ES2872598B2 - STACKABLE BOX FOR TRANSPORTATION OF PRODUCTS - Google Patents

Description

STACKABLE BOX FOR TRANSPORTATION OF PRODUCTS

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention, as expressed in the title of this specification, refers to a stackable box for transporting products that provides, to the function for which it is intended, advantages and characteristics, which are described in detail below, which represent a improvement of the current state of the art.

The object of the present invention lies in a box, preferably a box made of plastic material, of the type used for the transport of products, for example bulk food products such as fruits or vegetables, and which has a configuration specially designed for stacking by means of coupling of its base on the edge of the lower box, normally by fitting the base into said edge, which is distinguished by the fact that it comprises additional joining means, specifically based on embedded L-shaped magnetic elements incorporated at the corners of the bottom of the box, which provide lateral support between stacks of adjacent boxes, advantageously avoiding the need to use external strapping fastening means to secure stacks of transportable boxes on pallets.

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The field of application of the present invention falls within the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of packaging, focusing particularly on the field of stackable transport boxes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is known, for the transport of bulk food products, mainly fruits and vegetables, but also others of all kinds, stackable boxes are often used, in particular boxes with mesh walls made of plastic material whose configuration is specially designed to fit together one on top of the other and form stacks which, in turn, are incorporated into the transport pallets.

There are a large number of models and applications for this type of box in the world of industry, its main characteristics are:

- Diversity of measures

- Reusable

- Stackable

- Hygienic.

- They are not affected by humidity and cold

In any case, what they all have in common is that they are stackable at the base and fit together to form a stack.

Another common denominator is that the boxes, to optimize space, are usually standard sizes such that their multiples form exact bases to the size of the shipping unit (Pallet 1200x800 mm).

The problem is that, to transport the complete pallet with several stacks of boxes and provide it with resistance, it is necessary to strap it, to prevent the stacks from separating and falling.

There are several ways to strap the pallets of stacks of boxes, for example with plastic film, corners and strapping tape at various heights, only strapping tapes, etc,,, the objective is that the different stacks are compact with each other, since only the embedded coupling of some boxes with others does not ensure the union between the different piles, which can become very high.

The objective of the present invention is to provide an improved type of box for transport that avoids said need for strapping to ensure the lateral and frontal union of the stacks of boxes, especially when these are mounted on the pallets, saving both time and money. material to strap said pallets.

On the other hand, and as a reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that some types of storage boxes for stackable articles are already known that include magnetic attachment means to provide lateral and frontal fixation.

Thus, document SE434725B discloses a box for the storage and stacking of items that can be stacked in columns and that has magnetic means incorporated on the upper outer face consisting of magnets and band-shaped iron bodies, which are distributed in the outer contour of the box. This document incorporates 4 magnets with a positive sign and 4 ferrous materials, our number of magnets being half.

Document WO2017178370A1 discloses a storage bin and a system with storage bins configured to be placed in stacks that have means to be lifted by a lifting frame provided with gripping devices in which connection means are included, in one or more of its sides, which serve to align, connect and provide stability to the set of buckets and may consist of magnetic means, located in the upper frame of the box and in the central part, for a very specific activity.

Likewise, document US2012267366A1 discloses a box structure intended for the storage of objects designed to stack sets of boxes, one on top of the other and with means to give stability to a set of columns of adjacent boxes. Said means can be magnets and are housed in the upper and lateral surface of the upper frame and in the lower and lateral surface of the lower frame.

However, none of the mentioned inventions, taken individually or in combination, describes a stackable box for transporting products that has the same or similar technical and structural characteristics as those specifically presented by the box claimed here.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The stackable box for transporting products that the invention proposes is configured as the ideal solution for the aforementioned objective, the characterizing details that make it possible and that conveniently distinguish it being collected in the final claims that accompany this description.

Specifically, what the invention proposes, as noted above, is a box, preferably a plastic box, of the type intended for the industrial transport of products, for example bulk food products such as fruits and vegetables, whose configuration is specially designed to allow its stacking by coupling its base on the edge of the lower box, normally by inserting one or more protuberances of the base into said edge, which has the advantageous particularity of comprising joining means additional, specifically some magnetic union means, intended to ensure lateral and frontal fixation between boxes and, consequently, between stacks of boxes, thereby avoiding the aforementioned need to use external strapping fastening means for the formation of transport pallets with several stacks of boxes.

To do this, and more specifically, in addition to the aforementioned coupling systems by embedding or the like, the box incorporates additional joining means that are magnetic joining means that comprise artificial magnets (with positive polarity), specifically two, and a identical number of elements of ferrous material (with polarity of negative sign), which, both in one case and in the other, have an L-shaped configuration and are incorporated embedded located alternately (diagonal) in the corners of the base of the box, in such a way that, regardless of the position in which the stacks of boxes are placed, the magnets (with a positive sign) and the ferromagnetic elements (with a negative sign) of adjacent boxes are located in a coincident position and, consequently, magnetic attraction is produced between one and other elements of opposite sign, positive and negative, leaving the boxes of one stack and another perfectly joined together.

