EP3867166B1 - Stackable container - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a stackable container according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such containers are used in many ways, for example in the food sector, and these containers are produced in large numbers. When handling the containers in a labeling or filling process, however, it is often necessary to separate the containers from an aligned stack of containers and then arrange them with a specific preferred orientation at the labeling or filling station in order to carry out the labeling or filling. A preferred orientation of the containers can be given, for example, by the fact that they have a tamper-evident closure and/or clip, so that it is desirable to attach the label to the container in as precise a circumferential position as possible, for example in relation to the arrangement of the tamper-evident closure and/or Hanger. However, the containers are usually produced individually or in small groups, for example in an injection molding machine, so that when the containers are stacked one inside the other to create a stack, they can have different twisting arrangements in relation to a twisting of the containers about their main container axis, i.e for example, not all tamper-evident closures and/or brackets of the containers in the stack are identical are arranged next to each other. This means, for example, that in a labeling station the labels are arranged in different positions on the container circumference relative to the tamper-evident closure or clip, which is optically disadvantageous.

Furthermore, there is an increased need to produce containers with the lowest possible weight in order to save packaging weight for ecological reasons.

Containers with anti-rotation means, which determine the relative rotational position of containers stacked one inside the other, are already known. In this case, for example, the anti-twist device can be formed on the upper side of a container apron, which comes into contact with stiffening ribs of a container of the stack arranged above it in a torsion-proof manner. These anti-twist means are formed on a horizontal area of the apron. The apron can have a tamper-evident closure and, if necessary, also an articulated connection for attaching a bracket that can be changed in position to the container. However, these containers have a comparatively high stack height, as a result of which only a certain number of containers can be stacked one inside the other in a stack of a predefined height, and they are also comparatively heavy. The high stack height also causes high transport costs and high energy consumption during transport, since the loading capacity of a means of transport is limited.

The US 4,240,554A describes a stackable container with a skirt, according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein the skirt is molded onto the container side wall. On the upper side of the apron there are clamping blocks which protrude towards the upper edge of the container and which can interact with the locking tabs of a stacked container.

The U.S. 2006/278553 A1 discloses a stackable container with a skirt, projections being provided on the skirt to effect mutual alignment of nested containers.

The U.S. 2001/047994 A1 describes a stackable skirted container having a tear-off tamper evident tab.

The invention is based on the object of providing a stackable container with an anti-twist device according to the preamble of claim 1, which is ecologically particularly advantageous and which in particular has a low stacking height and/or a low container weight.

This object of providing a stackable container with an anti-twist device according to the preamble of claim 1 is achieved according to the invention by a stackable container according to claim 1 . Advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the first anti-rotation means are provided on the upper side of the container latching edge facing away from the container bottom. In the case of containers of the same construction that are stacked one inside the other, these first anti-rotation means come into action in an anti-rotation manner with second anti-rotation means of a container of the stack arranged above them. Due to the arrangement of the first anti-rotation means according to the invention, these are arranged directly in the area of the upper edge of the container, with the locking edge of the container being arranged in the area of the upper edge of the container. This results in a particularly low stacking height of the identical containers. Are the second anti-rotation means of the container arranged in the area of or on the container apron, the apron can only have a comparatively small height, ie it can extend in the direction of the main axis of the container, which saves container weight. The second anti-twist means can be formed on the outside of the container wall and/or on the skirt, preferably the inside of the skirt. The second anti-twist means can bridge the radial distance between the side wall and the skirt and can be supported with one end on the side wall and the other end on the skirt, preferably molded on. In relation to the height of the container, the second anti-rotation means are preferably covered radially outwards by the apron, particularly preferably completely covered, and are therefore not visible when the container is viewed perpendicularly to the main axis of the container. The first anti-rotation means can optionally be designed as a projection or projections which extend radially outwards in relation to the container side wall and can be formed on the container latching edge.

The main axis of the container is understood to be an axis which extends over the height of the container and runs through the center point of the container bottom and the container opening. If the container does not have an asymmetrically arranged bracket, the main axis of the container usually also runs through the container's center of gravity. The term "vertical direction" should be understood as a direction parallel to the main axis of the container, corresponding to the term "vertical". The term "horizontal direction" should be understood as a direction perpendicular to the main axis of the container, corresponding to the term "horizontal". The term "above" should be understood as facing away from the container bottom, correspondingly the term "upper" as further spaced from the container bottom, with "below" or "below" in the correspondingly opposite sense to be understood. The stacking height is generally understood to be the vertical distance between the top edges of the containers and adjacent containers that are stacked one inside the other. If reference is made to an "upper and lower" container, these are always stacked directly one inside the other in relation to the container stack, ie the containers next to one another in the stack. The features described each relate to the same container, unless reference is made to an upper and lower container.

Ribs are preferably provided in the area of the apron, particularly preferably on the inside of the apron, which preferably extend essentially in the radial direction of the container and which are preferably formed on the apron, and the second anti-rotation means are preferably provided by these ribs. These ribs are preferably designed as stiffening ribs of the apron. As a result, the ribs, in particular as stiffening ribs, of the stacked container ("upper container" in relation to the container stack) can have a comparatively small height, ie extension in the direction of the main container axis, which is associated with a significant weight saving. Due to the shorter ribs of the containers, the stacking height of the containers is also reduced, since the shortened ribs mean that the lower edge of these ribs is at a smaller distance from the upper edge of the container than in conventional containers. By reducing the stack height, the transport costs when transporting stacks of containers can be significantly reduced. When containers are stacked one inside the other, the stiffening ribs of the upper container can rest on the top edge of the container arranged underneath. The stiffening ribs are also referred to below as “ribs”. Said ribs each have preferred a stiffening function in relation to the apron, which generally does not always have to be the case. The first anti-rotation means are preferably formed directly on the container latching edge, which results in a low container height and/or stacking height of the containers.

