WO2011107639A1

WO2011107639A1 - Container

Info

Publication number: WO2011107639A1
Application number: PCT/ES2011/070107
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francisco Ramos Arenas
Original assignee: Grupo Minor 9000, S.L.
Priority date: 2010-03-02
Filing date: 2011-02-22
Publication date: 2011-09-09

Abstract

Container formed from a die-cut sheet, which, folded and sealed, defines a self-assemblable prismatic box, said box being formed by means of fold lines, in which the box comprises ventilation openings and wherein at least a first face has, on one of the free sides thereof, at least one flange, and wherein at least a second face includes at least a first flap in which there is at least one groove, such that when the box is assembled the first face lies against the flap of the second face and the flange can be inserted into the groove. The present container may be used as a container for transporting animals or, alternatively, as a feeding station for animals which may in turn be placed in another container for transporting animals.

Description

CONTAINER

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, as expressed in the statement of this specification, refers to a package that can be supplied in a small volume of low occupancy and flat and then be assembled by the user in a simple and quick way. The package object of the invention can be used either for the transport of animals or as an animal feeder.

The object of the invention is an inexpensive package and easy to carry out since a die-cut sheet is used such as those that allow the construction of packaging boxes and the like. In addition, the package has characteristics that give it great resistance to impacts, moisture, ultraviolet rays and static electricity charges.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various containers dedicated to the transport of animals and containers used as animal feeders are known from the state of the art.

The containers that are used to transport animals are usually cages or similar inside of which the animals are housed but a problem with these containers is that the animals can get their heads out through the gap between the bars of the cage which entails a damage to the health of the animal.

In addition, this type of packaging is very expensive for the use they are given.

In some cases, the animals are transported in cardboard boxes but these containers do not have sufficient resistance and insulation against humidity so that the animal being transported is not how and it is also easy to cause stains and dirt on the person transporting the animal.

On the other hand, it is not known from the state of the art any package that is used as a feeder for animals that conforms from a die-cut sheet and that has one with openings for the entrance of the animal's head and additional areas whose folding and closing establishes a user-mountable prismatic body.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To avoid the inconveniences indicated in the previous section, a package is provided that can be used for the transport of animals such as small birds, rodents or other animals or that can be used as an animal feeder.

The package object of the invention is formed from a die-cut foil that folded and closed determines a self-prisable prismatic box. Said box is formed by folding lines and comprises ventilation openings. At least one first face of the box has at least one flange on one of its free sides and the box has at least one second face that includes at least one first flap in which there is at least one groove. When the box is mounted, the first face is attached to the flap of the second face and the tab is inserted into the groove.

Thus, the package is composed of a die-cut sheet whose folding and closing determines well a cabin where an animal is transported, or a feeder inside which the food for an animal is introduced.

When the container is used as a feeder, it can have means of hooking to a cage. Said hooking means may consist of at least two cuts, each of them not closed and arranged symmetrically on the face of the container used as a feeder comprising openings for the introduction of the animal's head.

When the container is used to transport animals, it can incorporate inside flaps inside which there are specific die cuttings for the incorporation of feeders, drinking troughs and other useful accessories for the transported animal. The package of the invention has at least one safety closure that is placed between a third face that has a second flap on one of its free sides that in the central area of its closing edge has a second groove and a fourth face that has a tongue that penetrates the second slot when the box is mounted and the tongue having a tab that facilitates the removal of the tongue from the second slot when the box is to be opened.

In an embodiment of the invention, said security lock is incorporated into two opposite sides of the box.

The package of the present invention may be a prismatic-rectangular body, a truncated prismatic-rectangular body or it may have a wedge-shaped structure.

The package can have a folding handle formed by two independent lower pieces that have an inverted "T" shape and a grip that is also independent that has a "U" shape and that is the grip element for the user, where the central branch of the inverted "T" pieces goes through a perforation of a fourth face of the box.

The "U" shaped piece and the inverted "T" shaped pieces are made of plastic.

The package of the present invention may comprise at least one additional sheet having peripheral projections that engage coupling grooves formed on the faces of the box to divide the interior of the box into several compartments. In this way the container has more than one compartment such that if it is used as a container for transporting animals, several animals can be transported in isolation and if it is used as a feeder, different food can be had in each of the compartments or different quantities depending on the needs of the animals that go to eat from him Said additional sheet can be positioned along a diagonal plane of the box or parallel to two of its faces.

