ES2576303B1 - Modular container - Google Patents

Abstract

Modular container that has several structural components (1, 2, 3, 4) to form a body (10) of the container and joining components (5) between the structural components (1, 2, 3, 4). The joining means (5) are moisture resistant adhesives and have no contraindication for food use.

Description

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MODULAR PACK

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a modular container for use in the fruit and vegetable sector.

State of the art

At present, different types of packaging used in this sector are known. However, these packages have a number of drawbacks.

It is known to use wooden containers to contain fruits or vegetables. These packages are made with MDF boards (medium density wood fiber board) or with plywood boards. These wooden containers use metal elements (staples) to join their different components.

The presence of metallic elements implies a risk in the handling of the container, both in its manufacturing process and its useful life as a food container.

Another of these drawbacks refers to the management of packaging as waste when the packaging has ended its useful life. Indeed, the usual thing is that these packages are formed by wooden elements joined together by a series of nails or metal clips. This difference between the constituent materials of the known packages complicates the recycling of these packages.

On the other hand, the material from which the structural components are constituted also has relevance in the exploitation of the container.

As can be seen, the known packages still present a series of problems that can be solved to provide a container with greater interest for the sector. These problems can be summarized in those indicated below.

The package of the invention allows the package to be safer for the user in handling by lacking metal elements such as staples or nails, which can produce cuts or punctures, injuries that can be aggravated if the staples are oxidized. In addition to the risk that these elements can cause injuries to the user, they can also have negative effects on the contained product, tearing or eroding it,

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causing a devaluation of the product, and even force to dispose of the product if the damages are unacceptable.

These drawbacks presented by the known containers, both in use and in their manufacture and handling as waste when their useful life has ended, are remedied with the container of the invention.

Description of the invention

In the package of the invention there are no traditional metal joining elements in the sector such as staples or nails. The package of the invention, on the other hand, uses special glues for wood and its derivatives, said glues have no contraindication for food use and are resistant to moisture.

One of the advantages of the packaging of the invention is that by not using metal joints, the container can be easily recycled, being the structural elements that form the container of recyclable material, a determining feature for the subsequent recycling of the container. Another advantage derived from the packaging of the invention with adhesive joining means is that it allows eliminating the possibility of possible accidents with the metal parts of the known packages.

On the other hand, in addition to the union with tails of the structural components, the corners of the container that make up the walls can be made of wood fiber board (MDF Medium-Density Fiberboard, HDF High-Density Fiberboard) replacing the traditional pine corners .

The replacement of the pine corners, popularly known as tacos, avoids risks and problems with the possible harmful organisms that can be contained in the raw wood, since the current regulations are very demanding with the use of raw wood for wood packaging

As for the bottom of the container, apart from the union with the glue, in order to withstand the entire weight of the product to be contained in the container, grooves are provided as guides inside the box and approximately 1cm from the edge bottom of the corners, to make the bottom or base piece rest in said grooves. Taking advantage of that free distance at the bottom of a first container, a square is formed in each

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lower corner of the first container, which can accommodate the upper part of a second container on which the first container can be stacked. With this configuration, a stack of packages is achieved by fitting some packages over others, ensuring a blockage in the stacked containers that facilitates the transport of the stacked containers.

In another possible preferred embodiment, the heads and sides of the package may lack grooves.

A basic embodiment of the invention is defined in claim 1. The dependent claims define additional features of the invention.

Description of the figures

Figure 1 is a diagram of the package of the invention where a side has been removed.

Figure 2 is a diagram of the side of the invention removed from Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a diagram of the tester of the invention.

The numerical references of the elements of the invention are indicated below: Structural components (1,2, 3, 4)

Four corners or Columns (4)

Two heads (1)

Two sides (2)

Base (3)

Body (10)

Means of union (5)

Grooved (123)

Singing (3 ’)

Distance (d)

Lower edge (12)

Detailed description of the invention

An aspect of the invention relates to a modular package comprising:

la) a plurality of structural components (1,2, 3, 4) configured to form a body (10) of the container;

lb) joining means (5) between the structural components (1,2, 3, 4); where:

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1c) the joining means (5) are moisture resistant adhesives and have no contraindication for food use.

According to other features of the invention:

2. The body (10) has an open box shape and the structural components (1, 2, 3) can comprise:

2a) two testeros (1); the pockets (1) conform form a front panel and a rear panel of the box;

2b) two sides (2) between the heads (1).

2c) a base (3) connected to the corners (1,2) to form the bottom of the container.

3. The package may comprise a plurality of columns (4) connected with a structural component (1, 2, 3) selected from a tester (1), a side (2), the base (3) and combinations thereof. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the columns (4) are connected with a tester (1), a side (2) and the base (3), each column being in a corner of the container; however, there may be columns (4) in other locations of the package, for example by connecting a tester (1) with a side (2), a tester (1) with the base (3), a side (2) with the base (3).

4. The sides (2) may comprise a groove (123) configured to accommodate a edge (3 ') of the base (3).

5. The heads (1) may comprise a groove (123) configured to accommodate a edge (3 ’) of the base (3).

6. The grooving (123) can be at a distance (d) from a lower edge (12) of the heads (1) and lateral (2)

7. A plurality of the structural components (1, 2, 3, 4) can be of the same material. In a usual embodiment the testers (1) and laterals (2) are of the same material. In other embodiments, the heads (1), sides (2) and the base (3) are of the same material.

8. A plurality of the structural components (1, 2, 3, 4) may be of a material selected from wood fiber board, MDF, HDF and combinations thereof.

9. The structural components (1, 2, 3, 4) and the joining means (5) have no contraindication for food use

5 10. The structural components (1, 2, 3, 4) and the joining means (5) are made of material

recyclable.

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Claims (6)

1. Modular container comprising - a plurality of structural components (1, 2, 3, 4) configured to form a body (10) of the open box-shaped container - joining means (5) between the structural components (1, 2, 3, 4); where the structural components (1, 2, 3) comprise: - two heads (1); - two sides (2) between the heads (1). - a base (3) connected to the ends (1) and sides (2) to form the bottom of the container. - a plurality of columns (4) connected with a structural component (1, 2, 3) selected from a tester (1), a side (2), the base (3) and combinations thereof, characterized in that the joining means (5) are moisture resistant adhesives and have no contraindication for food use, the structural components (1,2,3,4) have no contraindication for food use and the structural components (1,2,3, 4) and the joining means (5) are made of recyclable material. 2. Modular container according to claim 1 characterized in that the sides (2) comprise a groove (123) configured to accommodate a edge (3 ') of the base (3). 3. Modular container according to claim 1 characterized in that the heads (1) comprise a groove (123) configured to accommodate a edge (3 ') of the base (3). 4. Modular container according to any of claims 2-3, characterized in that the grooving (123) is at a distance (d) from a lower edge (12) of the heads (1) and sides (2). 5. Modular container according to claim 1 characterized in that a plurality of the structural components (1,2, 3, 4) is of the same material. 6. Modular container according to claim 1 characterized in that a plurality of the structural components (1,2, 3, 4) is of a material selected from wood fiber board, MDF, HDF and combinations thereof.