Particularly preferably, the first anti-rotation means of the container locking edge are designed as at least one or more indentations provided on the upper side of the locking edge. This further reduces the stacking height of the containers. Furthermore, the formation of anti-rotation means on the upper side of the latching edge in the form of indentations of the same prevents the latching process from being impeded or impaired by the anti-rotation means of the container when a lid is latched on. Within the context of the invention, the “locking edge” is always understood to be the locking edge of the container, unless the context in detail indicates otherwise. It goes without saying that the cover is provided with corresponding locking means. In particular, the latching edge of the container and/or the latching edge of the lid can be formed around the entire circumference of the respective component.

The anti-rotation means are preferably designed in such a way that when containers are stacked one inside the other, in which the first and second anti-rotation means do not interact to prevent rotation, the first and second anti-rotation means of the containers stacked in one another can be brought into engagement with one another in an anti-rotation manner by rotating the containers against one another about the main container axis. The two containers stacked one inside the other sit on top of each other in terms of height. Are the first and the second anti-rotation means with respect to the rotation of the two stacked containers the container height or the stacking direction of the containers are arranged one above the other, the anti-rotation means come into engagement with one another in an anti-rotation manner. If the first anti-twist means are designed as at least one or more indentations on the latching edge, the second anti-twist means of the upper container sink into the indentation(s) in an anti-twist manner. When the two containers stacked on top of each other are rotated relative to one another, i.e. if the two containers are not yet arranged in a non-rotating position relative to one another, the second anti-rotation means of the upper of the two containers can be guided on the latching edge of the lower of the two containers, i.e. the latching edge as Guide in the rotation of the containers act relative to each other, with this guide the second anti-rotation means of the second container can slide on the locking edge of the lower container and can be slidably moved in the circumferential direction of the locking edge on this seated.

Due to the container design according to the invention, the area of the side wall which can be provided with a label such as in particular an in-mold label without impairing the optical appearance of the label is particularly large, in particular with regard to the container height.

The container latching edge is preferably formed on the top edge of the container, in particular directly on it. As a result, the side wall is stabilized in the area of the container opening by the latching edge, as a result of which the container can have a comparatively thin-walled design. In addition, as a result, the lid can also have a comparatively small height of the outside lid apron, which overlaps the container on the outside, with the lid apron on the inside the cover locking edge, which is preferably completely circumferential, is integrally formed. The arrangement of the container latching edge directly on the upper edge of the container, so that the upper edge or upper boundary line of the latching edge is flush with the upper edge of the container, is particularly advantageous in combination with the design of the anti-rotation means as depressions provided on the upper side of the latching edge. Despite the direct arrangement of the latching edge on the top edge of the container, the depressions can thus have a sufficient vertical extent to form secure engagement with the second anti-rotation means of the stacked container, for example the lower areas or lower edges of the stiffening ribs.

The indentations on the container locking edge preferably have a smaller radial extension than the locking edge, the indentations being spaced apart from the radially outer boundary edge of the locking edge, ie ending radially on the inside of the boundary edge of the locking edge. As a result, the peripheral contour of the locking edge is not affected by the indentations. As a result, the boundary edge of the latching edge can have convex curvatures over the entire circumference of the container, viewed from the outside of the container. In the case of a round container with circular cross-sections of the container, the boundary edge of the latching edge can therefore also be circular and without indentations. The radially outer delimiting edge of the locking edge can thus be designed as a sealing edge which interacts in a sealing manner with a corresponding sealing area of the cover. In this way, in connection with the above-mentioned advantages of the subject matter of the invention, a high degree of tightness of the container is provided at the same time. The term "depressions" includes the fact that only one such depression is provided, but in particular there are several, which preferably are distributed around the container circumference.

The indentations of the container latching edge preferably only extend so far in relation to the container height in the direction of the container bottom that the indentations end above the radially outer boundary edge of the latching edge. As a result, the container latching edge, in particular its radially outer limit, can be designed as a sealing edge in relation to the lid, the indentations also having proven to be sufficient to provide anti-twist protection.

In the case of the container closed with a lid, the radially outer delimiting edge of the latching edge is particularly preferably in contact with a sealing area of the lid, the delimiting edge and the sealing area preferably being formed around the full circumference of the container or lid. As a result, a full-circumferential seal is preferably formed between the container and the lid, which is preferably liquid-tight. This also makes it possible for the peripheral cover skirt, which surrounds the container radially on the outside and forms a seal in cooperation with the boundary edge of the latching edge. In addition, as a result, the outer lid apron can only have a small height, which results in a further weight saving in relation to the container and lid bundle.

