FR2638714A1 - STACKABLE OR EMBEDABLE BIN WITH REMOVABLE COVER - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a stackable and nestable handling container (1). According to the invention, this container comprises support flaps (11) which can occupy either a first stable active position, in which they are brought down over the opening of the container and can then receive a super-adjacent container supported upon them, or a second stable inactive position, in which they extend outside the container. The container can be equipped with a closure (10) comprising engagement hooks (21) which are capable of coming to lodge themselves under a rim (9) which the container has on its upper part, this in both the active and inactive position of the flaps (11). The invention finds application in the production of containers intended in particular for the packaging of pharmaceutical products.

Description

The invention relates to handling bins, particularly in the form of

  plastic, which can be stacked on top of one another or partially nested

in each other.

  There are of course many bins

of that type.

  This being the case, there are certain areas, such as "chain" work, in which it has appeared necessary for the users of bins to be able to stack them whether or not they are equipped with lids, the lids in question in front of them. can, in addition and if necessary, be mounted on the bins to close the opening (for example at the end of the chain), that the bins are in their ready to be stacked or nested state, this in particular to prevent the persons responsible for filling or handling operations (opening, closing, transporting, storing bins ... * have, before

  to act, to check the state in which the trays are.

  However, among the existing bins, none has given complete satisfaction to users facing this kind of requirement. It is therefore in order to solve the problems posed that the invention proposes a handling bin open at its upper part and of parallelepiped-shaped generally substantially rectangular section comprising a bottom of which rise side walls, this tray being characterized in that it comprises retractable support flaps mounted articulated in rotation along the free upper end of two opposite side walls, between a first active stable position in which the flaps are folded over the opening of the tray and are clean to receive bearing against them a tray surjacent, and a second stable non-active position in which the flaps extend outside the tray, substantially parallel to the walls that carry them, allowing then the nesting bins

on each other.

  Thus, depending on the position of the flaps, it will be possible to stack the bins or to partially fit them

in each other.

  In the case where the use of a shutter cover of the containers will be necessary, this cover will preferably comprise and according to another feature of the invention engagement means arranged along the edge of one to least of the sides of the cover, these engagement means being in the form of hooks curved towards the cover, said hooks being receivable, in the inactive position of the flaps, in indentations along the length thereof and , in the active position of these same flaps, under a rim that the tray has at its periphery towards the free end of its side walls, flange along

  of which the shutters are arranged locally.

  Thus, the cover can be placed on the tray regardless of the position of the flaps and therefore whatever the state in which the tray is (position

stacking or nesting).

  An advantage of the tray of the invention is, moreover, that its shutters and its lid can be housed in the overall dimensions of the tray facilitator

  thus greatly storage problems.

  It will also be noted that, according to the invention, the flaps with which the container is equipped will preferably be curved at their lateral ends by which these flaps come, in the active position, to bear against the upper part of the corresponding walls of the container, said walls having grooves. own to receive the party

curved shutters.

  Thus, not only will the shutters provide a stable support in the active position, but, in addition, we will avoid the walls of the tray that do not have flaps to deviate from each other (especially when several trays loaded are stacked ), the curved parts of the shutters playing The role of retaining elements once engaged in their

receiving grooves.

  The invention will appear more clearly from

  following description made with reference to the drawings

  appended solely by way of example and in which: - Figure 1 is a general perspective view of the tray of the invention with its shutters inactive position (only one of the flaps is visible), the tray being here equipped with its lid; - Figure 2 is half a side view in the direction of the arrow II of Figure 1, and half a sectional view in the plane II-II of Figure 4, the flaps being in the inactive position; FIG. 3 is a view identical to that of FIG. 2, except with regard to the flaps which are here represented in their active position; FIG. 4 is a half-side view in the direction of the arrow IV of FIG. 1 and half in section in the plane IV-IV of FIG. 2. It will be noted that

  the tray has been shown here without a lid.

  - Figure 5 is a partial top view of the tray in the direction of arrow V of Figure 4, for half with lid (left) for half without (right); - Figure 6 is a view of one of the shutters of the tray, half in top view (left) and half in bottom view (right); - Figure 7 is a half side view of the shutter of Figure 6 in the direction of the arrow VII; FIG. 8 is a view half in median section and half in an external view of the lid of which the container of the invention may be equipped, and FIG. 9 is a representation of a

indexing lug, in front view.