In one embodiment of the invention, the die-cut sheet with which the package is formed is of propylene and the additional sheet with which it is divided into the interior space of the package into more than one compartment is also of propylene. In an embodiment of the invention, said additional sheet is of a propylene copolymer.

In the embodiment of the invention in which the package is wedge-shaped, two of its faces have a rectangular shape and two of its faces have a trapecial shape such that a rear window and a larger front window facing the rear window are defined in which a face of the box is placed as a swing door.

In this embodiment in which the package is wedge-shaped, the face of the box that functions as a hinged door starts from an edge of one of the rectangular side walls. The corresponding edges with that previous window of the other three side walls include fins against which the face is attached as a hinged door. The security closure is between the hinged door and the rectangular face of the container opposite the rectangular face from which said hinged door starts.

In one embodiment of the invention, one face of the box has an access opening that the user can close. In one embodiment of the invention, one of the faces of the box has a peeling line that allows the user to remove a portion of the face to establish a user-lockable opening by means of an additional metal grid whose ends are interlocked and internally folded into that face of the box through fastening holes provided in said face, in proximity to the edge of said established opening. In another embodiment of the invention, the access opening has a third flap as an access door that has a insert provided with a front flap with a passage where a retractable latch is engaged that is incorporated in a closing mechanism that is on the face of the box in which the access opening is, the retractable latch having a manipulation flange while the latch is associated with a spring.

In another embodiment of the invention, the access opening occupies the entire face of the box in which it is located and the access door is composed of a flat plate guided in two lateral sections of an independent frame that is anchored to the box in correspondence with the sides of the access opening. In this embodiment, the two lateral sections of the independent frame where the flat plate is guided can incorporate facing pipes where two opposite edges of the flat plate are guided and loosely adjusted.

In that same embodiment, the opposite lateral sections of the independent frame perpendicular to the lateral sections where the flat plate is guided have an upper plate and a lower plate with which it is fixed to the box. In addition, the upper plate and the lower plate can seat externally on end areas of two opposite walls of the box.

The upper plate and the lower plate can be fixed to the box by means of nuts and bolts that pass through first perforations located in the upper plate and in the lower plate and in some second perforations, facing the previous ones, which are in the box.

The flat plate may have a manipulation flap and ventilation openings and in one embodiment of the invention it abuts its lower edge in a projecting portion that is part of the lower plate. The closure of the access opening can be carried out in different ways in the containers of the present invention. In one of the embodiments of the invention, there is a closure provided with elastic jump interconnection pieces composed of a first closure element and a second closure element.

One of the advantages of the package of the present invention is that it can be supplied in sheet form taking up very little space, which facilitates its transport and storage and is also very easy to assemble by the user.

Another advantage of the present invention consists in the impermeability and resistance provided by prolipropylene as a constructive element, thus making the technology of die-cut sheets applicable to containers dedicated to the transport of animals and as feeders for animals. In addition, high impact resistance, high humidity insulation, high durability, protection against ultraviolet rays and protection against static charges of electricity are achieved.

The package of the present invention is simple to assemble, low cost and of great comfort both for the people who will work with it and for the animals that will eat from the container when it is used as a feeder and the animals that will be transported in it when be used as a container for the transport of animals.

Next, in order to facilitate a better understanding of this descriptive report and as an integral part thereof, some figures are attached in which the object of the invention has been shown as an illustrative and non-limiting nature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1.- Represents a perspective view of a first embodiment of the package of the invention. In this case the container is used for transporting animals. Figure 2.- Represents a perspective, exploded and partial view of a handle that the container of the invention can incorporate.

Figure 3.- Represents a plan view of the die-cut sheet with which the container of the invention is shaped according to one of the preferred embodiments.

Figure 4.- It is a perspective view of the package of the invention in one of the preferred embodiments in which it incorporates an access opening covered by a grid. This embodiment of the invention is especially useful when the container is used for transporting animals.

Figure 5.- A plan view of the container of the invention is shown in one of its embodiments in which an additional sheet has been incorporated in its interior to divide the space into more than one compartment.