Preferably, the second anti-twist means of the upper container rest within the recesses on the upper edge area of the lower container. Alternatively or additionally, the second anti-rotation means of the upper container are preferably in contact with the radially outer boundary edge of the latching edge of the lower container. Through this we significantly increases the stability of a container stack with containers used one inside the other. All of the statements relating to the invention with interacting first and second anti-rotation means relate here to containers stacked one inside the other, ie first and second containers stacked one inside the other, unless the specific context indicates otherwise.

The invention thus generally also relates to a container with a lid. The lid is snap-fastenable to the snap-in rim of the container to close the container opening defined by the container rim. The cover can therefore also be referred to as a "closure cover". In particular, the lid can be designed in such a way that it has a circumferential lid area in the form of a groove that is open at the bottom, ie the groove is open towards the bottom of the container when the lid is placed on the container. This cover channel can accommodate the upper edge of the container. The edge of the container can rest on the at least essentially horizontal central section of the aforementioned U-profile of the cover channel when the cover is snapped on. The cover channel preferably has a peripheral flange on the outer edge of the cover which extends at least essentially in the vertical direction and which rests sealingly on the inside of the container. The container side wall in the area of the upper edge of the container can thus be arranged with a press fit between the radially inner flange and the radially outer edge of the lid, which surrounds the container on the outside, whereby a high container tightness and at the same time stability of the upper container area is provided, which is the case when filled containers are stacked on top of each other due to of the container weight is advantageous. If necessary, however, the outer edge of the lid can also have a different geometry and is not limited to the arrangement a downwardly open channel for receiving the upper edge of the container. However, the design of the edge of the lid with a U-shaped channel open at the bottom is particularly advantageous in combination with the described design of the radially outer delimiting edge of the locking edge as a sealing edge, which interacts with a sealing area of the lid, since this ensures a high level of container tightness, especially if the side wall of the container is comparatively thin-walled and therefore the container in the area of the upper container rim has only limited stability precisely because of this thin wall, which, however, fulfills the given requirements.

A plurality of first anti-rotation means arranged distributed around the container circumference are preferably provided on the upper side of the container edge facing away from the container bottom, in particular also in the formation of depressions in the container latching edge. The anti-twist means are preferably distributed evenly around the circumference of the container. This provides increased security against twisting of containers stacked one inside the other. For example, ≧3 or ≧6 such anti-rotation means can be provided.

The container apron is preferably attached to the side wall below the container latching edge at a vertical distance therefrom, with the apron ending with its lower edge above the apron of the container of a stack of containers arranged underneath. As a result, the apron is only comparatively low in height, which represents a significant weight saving. The skirts of adjacent containers stacked in one another therefore do not come into contact with one another or overlap one another in terms of container height. Due to the arrangement according to the invention the anti-twist means on the upper side of the container latching edge facing away from the container bottom, this nevertheless provides good security against twisting of the containers stacked one inside the other. The skirt on the container preferably extends in the vertical direction, so that the bottom edge of the skirt of an upper container ends in the space between the molding of the skirt on the container side wall and the top edge of the container. Preferably, the skirt of the upper container at least partially overlaps the latching edge of the lower container, ie it is pulled down relative to the upper edge of the lower container, ie towards the bottom of the lower container. Particularly preferably, the lower edge of the apron of the upper container ends in the upper half of the specified spacing area of the lower container, i.e. in the half of the specified spacing area facing the upper edge of the lower container, more preferably in the upper third or the upper quarter of the spacing area of the lower container . In the case of containers stacked one inside the other, the lower edge of the apron of the upper container is particularly preferably arranged in the area of the locking edge of the lower container, with the apron of the upper container preferably completely overlapping the locking edge of the lower container, particularly preferably in the area of the lower end or directly ends at the lower end of the locking edge. If the lower edge of the skirt of the upper container ends in relation to the container height in the region of the latching edge of the container stacked below it, the lower edge of the skirt is preferably less than 3 times or less than 2 times or less than 1 times or less than 0.5 times the wall thickness of the container side wall, which is given immediately below the locking edge, pulled down over the locking edge in the direction of the container bottom of the lower container. Particularly the skirt of the upper container preferably ends with its lower edge directly at the lower end of the snap-in edge of the lower container, with which the snap-in edge thus merges into the side wall of the container. As a result, the apron is only small in height and the container is therefore only light in weight. Furthermore, as a result, the stiffening ribs in the apron, which on the one hand stabilize the apron but on the other hand also function as a second anti-twist means, are only of a small height, which also results in a weight saving. Furthermore, this gives a visually appealing appearance, since the apron covers the latching edge. Generally within the scope of the invention, the stiffening ribs on the inside of the skirt do not protrude above the lower edge of the skirt in the direction of the container bottom, which would otherwise be optically unfavorable or, for example, would also make cleaning the outside of the container more difficult. The configuration of the container according to the invention thus enables a very low container weight in connection with an anti-twist protection of the containers and one another and a good optical appearance.

