NL2011754C2

NL2011754C2 - Galley container.

Info

Publication number: NL2011754C2
Application number: NL2011754A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Yolanda Houdtzagers
Original assignee: Gils Stephanus Johannes Van; Yolanda Houdtzagers
Priority date: 2013-11-07
Filing date: 2013-11-07
Publication date: 2015-05-11

Description

Galley container

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a galley container

Background of the invention

Various documents disclose galley container designs. Known manufacturers and/or distributors include Blue Horizen, Air Larder, Kuipers Inflight Services BV and Driessen.

Driessen describes their galley container as follows: “The container’s structure consists of anodised aluminium sheets framed by aluminium extrusions. The aluminium side panels provide deep pressed specified runners as tray / drawer support. The anodised door is equipped with a heat-treated rim and hardened stainless steel turn latch, which is attached to the container body. To secure the contents, the container is fitted with a stainless steel locking stud, which can accommodate a padlock, as well as a customs seal. All comer joints are welded and the seams are sealed to prevent noisy panel vibration and dirt from getting in the container. A recessed, aluminium carrying handle on the top and a pull handle on the door complete the container.”

The specifications of these galley containers are usually defined in various regulations like atlas standard and CAAC certification. Furthermore, aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus have their specifications regarding galley containers.

Summary of the invention

It is an aspect of the invention to provide an alternative galley container. Furthermore or alternatively, it provides a galley container with reduced weight and increased strength.

The invention thus provides a a galley container comprising a substantially rectangular container body having a mutually connected bottom wall, side walls, a top wall and a rear wall together forming said container body with an open front side, said container body formed as one part from a composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer, said galley container further comprising a closure from a further composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer.

The galley container of the invention provides a container that can be lighter in weight than a current galley container. Furthermore, or alternatively, the galley container can be more ridged. A careful selection of container parts and the material these parts are made of also or alternatively allows easier recycling after a container is written off. This may, for instance, even make this container part of a closed loop, in which used containers are used as raw material for making new containers. Several features that allows one or more of these advantages will be discussed further.

In an embodiment, said composition and said further composition are the same. In particular, at least the container body and the closure, in particular at least one door of said closure, are from the same composition. Thus, recycling of the material from which the galley container is made is easy. For instance, after a set number of uses, a galley container can be removed from service, and its material can easily be recycled in making for instance new galley containers.

In an embodiment, the composition and/or further composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer. In particular, the thermoplastic polymer is selected from HDPE, LDPE, PP (polypropylene), PET (polyesther or polyethylene terephthalate), or other thermoplastic materials that are easy to recycle, of combinations or mixtures thereof.

In an embodiment, the container body is injection moulded or rotational moulded. Alternatively, the container body may be produced in a 3D printing process.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises at least 50 wt.% thermoplastic polymer, in particular at least 80 wt. % thermoplastic polymer. The composition and/or further composition may further comprise additives like colouring agents, pigments or dyes, reinforcing agents, like fibers, for instance fiber parts of a woven fiber element. In this aviation application, flame retarding components may be used. These components as such are known to a skilled person.

In an embodiment, the walls of said rectangular container body have a thickness below 3 mm. In an embodiment, the walls are between 2.5 and 1 mm thick. More in particular, the walls are between 1 and 2 mm thick. Thus, a considerable weight reduction may be achieved. In the same time, it may be possible to even increase the strength of resistance of the galley containers.

In an embodiment, the closure comprises at least one door. In particular, the closure comprises two door parts, each at one side hingingly coupled to said rectangular container body at opposite side walls for allowing closing said open front side.

In an embodiment, the closure is hingingly coupled to said container body via at least one substantially polymer hinge, in particular said polymer hinge comprising a living hinge from said composition of said further composition.

In an embodiment, the container body comprises a series of indentations in its side walls. In particular, said indentations are provided in opposite side walls for providing opposite supports for carrying trays, drawers or containers. Careful design of the indentations increases the strength of the galley container, in particular its resistance against pressure forces.

In an embodiment, the closure comprised at least one container door, and wherein said container body and said at least one contained door are formed as one part. In particular, said at least one contained door is freed from said container body using a further processing step. In particular said container door remains hingingly coupled to said container body. For instance, the at least one door may be freed from the container body using for instance tooling. Alternatively, another processing may be used. In the additional processing, part of the material connecting the at least one door and the container body may remain, leaving for instance a living hinge.