Figure 6.- The package of the present invention is shown in perspective according to one of the preferred embodiments in which there is an access opening in one of the faces that is closed with a flap and incorporates a retractable latch.

Figure 7.- Shows the package of the invention in an embodiment in which it is wedge-shaped.

Figure 8.- Represents a plan view of the die-cut sheet with which the container of the invention conforms according to the embodiment represented in Figure 7.

Figure 9.- Shows a perspective view of the container of the invention fully assembled according to one of the preferred embodiments of the invention in which it incorporates a closure of which have two pieces that fit together by elastic jump.

Figure 10.- Represents the package of the invention according to the embodiment shown in Figure 9 in a semi-assembled arrangement.

Figure 11.- Shows a perspective view of the package of the invention in an embodiment especially Designed for the container to be used as an animal feeder. Figure lia shows the open container and figure 11b shows the closed container.

Figure 12.- It shows another embodiment of the invention in which the container is used as an animal feeder and the interior space has been divided into more than one compartment by adding additional sheets.

Figure 13.- Shows an embodiment of the package of the invention in which the package has an access opening that is closed by a flat plate guided in a frame placed in said access opening so that it has a door structure.

References :

1: die cut sheet

2: prismatic box

3: folding lines

4: openings

5: tab

6: first flap

7: slot

8: first face

9: second face

10: ventilation openings

11: safety lock

12: third face

13: second flap

14: second slot

15: fourth face

16: tongue

17: tab

18: handle

19: inverted "T" shaped pieces

20: grip piece

21: central branch

22: drilling

23: additional sheet 24: highlights

25: coupling slots

26: back window

27: previous window

28: access opening

29: metal grid

30: clamping holes

31: third flap

32: false piece

33: front flap

34: step

35: retractable latch

36: manipulation tab

37: spring

38: flat iron

39: independent frame

40: pipes

41: top plate

42: bottom plate

43: extreme zone

44: cut

45: internal flap

46: first drilling

47: second perforation

48: tamper flap

49: die cut

50: first closing element

51: second closing element

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In order to reach a better understanding of the object and functionality of this patent, and without being understood as restrictive solutions, a description of several preferred embodiments of the invention based on the figures indicated above is given below.

In a first preferred embodiment, the package is formed from a die-cut sheet (1) that is folded and closed determines a self-adjusting prismatic box (2) and said box (2) is formed by folding lines (3). The die cut sheet (1) can be propylene.

The box comprises ventilation openings (10) that allow the passage of air for example so that there is no humidity inside and so that in case the container is used to transport animals, they can breathe.

At least one first face (8) of the box (2) has at least one flange (5) on one of its free sides and at least one second face (9) of the box (2) includes at least one first flap ( 6) in which there is at least one slot (7). Thus, when the box (2) is mounted, the first face (8) is attached to the flap (6) of the second face (9) and the tab (5) is inserted into the groove (7).

The package of the invention can have at least one safety closure (11). Said safety closure (11) is placed between a third face (12) of the box (2) and a fourth face (15) of the box (2). The third face (12) of the box has a second flap (13) on one of its free sides which in the central area of its closing edge has a second groove (14). The fourth face (15) having a tongue (16) that penetrates the second groove (14) when the box is mounted and said tongue (16) has a flange (17) that facilitates the removal of the tongue (16) from the second slot (14) when you want to open the box (2).

The package object of the invention can have a folding handle (18). This handle (18) is formed by two independent lower pieces that have an inverted "T" shape (19) and a grip piece (20) that is also independent that has a "U" shape and that is the grip element for the user. The central branch (21) of the inverted "T" pieces (19) pass through a perforation (22) of a fourth face (15) of the box (2) so that part of the inverted "T" shaped part (19) is inside the container and the "U" shaped part It is on the outside of the package so that the user of the package can grab it from said piece and transport it easily.

In one embodiment of the invention, the package has at least one additional sheet (23) having peripheral projections (24) that engage coupling grooves (25) made in the faces of the box (2). This additional sheet has the function of dividing the interior space of the container into more than one compartment. In this way, if the container is used for transporting animals, more than one animal can be transported in isolation. If the container is used as an animal feeder, the additional sheet serves to create more than one compartment so that different food, different amounts of food can be placed in each of them or each of them can be used for different animals.