The stiffening ribs on the inside of the skirt are preferably formed on an at least substantially vertical flange of the skirt and on an at least substantially horizontally extending flange of the skirt, which is formed on the side wall of the container. The apron is particularly stabilized as a result and the ribs, which preferably act as anti-twist means, have a high level of stability. The ribs on the inside of the skirt are preferably formed on the outside of the container side wall, particularly in combination with the embodiment described above. This particularly stabilizes the upper container area, but also the stiffening ribs itself, also in its function as an anti-twist device. The ribs can have a notch on the lower edge at the end facing the side wall, so that the area of the lower edge delimiting the notch can engage in the indentations of the container latching edge that act as anti-rotation means. The notches of the stiffening ribs can accommodate the upper edge of the container. When containers are stacked one inside the other, the lower edges of the ribs of the upper container can rest on the upper side of the latching edge in the area of the respective depression or the bottom of the depression and thereby stabilize the stack of containers. The bottom of the recess and the lower edge of the rib are preferably arranged at least essentially horizontally, ie perpendicular to the main axis of the container, particularly preferably horizontally. The lower edge of the rib can bear linearly against the locking edge, in particular the bottom of the recess. The lower edge of the rib, which delimits the rib notch receiving the upper container edge, can rest at the level of the recess on the outside of the container side wall, in particular the upper edge of the container, and/or on the upper side of the latching edge. As a result, the stack of containers is additionally stabilized and the containers stacked one inside the other are centered.

Preferably, the container has an articulated and position-changeable, in particular pivotable, bracket, which facilitates the transport of a filled bundle of container and lid.

The apron preferably has an articulated connection for a fastening area of the container bracket, with the center point of the articulated connection being above the upper container edge of the container arranged underneath when the container is stacked Container is arranged. The center points of the articulated connection that are opposite on the container can define a pivoting axis of the bracket. As a result, the apron can only have a small height, which results in a weight saving, the low apron height also being made possible to a large extent by the arrangement of the first anti-rotation means according to the invention.

The container according to the invention is in particular a round container, ie with circular cross sections. The container side wall and/or the container bottom can be rotationally symmetrical. Starting from its upper container edge, the container tapers towards the container bottom, which enables containers to be stacked. The container may have a tamper-evident closure, particularly in the form of a tamper-evident tab provided on the skirt, the tamper-evident closure being removable from the container or repositioned to expose a finger-entry opening so that the lower rim of the lid can be grasped to open the container.

The container is preferably designed as a plastic container, in particular an injection-molded component, which can also apply to the lid in each case. As a result, the anti-twist means can be precisely formed on the upper edge of the container, in particular also in the formation of depressions, which means that there is a high degree of security against twisting.

According to the invention, the container of the bundle of container and lid also has a container skirt, which ends with its lower edge above the skirt of the container arranged in a container stack below, ie directly below this. It has surprisingly turned out in the course of the invention that the apron height is significant can be reduced without significantly impairing the container stability with regard to the various manipulations of the container, at the same time the container hereby having a lower stack height when several containers are inserted into one another and arranged in a container stack. In conventional containers, however, the container apron is pulled down so far, ie in the direction of the container bottom, that it overlaps the apron of the container stacked underneath, which results in a comparatively high stack height and a comparatively high container weight. In the course of the invention, however, it has turned out that the various handlings of the container during its production, transport, filling, etc. are not impaired by the design of the apron according to the invention and the container meets the respective requirements. This also applies to the singulation of containers in a labeling and/or filling station or when the filled containers are handled, which includes the transport of filled containers in a container stack and/or of singulated containers by an end user. Furthermore, the container weight and thus also the cost of materials or the occurrence of packaging material when using corresponding containers is significantly reduced by the inventive design of the apron. In addition, this makes it possible that when containers are separated from a stack of empty containers stacked one inside the other, a gripper of a corresponding separating device can engage in the space between the two skirts of containers stacked on top of one another, in order to separate, for example, the respective upper container of a container stack. This gives a further handling advantage. Furthermore, the container according to the invention has a lower stack height in an empty stack of containers inserted into one another, so that in a given Transport volume of a transport device can be transported a larger number of containers and reduce the transport costs. The container according to the invention thus has significantly improved sustainability with regard to its production and handling.

The container according to the invention is particularly preferably designed in such a way that the lower edge of the skirt of the upper container ends in relation to the container height in the region of the locking edge of the lower container. The skirt of the upper container can then end at the level of the locking edge or slightly below it with respect to the second container. On the other hand, the apron of the upper container still overlaps the lower container to such an extent that the stack of containers with identical containers stacked one inside the other still has a comparatively high stability. In principle, there is a risk that in a stack of containers the position of the containers inserted into one another will change relative to one another, for example the main container axes of the various containers will no longer be aligned coaxially with one another. When transporting stacks of containers, this could also lead to a stack falling over or to problems when separating containers from the stack at a labeling or filling device. However, it has been found that with the container according to the invention the apron of the upper container still overlaps the lower container by a sufficient extent in relation to the container height, so that this risk does not exist to a relevant extent.

In the case of the container according to the invention, there is thus a distance A between the upper edge of the container and the upper connection of the apron to the side wall of the container. Furthermore, the apron has a height H, namely the distance between the upper connection of the apron to the container side wall and the lower edge of the apron. In the case of the container according to the invention, the ratio of said distance A to the skirt height H is preferably in the range from 1.25 to 3, particularly preferably in the range from 1.5 to 2.5, more preferably in the range from 1.75 to 2.25 , for example approx. 2. This creates a particularly favorable container geometry, on the one hand with regard to the stacking height and weight reduction of the container due to a reduced apron height, and on the other hand with regard to a sufficient apron height to provide a fastening area for securely attaching a bracket.

