WO1996040566A1 - Caisse presentant un logo solidaire de la paroi laterale - Google Patents

Caisse presentant un logo solidaire de la paroi laterale Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1996040566A1
WO1996040566A1 PCT/US1996/008608 US9608608W WO9640566A1 WO 1996040566 A1 WO1996040566 A1 WO 1996040566A1 US 9608608 W US9608608 W US 9608608W WO 9640566 A1 WO9640566 A1 WO 9640566A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
case
bottles
side walls
logo
lower wall
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1996/008608
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
William Patrick Apps
Gerald Ralph Koefelda
Original Assignee
Rehrig Pacific Company, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rehrig Pacific Company, Inc. filed Critical Rehrig Pacific Company, Inc.
Priority to AU59765/96A priority Critical patent/AU5976596A/en
Publication of WO1996040566A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996040566A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D71/70—Trays provided with projections or recesses in order to assemble multiple articles, e.g. intermediate elements for stacking
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D1/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece, e.g. by casting metallic material, by moulding plastics, by blowing vitreous material, by throwing ceramic material, by moulding pulped fibrous material, by deep-drawing operations performed on sheet material
    • B65D1/22—Boxes or like containers with side walls of substantial depth for enclosing contents
    • B65D1/24—Boxes or like containers with side walls of substantial depth for enclosing contents with moulded compartments or partitions
    • B65D1/243—Crates for bottles or like containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/04—Open-ended containers shaped to be nested when empty and to be superposed when full
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
    • B65D2501/24—Boxes or like containers with moulded compartments or partitions
    • B65D2501/24006—Details relating to bottle crates
    • B65D2501/24012—Materials
    • B65D2501/24019—Mainly plastics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
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    • B65D2501/24006—Details relating to bottle crates
    • B65D2501/2405—Construction
    • B65D2501/24063—Construction of the walls
    • B65D2501/24082—Plain
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
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    • B65D2501/24006—Details relating to bottle crates
    • B65D2501/2405—Construction
    • B65D2501/24063—Construction of the walls
    • B65D2501/24089—Height of the side walls
    • B65D2501/24108—Height of the side walls corresponding to part of the height of the bottles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
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    • B65D2501/24006—Details relating to bottle crates
    • B65D2501/2405—Construction
    • B65D2501/24063—Construction of the walls
    • B65D2501/24089—Height of the side walls
    • B65D2501/24114—Walls of varrying height
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
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    • B65D2501/24006—Details relating to bottle crates
    • B65D2501/2405—Construction
    • B65D2501/24121—Construction of the bottom
    • B65D2501/24133—Grid, mesh
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
    • B65D2501/24—Boxes or like containers with moulded compartments or partitions
    • B65D2501/24006—Details relating to bottle crates
    • B65D2501/2405—Construction
    • B65D2501/24146—Connection between walls or of walls with bottom
    • B65D2501/24152—Integral
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
    • B65D2501/24—Boxes or like containers with moulded compartments or partitions
    • B65D2501/24006—Details relating to bottle crates
    • B65D2501/24197—Arrangements for locating the bottles
    • B65D2501/24203—Construction of locating arrangements
    • B65D2501/2421—Partitions
    • B65D2501/24216—Partitions forming square or rectangular cells
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
    • B65D2501/24—Boxes or like containers with moulded compartments or partitions
    • B65D2501/24006—Details relating to bottle crates
    • B65D2501/24197—Arrangements for locating the bottles
    • B65D2501/24203—Construction of locating arrangements
    • B65D2501/24235—Pillars
    • B65D2501/24254—Pillars of star-like cross-section
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
    • B65D2501/24—Boxes or like containers with moulded compartments or partitions
    • B65D2501/24006—Details relating to bottle crates
    • B65D2501/24197—Arrangements for locating the bottles
    • B65D2501/24203—Construction of locating arrangements
