ITMO20060092A1 - MEANS OF CONTAINERS - Google Patents

Description

Description of industrial invention

Half containers

The invention relates to container means, in particular container means suitable for containing cheeses during maturing.

During the maturing of the cheese, cheese wheels are arranged on shelves provided with a plurality of shelves. The shelves are arranged one above the other so as to form parallel rows separated by corridors. The cheeses are arranged with a first face in contact with a corresponding shelf and need to be turned over periodically so that the seasoning takes place correctly.

Manipulating machines are provided which grasp one form of cheese at a time and rotate it in such a way as to arrange it with a second face, opposite to the first face, in contact with the corresponding shelf.

The time required to overturn all forms of cheese is lengthened in the case of industrial-type productions. Furthermore, it is somewhat difficult and complicated to handle large quantities of cheeses when the latter have to be moved from one place to another during maturing.

An object of the invention is to provide container means which facilitate the handling and storage of products.

Another object of the invention is to provide container means which make it easier for example to overturn the cheeses during maturing.

A further object of the invention is to provide container means capable of stably and safely containing large quantities of products.

According to the invention, container means are provided comprising a modular container element provided with wall means that delimit containment cavity means for a product, and with connection means through which said modular container element can be connected to further modular container elements, characterized in that said wall means comprise gripping openings such as to allow handling elements to enter said container means to lift and / or overturn groups of modular container elements.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to obtain modular container elements that can be securely superimposed on each other to form stacks having desired heights and capable of containing a large number of products, for example forms of cheese. The gripping openings allow, for example, tine elements of a lifting trolley to access between a modular container element and the ground to lift an entire stack of modular container elements. The gripping openings also allow the tine elements to penetrate between two adjacent modular container elements so that a group of modular container elements can be lifted and removed from an underlying further group of modular container elements. Thanks to the connection means which also act as relative positioning elements between modular container elements, the modular container elements can be superimposed in a precise and also stable manner, since relative movements between adjacent container elements are prevented.

In particular, it is possible to overturn stacks of modular container elements in such a way that a large number of forms of cheese contained therein are rotated in a short time.

The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate some exemplary and non-limiting forms of implementation, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modular container element;

Figure 2 is a front view of the modular container element Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of the modular container element of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a further perspective view of the modular container element;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of modular container elements cooperating with each other;

Figure 6 is a further perspective view of modular container elements cooperating with each other in a first configuration of use;

Figure 7 is a still further perspective view of modular container elements cooperating with each other in a second configuration of use;

Figure 8 is a front view of stacked modular container elements;

Figure 9 is a side view of stacked modular container elements;

Figure 10 shows an enlarged detail of Figure 8; Figure 11 shows another version of the modular container element;

Figure 12 is a top view of the modular container element of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a side view of the modular container element of Figure 11.

Figures 1 to 4 show a modular container element 1, for example with a substantially rectangular section, provided with a bottom 2, from which side walls 3 and front walls 4 project transversely so as to delimit a containment cavity 5.

The front walls 4 and the side walls 3 are shaped in such a way that first grip openings 31 and second grip openings 36 are respectively defined on edges further away from the bottom 2. Each first grip opening 31 is delimited on one side by a first low portion 43 of the front wall 4, and laterally from first high portions 44, of the front part 4.

Each second gripping opening 36 is delimited on one side by a second low portion 45 of the side wall 3, and laterally by second high portions 46 of the side portion 3.

Through the first gripping openings 31, and / or the second gripping openings 36, tine elements of a forklift truck or gripping elements of a machine for handling and overturning stacks of container elements can be inserted.

In one embodiment it is possible to provide separation walls 7 which separate the containment cavity 5 into a plurality of containment areas 6, each of which can contain, for example, a cheese wheel.

The separation walls 7 project from an internal surface 42 of the bottom 2 by an amount such as not to hinder the entry of the prong elements during handling. In particular, the separation walls can be such as not to protrude with respect to the front walls 4 and the side walls 3.

The separation walls 7 can be arranged and / or removably positioned according to the quantity and dimensions of desired products to be housed in the container element 1. Similarly, the bottom 2 can be shaped and have a desired extension according to the aforementioned products. Moreover, inside the container element 1 accessory elements can be provided which are suitable to suitably house fragile products and / or products having particular geometric shapes.

