NL2011844C2 - Container and method of packing. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container and method of packing. The container, has an essentially circular cylindrical body provided with at least two recesses, wherein each recess is adapted for receiving the circular circumference of the cylindrical body of another container, that can be stacked in perpendicular directions. These features allow for a more efficient packing of containers such as bottles, achieving more containers per box or tray area while preserving, at least partially, the appearance and compatibility with equipment of traditional round bottles.

Description

Title: Container and method of packing.

The invention relates to a container, and a method of packing containers.

Background of the invention

Bottles are produced in a variety of volumes and shapes, but round bottles having a circular circumference are the standard shape. In the wine and spirits industry, the round glass bottle has become the standard unit of volume, measuring 750 ml. Typically, bottles are made of glass, but other materials such as plastics may be used depending on the product contained in the bottle. Therefore, equipment for handling such bottles in large volumes is optimized for use with round bottles. For instance filling, labeling and pallet stacking equipment is typically optimized for round bottles, and are usually not easily converted for odd-shaped bottles.

Round bottles or other containers have a number of technical advantages compared to odd-shaped bottles such as square or ellipsoid shapes. Industrial equipment for handling and transport often relies on the containers having an essentially round shape. For instance for labeling, round bottles have an uninterrupted surface available for visual information. Rounded bottles can be transported on conveyor belts and can rotate which makes transport in an industrial packaging line relatively easy. Round bottles also have in inherent mechanical strength suitable for withstanding forces, in particular vertical pressure along the longitudinal axis of the container, for instance due to stacking containers. This allows for round bottles and other essentially cylindrical containers to achieve an advantageous material use compared to the obtained strength of the container. Also end-users have a preference for rounded bottles that are easily hand-held and have an appealing visual appearance.

However, round bottles have the disadvantage of sub-optimal packing. For instance, wine bottles are often packed in a rectangular 6-bottle box, wherein the bottles are arranged in a 2x3 matrix array. The empty space between adjacent bottles represents a packing inefficiency. EP2522588 describes bottles with a circular circumference, having a recess to allow for a denser packing of the containers, and allow stacking of multiple containers. The figures show recesses with various shapes to optimize stability of stacking vs. internal volume.

Such bottles allow for improved packing efficiency, while still being mostly circular, allowing for handling in standard equipment for bottles with a circular circumference DE8708115 describes bottles having two recesses positioned opposite to each other. This allows for close packaging of the bottles when stacked in a pattern as shown in figure 3, wherein adjacent bottles are rotated 90 degrees with respect to each other for improved close packing.

The bottles described herein allow for improved packing efficiency, but the recesses reduce the compatibility with standard equipment intended for round bottles. FR1233487 shows a number of containers with geometrically fitting shapes that can be packed into a fitting assembly.

Although such packing is much more efficient than round bottles, the shapes presented herein are unsuitable for being processed in standard equipment designed for round bottles.

Description.

It is an object to of the invention to achieve an improved packing efficiency while at least partially retain the visual appearance of a traditional rounded container.

It is another object of the invention to provide a container having an essentially round outer profile, that can be packed closer than conventional round bottles or other containers, while preserving at least partially, the compatibility with packing and handling equipment designed for round bottles.

It is yet another object of the invention to at least partially reduce the disadvantages occurring with some close-packing containers known in the art.

The invention provides a container, preferably a container for liquids, more preferably a bottle, comprising an essentially circular cylindrical body encompassing a container space, wherein the body is provided with at least two recesses, wherein each recess is adapted for receiving the circular circumference of the cylindrical body of another container, characterized in that the recesses a first recess defines a first stacking direction, and a second recess defines a second stacking direction, wherein the first and second stacking directions are perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the circular cylindrical body, and wherein the first and second stacking directions of the recesses are mutually perpendicular.

The container allows close packing in the two directions predetermined by the positions of the recesses, but is suitable for use in equipment designed for processing cylindrical containers such as round bottles. In addition, compared to containers having two recesses positioned in opposite directions such as the bottles shown in DE8708115, a larger uninterrupted round surface is available for visual information such as labels. Also compared to the packing in DE8708115, there is no need for alternating packing: the containers described here can all be placed in the same direction to achieve efficient packaging without the need for additional measures for achieving alternating orientation of adjacent containers.

The container may be a sealable container for liquids such as beverages, and may be made of materials such as glass, metal, ceramics or plastic. The container shape may be derived from known containers, such as a wine bottle. The container space in the body could be provided with a bottle top for pouring the contents of the container. Optionally, the container space could be sealable by known sealing means such as a cap or cork.

The recesses can have the identical or different shapes and dimensions. The shape of the recess is designed to receive the circumference of another such bottle. The shape of the recess does not necessarily match the shape of the outer surface of such a container, though.

The recesses are arranged in the outer surface of the container in two different directions, allowing stacking or nesting multiple bottles in the two directions defined by the position of the two recesses. The stacking or nesting directions defined by the recesses are perpendicular, at a mutual angle of approximately 90 degrees.

It is preferred if the recesses extend in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal direction allows for easy packing into an array of containers, and also allows for easy removal of one container from an array of containers by displacing the container in a direction along the longitudinal axis.