    • B65D2501/24261—Ribs on the side walls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
    • B65D2501/24—Boxes or like containers with moulded compartments or partitions
    • B65D2501/24006—Details relating to bottle crates
    • B65D2501/24197—Arrangements for locating the bottles
    • B65D2501/24343—Position pattern
    • B65D2501/2435—Columns and rows
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
    • B65D2501/24—Boxes or like containers with moulded compartments or partitions
    • B65D2501/24006—Details relating to bottle crates
    • B65D2501/24363—Handles
    • B65D2501/24509—Integral handles
    • B65D2501/24522—Integral handles provided near to or at the uper edge or rim
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
    • B65D2501/24—Boxes or like containers with moulded compartments or partitions
    • B65D2501/24006—Details relating to bottle crates
    • B65D2501/24554—Stacking means
    • B65D2501/24585—Stacking means for stacking or joining the crates together one upon the other, in the upright or upside-down position
    • B65D2501/24592—Crates presenting local stacking elements protruding from the upper or lower edge of a side wall
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
    • B65D2501/24—Boxes or like containers with moulded compartments or partitions
    • B65D2501/24006—Details relating to bottle crates
    • B65D2501/24554—Stacking means
    • B65D2501/24585—Stacking means for stacking or joining the crates together one upon the other, in the upright or upside-down position
    • B65D2501/24598—Crates presenting a continuous stacking profile along the upper edge of at least two opposite side walls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
    • B65D2501/24—Boxes or like containers with moulded compartments or partitions
    • B65D2501/24006—Details relating to bottle crates
    • B65D2501/24554—Stacking means
    • B65D2501/24585—Stacking means for stacking or joining the crates together one upon the other, in the upright or upside-down position
    • B65D2501/24605—Crates with stacking feet or corner elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
    • B65D2501/24—Boxes or like containers with moulded compartments or partitions
    • B65D2501/24006—Details relating to bottle crates
    • B65D2501/24554—Stacking means
    • B65D2501/24585—Stacking means for stacking or joining the crates together one upon the other, in the upright or upside-down position
    • B65D2501/24649—Auxiliary removable stacking elements other than covers
    • B65D2501/24656—Auxiliary removable stacking elements other than covers these elements being (part of) the contents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
    • B65D2501/24—Boxes or like containers with moulded compartments or partitions
    • B65D2501/24006—Details relating to bottle crates
    • B65D2501/24554—Stacking means
    • B65D2501/24681—Stacking means for stacking or joining the crates together in a staggered configuration
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
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    • B65D2501/24006—Details relating to bottle crates
    • B65D2501/24694—Crates shaped to be nested when empty and superposed when full
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2501/00—Containers having bodies formed in one piece
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    • B65D2501/24866—Other details
    • B65D2501/24872—Information, identification or detection means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to low depth stackable bottle cases for use in retaining and transporting bottles. More particularly, the present invention relates to beverage bottle cases that combine low depth with high stability for stored bottles, full label visibility for display purposes, and an integrally formed logo for easy identification of the bottle or product supplier. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • PET bottles are widely used as containers for retailing soft drinks and other beverages.
  • One type of plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
  • PET polyethylene terephthalate
  • the walls of PET bottles are strong in tension and thus can safely contain the pressure of a carbonated beverage.
  • conventional PET bottles can bear surprisingly high compressive loads, provided that the load is directed substantially along an axially symmetric axis of the bottle.
  • a single PET bottle can support the weight of many bottles of the same size filled with beverage if the bottle is standing upright on a flat, horizontal surface and the weight of the other bottles is applied to the closure of the single bottle and is directed substantially vertically along the symmetric axis.
  • Soft drink bottles are ordinarily packaged by bottlers in cases or other containers, several bottles to the case, for shipment to retailers or for storage.
