ES1303992U - REUSABLE CONTAINER FOR STORAGE, TRANSPORTATION AND DISPLAY OF BULK PRODUCTS (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Reusable container for the storage, transport and display of bulk products characterized in that it comprises: - a first external container (2) with at least four side partitions (21, 22) facing each other two by two and a lower base (20), and - at least two second removable containers (3) with a handle (4) for holding and handling, which are arranged inside the first external container (2), and where the bulk products are incorporated, each presenting at least least two of the facing partitions (22) of the first external container (2), a recess that defines a cavity (23) to receive and locate the handle (4) of one of the second removable containers (3), the handle being (4) accessible from the outside of the first container (2). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

REUSABLE CONTAINER FOR STORAGE, TRANSPORTATION AND DISPLAY

OF BULK PRODUCTS

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention, a reusable container for the storage, transport and display of bulk products, refers to a container of the transport box type, used as a tray to transport products that are sold in bulk, such as fruits and vegetables, in the that are protected from their origin or from the packaging plants to the markets, supermarkets or other points of sale where they are displayed directly in the box itself. The container object of the present invention has a first container in the shape of a tray inside which a plurality of containers, or second containers, are arranged, removable, intended to contain a certain amount of the product, preferably in bulk, already prepared from origin, which, In addition to better protecting the product by incorporating a smaller amount of it in each container, or second container, avoiding unwanted crushing and improving its display at the point of sale, they are specially designed as a "shovel" or measuring jug to facilitate the customer who can serve himself the amount of product he wants by pouring it directly into a bag, avoiding the need to touch it with his hand and, consequently, avoiding the use of gloves to guarantee the hygiene measures that this type of products normally require. Both the first and second containers are preferably made of plastic, but they can also be made of other materials, which may be the same or different materials. For example, the first container may be plastic and the second containers may be cardboard or paper, in which case the user could take the second container without having to pour its contents into a bag.

The field of application of the present invention falls within the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacturing of packaging, focusing particularly on the field of transport box or shipping box type packaging, particularly plastic boxes, normally covering the scope of the primary sector, but without ruling out other areas that use this type of packaging for the sale of bulk products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the state of the art, so-called transport boxes or storage boxes are known. shipping, which, normally made of plastic material, although there are also wood or cardboard, are usually used to transport products that are sold in bulk such as fruits and vegetables, so that they are filled in the crop field or plant itself of packaging and selection and are displayed with the product in the store or supermarket for the end customer, where, often, it is the customer himself who, in a self-service manner, serves himself and takes the amount of product he wants to buy.

One of the problems with this type of boxes is that, especially when they are intended for products, such as many types of fruits and some vegetables, they are crushed due to the weight of the pieces, which means they cannot be filled very much. and, consequently, a large amount of space is lost which, on the other hand, represents a cost in transportation. Likewise, manipulation by the user of the products when they are going to pick them up may damage other products included in the tray.

Another problem with these products is that, for hygiene reasons, all customers should use gloves to handle them and avoid touching them directly with their hands. In fact, in most supermarkets and points of sale, merchants make gloves available to the public for this function. However, few clients use them and, therefore, in addition to being an expense for the business, it does not end up being an effective system.

Likewise, the packaging of this type of product usually requires single-use plastic packaging, significantly increasing the number of single-use plastic containers placed on the market.

These problems are, if possible, more important in products such as cherries, blueberries or other small products that, when touched, can be marked and, consequently, be thrown away, but which customers have to pick up to purchase or by handful. , with the risk of damaging them, or one at a time, with the consequent loss of time.

The objective of the present invention is, therefore, to provide the market with a new type of packaging that allows solving all the problems described that current transport boxes have and, in addition, provides additional advantages, both for (i) the merchant, so that the product is better protected and better displayed and the total capacity of the container can be used; (ii), for the end customer, since the desired amount of product can be served (avoiding food waste) in a comfortable, quick and hygienic way, without having to touch the product with the hands and, therefore, without having to put gloves that, on the other hand, the merchant will save on purchasing and having at his disposal and; (iii) the society, By encouraging bulk sales, single-use plastics are prevented from being placed on the market, therefore limiting the plastic waste generated.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is a reusable container for the storage, transport and display of bulk products according to claim 1. Specifically, the container object of the invention comprises:

- a first external container with at least four lateral partitions facing each other two by two and a lower base, and

- at least two second removable containers with a holding and handling handle, which are arranged inside the first external container, and where the bulk products are incorporated,

each of at least two of the facing partitions of the first external container presenting a recess that defines a cavity to receive and locate the handle of one of the second removable containers, the handle being accessible from the outside of the first container.