It is advantageous if the recess has a circular curvature. This allows for close packing of adjacent containers, while retaining an optimal freedom to design and optimize the container space. A circular curvature also has very good mechanical strength properties, allowing for a thinner container wall. This is particularly advantageous if a relatively heavy container material is used, such as glass or ceramics.

Preferably, the recesses have identical shapes. Even though the recesses could have different shapes, identical shapes allows for consistent stacking of containers and handling by identical tools in for instance automated processes.

Preferably, the maximum depth of the recess towards the longitudinal axis extends to less than 30% of the radius of the circular circumference, preferably less than 15%. Such a relatively shallow recess allows the container to be compatible with machinery designed for round containers. In addition, having relatively shallow recesses allows for a relatively strong container design. Such containers would need a relatively small increase in the use of container material while retaining sufficient capacity to withstand transport hazards such as continuous pressure due to stacking containers vertically, as well as impact forces on the container wall from regular handling as well as accidental dropping or collision of containers.

It is preferred if the depth of the recesses is optimized with respect to diameter of the container, in order to achieve a predetermined area when packed into an array of containers. For optimal load capacity on a pallet the diameter and recess can be optimized. In our example for a pallet with dimensions 1200 x 800 mm, also known as Euro pallet, with a chosen diameter of 78 mm the recess will be 8.85 mm. This achieves an optimal area packing when packed in box each containing six containers. For other pallet and/or box sizes and/or other container diameters, the optimal recess can be calculated by adjusting the diameter of the bottle and the depth of the recess to the outmost pallet dimensions, as demonstrated in the examples.

It is preferred if at least one part of the circular circumference of the container is provided with visual information. The visual information may for instance be shaped into the container material, printed on the container wall, or applied as a label. Such visual information is typically applied by an automated process. The visual information may comprise a brand name, logo and/or information on the contents of the container.

Preferably, the surface of the circular circumference is uninterrupted over at least 180 degrees. This allows for a great freedom of design in how to present the visual information. By use of an uninterrupted circumference of at least 180 degrees, the recesses are not visible from this side. A bottle or other container looks the same which is of importance for achieving the visual appearance of a regular round container, when viewed from the direction of the uninterrupted surface.

The invention also provides a method of packing containers according to any of the proceeding claims, wherein multiple containers are stacked in a two-dimensional array extending in a first direction predetermined by a first recess, and a second direction predetermined by the second recess, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The shape of the containers as described herein allow for a more efficient use of the packing volume, e.g. allowing for a larger effective volume in a certain array area (two-dimensional) and array volume (three-dimensional). This results in a smaller area and volume covered by the containers compared to regular round cylindrical containers that leave a lot of unused space between the bottles. It is preferred if the array is deposited in a rectangular package unit such as a box or tray.

If the array of containers is a 2x3 array, this allows for a weight per array unit that can be easily handled by a single person, for instance for placement in a storage rack.

It is preferred if multiple rectangular package units, comprising arrays of containers, are loaded on a pallet as a pallet layer. Due to the tighter packing of the containers, more containers can be packed in each pallet layer in a pallet, when compared to round containers having a comparable inner volume.

In a preferred embodiment, on a Euro pallet, the pallet layer consists of 29 rectangular package units. For regular round bottles of comparable volume, the amount of rectangular package units would be 25 without losing a layer on the pallet because the bottles will become higher. One possibility to stack 29 boxes in the pallet layer is to arrange the package units in 3 rows containing 8 boxes beside each other, and one row containing 5 boxes beside each other. In a standard pallet (like the Euro pallet), the pallet layer covers an area of x by y = 1200 x 800 mm. Preferably, the pallet is loaded with 6 or 7 pallet layers, obtaining a volume that fits into regular transport trucks. Another widely used pallet is the pallet with dimensions 1200 x 1000 mm, also known as Block pallet. For regular round bottles of comparable volume the amount of rectangular package units would be 30, and for the preferred embodiment, this would be 34 units.

The invention will now be further elucidated by the following nonlimiting examples.

Figure 1 shows a bottle container.

Figure 2 shows a box of 6 bottle containers.

Figure 3 shows a can container and a tray of 24 can containers.

Figure 4 shows pallet configurations of boxes packed with containers.

Figures 1 a-1 f describe a container 1, in this case a glass wine bottle. Figure 1a and 1b show top and bottom views, whereas figure 1c-1f shows different side views. The figures share the same numbers. The container 1 has an essentially circular cylindrical body 2 encompassing a container space for containing wine or other liquids, provided with a top portion 3 for dispensing liquid, such as wine, from the container. The top portion 3 can be sealed with a cap or a cork, of which various types are known in the art. The circular cylindrical body is provided with two elongated recesses 4, 5, having a curvature matching the circular circumference 6 of the container. This allows to stacking or nesting of multiple containers 1 in the two directions predetermined by the recesses. The orientation and shape of the recesses determines the possible stacking or nesting directions. The recesses are perpendicularly arranged, determining the directions with respect to the longitudinal axis 7 of the cylindrical body, wherein the two stacking/nesting directions are predetermined by the recesses at an angle of approximately 90 degrees. The recess is stretched in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, allowing for a single container to be moved out of a stacked array of containers in that direction. Multiple containers 1 can be stacked or nested together in two-dimensional arrays that may be put into suitable boxes or trays. The circular circumference 6 of the container can be marked with visual information, for instance by applying a label, by print, or by incorporating the visual information into the container material. A regular container, for example with a volume of 75cl has a diameter of ca. 75 mm, a height of 305 mm, and can have a weight of 515 grams. A typical container as described herein would have a diameter of 78 mm, a recess of 8.85 mm, and a height of 310 mm and can have the same weight of 515 grams.