The container element 1 is provided with a pair of first coupling portions 8, and with a pair of second coupling portions 9 positioned in areas in which each front wall 4 joins each of the two side walls 3. The first portions of coupling 8 are arranged at the ends of the container element 1 opposite and not adjacent to each other. Similarly, the second coupling portions 9 are also arranged at further ends of the container element 1 opposite and not adjacent to each other. In this way each first coupling portion 8 is interposed between and adjacent to two second coupling portions 9, and each second coupling portion 9 is interposed between and adjacent to two first coupling portions 8. Thanks to this configuration, the first coupling portions 8 and second coupling portions 9 prevent two container elements 1 connected to each other from moving mutually parallel to the bottom 2.

The first coupling portions 8 and the second coupling portions 9 project transversely with respect to the bottom 2 in such a way as to protrude by a certain amount with respect to the front walls 4 and the side walls 3.

Each first coupling portion 8 comprises a first support surface 10 which is arranged parallel to the bottom 2. The first support surface 10 is arranged at a height, with respect to the bottom 2, such as to overhang the front walls 4 and the walls side 3.

From an area of the first support surface 10, arranged more externally with respect to the containment cavity 5, a first "L"-shaped portion of wall 11 is projected, having a first external surface 12 and a second external surface 13 between them perpendicular. The first external surface 12 and the second external surface 13 lie respectively on a plane defined by a third external surface 14 of the side wall 3 and on a further plane defined by a fourth external surface 15 of the front wall 4.

Each second coupling portion 9 comprises a second support surface 16, arranged parallel to the bottom 2. The second support surface 16 is arranged at a height, with respect to the bottom 2, such as to overlap the front walls 4 and the side walls 3.

From an area of the second support surface 16, closest to the containment cavity 5, a second "L" -shaped portion of wall 17 is projected, having a fifth external surface 18 and a sixth external surface 19 perpendicular to each other. The fifth external surface 18 and the sixth external surface 19 are arranged parallel to the third external surface 14 and the fourth external surface 15 respectively and closer to the containment cavity 5 with respect to the latter.

Each first coupling portion 8 is shaped to couple in a stable and safe manner with a corresponding second coupling portion 9 of a further container element. In this way it is possible to superimpose a further container element on a container element 1 so that the separation walls 7 face further separation walls of the further container element, as shown in Figures 8 to 10. This allows the overlap between them more stacks.

In one version it is also possible to provide more than two first coupling portions 8 and / or second coupling portions 9 in such a way as to make the connection between container elements 1 even more reliable and safe.

Coupling recesses 20 are provided on a base surface 21 of the bottom 2, arranged on the opposite side to the containment areas 6, each of which is arranged in proximity to a corresponding first coupling portion 8 and / or a corresponding second portion of coupling 9. Each coupling recess 8 has an "L" shape and is shaped to receive in coupling a corresponding first coupling portion 8 and / or a corresponding second coupling portion 9 of a further container element 1, as shown in the Figures 6 to 10. This allows a plurality of container elements 1 to be stably stacked, preventing relative movements parallel to the bottoms 2 between a container element and a further adjacent container element.

Relief means 22 are provided, of elongated shape which extend along perimeter areas of the base surface 21, as better shown in Figure 4. The relief means 22 comprise first raised portions 23, extending parallel to a front wall 4. The first raised portions are mutually spaced so as to define first coupling recess regions 24. The relief means 22 comprise second relief portions 25 extending parallel to the first relief portions 23 and along further perimeter areas opposite the aforementioned perimeter areas. The second raised portions 25 are mutually spaced so as to define second recess areas 26 for coupling. The first recessed areas 24 are arranged in such a way that, facing the base surface 21, a further base surface of a further container element, they can receive second raised portions 25 of a further container element. Similarly, the second recess zones 26 are arranged in such a way as to receive first raised portions 23 of the further container element.

The relief means 22 comprise a third relief portion 27, extending perimeter to the base surface 21 and parallel to a side wall 3. The third relief portion 27 extends in such a way as to define third recess zones 28.

The relief means 22 comprise fourth relief portions 29 extending parallel to the third relief portion 27 and on the opposite side to the latter with respect to the base surface 21. The fourth relief portions 29 are mutually spaced so as to define fourth areas a withdrawal 30.

The third recess zones 28 are arranged in such a way that, facing the base surface 21, the further base surface of the further container element, can receive fourth raised portions 29 of the further container element. Similarly, a fourth recess zone 30 is arranged in such a way as to receive a third raised portion 27 of the further container element.