  • the term "case”, “crate” or “tray” is used interchangeably herein to include all cases, crates, trays and similar containers having a bottom and peripheral side wall structure. Cases of bottles are customarily stacked on top of each other. In storage warehouses, columns of cases are frequently stacked on pallets which can be lifted and moved about by fork-lift trucks. The stacks of cases on the pallets must therefore be particularly stable in order to remain standing in the face of the jostling inherent in being moved about. A technique for interconnecting stacks of empty cases, called “cross-stacking,” is often used to improve the stability of empty cases loaded on a warehouse pallet.
  • Cross-stacking generally involves stacking rectangular bottle cases to build up a layered structure, with each layer having cases oriented parallel to each other and with the adjacent layers being oriented at right angles to each other.
  • each case in the cross-stacked layer rests on at least two cases in the layer below.
  • the cases of the cross-stacked layer tend to keep the cases on which they rest from moving apart from each other.
  • the cross-stacked layers therefore stabilize the stacked structure.
  • Bottles can tilt away from vertical alignment upon stacking if conventional partitioned cases having low side walls are used to contain the bottles. Tilted bottles in the lower cases of a stack can buckle and give way, causing the stack to fall. Even absent buckling, the tendency of bottles to tilt in conventional low-sided cases causes problems. Tilting generally places an undesirably low limit on the number of tiers in a stack since the tilting of bottles in one case can cause the next higher case in the stack to tilt. This leads to instability if too many tiers are included in the stack.
  • plastic full depth cases that is, plastic cases having peripheral sidewalls approximately the same height as the bottles.
  • the sidewalls are the load bearing surfaces.
  • Full depth plastic cases have numerous disadvantages. They are expensive to manufacture, they are expensive to ship and to store empty in a warehouse as they require a large amount of space. Full depth cases also totally surround the bottles and prevent display of the bottles and are not easily identifiable with a particular product or supplier, except by the imprinted or painted logos or other insignia that may be applied thereto.
  • a low depth case is one in which the side walls are lower than the height of the stored bottles, and in which the bottles support the weight of additional cases stacked on top.
  • the commonly assigned U.S. Patent Nos. 4,899,874 and 4,978,002 the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, disclose a low depth bottle case for two-liter bottles that is cross-stackable when empty if the upper cross-stacked cases are properly positioned.
  • the substantially flat upper surface across the bottle retaining pockets permits one piece petaloid bottles and bottles with base indentations to be retained.
  • the low height of the case sidewalls and the columns above the case sidewalls also allow the display of the bottle labels to the consumer.
  • the side walls are generally rectangular and do not identify the particular supplier of the soft drink, except by imprinted or painted logos or insignias that may be provided.
  • the stackable low depth case for retaining and transporting bottles has opposing side walls and opposing end walls that form an outer shell having a case bottom disposed substantially within the outer shell.
  • the side walls include a lower wall portion and a plurality of spaced upwardly projecting pylons, four corner pylons defining four corners of the case.
  • a plurality of spaced upwardly projecting columns generally disposed within the outer shell define, in combination with the case bottom, the side walls and the end walls, a plurality of bottle retaining pockets.
  • the columns and the pylons extend above the lower wall portions and below a top surface of the retained bottles.
  • At least one of the walls includes an integrally molded logo which identifies the source of the goods.
  • Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a stackable low depth case according to the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof
  • Figure 3 is an end elevational view thereof
  • Figure 4 is a top plan view thereof
  • Figure 5 is a bottom plan view thereof.
  • Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view thereof.
  • the stackable low depth bottle case 10 has two basic elements: a floor structure 20 and a wall structure 11.
  • Wall structure 11 includes four side walls 12, 14, 16, 18.
  • Side walls 12, 16 are relatively long and extend the length of case 10 whereas side walls or end walls 14, 18 are relatively short and extend the width of case 10.
  • side walls 12 and 16 define a logo or insignia to identify the supplier of the bottled product or the case itself.
  • the depth or height of side walls 12, 14, 16, 18 is relatively low compared to the height of the bottles retained therein.