Thus, what the invention proposes, as noted above, is a container that, comprising a first container or external box, type of tray or transport box, of those used to transport products that are sold in bulk, such as fruits and vegetables, in which they are protected from the origin or packaging plants to the markets, supermarkets or other points of sale where they are displayed directly in the box itself, and also comprises a plurality of removable second containers, or containers, intended to contain a certain quantity of the product already prepared for distribution from the origin. In this way, said second containers, or containers, in addition to better protecting the product, allow better exposure of the product, the sale of the product in bulk (thus avoiding the use of single-use plastics), also allows the complete use of the total capacity of the first container or box. These second containers are specially designed to be used as a tool as a "shovel" or measuring jug and make it easier for the end customer to serve themselves by pouring the desired amount of bulk product into a bag (avoiding food waste) without the need for take it directly with your hand and, consequently, avoiding the use of gloves to guarantee the hygiene measures that this type of products normally require.

Preferably each and every one of the second containers, or containers, The removable containers that the first container, or external box, of the packaging has have a handle for holding and handling. Furthermore, said handle is designed in such a way that, when the second containers or containers are placed in the first container or box, the handle is easily accessible from the outside of the first container or box, preferably from one of the sides thereof. , allowing the user to grab said handle to hold the second "shovel" container and pour the desired amount of product, for example into the weighing and labeling bag, without having to touch the product at any time.

Thus, one or more of the side walls of the first container have one or more recesses suitable for receiving and exposing the handles of the second containers or containers. Preferably, the handle of each second removable container does not protrude from the cavity of the first container when said second container is inside the first container, thus avoiding interference with other containers that may be placed next to it.

The first container or box preferably has a parallelepipedal configuration receptacle with a rectangular base formed by a lower base and four side partitions, facing each other two by two, with preferably two shorter ones on the shorter sides. Two of the sides may have holding openings, and the other two sides have recesses that define the recesses for the handles of the second containers or containers. Preferably, the base and the partitions that make up said first container are made up of removable parts that can be coupled together, that is, the partitions are removable with respect to the base. Alternatively, the partitions of the first container can be foldable on the base towards the interior of said container when the second containers are not arranged inside.

Likewise, the second containers or containers have, in turn, a cube-shaped configuration with a quadrangular base and dimensions suitable for fitting together, completely covering the interior capacity of the first container or box, both in width and length and in height. . In addition, each second container or container has a handle, for handling and holding, in the form of an appendix that emerges on one of its sides, which, with the second containers placed inside the first container, is located in coincidence with the respective cavities. of the side partitions of said first container emerging from the outside thereof, so that it is easily accessible to be held by the user to extract the second container and replace it after use. Preferably, these second removable containers are made up of a single piece or, in other words, they are one-piece bodies.

On the other hand, preferably, the first container, or external box, is designed to fit one inside another and allow the stacking of multiple first containers of as many containers and, in turn, the first containers or containers are also designed to fit one inside another and allow multiple stacking of the same, thus optimizing transport space to the maximum.

Preferably, both the first container and the second removable containers are made of plastic material with ventilation and lightening gaps, although they could be made of other materials, such as, for example, cardboard or paper.

Preferably, the first container can receive six second containers, so that their handles are inserted into the six recesses arranged three by three in the facing partitions of the first container. Alternatively, other combinations are possible, such as, for example, a first container that can receive two, four or eight second containers, although it can also receive more.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complete the description of the present invention, and facilitate the understanding of its characteristics, some figures of illustrative and non-limiting nature are included in this descriptive report, as an integral part thereof.

Figure number 1 shows a perspective view of an example of an embodiment of the reusable container for the storage, transport and display of bulk products object of the invention, which has been represented with all its second containers or removable containers placed in the first. container, or external box, but without contents.

Figure number 2 shows a perspective view of the example of the container of the invention shown in Figure 1, in this case represented with the second containers filled with product.

Figure number 3 shows a perspective view of one of the first removable containers, represented independently and outside the first container.

Figure number 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the example of the container of the invention shown in the preceding figures, showing the parts and elements it comprises.

Figure number 5 shows a perspective view of a plurality of containers, according to the invention, represented in a stacked storage position, showing the arrangement of the different elements.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned figures, an example of carrying out the object of the present invention is described below.

Thus, the container (1) of the invention, applicable to contain products (p) in bulk, which are placed directly at the point of origin for storage, transportation and display at the point of sale in the same container (1 ), comprises a first container, or external box, (2) inside which a plurality of removable second containers, or containers (3) are arranged, intended to contain a certain amount of the product (p) already prepared from the origin. These second removable containers (3) constitute a "shovel"-type graspable tool or measuring jug to pour the product (p) they contain, that is, suitable for being extracted and allowing a user to pour a quantity of the product (p) they contain. pouring it, for example, into its own container, tupperware, bag, basket, or other type of container without having to touch it. These second containers are, preferably, in one piece in the shape of a basket.