In addition, the fact that they are located only in the corners of the base of the box means that with a simple rocking movement of the box, the decoupling of the magnets is produced to separate the boxes, which makes it easier to disassemble the boxes. stacks without the risk of knocking over all the boxes.

In automated systems, the decoupling of piles can be carried out automatically through conveyor belts. The first step is to separate the columns of boxes joined by magnets and the second step is the unstacking of boxes.

To carry out the first step, that is, the separation or decoupling of columns of boxes, can be carried out in two ways:

A: By means of two conveyor belts on each of which a column of boxes is placed. The conveyor belts are initially at the same level and throughout the transport these conveyor belts progressively separate to position themselves at a different level, causing a progressive decoupling of the adhesion of the magnets of the box columns.

B: By means of two conveyor belts on each of which a column of boxes is placed. The conveyor belts are initially at the same level and throughout the transport these conveyor belts progressively incline one with respect to the other causing a progressive decoupling of the adhesion of the magnets of the box columns as is done in the manual decoupling but instead of balancing a single box, the column of boxes is balanced.

In addition, preferably, both the L-shaped magnets and the ferrous pieces, also L-shaped, that the box has are incorporated embedded within the plastic material that makes up its structure, so that they cannot become detached or fall with the use.

With this, the main advantage is that it is not necessary to use any type of strap to guarantee the robustness of the stacks of boxes, since they are joined together frontally and laterally. This, in turn, saves time in the incorporation of said straps and, in addition, avoids their use, which implies a commitment to the environment, since this type of strap is usually made of plastic and only one use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a plan is attached to this specification, as an integral part thereof, in which, by way of illustration and not limitation the following has been represented:

Figure number 1.- Shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the stackable box for transporting products object of the invention, showing its configuration and the parts and elements it comprises;

Figure number 2.- Shows a schematic side elevational view of two stacks of two boxes, according to the invention, located adjacently, showing the way in which they are joined together;

Figure number 3.- Shows a schematic bottom plan view of four boxes joined laterally to each other through the magnetic joining means that it comprises; and

Figure number 4.- Shows again a schematic side elevation view of two stacks of three boxes, according to the invention, located adjacently, showing the way in which, by means of a rocking movement, the upper box can be easily uncoupled from the lower one. stack of boxes

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned figures, and according to the adopted numbering, it can be seen in them a non-limiting example of embodiment of the stackable box for transporting products of the invention, which includes what is described in detail below .

Thus, as can be seen in said figures, the box (1) of the invention is of the type that has a prismatic configuration, normally rectangular, provided with coupling means for its lower base (1a) on the upper edge (1b) of another identical box (1) located below to form stacks of boxes (1), for example a protuberance (2) at its lower base (1a) that fits embedded in the edge (1b).

And, from said already known configuration, the box (1) is distinguished by also comprising additional joining means (3, 3') that provide lateral and frontal fixation between adjacent boxes (1) and, consequently, between stacks of boxes (1) adjacent.

Specifically, said attachment means (3, 3') are magnetic attachment means comprising:

- two artificial magnets (3) (with a positive sign) and with an L-shaped configuration, located and embedded respectively in two of the diametrically opposite corners of the base (1a) of the box (1), so that each branch of said L extends to one side of the box, and

- two iron pieces (3') (with a negative sign) and also with an L-shaped configuration, each one located and embedded in the other two corners of the base (1a) of the box (1), also in such a way that each branch of its L-shape extends to one side of the box,

such that regardless of the orientation in which the boxes are placed (1) or stacks of boxes (1), on the adjacent sides, the magnets (3) of each box (1) are located in a coincident position with the iron pieces (3') of the adjacent side and front box (1) .

Preferably, the box (1) is made of plastic material and both the magnets (3) and the iron parts (3') are incorporated embedded within said plastic material that forms the structure of the box (1).

Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any person skilled in the art understands its scope and the advantages derived from it.

Claims (2)

1.- Stackable box for transporting products that, presenting a prismatic configuration and equipped with coupling means of its lower base (1a) on the upper edge (1b) of another identical box (1) located below to form stacks of boxes ( 1), also comprises magnetic attachment means (3, 3') that provide lateral and frontal fixation between adjacent boxes (1) and, consequently, between stacks of adjacent boxes (1), which comprise: - two artificial magnets (3) (with a positive sign) and with an L-shaped configuration, located and embedded respectively in two of the diametrically opposite corners of the box (1), so that each branch of said L extends towards one side of the box, and - two iron pieces (3') (with a negative sign) and also of L-shaped configuration, located and embedded each one in the other two corners of the box (1), also in such a way that each branch of its L-shape extends to one side of the box, such that, regardless of the orientation in which the boxes (1) or stacks of boxes (1) are placed, on the adjacent sides, the magnets with a positive sign (3) of each box (1) are located in a position coinciding with the iron pieces or magnets with a negative sign (3') of the adjacent side and front box (1); characterized in that the box (1) is made of plastic material and both the magnets with a positive sign (3) and the ferrous pieces or magnets with a negative sign (3') are incorporated embedded within said plastic material that forms the structure of the box ( 1). 2.- Stackable box for transporting products, according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnets with a positive sign (3) and the iron pieces or magnets with a negative sign (3') are located in the corners of the base (1a) of the box (1), just above the insert that is used to secure the base.