  • the ratio of the length of long side walls 12, 16 to the length of short end walls 14, 18 is substantially equal to the ratio of the number of bottles the case holds in the lengthwise direction to the number of bottles the case holds in the widthwise direction.
  • case 10 also includes a floor structure or bot ⁇ tom portion 20 attached to side walls 12, 14, 16, 18 to form the outer shell of case 10.
  • case 10 is made from plastic and is molded integrally as a single component.
  • Bottom portion 20 has an upper surface 22 and a lower surface 24.
  • Upper surface 22 is substantially flat in order to accommodate a variety of bottles, including one piece petaloid bottles and two piece base cup bottles.
  • Lower surface 24 is formed as a plurality of closure acceptance areas 25 defined by generally concave concentric circular portions 26, each having a central retaining opening 28 disposed therein as shown in Figure 5.
  • the number of closure acceptance areas corresponds to the number of bottles the case is designed to retain.
  • the periphery of bottom portion is finished with a beveled edge 35 to facilitate handling by allowing hand trucks to slide easily under the case.
  • Circular concave portions 26 are formed offset from the centerline of the retained bottles by ribs or projections which define the circular concave shape. These ribs also form central retaining opening 28.
  • Central retaining opening 28 is sized to receive the bottle top of a bottle which is disposed in a lower case 10. The bottle top fits adjacent central retaining opening 28 so that central retaining opening 28 retains the bottle top in position against lower surface 24.
  • the conical shape of circular concave portion 26 assists the bottle top to abut central retaining opening 28.
  • a cloverleaf closure acceptance area 25 is utilized to ensure that there is contact around the entire perimeter of the closure acceptance area.
  • the cloverleaf closure acceptance area 25 substantially restrains the end-to- end movement as well as the side-to-side movement of the bottles in the stacked cases.
  • Side walls 12, 16 each include a lower wall portion 56 and a plurality of pylons 58.
  • pylon denotes an upwardly extending hollow column or post.
  • a corner pylon 58a is disposed in each corner of case 10.
  • Pylons 58, 58a are integrally formed with lower wall portion 56 and floor structure 20.
  • Pylons 58, 58a are preferably hollow and generally extend upward from and beyond a top edge of lower wall portion 56.
  • Pylons 58, 58a are integral with the interior and exterior lower wall portion 60, 62.
  • Interior lower wall portion 60 and exterior lower wall portion 62 combine to provide a double- walled construction to case 10 such that they are respectively contiguous with the interior and exterior surfaces of the side and corner pylons. This construction ensures that case 10 will have sufficient strength and rigidity for a variety of handling situations.
  • the interior lower wall portion 60 of sidewalls 12, 16 is defined by a plurality of retaining tabs 74 extending upwards from bottom portion 20.
  • the exterior lower wall portion 62 of side walls 12, 16 is defined by an integrally formed logo 76 or insignia which identifies the company.
  • the company may be the bottler, the product within the bottle, the manufacturer of case 10 or any other company having an interest in being identified with the bottle case, the bottles or the product.
  • "Logo" as used herein should be broadly interpreted to mean any geometric pattern, alphanumeric or written pattern, symbol, emblem, design, trademark or other identifier of the company or source of the goods, such as industry symbols, company mascots, company names, and the like.
  • the integral logo 76 as defined herein forms a structural component of the bottle case having an upper logo edge 78 and a lower logo edge 80, as differentiated from a logo which is merely embossed or molded onto a wall of the bottle case.
  • the interior and exterior lower wall portions may both be used to define the integral logo, or just the exterior.
  • the lower edges 82 of end walls 14, 18 on opposing sides of handle portion 64 are at approximately the same height relative to bottom portion 20. As a result, the lower edge 80 of logo 76 adjacent end wall
  • a plurality of vertical walls 29 and columns 30 are disposed within side walls 12, 14, 16, 18.