Due to the configuration of the container according to the invention, the container weight can be reduced by approx. 5% or more with the same wall thickness in relation to a container without a handle. Considering the fact that such containers are produced in very large quantities and a reduction in container weight is a constant need, this represents a significant improvement. H. the distance from the upper edge of the container to the upper edge of the container in the case of containers stacked directly one inside the other can be reduced by approx. 30%, which greatly reduces the transport volume and thus also the transport costs. For example, about 40% more containers can be transported on a standard pallet with a given stack height of 880 mm in relation to the container stack than with conventional containers, with the same filling volume and/or unchanged overall height of the container.

The container apron preferably has a constriction in its upper region in relation to its vertical extension, which preferably extends around the entire circumference of the skirt extends in the container peripheral direction. This constriction is preferably designed in such a way that an at least essentially horizontal section of the apron, with which it is formed on the container side wall, merges into an at least essentially vertical apron section, which in turn is then followed by an at least essentially horizontal second apron section this another at least substantially vertical apron section. The respective sections can have a certain inclination to the horizontal or vertical direction. The second, at least substantially horizontal, skirt section faces the bottom edge of the lid, so that the bottom edge of the lid can rest on this skirt section or be slightly spaced from it in relation to the height of the container. The first, at least substantially vertical, skirt section is arranged radially on the inside of the lower edge area of the lid, which also includes the lower edge of the lid, so that this skirt section prevents the lower edge area of the lid from being pressed in radially inwards, and this prevents the lid from being pressed in, in particular when containers are being transported is secured. When transporting containers, in particular stacks of filled containers that are closed with the lid, it can happen that containers in adjacent stacks bump into one another or that the edge regions of the same rest on one another in an undesirable manner, which would otherwise lead to an undesirable loosening of the snap-in connection between Container and lid could lead. The second vertical apron section is preferably provided with articulation areas for fastening the ends of a bracket, for example in the form of openings in the container apron, into which fastening means such as pins of the respective end of the bracket can engage. The vertical height of the constriction can be ≥ 20% or ≥ 25% of the apron height, whereby the radially outer lid edge of the lid snapped onto the container is stabilized in a special way. As a result, the container according to the invention is designed to be functionally advantageous, in combination with the advantages mentioned above.

The lower edge of the rib, which delimits the notch, preferably lies against the upper side of the locking edge of the container arranged underneath and/or the radially outer delimitation of the locking edge. This stabilizes the stack of containers despite the low apron height according to the invention, in particular to the effect that the main container axes of containers arranged one above the other are arranged coaxially to one another, even when a certain force is exerted on the stack of containers transversely to the main container axis.

When the bracket is arranged horizontally and is articulated to the container, the hinge axis of the bracket, which runs between the two centers of the bracket articulations on the apron, is preferably arranged at the level of or above the upper edge of the container of a container stack arranged underneath. The lower edge of the bracket in the storage position preferably does not protrude downward from the lower edge of the container apron, but is arranged at or above the latter, which can also be the case generally within the scope of the invention. As a result, on the other hand, the articulation of the bracket in relation to the respective container is arranged relatively close to the upper edge of the container. In this case, the apron can have an opening in which a fastening element of the bracket, such as a pin-shaped projection, engages in order to fix the positionable bracket on the apron. A comparatively low stacking height of the container can hereby be made possible. Furthermore this gives favorable transport properties when carrying the container by gripping the bracket in its handling position in relation to a filled and originally sealed container, for example, since the center of gravity of the filled container is relatively far away from the articulations of the bracket in the vertical direction and is therefore particularly stable position of the container results when it is carried by a person by manually attacking the bracket. On the other hand, this means that the fastening means of the bracket, which penetrates the apron opening, is arranged at least at half the height or more than this above the container edge when the containers are stacked one inside the other, resulting in a low stacking height of the containers. Preferably, the fastening means of the bracket, in particular in the form of a pin extending through an apron opening, is arranged essentially or completely above the radially outer boundary edge of the container locking edge of the lower container in each case, so that the stacking of containers in one another is not prevented by the fastening means of the bracket. In the area of the lower edge of the container apron, one or more radially outwardly directed projections can be provided, which define the at least essentially horizontal position of the bracket in its storage position on the container.

Figur 1:

Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters, welcher ferner mit einem Deckel verschlossen ist,

Figur 2:

Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters,

Figur 3:

Perspektivische Ansicht eines Teilbereichs des Behälters nach Figur 2,

Figur 4:

Stapel aus Behältern gemäß Figur 2 im Aufriss,

Figur 5:

Schnittdarstellung ineinander gestapelter Behälter nach Figur 2,

Figur 6:

Schematische Darstellung des Verbindungsbereichs eines Behälters gemäß Figur 2 mit Deckel.

Figur 7:

eine Querschnittsteildarstellung von ineinander gestapelten erfindungsgemäßen Behältern.

The invention is described and explained below using an exemplary embodiment. All features of the exemplary embodiment are generally disclosed independently of one another or in combination with one another within the scope of the invention. Show it:

Figure 1:

Side view of a container according to the invention, which is also closed with a lid,

Figure 2:

Side view of a container according to the invention,

Figure 3:

Perspective view of a portion of the container figure 2 ,

Figure 4:

Stacks of containers according to figure 2 in outline,

Figure 5:

Sectional view of stacked containers figure 2 ,

Figure 6:

Schematic representation of the connection area of a container according to figure 2 with lid.

Figure 7:

a partial cross-sectional view of nested containers according to the invention.

