction are provided against lateral relative movement or lateral shifting of the two containers 1 relative to one another along the transverse members 7.
  • lateral stop portions 13 that protrude from the lateral portions in a radial direction are provided farther outside of the anti-slip portions 12, respectively, which laterally support a container placed on the bale arm 5.
  • Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view III-III of the transverse member 7 of the bale arm 5 of the embodiment as indicated in Fig. 2 .
  • a sectional plane of the cross-sectional view extends through the middle portion 9 of the bale arm 5 with a shape of the cross-section of the middle portion 9 being oval or reduced at two sides thereof compared to a circular cross section.
  • the bale arm 5 is depicted in a stacking position and the oval second cross-section of the middle portion 9 extends upwards. That is, a maximum width of the oval second cross section is oriented vertically or perpendicular to the base 2. Behind the middle portion's 9 second cross-section, the circular or cylindrical shape of the lateral portion 8 can be observed.
  • a diameter of said circular shape substantially corresponds to the maximum width of the middle portion 9 while laterally, the circular shape of the first cross-section of the lateral potion 8 is wider than the oval second cross-section of the middle portion 9.
  • the transitioning area 10 is located between the first and second cross-sections.
  • Figs. 4A to 4C show different variations of the cross-section of the middle portion 9 of transverse member 7 in the stacking position.
  • the cross-section has a shape of an ellipse
  • the cross-section has a shape of a rhombus
  • the cross-section has an rectangular-like shape. It is common to all cross-sections that their major axes or longitudinal directions are oriented vertically in the stacking position, which allows a sufficient strength whilst the required material can be reduced.
  • the transitioning area 10 between the lateral portion 8 having the first cross-section to the middle portion 9 having the second smaller / reduced cross-section can be extended so that the cross-sections is continuously or gradually reduced to the middle portion of the transverse member 7.
  • the cross-section / diameter of the transverse member 7 is not reduced in its vertical extension at all, but only in its lateral extension (direction parallel to the base 2) in a cross-sectional view when the bale arm 5 is placed in its stacking position.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Stackable Containers (AREA)
EP20165336.7A 2019-12-18 2020-03-24 Récipient doté d'un bras de balle ayant une section transversale localement réduite Pending EP3838786A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19217683.2A EP3838785B1 (fr) 2019-12-18 2019-12-18 Récipient doté d'une anse avec axe de charnière à section amincie

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3838786A1 true EP3838786A1 (fr) 2021-06-23

Family

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Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19217683.2A Active EP3838785B1 (fr) 2019-12-18 2019-12-18 Récipient doté d'une anse avec axe de charnière à section amincie
EP20165336.7A Pending EP3838786A1 (fr) 2019-12-18 2020-03-24 Récipient doté d'un bras de balle ayant une section transversale localement réduite

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19217683.2A Active EP3838785B1 (fr) 2019-12-18 2019-12-18 Récipient doté d'une anse avec axe de charnière à section amincie

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2124588A (en) 1982-08-04 1984-02-22 Crayonne Ltd Stacking/nesting tray
US5617953A (en) 1994-03-12 1997-04-08 Mckechnie Uk Limited Stackable/nestable containers
KR20010026647A (ko) * 1999-09-08 2001-04-06 강동환 어상자
GB2362378A (en) * 2000-05-16 2001-11-21 Lin Pac Mouldings A container bail arm
EP1743844A1 (fr) * 2005-07-16 2007-01-17 LINPAC Materials Handling Limited Caisse piable
KR101431496B1 (ko) * 2013-11-28 2014-08-21 한국컨테이너풀 주식회사 지지바 고정 구조를 갖는 적층식 운반 상자

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DK0918693T3 (da) 1996-07-03 2002-03-04 Paxton C G Ltd Beholdere
GB2353274B (en) * 1999-08-16 2002-12-24 Lin Pac Mouldings A container assembly
GB2494642B (en) * 2011-09-13 2016-03-09 Linpac Allibert Ltd Folding container
WO2019096378A1 (fr) 2017-11-15 2019-05-23 Schoeller Allibert Gmbh Récipient empilable et emboîtable
EP3536625A1 (fr) * 2018-03-08 2019-09-11 Schoeller Allibert GmbH Conteneur emboîtable empilable

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2124588A (en) 1982-08-04 1984-02-22 Crayonne Ltd Stacking/nesting tray
US5617953A (en) 1994-03-12 1997-04-08 Mckechnie Uk Limited Stackable/nestable containers
KR20010026647A (ko) * 1999-09-08 2001-04-06 강동환 어상자
GB2362378A (en) * 2000-05-16 2001-11-21 Lin Pac Mouldings A container bail arm
EP1743844A1 (fr) * 2005-07-16 2007-01-17 LINPAC Materials Handling Limited Caisse piable
KR101431496B1 (ko) * 2013-11-28 2014-08-21 한국컨테이너풀 주식회사 지지바 고정 구조를 갖는 적층식 운반 상자

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3838785B1 (fr) 2023-06-14
EP3838785A1 (fr) 2021-06-23

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