The additional sheet can be arranged along a diagonal plane of the container or parallel to two of its faces. In another embodiment of the invention, there is more than one additional sheet so that the interior space of the package is divided into more than two compartments.

Said additional sheet may be of propylene or of a copolymer of propylene.

In one embodiment of the invention, the box (2) of the package is wedge-shaped, having two of its faces rectangular in shape and two of its faces trapezoidal. In this embodiment, a rear window (26) and a larger front window (27) facing the rear window (26) in which a face of the box (2) is placed as a way is defined in the box (2) folding door.

In another embodiment of the invention, the box (2) is in the form of a prismatic-rectangular body. In another embodiment of the invention, the box (2) is in the form of a truncated prismatic-rectangular body.

In one embodiment of the invention, one of the faces of the box (2) has an access opening (28) that the User can close. This feature has special application when the container is used to transport animals since the access opening (28) facilitates the introduction and removal of the animal from the container.

In one embodiment of the invention, the access opening (28) is closed by a metal grid (29) whose ends are interlocked in the face of the box (2) in which the access opening (28) is. Said ends are interlocked in fastening holes (30) provided on the edge of the access opening (28) and are internally bent. By having a metal grid (29) closing the access opening (28), you can observe from outside the animal that is being transported in the container or check if the container is empty. In addition to having a rack, you get that the inside of the container is very ventilated.

In another embodiment of the invention, the access opening (28) has a third flap (31) as an access door. Said third flap (31) has a insert (32) provided with a front flap (33) with a passage (34) where a retractable latch (35) is engaged. The retractable latch (35) is incorporated in a closing mechanism (36) that is on the face of the box (2) in which the access opening (28) is. The retractable latch (35) has a manipulation tab (36) while the latch (35) is associated with a spring (37).

In another embodiment of the invention, the access opening (28) occupies the entire face of the box (2) in which it is located and the access door is composed of a flat plate (38) guided in two lateral sections of a independent frame (39). Said independent frame (39) is anchored to the box (2) in correspondence with the sides of the access opening (28).

In this embodiment of the invention, the two lateral sections of the independent frame (39) where the flat plate (38) is guided, incorporate pipes facing each other (40) where two opposite edges of the flat plate (38) are guided and loosely adjusted. The opposite lateral sections of the independent frame (39) perpendicular to the lateral sections where the flat plate (38) is guided have an upper plate (41) and a lower plate (42) with which it is fixed to the box (2).

The upper plate (41) and the lower plate (42) sit externally on end areas (43) of two opposite walls of the box (2). Both plates (41, 42) are fixed to the box (2) by nuts and bolts that pass through first perforations (46) located in the upper plate (41) and in the lower plate (42) and second ones perforations (47), faced with the previous ones, which are in the box (2).

The flat iron (38) has a handling flap

(48) and ventilation openings (10). Said flat plate flat plate (38) can butt by its lower edge in a protruding portion (49) that is part of the lower plate (42).

In one embodiment of the invention, the box (2) has a closure provided with elastic jump interconnection parts composed of a first closure element (50) and a second closure element (51). Both elements fit together by elastic jump.

The package of the invention can be used to facilitate the transport and accommodation of birds, small rodents or other animals and can incorporate inside flaps (45) with specific die cuttings (49) to incorporate feeders, drinking troughs or other useful accessories for the animal housed.

The package of the invention can be used as a feeder for animals in a way that determines a volumetric body capable of accommodating animal food and includes in one of the faces of the box (2) openings (4) for entry of the head of the animal. When the container is used as a feeder, it can incorporate hooking means to a cage. These hooking means may comprise at least two cuts (44) of unclosed path and symmetrically arranged on the face of the box (2) in which the openings (4) are.

Claims

1. Container characterized in that it is formed from a die-cut sheet (1) which folded and closed determines a self-prisable prismatic box (2) and said box (2) is formed by folding lines (3), in which the box it comprises ventilation openings (10) and where at least one first face (8) has at least one flange (5) on one of its free sides and where at least one second face (9) includes at least one first flap (6) in which there is at least one groove (7) so that when the box (2) is mounted, the first face (8) is attached to the flap (6) of the second face (9) and the flange (5) it is inserted in the slot (7).