  • “columns” denote an upwardly extending hollow column or post within the interior area of the case and "pylon” denotes the same around the periphery of the case.
  • vertical walls 29 extend to the top surface of bottom portion 20. The side edges of vertical walls 29 abut pylons 58 and columns 30 and help to secure the interior surfaces of pylons 58 and columns 30 to bottom portion 20.
  • Vertical walls 29, columns 30, and pylons 58, 58a when combined with upper surface 22 of bottom portion 20 and sidewalls 12, 14, 16, 18, (including retaining tabs 74) define a plurality of bottle retaining pockets 32.
  • Columns 30 and pylons 58, 58a extend above bottom portion 20 a distance approximately equal to forty percent of the height of the bottles to be retained in case 10.
  • columns 30 and pylons 58, 58a define a case that is approximately 5.25 inches tall. This increases the effective height of the case while maintaining high bottle visibility and low manufacturing costs.
  • the columns and pylons increase the lateral stability of the bottle within bottle retaining pocket 32, a greater variance in the diameters of the bottles is obtained because as snug of fit is no longer necessary, as in the prior art cases.
  • Pylons 58 are disposed along the walls 12, 16 and columns 30 are disposed away from the walls, centrally within bottom portion 20. Pylons 58a disposed in the corners between two adjacent walls have one curved surface 34. Pylons 58 disposed on sidewalls 12, 16 have two curved surfaces 34 and one flat surface 36 disposed therebetween. The two curved surfaces 34 help define two separate and adjacent bottle retaining pockets 32. Flat surface 36 is disposed between these two bottle retaining pockets. Columns 30 that are disposed centrally within bottle portion 20 are octagonally shaped. These columns 30 have four alternating curved surfaces 34 and four alternating flat surfaces 36. The four curved surfaces 34 define portions of four bottle retaining pockets 32 and the four flat surfaces 34 separate these pockets.
  • Exterior bottle retaining pockets formed by corner pylons 58a, side pylons 58, and columns 30 are defined by only three corners since there are no side pylons on end walls 14, 18, the reasons for which are discussed below.
  • column 30 and pylons 58 disposed along a center line 40 of the length of the case 10 include recesses 42, 44, respectively, which for the disclosed embodiments extend downwardly to a height which substantially equals the height of vertical walls 29.
  • Columns 30 disposed along a center line 46 of the width of the case (along the longitudinal axis of case 10) also include recesses 48 which extend downwardly to a height substantially equal to the height of vertical walls 29.
  • columns 30 and pylons 58 disposed along an axis parallel to center line 40 along the transverse axis of the case include recesses 52, 54, respectively.
  • the recesses 44, 54 in pylons 58 may not all be equal.
  • pylon 58(b) is disposed above the higher side of lower wall 56 and is therefore shorter than adjacent pylons 58.
  • the recess in pylon 58(b) is therefore also shorter than the recesses in the adjacent pylons.
  • these recesses are for receiving ribs of an identical upper case and provide flexibility in the stacking of identical cases.
  • the upper surface 22 of bottom portion 20 within bottle retaining pockets 32 is substantially flat. This permits retention of bottles regardless of the configuration of the bottom of the bottles. Also, this allows petaloid bottles to be rotated within the bottle retaining pockets to facilitate display of the product.
  • the low depth feature of case 10 as well as the windows or depressions 38 cut out from side walls 12, 16 further enhance display of the product labels in a retail setting.
  • Bottom portion 20 also includes a plurality of ribs 70 corresponding in location to recesses 42, 44, 48, 52, 54 within columns 30 and pylons 58 and extending upwards from lower surface 24 to the bottom of the recesses.
  • the correspondence between the ribs and the column and pylon recesses enables case 10 to be column nested one on top of another, as described in detail in parent application U.S. Serial No. 08/421,941. This is also accomplished by having pylons 58, 58a and columns 30 which are angled toward the interior of the case. This means that pylons 58, 58a and columns 30 are tapered so that the cross sections at their tops are smaller than their cross sections nearer the lower wall portion.