The term “substantially” herein, such as in “substantially rectangular” or in “substantially consists”, will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The term “substantially” may also include embodiments with “entirely”, “completely”, “all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term “substantially” may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%. In this respect, the term “functionally” in combinations like “functionally rectangular” is to be understood by the skilled person to differ so little from actually being rectangular that something functions the same as if it were actually rectangular.

The term “comprise” includes also embodiments wherein the term “comprises” means “consists of’.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

The devices or apparatus herein are amongst others described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation or devices in operation.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

The invention further applies to an apparatus or device comprising one or more of the characterising features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. The invention further pertains to a method or process comprising one or more of the characterising features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantages. Furthermore, some of the features can form the basis for one or more divisional applications.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of a galley container;

Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view through a latch for locking doors closing said galley container of figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a detail of an embodiment of a handgrip on the galley container of figure 1.

The drawings are not necessarily on scale Description of preferred embodiments

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a galley container 1. The galley container comprises a rectangular container body 2. The galley container can also be said to be almost block-shaped.

In order to comply with rules and regulations, the galley container 1 has a height of about 40-50cm, a width of between 25 and 35 cm, and a depth of about 35-45 cm. In particular, the dimensions are in an embodiment a height of about 46.9 cm, a width of about 29.2 cm and a depth of about 41.9 cm.

The galley container 1 may have an empty weight of less than 3 kg. In order to achieve such a low weight, the galley container is almost entirely made from a thermoplastic material. In particular, the container body 2 is injection moulded from one part. It was found that the wall thickness could be between 1.5 and 2.5 mm and yet have the required strength. In particular, the wall thickness could be less than 2.1 mm.

In an embodiment, the container body 2 can be moulded from a composition comprising at least 50wt. % of thermoplastic material, in particular at least 80 wt. % of thermoplastic material. If so desired, additives may be added. For instance reinforcement material, colouring agents, (in-mould) labelling, but also flame retardant materials may be important in airline-use. For instance, suitable thermoplastic materials are MDPE, LDPE, PP (Polypropylene), PET (polyester).

An advantage of using thermoplastic material as a main or sole component, in particular when using the same material for the closure and the container body, is that the material can easily be recycled, reducing the amount of waste. In particular, after some cycles of use, which may be standardly defined, the galley containers may be taken out of service and the material from which they are (largely) made is re-used, for instance in making new galley containers.

The container body 2 has a bottom wall, two opposite side walls, a top wall and a rear wall, leaving the front open. In an embodiment, the front is closed via a closure. Such a closure can be a single door. In the embodiment of figure 1, the closure comprises two opposite door parts (3, 4) that together close off the front of the container body 2. In an embodiment, the closure is mainly mate from the same composition as the container body 2. This allows easy recycling of the galley container 1.

The closure in an embodiment is hingingly coupled to the container body via one or more hinges. In the embodiment of figure 1, the two opposite door parts are hingingly coupled to the container body 2 via hinges 9. These hinges in an embodiment are made substantially from a polymer composition. In particular, the hinges 9 are living hinges 9.

In particular, the hinges 9 are mainly composed of a composition comprising substantially the same thermoplastic material type as the container body 2. For instance, if the container body 2 comprises mainly polyethylene, then the hinges are also mainly made from polyethylene. The composition of the hinges 9 is adapted to its use. The hinges ate attached to the container body 2. In an embodiment, these hinges 9 are at least partly formed together with the container body in one piece. Alternatively, these hinged are snapped onto the container body 2. Alternatively, the hinges 9 are glued to the container body 2.

In an alternative embodiment, the hinges 9 are formed on one piece with the closure, or with the door parts of figure 1. In such an embodiment, the opposite end of the hinges 9 are attached to the container body 2. The opposite ends of the hinges 9 may be snapped onto container body 2. Alternatively, the opposite ends of the hinges 9 may be glued onto the container body 2.

The container body comprises indentations 8 in the side walls of the container body. These indentations may be arranged in opposite container side walls for providing opposite supports for trays, drawers or other containers that can be placed in the galley container 1. These trays or the like are not indicated in the drawings. The indentations may provide additional strength, in particular rigidity, to the container body. The indentations may thus provide runners for such trays, drawers or other containers.

