GB2360762A

GB2360762A - Collapsible stacking box

Info

Publication number: GB2360762A
Application number: GB0104480A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Boris Schwab; Jean-Marc Dubois
Original assignee: Georg Utz Holding AG
Current assignee: Georg Utz Holding AG
Priority date: 2000-02-29
Filing date: 2001-02-23
Publication date: 2001-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2021-02-23
Also published as: CH694162A5; DE10108674A1; DE10108674B4; GB0104480D0; GB2360762B

Abstract

A collapsible stacking box (1) has a base plate (2), four side walls (3, 4) and an upper circumferential edge area (6). Two opposing side walls (3) are swing-mounted towards the inside on the edge area (6) and two collapsible opposing side walls (4) are also swing-mounted towards the inside on the edge area (6) and on the base plate (2). At least one swivelling bar (7) is mounted in the edge area (6) which, in an extended position, projects into the free opening (10) of the stacking box and, in a retracted position, can be recessed in the edge area (6). The bars (7) can support a nestable container above the stacking box (1).

Description

2360762 Collapsible Stacking Box The invention concerns a collap8ible

stacking box in accordance with the preamble of patent claim 1.

3 Collapsible stacking boxes have been known for a long time, for example under the designation "Faltbox" on pages 88 to 98 of the Euro-Katalog 1996 from Georg Utz AG, CH-5620 Bremgarten. In the unfolded condition, such collapsible stacking boxes can be stacked one on top of the other just like the customary rectangular-shaped containers. However, they can only be combined with containers of the same kind, ie, those with the same or a halved base area. Normally, nest containers, which have slightly inclined side walls, can not be placed on such stacking boxes without having to use cover plates or similar.

The object of the present invention is to present a collapsible stacking box which can be used in combination with nest containers.

is This task is solved by means of a collapsible stacking box with the characteristics of patent claim 1.

The invention has the great advantage that the swivelling bar in the edge area of the stacking box can be recessed, ie, does not present any obstacle for a box of the same type stacked on top of it. On the other hand, in the unfolded condition, the bar projects into the opening of the container so that a container with a smaller supporting surface can nevertheless be placed on the stacking box. In this way, rectangular-shaped stacking boxes can easily be combined with nest containers which, in practice, brings great advantages for transport. In particular, container8 of the same type must not be pre-sorted which leads to an enormous time-saving.

2s Further advantages of the invention result from the dependent patent claims and from the following description in which the invention is explained in more detail based on an embodiment of the invention presented in the schematic diagrams. It is shown in:

Fig. 1 a collapsible stacking box with two retracted bars Fig. 2 the stacking box of Figure 1 in the folded down condition 2 Fig. 2 the stacking box of Figure 1 in the folded down condition Fig. 3 two stacking boxes stacked one on top of the other with exlended bars Fig. 4 a collapsible stacking box of less height with two retracted bars, and Fig. 5 a nest container in combination with the collapsible stacking box with two extended bars.

In the figures, the same reference numbers have always been used for the sarne elements and initial explIanations apply to all figures if not specifically mentioned differently.

In Figure 1, a collapsible recta ng u lar-shaped stacking box 1 is drawn in perspective which has a base plate 2, two hinged side walls 3 and two collapsible side walls 4. The side walls 4 have hinges 6 approximately in the centre of the longitudinal edge. At the top, a sqiare, circumferential edge area 6 is foreseen, on which the side walls 3 and the collapsible side walls 4 are swing-mounted towards the inside. The collapsible side walls 4 are also swing-mounted towards the inside on the base plate 2. In addition, two is bars 7 are swivel-mounted in the edge area 6. On the shorter sides, the edge area 6 has longitudinal grooves or recesses 8 in which the bars 7 can be recessed (condition presented). When the bars 7 are extended into the free opening 10 of the stacking box, they are also flush with the edge area 6 as is shown with the folded down container 1 in Figure 2. Two opposing cut-outs 9 are foreseen in the circumferential edge area 6, in order that the bars 7 are not hindered in the swivel movement and nevertheless offer a sufficiently stable support area for boxes stacked on top of them. Independently of whether or not the bars 7 are in the retracted position (Fig. 1) or in the extended position (Fig. 2) they can be stacked on top of each other as can be clearly seen in Figure 3. In order to secure the bars 7 in one of the two positions, sprung cams protruding inwards can be foreseen in the edge area 6 (not further presented here).

In Figure 4, a further stacking box 11 is presented which is not as high as the box 1 but which otherwise has the same construction. When the bars 7 are now in the extended condition, a nest container 16 with side walls inclining slightly towards the base can easily be stacked on top of it. Also, the other way round, a collapsible stacking box 11 3 can be stacked on top of such a nest container 16. Advantageously, 2 two ribs running parallel to each other are arranged at the bottom of the base plate between which the respective bar 7 is secured. In this way, the box 16 stacked on top cannot be dislodged. For the specialist It goes without saying that the bars 7 are not necessarily s foreseen along the shorter sides but can also be on the longer sides.

list of Reforenre Numbers 1 Stacking box 2 Base plate 3 Side wall 4 Collapsible side wall 6 Hinge 6 Edge area 7 Bar 8 Longitudinal groove, recess 10 Free opening 11 Stacking box 16 Nest container

Claims

Patent Claims

1. Collapsible stacking box (1) with a base plate (2), four side walls (3, 4) and an upper circumferential edge area (6), whereby two opposing side walls (3) are swing-mounted towards the inside on the edge area (6) and two collapsible opposing side walls (4) are also swing-mounted towards the inside an the edge area (6) and on the base plate (2), characterised in that, at least one swivelling bar (7) is mounted in the edge area (6) which. in an extended position projects into the free opening (10) of the stacking box and, in a retracted position, is recessed in the edge area (6).

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2. Stacking box in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that, two bars (7) are foreseen on opposite sides.

3. Stacking box in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, the edge area (6) has a longitudinal groove (8) into which the bar (7) can be recessed.

4. Stacking box according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that, in the edge Is area (6) at least one sprung cam is foreseen projecting inwards which secures the bar (7) in either the retracted or in the extend ed'position.

5. Stacking box in accordance with one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that, ribs are foreseen at the bottom of the base plate (2) in order to secure the extended bars (7) between them.

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6. Stacking box in accordance with one of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that, two opposing cut-outs (9) are foreseen in the edge area (6) for the swivel movement of the bar (7).

7 A collapsible stacking box constructed and arrenged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, Figure 7, Figure 4 or Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.