  • Pylons 58, 58a are also set slightly inward from the height of lower wall portions 56 to further enhance the nestability of empty cases.
  • the interior surface 86 of comer pylons 58a rests upon the upper surface of the comer pylon therebeneath in the identical lower case.
  • the lower edge 80 of integral logo 76 of an upper nested case will be spaced slightly above the upper edge of the integral logo of the identical lower case.
  • End walls 14, 18 are formed by handle portions 64 to facilitate carrying case 10.
  • the upper surfaces of handle portions 64 are equal in height to comer pylons 58a, which are equal in height to pylons 58 and columns 30.
  • Handles 64 extend integrally from comer pylons 58a, and comprise substantially horizontal handle bars 66 integral with handle supports 68 which extend angularly inward from the comer pylons.
  • Handle supports 68 of each handle 64 diverge from handle bar 66 such that the handle has a generally trapezoidal configuration with the handle bar defining the short side of a trapezoid and the supports defining the diverging legs.
  • Handle portions 64 can be utilized to lift case 10 in the usual manner by grasping the upper edge with the palm facing upwards and the fingers curling upwards and into the case. This manner of lifting is damaging to the wrists, however, when delivery personnel are lifting a case from above their head. Therefore, the present invention also allows handle portions 64 to be gripped with the palm facing down and the fingers curling downwards around handle bar 66. There are no pylons or vertical walls on end walls 14, 18 in the area immediately interior to handle bar 66 in order to assure that there is adequate space for the fingers to be inserted and curled therearound. As most clearly shown in Figures
  • handle portions 64 may also have finger recesses along the upper edge and/or lower edge to further aid in carrying case 10. Still further, handle portions 64 or an alternate handle configuration may be provided on side walls 12 and 16 in addition to end walls 14 and 18 such that a gripping structure is disposed on each side of the case.
  • the integral logo 76 of the present invention can be used in any type of case or tray for transporting containers. It also not necessary for the integral logo 76 to be disposed in the lower wall portion of the case since it could easily be configured for placement anywhere within the wall structure of the case. That is, the logo could be formed along a top band or rim of a case when the side walls of the case are defined only by downwardly extending columns with large spaces therebetween, such as the cases illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 5,267,649 or other similar designs.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • Stackable Containers (AREA)
  • Packaging Frangible Articles (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une caisse empilable (10) destinée à contenir et à transporter des bouteilles. Cette caisse comporte des parois latérales extérieures formant une coque extérieure avec un axe longitudinal et un axe horizontal, un fond de caisse (20) placé sensiblement à l'intérieur de la coque extérieure, et plusieurs supports pour porter les surfaces extérieures des bouteilles. Les parois latérales comprennent une partie de paroi inférieure et plusieurs montants (58) se projetant vers le haut, et espacés, les quatre angles de la caisse étant définis par quatre montants d'angle (58). Plusieurs colonnes verticales (30) se projetant vers le haut, et espacées, généralement disposés par rapport à la coque extérieure, définissent, en association avec le fond de la caisse, les parois latérales et les parois terminales, des poches de maintien des bouteilles. Les colonnes (30) et les montants (58) s'étendent au-dessus des parties de parois inférieures et en dessous d'une surface supérieure des bouteilles ainsi maintenues. Au moins une des parois latérales comprend un logo intégralement moulé (76) qui identifie l'origine des marchandises.