The Figures 1-6 show an embodiment of a stackable container 1 according to the invention, which according to figure 1 is closed with a lid 20. All characteristics of the container, container stack or container with lid figure 7 can independently or in combination with each other in a container, container stack or container with a lid according to Figures 1 to 6 be realised.

The stackable container 1 after Figures 1 to 6 has a side wall 2 which forms an upper container edge 3 and completely delimits a container interior for filling with filling material, the container having a container bottom 4 . The container cross-section tapers in the direction of the base 4, with the container 1 being stackable with other containers 1 of the same construction, engaging the container base 4 of a first container in a second container. In the region of the upper edge 3 of the container, the container 1 has a peripheral snap-in edge 5 for snap-in connection with a lid 20 . The container locking edge 5 is formed on the side wall 2, wherein an at least substantially completely circumferential container apron 6 is provided on the side wall 2, which radially outwards from of the side wall 2 and which has a section 7, 8 that is at least substantially transverse to the main axis H of the container and a section 7, 8 that is at least substantially parallel to the main axis H of the container. The apron 6 is formed on the side wall 2 of the container below the latching edge 5 . Ribs 11 are also provided, which are formed on the inside of the skirt 6 and extend essentially in the radial direction of the container 1, these ribs 11 being designed here as stiffening ribs of the skirt 6. The container 1 has cooperating first and second anti-rotation means 9,10, wherein when containers 1 are stacked one inside the other, first anti-rotation means 9 of one container interact with second anti-rotation means 10 of the second container, which is stacked in the first container. The second anti-rotation means are provided here by the stiffening ribs 11 .

According to the invention, the first anti-rotation means 9 are provided on the upper side 5a of the container latching edge facing away from the container bottom 4 . According to the special embodiment, the first anti-rotation means of the container latching edge 5 are designed as depressions 12 provided on the upper side of the latching edge. The container locking edge 5 is formed on the upper edge 3 of the container. The depressions 12 of the container latching edge 5b have a smaller radial extension than the latching edge 5. The depressions 12 are spaced from the radially outer boundary edge 5b of the latching edge 5. In relation to the height of the container, the indentations of the locking edge of the container only extend so far in the direction of the container bottom that the indentations end above the radially outer boundary edge of the locking edge. The radially outer boundary edge of the locking edge forms with a sealing area on the inside of the Lid skirt has a liquid-tight seal extending all the way around the container. The cover apron area, which forms the sealing area, surrounds the container on its outside. In addition to this sealing area, further sealing areas can be provided between container and lid, in particular on the inside of the container side wall, optionally also on the upper edge of the container and/or on the outside of the container, even if this is less preferred.

A plurality of indentations 12 are provided distributed around the circumference of the container, for example 6 to 8.

The locking edge depressions 12 preferably have only a small extension in the container peripheral direction, for example ≦5°, ≦2° or ≦1°. As a result, the latching edge 5 is not significantly weakened by the indentations and the stacked containers are positioned exactly when the anti-twist device engages. The depression 12 has in each case an at least essentially horizontal bottom 12a, which delimits the depression at the bottom. The depressions have lateral boundary surfaces 12b that extend at least substantially vertically. The lateral boundary surfaces 12b are each arranged at least essentially in a container main plane H, which contains the container main axis, and therefore extend at least essentially in the radial direction. The lateral delimiting surfaces 12b can be flat, whereby the delimiting surfaces of the indentation each come to rest flat on the side surface of the ribs 11 when the indentations 12 and the ribs 11 interact to prevent rotation. This configuration of the depressions is generally preferred within the scope of the invention.

The container apron 6 is attached to the side wall 2 below the container latching edge 5 at a vertical spacing 15 therefrom. The apron 6 is arranged with its lower edge 6a above the apron 6 of the container arranged under this container of a container stack. When identical containers 1 are stacked one inside the other, the lower edge 6a of the skirt 6 of an upper container ends in relation to the lower container in the space 15 between the container upper edge 3 and the connection 6b of the skirt 6 to the side wall 2 of the lower container. The lower edge of the apron 6a of the upper container ends here in relation to the container height in the region of the locking edge 5 of the container stacked under it, or at the same level, in particular at the lower end 5c of the container locking edge.

The ribs 11 of the apron 6 each have a notch 11a for receiving the container upper edge 3 of the container arranged underneath. The lower edge 11b of the rib delimiting the notch 11a lies at the level of the depression 12 on the outside of the container side wall, in particular on the upper edge 3 of the container.

The container apron 6 has an at least horizontally extending section 7 in the form of a flange, which is formed on the container side wall, and radially outside on the outer circumference of the apron 6 an at least essentially vertically extending section 8 or flange. The two sections or flanges 7,8 extend around the circumference of the skirt. The lower lid edge 21 of a lid 20 that is snapped onto the container can rest on the horizontal flange 7, which extends at least substantially perpendicularly to the main axis H of the container, or can be arranged at a small distance from it.

The container 1 is provided with a hinged bracket 16 which can pivot. The container apron 6, here the vertical section or flange thereof, has a joint connection 6d for a fastening area of the bracket, here in the form of an opening for receiving a fastening pin at the end area of the bracket. The center point M of the articulated connection, through which the pivoting axis of the bracket 16 extends, is arranged in such a way that, when the container is stacked, it is arranged above the upper container edge 3 of the container arranged underneath.