In an embodiment, additional indentations are provided in the top wall. In an embodiment, additional indentations are provided in the rear wall. In such an embodiment, the position of these indentations in the rear wall matches the indentations in the side walls to provide an additional support for the already mentioned trays or drawer or other containers.

In figure 2, an embodiment for a closure of the galley container 2 is illustrated. In this embodiment, a so called tension latch 5 is applied. The tension latch is here depicted for the door parts 3, 4 of figure 1. This tension latch 5 van de made from the same type of composition as the door parts 3, 4. Often, the same type of thermoplastic polymer can be used, but having a lower Tg, Glaa transition temperature, than the thermoplastic polymer used in the composition used in the container body 2. Furthermore, the tension latch 5 can be integrated. Tension latches 5 can be integrated into indentation provided in the door parts 3, 4. In an embodiment, the indentations have ends 6, 13.

The top wall may be provided with a handle 10 for allowing easier handling and/or lifting of a galley container. An embodiment of such a handle 10 is elucidated in the cross section shown in figure 3. The handle 10 is here provided in an indentation 7 in the top wall. In the bottom of that indentation 7, a slot is provided, having a longitudinal direction that is substantially in line with a longitudinal direction of the handle 10. At or neat its ends, handle 10 has a stem extending through the slot and provided with a blocking end having a dimension larger than a width of the slot. The handle is from a flexible material. In an embodiment, it is from a composition substantially comprising thermoplastic polymer material. It can be composed of the same type of thermoplastic material of the composition of the container body 2, but usually the thermoplastic material has a lower Tg, a lower glass temperature, making it maar elastic and more bendable than the composition of the container body 2.

The container body 2 in an embodiment is made in one part. It can be injection moulded from an injection mouldable composition. In an embodiment, the container body can be rotational moulded. In order to further increase strength, the composition may comprise reinforcement, for instance reinforcement particles, or reinforcement fibre pieces.

In a particular embodiment, the closure comprises at least one door. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, two opposite doors 3,4 are selected in order to reduce space needed for opening. In an embodiment, the container body 2 and the at least one door are formed in one piece. In a further processing step, for instance cutting, tooling or the like, the doors may (at least partially) be freed from the container body. In such a processing step, part of the at least one door connecting the door to the container body 2 may remain, in order for instance to form a living hinge connecting container body 2 and the at least one door. In this process, after that step, for instance the handle 10 and tension latches 5 may be attaches to the galley container 1 in order to complete it.

It will also be clear that the above description and drawings are included to illustrate some embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of protection. Starting from this disclosure, many more embodiments will be evident to a skilled person. These embodiments are within the scope of protection and the essence of this invention and are obvious combinations of prior art techniques and the disclosure of this patent.

Claims

A galley container (1) comprising a substantially rectangular container body (2) with mutually connected bottom wall, side walls, an upper wall and a rear wall which together form the container body with an open front, the container body formed as one part from a composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer wherein the galley container further comprises a closure (3, 4) of a further composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer.

Galley container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the composition and the further composition are the same.

The galley container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the composition or the further composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer selected from HDPE, LDPE, PP, PET, and mixtures and combinations thereof.

Galley container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the container body (2) is obtained by injection molding or rotational molding.

Galley container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the or the further composition comprises at least 50% by weight of thermoplastic polymer, in particular at least 80% by weight of thermoplastic polymer.

Galley container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the walls of the rectangular container body (2) are between 2.5 mm and 1 mm thick.

Galley container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the closure (3, 4) comprises two door parts (3, 4), each hingedly connected on one side to the rectangular container body (2) on opposite side walls for closing the open front side.

Galley container (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the closure is hingedly coupled to the container body by means of at least one substantially polymeric hinge (9), in particular the polymeric hinge comprises a film hinge (integrated hinge or " living hinge ") (9) of the composition.

Galley container (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the container body (2) comprises a series of indentations (8) in the side walls, in particular the indentations (8) are provided in the opposite side walls for providing opposite side walls supports for trays, drawers or holders.

Galley container (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the closure comprises at least one container door, and wherein the container body (2) and the at least one container door are formed as one part, in particular the at least one container door released from the container body (2) using a further process step, in particular, the container door remains pivotally coupled to the container body (2).