It is possible to provide relief means comprising a different number and a different arrangement of relief portions. For example, the relief means can be arranged according to an axial or polar symmetry and can also be arranged in areas of the bottom 2 that are not necessarily perimeter. However, relief means arranged perimeter to the bottom 2 allow the container element to rest on the ground in a more stable way.

The container element 1 can be provided with resting portions, for example arranged in central areas of the bottom 2 in such a way as to limit the bending of the container element 1 when the latter is subjected to heavy weights. The supporting portions are such as not to hinder the tine elements during the handling of the container elements 1.

Figures 8 and 9 show a plurality of container elements 1 arranged to form a first stack 32 on which a second stack 33 is superimposed.

The first stack 32 comprises a first container element 34 overturned which rests on the ground by means of first coupling portions 8 and second coupling portions 9. The first container element 34 thus acts as a first base element to which further elements can be connected in a stable manner. containers 1.

The first container element 34 is superimposed on and connected to a plurality of container elements 1 arranged so as to turn the containment cavities 5 upwards. The first container element 34, thus arranged, allows for example the tine elements of the forklift truck to penetrating through the first gripping opening 31 and / or through the second gripping opening 36 so that the first stack 32 can be lifted and moved. The first stack 32 can thus be overturned in such a way as to rest on the ground by means of a container element 1 which is opposite to the first container element 34 and which does not contain any product inside it.

The separation walls 7 described above are such as to keep each cheese wheel in the respective containment area 6 even after the stack 32 has been overturned. In particular, the cheeses are supported with first faces in contact with the internal surfaces 42 of the container elements 1.

When the first stack 32 is turned upside down, each cheese wheel is arranged with a second face, opposite to the first face, in contact with a base surface 21 of an adjacent container element, but continues to be retained laterally by the associated separation walls 7 at the bottom 2 on which they previously rested. In this way, during handling, each cheese wheel remains positioned within a respective specific region.

A second container element 35 of the second stack 33 is superimposed on the stack 32 which is overturned and acts as a second base element for the latter. The first coupling portions 8 and the second coupling portions 9 of the second container element 35 couple respectively with the second coupling portions 9 and the first coupling portions 8 of the underlying container element 1. Thanks to the second container element 35 thus arranged, it is possible to lift the second stack 33 to separate it from the first stack 32. Also the second stack 33, similar to the first stack 32, can be transported or rotated so that the cheeses can be overturned during the seasoning.

Depending on the dimensions of the container elements 1 it is possible to move one or more stacked and / or side by side stacks. For example, if the container elements 1 have small dimensions, it is possible to simultaneously move two stacks arranged parallel to one another. In this case, each tine element of the lifting trolley is introduced into a respective stack to be handled.

Figures 11 to 13 show a version of the container element 1 which can be moved through gripping handle means 37 with which it is provided. The handle means 37 can comprise first handle portions 38 of the continuous type and / or second handle portions 39 of the interrupted type. The first handle portions 38 extend in such a way as to substantially affect the entire length of the front walls 4 and / or the side walls 3. The second handle portions 39 extend in such a way as to involve only end portions of the front walls 4 and / or of the side walls 3. For example, it is possible to have first handle portions 38 arranged only on the side walls 3, or arranged only on the front walls 4, or arranged both on the front walls 4 and on the side walls 3. Similarly, it is possible to have second handle portions 39 arranged only on the side walls 3, or arranged only on the front walls 4, or arranged both on the front walls 4 and on the side walls 3.

Or it is possible to have first handle portions 38 arranged on the front walls 4 and second handle portions 39 arranged on the side walls 3, or vice versa.

The container element 1 can be provided, alternatively, or in addition to the handle means 37 described above, with means with a gripping hole 40, obtained in proximity to the end areas of the front walls 4 and / or of the side walls 3. The gripping hole means 40 can receive inside it suitable gripping elements of handling means so that the container element 1 can be picked up and moved. In one version, the front walls 4 and / or the side walls 3 can be hinged to the base 2 and / or can be removably connected to the base 2. Also the first coupling portions 8, the second coupling portions 9 and / or the walls separator 7 can be connected to the container element 1 in a removable way. In this way, the container element 1, when empty, occupies limited spaces and can be stored and / or transported more easily.