The container 1 has a tamper-evident closure 18 which indicates that the container has been opened for the first time. The tamper-evident closure 18 is designed here as a tab, which is integrated in the container apron 6 here. The apron 6 together with the tamper-evident closure 18 extends over the entire circumference of the container.

The container 1 is designed as a round container, with the container cross-section or the side wall tapering towards the container bottom, as a result of which the container can be stacked in another container of the same construction, forming a container stack according to FIG figure 4 . The container side wall and the container bottom are rotationally symmetrical.

The container 1 and lid 20 are designed as plastic parts, in particular as an injection molded part.

As in figure 6 shown, the cover 20 has a peripheral cover edge 21 which has a peripheral cover skirt 22 radially on the outside, which is provided with a locking edge 23 . The locking edges 5, 23 of container 1 and lid 20 cooperate to snap the lid to the container connect to. The peripheral boundary edge 5b of the lid latching edge 5 rests in a sealing manner on the inside of the lid skirt 22, forming a sealing area. The edge of the lid 21 is designed in the form of a circumferential U-shaped channel which is open at the bottom, ie towards the bottom of the container. The radially inner, at least substantially vertical, flange 24 of the edge of the lid is drawn downwards from the top edge 3 of the container and is in sealing contact with the inside of the side wall 2 of the container, whereby a second sealing area is provided, but in general only a sealing area can be provided. The container side wall 2 in the area of the upper edge of the container is arranged between the radially inner and radially outer flange of the lid rim, and preferably at the same time held in a press fit. as well as in figure 4 shown is the top of the container latching edge 5 in the form of a ramp, which is inclined and slopes outwards, whereby the lid can be easily snapped on with its latching edge. The lid locking edge 5 also has a corresponding slope. The arrangement of the indentations on the upper side of the container locking edge means that the lid cannot be locked on.

The container with lid or container stack is shown below as an exemplary embodiment figure 7 described. Same features of figure 7 are given the same reference numbers as in FIGS Figures 1 to 6 described unless otherwise indicated in the context.

The stackable container 1 after figure 7 has a side wall 2 which forms an upper container edge 3 and completely delimits a container interior for filling with filling material, the container having a container bottom 4 .

The container cross-section tapers in the direction of the base 4, with the container 1 being stackable with other containers 1 of the same construction, engaging the container base 4 of a first container in a second container. In the region of the upper edge 3 of the container, the container 1 has a peripheral snap-in edge 5 for snap-in connection with a lid 20 . The container latching edge 5 is formed on the side wall 2, with an at least substantially completely circumferential container apron 6 being provided on the side wall 2, which protrudes radially outwards from the side wall 2 and which is at least substantially transverse to the main container axis H and at least section 7, 8 which is essentially parallel to the main axis H of the container. The apron 6 is formed on the side wall 2 of the container below the latching edge 5 . The apron 6 is provided with a constriction 19 for receiving the lower edge of the lid, so that when the lid is snapped on, the lower edge of the lid is arranged radially at the level of the partial section 7a of the at least essentially horizontal apron section 7 .

The container apron 6 is attached to the side wall 2 below the upper edge 3 of the container at a vertical distance 15 therefrom. The apron 6 is arranged with its lower edge 6a above the apron 6 of the container arranged under this container of a container stack. When identical containers 1 are stacked one inside the other, the lower edge 6a of the skirt 6 of an upper container ends in relation to the lower container in the upper half of the spacing area 15 between the container upper edge 3 and the connection 6b of the skirt 6 on the side wall 2 of the lower container. The lower edge of the apron 6a of the upper container ends in relation to the container height here in the area of the latching edge 5 of the container stacked under it, more precisely at the level of the locking edge 5, in particular at the lower end 5c of the container locking edge. The apron of the upper container thus overlaps the locking edge of the lower container completely in its vertical extent. At the same time, this protects the radially outer delimitation or the delimiting edge 5b of the locking edge when transporting a stack of empty containers, for example from the effects of an adjacent stack of containers.

The skirt also has ribs 11 which are formed on the inside of the skirt 6 and extend essentially in the radial direction of the container 1 , these ribs 11 being designed here as stiffening ribs of the skirt 6 . The ribs are here formed on both the at least essentially horizontal section 7 and the at least essentially vertical section 8 of the apron. The ribs 11 on the inside of the container skirt run in the radial direction of the container and are also formed on the side wall 4 of the container.

The ribs 11 of the apron 6 each have a notch 11a for receiving the container upper edge 3 of the container arranged underneath. The lower edge 11b of the rib delimiting the notch 11a bears against the locking edge 5 of the container stacked underneath, in particular on the upper container edge 3 and/or on the upper side 5a of the locking edge. In particular, the lower edge 11b of the ribs can bear against the upper edge 3 of the container in the radial direction of the container. If the container has anti-twist means 12 in the form of indentations in the latching edge 5, ribs with the edge delimiting the notches can engage in the indentation 12 in an anti-twist manner and rest against the rear wall of the indentation and/or the bottom of the same. This also stabilizes the container stack side.

The container apron 6 has an at least horizontally extending section 7 in the form of a flange, which is formed on the container side wall, and radially outside on the outer circumference of the apron 6 an at least essentially vertically extending section 8 or flange. The two sections or flanges 7,8 extend around the circumference of the skirt. The lower lid edge 21 of a lid 20 snapped onto the container can rest on the horizontal flange 7, more precisely the radially outer partial area 7a thereof, which extends at least essentially perpendicularly to the main axis H of the container, or be arranged at a small distance from it.

