GB1596833A - Germinating crate - Google Patents

Description

(54) A GERMINATING CRATE (71) We, WAVIN B. V., a Dutch Corporate Body of 251 Handellaan, Zwolle, Holland, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly des cribed in and by the following statement : This invention relates to a germinating crate, particularly although not exclusively, for forcing potatoes.

A germinating crate for forcing potatoes comprising a bottom which consists of lathwork, two longitudinal walls and two transverse walls interconnected by supporting legs in the corners protruding above the longitudinal and transverse walls, is known.

These germinating crates are stacked on each other by placing the bottom of a crate on top of the supporting legs of a subjacent crate.

These known crates for forcing potatoes have the disadvantage that they are manufactured from separate wooden parts connected to each other by nailing, due to which the crates are expensive. Moreover, these crates take much space when they are empty. Finally, stacks of empty crates are relatively unstable, so that said stacks are liable to tumble.

An object of the invention is to provide a germinating crate, which does not present these disadvantages.

The invention provides a germinating crate formed in plastics material and comprising an oblong bottom, two transverse side walls and two longitudinal side walls, said side walls including respective supporting sections on each side of, and extending above, central portions of the longitudinal side walls to support a second like crate in vertical alignment with said crate and to allow a third like crate to extend between said crate and said second crate in transverse relationship thereto across the central portions of the longitudinal side walls of said crate, and said crate having coupling means for coupling with at least one of the longitudinal side walls of a fourth like crate when said crate extends across the central portions of the longitudinal side walls of said fourth crate in transverse relationship thereto.

Thus, crates in accordance with the invention can be stacked in vertical alignment when used for germinating, and in stacks with alternate crates in vertical alignment with crates in transverse relationship thereto therebetween when the crates are empty.

By stacking the crates in this manner when empty a stack is provided which is more stable and occupies less space than a stack in whit' all the crates are in vertical alignment.

The prowf Ision of the coupling means which may be recesses in the bottom of the crate or in a ledge extending around the crate adjacent the bottom contributes to the stability of a stack of empty crates.

By forming the crate in plastics material rather than in wood its manufacturing cost can be reduced and its life increased.

In order that the invention may be well understood, an embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, will now be described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a germinating crate; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a stack of three such crates, the top and bottom crates being in vertical alignment with each other and the middle crate being in transverse relationship to the top and bottom crates; and Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-section of two such crates stacked in vertical alignment.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a plastics germinating crate for forcing potatoes which has an oblong bottom 1, which is slotted and includes transverse strips 2 and diagonally extending rigid strengthening ribs 3. Integral with the bottom 1 are longitudinal side walls 4, 4a, which have slotted apertures 5, and transverse side walls 6, 6a. The side walls include supporting sections 7 which are formed as corner sections of the crate.

The supporting corner sections 7 extend above central portions of the longitudinal side walls and, in the embodiment, central portions of the transverse side walls, and are connected to these central portions by sloping connecting portions 8 and 9. The supporting corner sections 7 are povided with support surfaces 10 for supporting a second like crate in vertical alignment. As shown in Figure 3, the bottom 1 of the crate is provided with downwardly projecting projections in the form of flanges 21 which are arranged to be located inwardlv of, and closely adjacent to, the supporting corner sections 7 of a like crate on which the crate is supported in vertical alignment As will be appreciated, the cooperation between the flanges 21 and the corner sections 7 prevents relative longitudinal or transverse movement between the crates.

In order to strengthen the walls vertical ribs 11 are arranged at the transitions between the sloping connecting portions 8, 9 and the corner sections 7, horizontal ribs 12 extend around the corner sections, and vertical ribs 23 may be provided as illustrated, at the angles of the corner sections 7.

A ledge 14 extends at least along the length of each longitudinal side wall 4, 4a (and preferably around the crate - not shown) adjacent the bottom of the crate and is provided with recesses 1 spa, 15b which open away from each longitudinal side wall.

A continuous ledge 16 extends along the tops of the longitudinal and transverse side wall portions providing an upper support face 17 along the length of the central portion of each longitudinal wall which merges into faces 10 (already mentioned) on top of the corner sections 7 via sloping faces 18 on the connecting wall portions 8 and an upper face 22a along the central portion of each transverse side wall portion which merges into the faces 10 via slapilig faces 22 on the connecting wall portions 9.

The sloping faces 18 on each longitudinal side wall form opposed faces which slope away from each other upwardly from the central portion of the longitudinal side wall.