  If one refers to the figures and in particular to Figure 1, we see illustrated a handling tray 1 substantially paralleleLeppiped rectangular section made of plastic. The tray 1 which is open at its upper part comprises a bottom 2 assumed horizontal which rise four side walls (only two of which are marked 3, 4 are visible in the figure), which walls are slightly inclined relative to the vertical so to go closer to each other

towards the bottom 2.

  Towards the upper free part of its side walls, the tray is reinforced on its outer face by a peripheral belt 7 protruding which is limited by a lower horizontal rib 8 and an upper horizontal rib 9, the latter forming the upper edge of the tray on whichL can come to rest a removable cover clean to completely shut the opening of the tray, without overflowing the overall dimensions

of the last.

  Before considering the method of engagement of the lid on the tray, it will first be noted that according to an important feature of the invention, the tray is here equipped with retractable flaps 11 mounted rotatably articulated along the upper free end of two opposite side walls (in this case the two walls

of smaller length 4 and 6).

  As clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the flaps 11 can occupy two extreme positions of stable equilibrium: a first position (Figure 3) said active, in which the flaps are folded over the opening of the tray and are then suitable for receiving in support of them a tray surjacent, and a second position (Figure 2) said non-active, in which these flaps extend to the outside of the tray, sensibLement parallel to the walls 4 and 6 which carry them, then allowing L 'nesting

bins in each other.

  In practice, the voletes 11 will preferably be shaped to come, in their inactive position of Figure 2, to lodge along the corresponding walls of the tray, inside its belt 7, between the upper flange 9 and the lower rib 8. Thus, they will not overflow in any way from the bulkiness of the tank, avoiding

therefore any risk of damage.

  Now let's go to Figures 6 and 7 to see a picture. example of realization of a component

11 according to the invention.

  The illustrated flap comprises studs 12 which extend parallel to the axis 20 of articulation of the flap and project from one side of the other to a series of branches 13, except for the two most important branches. where only one nipple directed outward of the shutter has been provided. Between the branches 13 are arranged

  notches 15 whose role will appear hereinafter.

  To allow the articulation in rotation of the flaps on the tray, it was provided, as shown in Figure 4, passages 14 in the upper flange 9 of the corresponding walls of the tray. In these passages are introduced the nipples 12, which then play, as understood,

the role of articulation shaft.

  To promote the engagement of the nipples, the passages 14 may be open downwards at 16 (Figure 3), a flat portion 12a (Figure 6) can be formed on the length of the nipples so that they do not come off unexpectedly from their reception passages

after being introduced.

  Now, let's go to Figure 7 to see the illustration Half of the shutter shown in the figure

  6 (the other half being identical to the one shown).

  By this FIG. 7, it has been clearly demonstrated that the lateral ends 11a of the flaps are bent into hooks 17, which, in the active position of the flaps, are received in grooves 18 arranged facing towards the upper part of the walls 3. and 5 of the tray that are adjacent to those 4 and 6 along which

the shutters are arranged.

  Thus, these flaps can come into their active position to bear on the rim of the grooves, the hooks 17 avoiding the walls any excessive deformation may come from an extra load when several bins

are stacked.

  Now let's look more specifically

  to the lid 10 which can be equipped with the tray of the invention.

  Figure 8, it will first be noted that this cover comprises along one of its side edges of smaller length, wall sections 21 shaped as a clean hook to engage under the flange 9 of a corresponding side wall (4 or 6) of the tray, this commitment can be made, that the flaps 11 are in the active position (Figure 3, position in which the flaps are still housed in the overall dimensions of the tray, therefore not harmful when placing the cover) or in the inactive position (figure 2). In the latter case, it will be noted that the sections 21 of the cover then engage through

the indentations 15 of the shutters.

  Regarding the lid, it will be noted that on its edge opposite that o are shaped its engagement means, it may have only a dropped edge 22, while protruding ribs 23 may be shaped near the edges of greater length of the lid, the side of its face to be directed towards the tray, so that these ribs 23 extend inwardly of the tray once the cover in position, thus limiting

  its lateral displacement and the stiffening.

  On its face to be directed towards the outside of the tray, the lid 10 may still have, near its periphery, a rib 24 in the form of a frame, intended to limit the movement of the containers when those equipped with their cover must be stacked on one on the

others (see also Figure 5).

  To allow the passage of a closure band such as a plastic strip, cutouts 25 may

  be provided locally in Rib 24.

  If one is interested again in the tank of the invention as such, it will be noted that along at least one of its walls of greater length) such as the wall 3 of Figure 1) it comprises on the outer face of this wall and in the lower part, a recess or indentation 26 adapted to receive a label (not shown). As illustrated, the opening on the outside is partially closed by a plate 27 intended to ensure

  keeping the label in position once it has been

  it was slipped between the bottom of the notch and the plate

restraint.