The connection of the apron to the container side wall is spaced from the top edge of this container by a distance A (corresponding to the height of the spacing area 15), the apron having a height H, which is determined by the distance between the upper connection of the apron to the container side wall and the lower edge of the apron is defined. The ratio of the said distance A to the apron height H is approx. 2 here.

The container 1 has an articulated bracket 16 which can pivot. The container apron 6, here the vertical section or flange thereof, has a joint connection 6d for a fastening area 16a of the bracket, here in the form of an opening for receiving a fastening pin at the end area of the bracket. The fastening means of the bracket thus extends beyond the inside of the apron in the direction of the container side wall. The mounting pin of the bracket can be fixed in a snap-in manner on the apron. The midpoint M of the articulations, through which extends the pivoting axis V of the bracket 16 is arranged in such a way that, when the container is stacked, it is arranged above the upper container edge 3 of the container arranged underneath. As a result, a sufficient portion of the bracket attachment means has sufficient space above the container locking edge.

Claims (15)

1. Stackable container, which has a side wall (2), which forms an upper container edge (3) and completely delimits a container interior for filling the filling material, the container (1) having a container base (4) and the container cross section tapering in the direction towards the base (4), so that the container (1) can be stacked with other containers (1) of identical construction with engagement of the container base (4) of a first container in a second container, wherein an at least substantially completely circumferential container skirt (6) is provided on the side wall (2), which skirt projects radially outwardly from the side wall (2) and which has a section (7, 8) extending at least substantially transversely to the container main axis (H) and a section (7, 8) extending at least substantially parallel to the container main axis (H), the container (1) further having cooperating first and second anti-rotation means (9, 10), wherein, in the case of containers stacked one inside the other, first anti-rotation means (9) of the one container cooperate with second anti-rotation means (10) of the second container of identical construction stacked in the first container with respect to the containers in such a way as to prevent rotation, characterized in that the container has, in the region of the container top edge (4), a circumferential container latching rim (5) for latching connection to a lid, in that the container latching rim (5) is molded to the side wall (2), in that the skirt (6) is molded to the side wall (2) beneath the container latching rim (5), and in that the first anti-rotation means (9) are provided on the upper side (5a) of the container latching rim (5) facing away from the container base (4).
2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that ribs (11) are provided on the inner side of the skirt (6), which ribs extend substantially in the radial direction of the container (1), and in that the second anti-rotation means (10) are provided by the ribs (11).
3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first anti-rotation means (9) of the container latching rim (5) are formed as a recess or a plurality of recesses (12) provided on the upper side (5a) of the latching rim (5).
4. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the container upper edge (3).
5. Container according to claim 3, preferably also according to one of claims 2 and 4, characterized in that the recesses (12) of the container latching rim (5) have a smaller radial extent than the latching rim (5) and in that the recesses are spaced from the radially outer boundary edge (5b) of the latching rim.
6. Container according to claim 3, preferably also according to one of claims 2, 4 and 5, characterized in that the recesses (12) of the container latching rim (5) terminate above the radially outer boundary edge (5b) of the latching rim with respect to the container height.
7. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the radially outer boundary edge (5b) of the latching rim is designed as a sealing edge which, when the lid (20) is placed on the container (1), forms a preferably liquid-tight container seal with said lid.
8. Container according to claim 3, preferably also according to one of claims 2 and 4 to 7, characterized in that the second anti-rotation means (10) of the upper container are applied against the upper edge region of the lower container within the recesses (12) and/or that the second anti-rotation means (10) of the upper container are applied against the radially outer boundary edge of the latching rim of the lower container.
9. Container according to claim 3, preferably also according to one of claims 2 and 4 to 8, characterized in that the plurality of recesses (12) are arranged distributed around the container circumference.
10. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the container skirt (6) is attached to the side wall (2) below the container latching rim (5) at a vertical distance therefrom, and in that, in the case of containers of identical construction stacked one inside the other, the skirt (6) of the upper container is arranged with its lower edge (6a) above the skirt (6) of the lower container (1) of the stack of containers.
11. Container according to claim 10, characterized in that the container is designed in such a way that when containers of identical construction are stacked one inside the other, the lower edge (6a) of the skirt (6) of an upper container terminates in the upper half of the vertical distance region (15) between the container upper edge (3) and the connection (6b) of the skirt (6) to the lateral wall (2) of the lower container (1), with respect to the lower container (1).
12. Container according to claim 11, characterized in that the lower edge (6a) of the skirt (6) of the upper container (1) terminates in the region of the latching rim (5) of the container (1) stacked below it, preferably at the level of the lower end (5a) of the latching rim (5), with respect to the container height.
13. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the container (1) is provided with a hinged pivoting bracket (16).
14. Container according to claim 13, characterized in that the container skirt (6) includes a joint connection (6d) for an attachment portion of the bracket (16) and in that the center (M) of the joint connection through which the pivot axis of the bracket extends is arranged such that the same is arranged above the upper container edge (3) of the container (1) arranged underneath when the container (1) is stacked.
15. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising a lid (20) fixable to the container in a latching and preferably sealing manner.

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