When a crate is stacked on another crate so as to extend across and be supported by the central portions of the longitudinal side walls of the other crate in transverse relationship thereto, its recesses 15a, 15b -re- ceive the opposed faces 18 on the connecting wall portions 8 of the longitudinal side walls of the other crate to couple the crates together. The recesses 15a, 15b have sloping sides 20a, 20b for guiding the faces 18 into reception therein. Such guiding is also assisted by the faces 18 themselves sloping.

The distance between the transitions 19, 19a between opposed faces 18 and support face 17 is greater than the distance between the bases 13 of the recesses l5a, 15b which receive the faces 18 but less than the distance between the outside edges of the ledge in which those recesses are formed so that the sides 20a, 20b extend on each side of the connecting wall portions 8.

Figure 2 shows a stack of three crates, the top and bottom crates being in vertical alignment with each other and the middle crate being in transverse relationship to the top and bottom crates. The height of the central portions of the longitudinal side walls and the height of the supporting corner sections 7 are such that the top crate is supported on the supporting corner sections 7 of the bottom crate and also extends across and is supported by the central portions of the longitudinal side walls of the middle crate, which middle crate itself extends across and is supported by the central portions of the longitudinal side walls of the bottom crate.

The vertical distance between the face 10 of a corner section 7 of a crate and the underside face by means of which the crate bears on the face 17 of another crate when stacked on the other crate in transverse relationship thereto is substantially equal to the vertical distance between the faces 10 and 17 of a crate plus the vertical distance between the lower side of the ledge 16 and face 17.Thus the ledge 16 of a crate can bear upon a supporting face 10 of another crate on which the crate is stacked in vertical alignment.

It will be appreciated that the crates are stacked with alternate crates in vertical alignment with crates in transverse relationship thereto therebetween when the crates are empty and with all the crates in vertical alignment when the crates are being used for germinating.

The recesses 15a, 15b provide coupling means for coupling a crate with both the longitudinal side walls of another crate extending in transverse relationship thereto, but it will be appreciated that coupling means for coupling with one such longitudinal side wall may be provided. Further, instead of recesses l5a, 15b the coupling means could comprise recesses (not shown) in the bottom 1 of a crate.

Again, when supported across the longitudinal side walls of another crate in transverse relationship thereto, a crate bears on the central portions of those walls either with its bottom 1 or with a ledge (not illustrated).

The crate is preferably injection moulded in polyvinylobloride or in a polyalkane such as a polyethylene.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A germinating crate formed in plastics material and comprising an oblong bottom, two transverse side walls and two longitudinal side walls, said side walls including respective supporting sections on