Each container element 1 can be made of metal, plastic, or other desired materials depending on the desired mechanical properties. In one version, it is also possible to provide on desired areas of the container element 1, holes or slots or notches arranged to perform a desired function, for example to facilitate the passage of air in several areas of the product or to facilitate the evacuation of debris or unwanted bodies from container element 1.

Each container element 1 can also be provided with a rewritable electronic recognition element which allows to store information such as dates, weight of container element 1, weight of the products housed therein and possibly the variations that this weight can undergo in particular processes. . In this way, suitable handling machines can read this information automatically so that there is traceability of the products contained within the container elements 1. As an alternative to the electronic recognition element, a non-rewritable information medium can be provided, for example a paper label.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS 1. Container means comprising a modular container element (1) provided with wall means (3; 4) which delimit containment cavity means (5, 6) for a product, and with connection means (8, 10, 11; 9, 16, 17; 20; 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30) through which said modular container element (1) can be connected to further modular container elements (1), characterized by the fact that said wall means (3; 4;) comprise grip openings (31, 36; 40) such as to allow handling elements to access said container means to lift and / or overturn groups of modular container elements. Container means according to claim 1, wherein said grip openings comprise first grip openings (31) formed on first walls (4) of said wall means. Container means according to claim 2, wherein said first walls (4) comprise first low portions (43) interposed between first high portions (44) in such a way as to define said first grip openings (31). Container means according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said grip openings comprise second grip openings (36) formed on second walls (3) of said wall means. Container means according to claim 4, wherein said second walls (3) comprise second low portions (45) interposed between second high portions (46) in such a way as to define said second grip openings (36). Container means according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said grip openings comprise hole openings (40) made on said wall means (3; 4). 7. Container means according to claim 6 when dependent on claim 5 and when claim 4 depends on claim 3, wherein said hole openings (40) are formed in said first high portions (44) and / or in said second high portions (46). 8. Container means according to one of claims 1 to 7, and further comprising handle means (37) formed on said wall means (3, 4) outside said containment cavity means (5, 6) and suitable for allowing the movement of said modular container element (1). Container means according to claim 8, when dependent on claim 2 or 3, or 7, wherein said handle means (37) comprise first handle portions (38) extending in such a way as to substantially affect an entire length of said first walls (4) and / or of said second walls (3). Container means according to claim 8, when dependent on claim 2 or 3, or 7, or according to claim 9, wherein said handle means (37) comprise second handle portions (39) extending in such a way as to involve only end regions of said first walls (4) and / or of said second walls (3). Container means according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said connecting means comprise coupling portions (8, 9) arranged along said wall means (3, 4). Container means according to claim 11, wherein said coupling portions comprise first coupling portions (8) and second coupling portions (9), projecting transversely from a bottom (2) of said modular container element (1) in a manner such as to protrude with respect to said wall means (3, 4). 13. Container means according to claim 12, wherein said first coupling portions (8) comprise a first bearing surface (10) arranged parallel to said bottom (2). Container means according to claim 13, wherein said first support surface (10) is arranged at a height with respect to said bottom (2) such as to overhang said wall means (3, 4). Container means according to claim 13 or 14, and further comprising a first portion of wall (11) projecting from an area of said first support surface (10) outermost with respect to said containment cavity means (5, 6 ). Container means according to claim 15, wherein said first wall portion (11) is "L" shaped. 17. Container means according to claim 15, or 16, wherein said first wall portion (11) is provided with a first external surface (12) and a second external surface (13) perpendicular to each other. Container means according to claim 17, wherein said first outer surface (12) lies on a first plane defined by a third outer surface (14) of said wall means (3) Container means according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said second outer surface (13) lies on a second plane defined by a fourth outer surface (15) of said wall means (4). 20. Container means according to one of claims 12 to 19, wherein said second coupling portions (9) comprise a second resting surface (16), parallel to said bottom (2) and arranged to receive a further first portion in support wall (11) of a further modular container element (1). 21. Container means according to claim 20 wherein said second supporting surface (16) is arranged at a further height with respect to said bottom (2) such as to overhang said wall means (3, 4). 22. Container means according to claim 20 or 21, and further comprising a second wall portion (17) projecting from a further zone of said second supporting surface (16) closer to said containment cavity means (5, 6) . 