PCT/US1996/008608 1995-06-07 1996-06-06 Caisse presentant un logo solidaire de la paroi laterale WO1996040566A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU59765/96A AU5976596A (en) 1995-06-07 1996-06-06 Case with integral sidewall logo

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US48092795A 1995-06-07 1995-06-07
US08/480,927 1995-06-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996040566A1 true WO1996040566A1 (fr) 1996-12-19

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1996/008608 WO1996040566A1 (fr) 1995-06-07 1996-06-06 Caisse presentant un logo solidaire de la paroi laterale

Country Status (6)

Country Link
AR (1) AR002357A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU5976596A (fr)
CO (1) CO4520127A1 (fr)
UY (1) UY24258A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1996040566A1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA964826B (fr)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1262819A1 (fr) * 2001-05-28 2002-12-04 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Unité de film photographique munie d'une lentille
EP2107006A1 (fr) * 2008-03-31 2009-10-07 Rehrig Pacific Company Plateau empilable de faible profondeur
US9475602B2 (en) 2008-10-06 2016-10-25 Rehrig Pacific Company Stackable low depth tray
EP3248899A1 (fr) * 2016-05-26 2017-11-29 Nordpack GmbH Support de récipient destiné au transport de récipients individuels et découpe de carton plat pour un tel support de récipient
USD831962S1 (en) 2017-12-22 2018-10-30 Rehrig Pacific Company Beverage crate
US11319130B2 (en) 2014-12-04 2022-05-03 Rehrig Pacific Company Beverage crate
US11390415B2 (en) 2018-10-25 2022-07-19 Rehrig Pacific Company Nestable bottle crate
WO2022179711A1 (fr) * 2021-02-26 2022-09-01 Dw Reusables Nv Casier à bouteilles polyvalent

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2970715A (en) * 1958-11-17 1961-02-07 Richardson Co Bottled beverage carrying case
US4416373A (en) * 1982-02-04 1983-11-22 Delarosiere Pierre J Interlocking stackable bottles
US4773554A (en) * 1985-07-22 1988-09-27 Teknol Holdings, Inc. Crate
US4789063A (en) * 1986-10-30 1988-12-06 International Container Systems, Inc. Spacer tray for packaging containers
US4899874A (en) * 1988-04-26 1990-02-13 Rehrig-Pacific Company, Inc. Stackable low depth bottle case

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2970715A (en) * 1958-11-17 1961-02-07 Richardson Co Bottled beverage carrying case
US4416373A (en) * 1982-02-04 1983-11-22 Delarosiere Pierre J Interlocking stackable bottles
US4773554A (en) * 1985-07-22 1988-09-27 Teknol Holdings, Inc. Crate
US4789063A (en) * 1986-10-30 1988-12-06 International Container Systems, Inc. Spacer tray for packaging containers
US4899874A (en) * 1988-04-26 1990-02-13 Rehrig-Pacific Company, Inc. Stackable low depth bottle case

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1262819A1 (fr) * 2001-05-28 2002-12-04 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Unité de film photographique munie d'une lentille
EP2107006A1 (fr) * 2008-03-31 2009-10-07 Rehrig Pacific Company Plateau empilable de faible profondeur
US8893891B2 (en) 2008-03-31 2014-11-25 Rehrig Pacific Company Stackable low depth tray
US9475602B2 (en) 2008-10-06 2016-10-25 Rehrig Pacific Company Stackable low depth tray
US11319130B2 (en) 2014-12-04 2022-05-03 Rehrig Pacific Company Beverage crate
EP3248899A1 (fr) * 2016-05-26 2017-11-29 Nordpack GmbH Support de récipient destiné au transport de récipients individuels et découpe de carton plat pour un tel support de récipient
USD831962S1 (en) 2017-12-22 2018-10-30 Rehrig Pacific Company Beverage crate
US11390415B2 (en) 2018-10-25 2022-07-19 Rehrig Pacific Company Nestable bottle crate
WO2022179711A1 (fr) * 2021-02-26 2022-09-01 Dw Reusables Nv Casier à bouteilles polyvalent

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ZA964826B (en) 1997-01-07
AU5976596A (en) 1996-12-30
UY24258A1 (es) 1996-11-26
CO4520127A1 (es) 1997-10-15
AR002357A1 (es) 1998-03-11

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