  Under its belt 7 and for example on the outer face of at least one of its walls of greater length (such as the wall 5 of Figure 2), the tray 1 may further comprise zones 28 formed slightly recessed in the thickness of its wall. In practice, these areas will be intended to receive retroreflective marking strips, useful in particular for ensuring automatic routing of trays in the case where they will be installed on conveyor belts, for example in the context of a line work. This is also to ensure the tray a good attack of the rollers short walls 29 slightly inclined relative to the bottom were provided at the connection between the same bottom and each

side walls of the tank.

  In its upper flange 9, for example along one of its walls 5 of greater length, the last tray may also include orifices 30 (Figure) in which can be received short lugs signaling or indexing spotted 31 in Figure 9. To engage in the orifices 30, the pins 31 will be

  equipped with a foot 31a of lesser thickness.

  On conveyor belts, it appeared that in

  in some cases the bins could have a tendency to overlap.

  In order to avoid these problems of overlap, it is planned to extend Locally and down the rib 8 which limits the lower part of the belt.

7 of the bin.

  Figures I and 2, there is shown the tray with two times two tabs 32 formed on both sides 4, 6 of the smaller length of the tray and which in this case extend substantially perpendicularly to the rib 8 which carry them, in direction of the bottom 2. Laterally, these tabs 32 will preferably extend until their ends 32a closest to the outside corners of the tray come in alignment of the side walls of the adjacent tray

  at these o are formed the tongues (Figures 1 and 4).

  CeLa will allow to rest the tray by its ribs 8 without tongue on supports such

than pebbles, angles, etc ...

Claims (10)

  1. - Tray open at its upper part, of substantially parallelepipedal general shape with substantially rectangular section and comprising a bottom (2) which rise side walls (3, 4, 5, 6), characterized in that it comprises retractable support flaps (11) mounted articulated in rotation along the free top end of two opposite side walls (4, 6), between a first active stable position in which the flaps are folded over the opening of the tray and are adapted to receive bearing against them a tray surjacent, and a second stable non-active position, wherein these same flaps extend outside the tray, substantially parallel to the walls (4, 6) which wear, then allowing nesting bins into each other.   2. - Container according to claim I characterized in that it is equipped with a cover (10) adapted to close the opening of the tray and comprising, along the edge of one of its sides, means of engagement (21) shaped hooks curved towards the lid, these hooks being receivable under a flange (9) that the tray has at its periphery, towards the free end of its side walls, and this both in active position in the inactive position of the flaps, in which position inactive the hooks (21) engage under said flange through notches (15) that have the flaps along their length. 3. - Tray according to claim 1 or claim 2 of the type in which the side walls are inclined so as to move closer to each other towards the bottom, characterized in that the cover (10) comprises a rib ( 24) in the form of a frame projecting from its upper face directed towards the outside of the tray once the cover (10) disposed on the latter which it covers the opening without overflowing its bulk everything.   4. - Tray according to claim 2 or claim   cation 3 characterized in that in the non-active position, the flaps (11) are housed in the overall bulk of the tray, between the upper flange (9) of the latter and a lower rib (8) which protrudes from the face   outer side of the corresponding side wall of the tray.   5. - Tray according to claim 4 characterized in that the lower rib (8) is extended locally and substantially perpendicularly by tabs (32) adapted to avoid the overlap of two successive bins   circulating after each other on a conveyor belt.   6. - Tray according to claim 5 characterized in that towards the corners of the tray the tongues extend until one of their ends (32a) comes in alignment with the side walls of the tray adjacent to that (s)   o are formed said tabs.   7. - Tray according to any one of the claims   characterized in that the connection between its side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) and its bottom (2) is made by short walls (29) slightly inclined relative to audit background.   8. - Tray according to any one of the claims   characterized in that it comprises, formed through its upper flange (9), orifices (30) adapted to receive   indexing elements, such as lugs (31).   9. - Tray according to any one of the claims   previous characterized in that the flaps (11) are bent at their lateral ends by which the flaps are in the active position bear on the upper part of the walls of the tray which are adjacent to those which carry said flaps, the same walls having grooves (18) adapted to receive the bent portion (17) shutters.   10. - Container according to any one of the claims   previous characterized in that the flaps (11) are mounted on the tray by means of pins (12) engaging in cooperating passages (14) formed in the upper edge (9) of the tray.