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that it has at least one safety closure (11) that is placed between a third face (12) having a second flap (13) on one of its free sides than in the central area of its closing edge has a second groove (14) and a fourth face (15) that has a tongue (16) that penetrates the second groove (14) when the box is mounted and the tongue (16) having a flange (16). 17) which facilitates the removal of the tongue (16) from the second slot (14) when the box (2) is to be opened.

3. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a folding handle (18) formed by two independent lower pieces that have an inverted "T" shape (19) and a grip piece (20) that is also independent which has "U" shape and that is the grip element for the user, where the central branch (21) of the inverted "T" pieces (19) pass through a perforation (22) of a fourth face (15) of the box (2) .

A package according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one additional sheet (23) having peripheral projections (24) that engage coupling grooves (25) made in the faces of the box (2).

5. Container according to claim 4, characterized in that the additional sheet is of a copolymer of propylene.

A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the box (2) is wedge-shaped, having two of its faces rectangular in shape and two of its faces in a trapecial shape such that a rear window (26) and a previous window ( 27) of larger dimension facing the rear window (26) in which a face of the box (2) is placed as a hinged door.

7. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the box (2) is in the form of a prismatic-rectangular body.

8. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the box (2) has the shape of a truncated prismatic-rectangular body.

A package according to claim 1, characterized in that a face of the box (2) has an access opening (28) that the user can close.

A package according to claim 9, characterized in that the access opening (28) is closed by a metal grid (29) whose ends are interlocked in the face of the box (2) in which the access opening (28) is ) in fastening holes (30) provided on the edge of the access opening (28) and bent internally.

11. Container according to claim 9, characterized in that the access opening (28) has a third flap (31) as an access door having a insert (32) provided with a front flap (33) with a passage (34) where a retractable latch (35) is engaged which is incorporated in a locking mechanism (36) that is on the face of the box (2) in which the access opening (28) is, having the retractable latch (35) a manipulation flange (36) while the latch (35) is associated with a spring (37).

12. Container according to claim 9, characterized in that the access opening (28) occupies the entire face of the box

(2) in which it is located and the access door is composed of a flat plate (38) guided in two lateral sections of an independent frame (39) that is anchored to the box (2) in correspondence with the sides of the access opening (28).

13. Container according to claim 12, characterized in that the two lateral sections of the independent frame (39) where the flat plate is guided (38) incorporate facing pipes (40) where two opposite edges of the flat plate are guided and adjusted loosely (38).

14. Package according to claim 12, characterized in that the opposite lateral sections of the independent frame (39) perpendicular to the lateral sections where the flat plate (38) is guided have an upper plate (41) and a lower plate (42) with which is fixed to the box (2).

15. Container according to claim 14, characterized in that the upper plate (41) and the lower plate (42) sit externally on end areas (43) of two opposite walls of the box (2).

16. A container according to claim 15, characterized in that the upper plate (41) and the lower plate (42) are fixed to the box (2) by nuts and bolts that pass through first perforations (46) located in the upper plate (41) and in the lower plate (42) and of a second perforations (47), faced with the previous ones, which are in the box (2).

17. Container according to claim 14, characterized in that the flat plate (38) has a handling flap (48) and ventilation openings (10).

18. Container according to claim 14, characterized in that the flat plate (38) abuts its lower edge in a projecting portion that is part of the lower plate (42).

19. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a closure provided with jump interconnection parts elastic composed of a first closure element (50) and a second closure element (51).

20. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that it facilitates the transport and accommodation of birds, small rodents or other animals and that incorporates inside flaps (45) with specific die cuttings (53) to incorporate feeders, drinking troughs or other accessories Useful for the housed animal.

21. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that it determines a volumetric body capable of accommodating animal food and includes in one of the faces of the box (2) openings (4) for entry of the animal's head.

22. Container according to claim 21, characterized in that it has means for engaging in a cage.

23. Container according to claim 22, characterized in that the coupling means comprise at least two cuts (44) of unclosed path and symmetrically arranged on the face of the box (2) in which the openings (4) are.