Each and every one of the second removable containers (3) that the first container (2) of the container (1) has a handle (4) for holding and handling. Said handle (4) for holding and handling that each first removable container (3) has is arranged in such a way that, when they (3) are arranged inside the first container (2), it is easily accessible from the side. external thereof, since said first container has cavities (23) in some of its sides (22) in which said handles (4) are housed. Thus, the handle (4) of each second removable container (3) is accessible from said sides (22) of the first container (2).

The number of second removable containers (3) that the first container (2) incorporates is variable, depending on the needs of each case, based on the type or size of the product and the dimensions of it and the box.

In a preferred embodiment, the first container (2) defines a receptacle with a parallelepipedal configuration with a rectangular base formed by a lower base (20) and four side partitions, preferably two short sides (21) with openings (5) for fastening. manual of the first container (2), and two long sides (22) that have recesses that define the recesses (23) for the handles (4) of the second removable containers (3).

Preferably, the second removable containers (3) have a cube-shaped configuration with a quadrangular base and dimensions suitable to fit snugly inside the first container (3) covering, as a whole, the entire space. of said interior, both in width and length and in height, each row being arranged, so that the respective handles (4) are located in coincidence with the cavities (23) of the long side partitions (22), as shown. see in the example in figure 1.

Each second removable container (3) has, as mentioned, a handle (4) in the form of an appendix that emerges on one of its sides such that, with the first removable containers (3) placed inside the first container (2) , said handle (4) is located in coincidence with the respective cavities (23) of the long side partitions (22) of said first container emerging from the outside thereof.

In any case, the first container (2) has a configuration suitable for fitting inside another first container and allowing the stacking of multiple containers (2) of as many containers and, in turn, the first removable containers (3) also have a configuration suitable for fitting inside each other and allowing multiple stacking of them. Said stacking can be done both independently and within the first container (2) located at the top of a stack of first containers, as seen in Figure 5, thus saving space.

Since the container (1) is reusable, preferably the first container (2) and the second removable containers (3) are made of plastic material with ventilation and lightening holes to maximize its reuse, thus avoiding the use of disposable containers and/or materials. Notwithstanding the above, and as another possibility, the first container (2) is made of plastic and the second containers (3) are made of cardboard or paper so that the user can take them without having to pour their contents into another container. . In another alternative, both the first container (2) and the second containers (3) are made of cardboard and/or paper.

Preferably, the base (20) and the partitions (21, 22) that make up the first container (2) are made up of removable, attachable parts, with the existence of a filling sheet (6) having been provided, optionally, that covers the base (20). and serves as a support element for the second containers (3), which, optionally, can be made of absorbent material.

Alternatively, the first container can receive instead of six second containers, with their handles inserted in the six cavities arranged three by three in the facing partitions of the first container, it could receive, with the appropriate design and dimension changes, more or less than six containers. For example, a first container can receive two, four or eight second containers, although it can also receive more.

Claims (11)

1. Reusable container for the storage, transportation and display of bulk products characterized because it includes: - a first external container (2) with at least four lateral partitions (21, 22) facing each other two by two and a lower base (20), and - at least two second removable containers (3) with a handle (4) for holding and handling, which are arranged inside the first external container (2), and where the bulk products are incorporated, each of at least two of the facing partitions (22) of the first external container (2) presenting a recess that defines a cavity (23) to receive and locate the handle (4) of one of the second removable containers (3) , the handle (4) being accessible from the outside of the first container (2). 2. Container, according to claim 1, characterized in that the first container (2) has a parallelepipedal configuration with a rectangular base with two first partitions (21) facing each other with openings (5) for holding said first container and two second partitions (22). facing that present the cavities (23). 3. Container, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second removable containers (3) have a cube-shaped configuration, with four sides, with a quadrangular base that fit inside the first container (2) encompassing, as a whole, , the entire space of said interior, both in width and length and in height. 4. Container, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle (4) of each second removable container (3) does not protrude from the cavity (23) of the first container (2) when said second container (3) is in the interior of the first container (2). 5. Container, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle (4) of each second container (3) is shaped like an appendage emerging from one of the four sides that make up said second container (3). 6. Container, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the partitions (21, 22) of the first container (2) are foldable on the base (20) towards the interior of said container (2) when the second containers (3) are not arranged inside. 7. Container, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the partitions (21, 22) are removable with respect to the base (20). 8. Container, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second containers (3) are made up of a single piece. 9. Container, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the first container (2) and the second containers (3) have ventilation and lightening holes. 10. Container, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the first container (2) and the second containers (3) are made of plastic material. 11. Container, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it generally comprises six second removable containers (3) whose handles (4) are inserted into the six cavities (23) arranged three by three in the partitions (22). confronted.