GB2182020A

GB2182020A - A separation layer devise for use in stacking packaging containers

Info

Publication number: GB2182020A
Application number: GB08622412A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harald R Bruder
Original assignee: H & K Verpackungstech GmbH
Current assignee: H & K Verpackungstech GmbH
Priority date: 1985-10-03
Filing date: 1986-09-17
Publication date: 1987-05-07
Also published as: GB8622412D0; DE3535325A1; FR2588245A1; NL8602266A

Abstract

A separation layer device (1) for stacking layers of packaging containers, such as bottles (3) and the like, comprises a retention means (6), which retains at least the outer edge zones of the packaging- container layer and depends from a plane surface (5) of the device (1) and edge flanges (4) for retaining lower regions of the bottles (3). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A separation layer device for use in stacking packaging containers The present invention relates to a separation layer device for use in stacking packaging containers such as bottles, cans, glasses and the like, and includes a flat separation layer provided with edge flanges which extend to one side of the layer.

Such separation layer devices are employed especially when packaging containers, which are mainly intended for use as "one-way" containers, i.e. non-returnable, are stacked in layers. For this purpose, the packaging containers, for example bottles, are provided with a separation layer device in suitable palleting machines and grouped together in layers. This method permits a plurality of such individual layers of bottles to be placed one on top of the other and be grouped together as a complete stack.

When hollow bodies made of plastics material are employed, in particular, they reach the retail business from the manufacturer in a virtually unsorted state and have to be provided there with layers inbetween. In such an arrangement with intermediate layers, separation layers are also inserted but, due to their unstable form, they can only be used once.

The present invention now seeks to offer a cost-saving solution here and to provide a separation layer device which can be used repeatedly, i.e. several or more times. The invention should also permit a plurality of individual stacks to be stacked one above the other to reduce the surface area required, thereby presupposing that the individual layers are especially secured.

According to the present invention there is provided a separation layer device for use in stacking packaging containers, comprising a separation layer having oppositely facing surfaces and being provided with edge flanges which extend to one side of the layer, wherein retention means, which support(s) at least the outer zones of the packaging container layer, is/are disposed on the plane surface remote from the surface on the side of the separation layer from which the edge flanges project.

It is proposed in one embodiment of the invention that the retention means of the separation layer device comprise a retention surface or projection for supporting at least the outer edge zones of the packaging containers and disposed on the plane surface remote from the plane surface from which the normally upwardly extending edge flange projects.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the supporting retention means comprises a projection surface formed in such a manner that the neck region of each of the packaging containers, which have been assembled in complete layers, is centred and the retention surface is thereby adapted to the particular edge formation of these packaging containers and to their neck configuration.

Finally, in a further embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the entire separation layer plane surface be provided with individual centering surfaces or individual centering, retention means which are adapted to the neck and/or head configuration of the packaging containers.

It has been found to be advantageous in any of the embodiments of the invention, for a plurality of apertures to be provided over the entire separation layer plane surface, each aperture being disposed externally (laterally) of the respective mouth opening region of the packaging containers when such are stacked one above the other.

With the form of the separation layer device as proposed in accordance with the invention, it is now possible to use the layer device repeatedly, to stack-up far other stacks and also to stack individual pallets one above the other. In addition, it is possible to re-use such a layer device after a stack has been dismantled for the arrangement of further packaging containers with intermediate layers therebetween. As a result, because the individual layers are securely retained and because the stackable volume which can be dismantled is consequently greater, the basic area required is substantially smaller and, in addition, a considerable saving of individual separation layer devices which would otherwise not be re-usable is obtained.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to an embodiment which is shown in the drawing in which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary schematic elevational illustration of packaging containers constituted by bottles between two separation layer devices each forming a separate embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an underneath view of a corner portion of the lower of the two separation layer devices of Fig. 1; and Figure 3 illustrates a modification of the upper of the two separation layer devices of Fig.

1 and is an underneath view of a corner portion of such modification forming a further embodiment of the invention.

One embodiment of a separation layer device 1 is illustrated in Fig. 1 and comprises a flat separation layer having an upper supporting plane surface 2 for accommodating the bases of actual packaging containers 3 which, in the embodiment, are formed as plastics material bottles which have a reduced neck portion in the mouth region. Edge flanges 4, which extend as a rim on all sides, serve to lateraliy limit the actual upper, receiving plane surface 2.Additional rim or rentention surfaces 6 are disposed on the lower, plane surface 5 situation opposite the receiving plane surface 2 and also advantageously constitute a limitation of the lower plane surface; said retention surfaces 6 forming retention means and being adapted to the formation produced by the offset arrangement of the packaging containers constituted by bottles 3 and to the neck configuration 7 of the packaging containers constituted by bottles 3.

As described above, the separation layer device 1 shown in Fig. 1 has a circumferential retention surface 6. However, in a second embodiment of the invention, a second separation layer device 1' is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, situated beneath the separation layer device 1, and includes a separation layer 8 having a plurality of individual centering regions or areas 9, preferably over the entire lower surface and which are each adapted to the neck and/or head configuration 7 of the actual packaging containers constituted by bottles 3.

This aspect is also shown in the underneath fragmentary view of Fig. 2.

The separation layer device 1, which is shown in Fig. 1, has retention surfaces 6 which extend along the line of the sides and in accordance with the lower plane surface 5.

However, as shown in the modified separation layer device 1" in Fig. 3, the shape or contour of these outer retention surfaces 6 is adapted to follow the general outline or the peripheral formation of the upper regions of the actual layer of bottles 3.

To simplify cleaning, the plane surface 2, 5 has a plurality of apertures 10 which are advantageously disposed away from the mouth opening regions of the stacked packaging containers 3. Similarly disposed apertures 10 (not shown) may be provided in the separation layer device 1' of Fig. 2.

Claims

1. A separation layer device for use in stacking packaging containers, comprising a separation layer having oppositely facing surfaces and being provided with edge flanges which extend to one side of the layer, wherein retention means, which support(s) at least the outer zones of the packaging container layer, is/are disposed on the plane surface remote from the surface on the side of the separation layer from which the edge flanges project.

2. A separation layer device as claimed in claim 1, in which the supporting retention means is a peripheral projection from the normally lower surface of the device which extends along the line of the sides of the separation layer.

3. A separation layer device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the supporting retention means is a surface formed in such a manner that the neck region of each of the packaging containers, which have been assembled in complete layers, is centred and the retention surface is thereby adapted to the particular edge formation of these packaging containers and to their neck configuration.

4. A separation layer device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the entire, normally lower, separation layer surface is provided with individual, centering surfaces or centering retention means which are adapted to the neck and/or head configuration of the packaging containers.

5. A separation layer device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein a plurality of apertures is provided over the entire separation layer surface, each aperture being disposed laterally of the respective mouth opening region of the packaging containers which are stacked one above the other.

6. A separation layer device substantially as herein described with reference to any of the embodiments of Fig. 1, Figs. 1 and 3 or Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.