Figure 2a and 2b shows a box 10 of containers 11 corresponding to the container as shown in figure 1. Figure 2a is a top view whereas figure 2b shows a 3d projection of the box with one of the sides removed. In the box, the containers 11 are stacked or nested in the two directions determined by the recesses 12, 13. This causes the containers to cover less area, allowing for a more efficient use of load area.

For example, the bottles could have a circular radius of 78 mm, wherein the recesses depth is8.85 mm inward, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical container. A box of 6 traditional round bottle containers without recesses would cover an area of 231 x 156 mm However, due to the improved packing efficiency of the containers described here, the containers with recesses can be fit in a box covering an approximately 148mm x 217 mm area. This area is more than 10% smaller than the 231 x 156 mm area needed for conventional round bottles having a circular radius of 75 mm. Whereas for a traditional bottle only 25 boxes can be loaded on a standard pallet layer, the containers provided with recesses allow for packing 29 boxes of 6 containers each. Depending on design choices for the container top, the height of the container may be somewhat increased, but the height gain can be limited as to ensure the same number of layers can be loaded onto a pallet.

Figure 3a shows a different example of a container 21, which can be stacked in an array 20 of 4x6 can containers 21, wherein can containers 21 provided with recesses 22, 23 allow for 4x6 containers to be packed on an area that is substantially smaller than the corresponding containers with the same circular diameter, but without the recesses.

Figure 4a-d shows pallets with layers of boxes or trays, each box or tray packed with containers as described herein. Figure 4a shows a pallet 30 on which six layers 31 of boxes 32 are packed. The fully packed standard pallet of 800 x 1000 mm area has 800x1000x2240 dimensions, including the height of the pallet 30. Each layer 31 of boxes comprises 29 boxes, arranged in 3 rows of 8 rectangular boxes, adjoined by their long sides, and a single row of 5 boxes adjoined by the short sides. Each of these boxes 31 contains a 2x3 array of 6 containers with recesses, such as for instance shown in figure 2a and 2b. Hence each layer 31 contains 174 bottles, amounting up to 1218 bottles per pallet. For comparison, regular round wine bottles of 75 cl volume are typically packed in 25 rectangular 6-bottle boxes per layer (5x5), amounting to 150 bottles per layer and 1050 bottles per pallet, which is 16% more. Figure 4b shows the traditional packing of a pallet 33 with layers 34 having 5x5 boxes 35 each containing 6 bottles. Figures 4c and 4d show examples of pallets 36, 39 loaded with different layer configurations 37, 40 for boxes 38, 41 with 2x3 containers as described herein.

Claims (15)

A container, preferably a container for liquids, preferably a bottle, more preferably a wine bottle, comprising a substantially circular cylindrical body enclosing a container space, the body being provided with at least two recesses, each recess being arranged for receiving the circular circumference of the cylindrical body of another holder, characterized in that a first recess determines a first stacking direction and a second recess determines a second stacking direction, the first and second stacking directions perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the circular cylindrical body, and wherein the first and second stacking directions of the recesses are mutually perpendicular. The container of claim 1, wherein the recesses extend in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. 3. Holder as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the recesses are adapted to allow longitudinal movement of another holder accommodated in the recess. Holder as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the recess has a circular curvature. Holder as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the maximum depth of the recess towards the longitudinal axis extends less than 20% of the radius of the circular circumference, preferably less than 15%. A keeper according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the depth of the recess is optimized in relation to the diameter, to effect a predetermined surface if the holder is arranged in a matrix of similar holders. 7. Holder as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a circular part of the body of the holder is continuous over at least 180 degrees. 8. Holder as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein at least a circular part of the body of the holder is provided with visual information. A method for packaging containers according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of containers are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix which extends in a first direction defined by a first recess, and a second direction determined by a second recess, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The method of claim 9, wherein the matrix is placed in a rectangular packaging unit such as a box or a sheet. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the matrix of containers is a 2x3 matrix. A method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein a plurality of rectangular packaging units, including matrices of containers, are loaded onto a pallet as a pallet layer. The method of claim 12, wherein the pallet layer consists of 29 rectangular packaging units. A method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein 29 packaging units are arranged in the pallet layer in 3 rows comprising 8 packaging units, and a row comprising 5 packaging units, wherein the packaging units in the row with 5 packaging units are oriented perpendicularly to the other packaging units. The method of claim 14, wherein the pallet plate covers a surface of 1200 x 800 mm or 1200 x 1000 mm.