23. Container means according to claim 22, wherein said second wall portion (17) is shaped to couple with said further first wall portion (11) and with a further first support surface (10) of said further modular container element (1). Container means according to claim 22, or 23, wherein said second wall portion (17) is "L" shaped. 25. Container means according to one of claims 22 to 24, wherein said second wall portion (17) is provided with a fifth external surface (18) and a sixth external surface (19) perpendicular to each other, arranged to interact with said further first wall portion (11). 26. Container means according to claim 25, wherein said fifth outer surface (18) lies on a third plane parallel to said third outer surface (14) and closer to said containment cavity means (5, 6) than said third outer surface (14). 27. Container means according to claim 25 or 26, wherein said sixth outer surface (19) lies on a fourth plane parallel to said fourth outer surface (15) of said wall means (4) and closest to said cavity means containment (5, 6) with respect to said fourth external surface (15). 28. Container means according to one of claims 12 to 27, wherein said connection means comprise means with coupling recess (20) formed on said bottom (2) and arranged to receive further coupling portions of a still further modular container element (1). 29. Container means according to claim 28, wherein said recess means (20) are arranged in proximity of said coupling portions and on opposite sides to said containment cavity means (5, 6) with respect to said bottom (2) . 30. Container means according to claim 28 or 29, wherein said recess means (20) are "L" shaped so as to be able to receive further first wall portions (11) and / or further second wall portions ( 17) of said still further modular container element (1). 31. Container means according to one of claims 12 to 30, wherein said connection means comprise raised means (22) formed on a base surface (21) of said bottom (2) opposite said containment cavity means ( 5, 6). 32. Container means according to claim 31, wherein said raised means comprise first raised portions (23) arranged along a first peripheral zone of said bottom (2). 33. Container means according to claim 32, wherein said first raised portions (23) are mutually spaced so as to define first coupling recess regions (24). Container means according to one of claims 32 to 33, wherein said relief means (22) comprise second relief portions (25) arranged along a second peripheral area of said bottom (2) opposite to said first peripheral area. 35. Container means according to claim 34, wherein said second raised portions (25) are shaped to be received in further first recess zones (24) of a further modular container element (1). 36. Container means according to claim 35, wherein said second relief portions (25) are mutually spaced apart so as to define second coupling recess areas (26) shaped to receive further first relief portions (23) of said further modular container element (1). 37. Container means according to one of claims 34 to 36, wherein said raised means (22) comprise third raised portions (27) extending along a third peripheral zone of said bottom (2) adjacent to said first peripheral zone and / or to said second peripheral zone. 38. Container means according to claim 37, wherein said third raised portions (27) extend in such a way as to define third recess zones (28). 39. Container means according to claim 37 or 38, when claim 37 depends on claim 34 or 35, wherein said raised means (22) comprise fourth raised portions (29) extending along a fourth peripheral zone of said bottom (2 ) opposite said third peripheral and shaped to be received in further third recess zones (28) of said further modular container element (1) 40. Container means according to claim 39, wherein said fourth raised portions (29) extend in such a way as to define fourth recessed areas (30) suitable for receiving further third raised portions (27) of said further modular container element (1). Container means according to one of claims 11 to 40, wherein said coupling portions (8, 9) are connected to said container means in a removable way. Container means according to one of claims 1 to 41, wherein said wall means (3, 4) are hinged to said container means. 43. Container means according to one of claims 1 to 42, wherein said wall means (3, 4) are connected to said container means in a removable way. Container means according to one of claims 1 to 43, and further comprising separation wall means (7) arranged to delimit a plurality of containment zones (6) in said containment cavity means (5). Container means according to claim 44, wherein said separation wall means (7) are arranged in such a way as not to prevent the access of said moving elements. Container means according to claim 44 or 45, wherein said separating wall means (7) are removably connected to said container means. 47. Container means according to one of claims 1 to 46, and further comprising information support means adapted to contain information relating to said product. 48. Container means according to claim 47, wherein said information carrier means comprises a rewritable electronic recognition element. 49. Container means according to claim 47, wherein said information carrier means comprises label means. 50. Group of modular container elements comprising a plurality of modular container elements according to one of claims 1 to 49. 51. Group of modular container elements according to claim 50, wherein said plurality of modular container elements comprises at least a first modular container element (34; 35) having a first bottom arranged in such a way as to receive in support a second bottom of a second modular container element of said plurality of modular container elements.