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (17)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. side walls and, in the embodiment, central portions of the transverse side walls, and are connected to these central portions by sloping connecting portions 8 and 9. The supporting corner sections 7 are povided with support surfaces 10 for supporting a second like crate in vertical alignment. As shown in Figure 3, the bottom 1 of the crate is provided with downwardly projecting projections in the form of flanges 21 which are arranged to be located inwardlv of, and closely adjacent to, the supporting corner sections 7 of a like crate on which the crate is supported in vertical alignment As will be appreciated, the cooperation between the flanges 21 and the corner sections 7 prevents relative longitudinal or transverse movement between the crates. In order to strengthen the walls vertical ribs 11 are arranged at the transitions between the sloping connecting portions 8, 9 and the corner sections 7, horizontal ribs 12 extend around the corner sections, and vertical ribs 23 may be provided as illustrated, at the angles of the corner sections 7. A ledge 14 extends at least along the length of each longitudinal side wall 4, 4a (and preferably around the crate - not shown) adjacent the bottom of the crate and is provided with recesses 1 spa, 15b which open away from each longitudinal side wall. A continuous ledge 16 extends along the tops of the longitudinal and transverse side wall portions providing an upper support face 17 along the length of the central portion of each longitudinal wall which merges into faces 10 (already mentioned) on top of the corner sections 7 via sloping faces 18 on the connecting wall portions 8 and an upper face 22a along the central portion of each transverse side wall portion which merges into the faces 10 via slapilig faces 22 on the connecting wall portions 9. The sloping faces 18 on each longitudinal side wall form opposed faces which slope away from each other upwardly from the central portion of the longitudinal side wall. When a crate is stacked on another crate so as to extend across and be supported by the central portions of the longitudinal side walls of the other crate in transverse relationship thereto, its recesses 15a, 15b -re- ceive the opposed faces 18 on the connecting wall portions 8 of the longitudinal side walls of the other crate to couple the crates together. The recesses 15a, 15b have sloping sides 20a, 20b for guiding the faces 18 into reception therein. Such guiding is also assisted by the faces 18 themselves sloping. The distance between the transitions 19, 19a between opposed faces 18 and support face 17 is greater than the distance between the bases 13 of the recesses l5a, 15b which receive the faces 18 but less than the distance between the outside edges of the ledge in which those recesses are formed so that the sides 20a, 20b extend on each side of the connecting wall portions 8. Figure 2 shows a stack of three crates, the top and bottom crates being in vertical alignment with each other and the middle crate being in transverse relationship to the top and bottom crates. The height of the central portions of the longitudinal side walls and the height of the supporting corner sections 7 are such that the top crate is supported on the supporting corner sections 7 of the bottom crate and also extends across and is supported by the central portions of the longitudinal side walls of the middle crate, which middle crate itself extends across and is supported by the central portions of the longitudinal side walls of the bottom crate. The vertical distance between the face 10 of a corner section 7 of a crate and the underside face by means of which the crate bears on the face 17 of another crate when stacked on the other crate in transverse relationship thereto is substantially equal to the vertical distance between the faces 10 and 17 of a crate plus the vertical distance between the lower side of the ledge 16 and face 17.Thus the ledge 16 of a crate can bear upon a supporting face 10 of another crate on which the crate is stacked in vertical alignment. It will be appreciated that the crates are stacked with alternate crates in vertical alignment with crates in transverse relationship thereto therebetween when the crates are empty and with all the crates in vertical alignment when the crates are being used for germinating. The recesses 15a, 15b provide coupling means for coupling a crate with both the longitudinal side walls of another crate extending in transverse relationship thereto, but it will be appreciated that coupling means for coupling with one such longitudinal side wall may be provided. Further, instead of recesses l5a, 15b the coupling means could comprise recesses (not shown) in the bottom 1 of a crate. Again, when supported across the longitudinal side walls of another crate in transverse relationship thereto, a crate bears on the central portions of those walls either with its bottom 1 or with a ledge (not illustrated). The crate is preferably injection moulded in polyvinylobloride or in a polyalkane such as a polyethylene. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A germinating crate formed in plastics material and comprising an oblong bottom, two transverse side walls and two longitudinal side walls, said side walls including respective supporting sections on

each side of, and extending above, central portions of the longitudinal side walls to support a second like crate in vertical alignment with said crate and to allow a third like crate to extend between said crate and said second crate in transverse relationship thereto across the central portions of the longitudinal side walls of said crate, and said crate having coupling means for coupling with at least one of the longitudinal side walls of a fourth like crate when said crate extends across the central portions of the longitudinal side walls of said fourth crate in transverse relationship thereto.

2. A crate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises recesses in said bottom.

3. A crate as claimed in claim 1, wherein the or each longitudinal side wall is provided with opposed faces and the coupling means define recesses opening away from the longitudinal side walls for receiving the opposed faces of a like crate, when said crate extends across the central portions of the longitudinal side walls of said like crate in said transverse relationship thereto.

4. A crate as claimed in claim 3, wherein the recesses have sloping sides for guiding the opposed faces into reception therein.

5. A crate as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the opposed faces of the or each longitudinal side wall slope away from each other upwardly from the central portion thereof.

6. A crate as claimed in claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein said recesses are formed in a ledge extending at least along the length of each longitudinal side wall adjacent the bottom of the crate.

7. A crate as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top of the central portion of each longitudinal side wall is provided with a ledge face.

8. A crate as claimed in claim 7, wherein a continuous ledge is provided along the tops of the longitudinal and transverse side walls.

9. A crate as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom is slotted.

10. A crate as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom includes transverse strips and diagonally extending strengthening ribs.

11. A crate as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom is provided with downwardly projecting projections arranged to be located inwardly of the supporting sections of a like crate when said crate is supported on said like crate in vertical alignment therewith.

12. A crate as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting sections form respective corner sections of the crate.

13. A crate as claimed in claim 12, wherein the corner sections are provided with strengthening ribs.

14. A crate as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein each corner section is connected to the central portion of a longitudinal side wall and a central portion of a transverse side wall via respective sloping connecting portions.

15. A crate as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the height of the central portions of the longitudinal side walls and the height of the supporting sections are such that when a crate is supported on the supporting sections of a second like crate in vertical alignment with the second crate and with a third like crate between said crate and second crate in said transverse relationship with said third crate extending across and supported by the central portions of the longitudinal side walls of the second crate, said crate extends across and is supported by the central portions of the longitudinal side walls of the third crate.

16. A crate as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which has been injection moulded from plastics material.

17. A germinating crate substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.