EP1440894A1 - Stackable container - Google Patents

Abstract

Stacking box (1) comprises form elements (3.1, 3.2, 4, 5) for stacking the stacking box on at least one further similar stacking box and for nesting the same container pair after rotating one of the stacking boxes about its vertical axis. The form elements are arranged in the corner regions (E1, E3) of each stacking box. At least two different corner configurations are provided. Preferred Features: Two identical containers can be placed inside each other on counter-rotation about 180degrees or 90degrees.

Description

The invention relates to a stacking container with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

A general generic feature of containers of this type is the option of taking them both under Use their internal volume to stack goods on top of each other as well as empty them to nest one inside the other. The latter advantageously enables a more compact loading volume z. B. when returning the empty (reusable) container for reloading. Common to all containers of this type is that their cross-section extends from the upper opening of the container more or less tapered towards the bottom, this tapering can be carried out continuously or in stages. They also dive when stacked Containers are usually slightly intertwined to center them and the stack stabilize laterally. As a rule, such containers are made of plastic by injection molding made in one piece with all form elements.

Known from DE-A1-44 02 219 stacking containers with rigid walls, which are in a first Position stackable on top of each other and in a second position opposite the first position is slightly linear, can be nested. This is done in two conical ribs with a U-cross section provided opposite one another, whose lower ends in the first position on the upper surface edge of the container walls the intended contact surfaces and sit in the negative position in the second position the same shape U-ribs of the lower container can be almost completely immersed.

The mutual offset of both positions results in the stacked state, in Viewed stacking direction, a slight center deviation of the successive ones Containers that, on the other hand, pass vertically above and into one another when nesting.

DE 296 23 985 U1 describes a similar container system for mail items, in which the two different relative positions of two containers for stacking and The boxes can be reached by turning one of the containers around its vertical axis (180 °). There is no mutual displacement of the containers, whether they are stacked or are nested.

Also in this and in the similar system described in FR-A-2 621 297 molded in web and U-shaped on two opposite side walls Procure form elements by suitable mutual offset so that they are in a Position the lower ends of the webs on the upper contact surfaces of the side walls of the lower container while turning after the upper one or lower container fit into each other.

Since the containers are loaded relatively heavily (e.g. with mail items), you have to Load-bearing form elements themselves relatively deep perpendicular to the course of said side walls To run. This basically limits the usable loading volume of the containers.

The invention is based on the object of a container or a container system create, in which the form elements allowing the stacking and nesting of the containers limit the usable container volume less.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1. The features of the subclaims indicate advantageous developments of the invention.
By arranging the shaped elements that allow the optional stacking and nesting (nesting) in corner areas of the containers, it is possible to make the side walls smooth and relatively thin and to bring them all over to the outer contour of the containers. Also so-called display containers can advantageously be designed according to the invention, the side walls of which are more or less pulled down between the corner posts designed with the nominal height of the containers, so that the cargo is ventilated, visible and possibly accessible even when stacked.

The corner areas cannot be fully used anyway depending on the load. at Use of the stacking container according to the invention for small pieces, possibly pourable Load, e.g. B. mushrooms or fruits such as strawberries or cherries, but also apples etc. Excellent overall contamination is also possible with somewhat bulky corner areas.

The containers according to the invention are preferably rectangular (possibly square) Floor plan executed. The arrangement and design of the shaped elements according to the invention can basically also be used for containers with a different floor plan, as long as they have an even number of corners. To achieve stable stacking - Both in stack and in box mode - the containers should always be on all corners rest.

The general feature of the corner design modified according to the invention is at least two types of shoulders or shoulders with one approximately parallel to the bottom of the container (horizontal) extension. In one case, they are approximately at the top of the inside of the stacking container and outside at about the height of the bottom (hereinafter "stacking elements") and in the other case inside by a predetermined distance from the upper edge lowered from the container or to be arranged on the outside above the bottom ("box elements"). The outer (lower) stacking elements are only from the outside of the container visible from here, while the inner (upper) stacking elements are best viewed over the inside of the container is recognizable.

As already mentioned at the beginning, the (upper) opening of the containers must have a circumference, which is larger than the area of the floor plus the thickness of the side walls around the box to enable.

Lower (external) stacking elements of the container to be placed are used for stacking placed on top (inside) stacking elements of the lower container.

When nesting, lower (outer) stacking elements can be placed on top (inner) nesting elements seated. The attached container more or less dips into the lower one (carrying) container.

In a preferred embodiment, the stacking elements are to be arranged in an extension of the first side wall and the box elements in an extension of the second side wall in a corner of the stacking container in which two side walls form an angle.
The desired effect according to the invention is z. B. achieved by connecting box elements to both sides of a first side wall and stacking elements to both sides of the opposite side wall. Assuming a rectangular layout, stacking elements are to be formed on both sides of the first longer side wall and box elements on both sides.

At least two different global configurations of the corner areas are possible, in the first two identical containers for stacking or nesting each have to be rotated against each other by 180 ° as in the prior art, in the second two identical containers with a square floor plan only by 90 ° against each other have to be rotated. In the first case the containers can be symmetrical about a single axis, in the second case they are symmetrical about two mutually perpendicular axes.
Further details and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the drawing of an exemplary embodiment and its detailed description that follows below.

Fig. 1

eine einfache Prinzipskizze einer möglichen Anordnung von Stapel- und Schachtelelementen an einem Tripel von baugleichen Behältern,

Fig. 2

eine ähnliche Prinzipskizze wie in Fig. 1 mit zwei Stapelbehältem mit quadratischem Grundriss;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Außenansicht einer Behälterecke;

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Innenansicht derselben Behälterecke wie in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Zusammenstellung zweier vor dem Stapeln übereinander gebrachter identischer Behälterecken;

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Zusammenstellen zweier vor dem Schachteln übereinander gebrachter verschieden ausgebildeter Behälterecken.

Show it

Fig. 1

a simple schematic diagram of a possible arrangement of stacking and boxing elements on a triple of identical containers,

Fig. 2

a similar schematic as in Figure 1 with two stacking containers with a square plan.

Fig. 3

an external perspective view of a container corner;

Fig. 4

an internal perspective view of the same container corner as in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

a perspective compilation of two identical container corners placed one above the other before stacking;

Fig. 6

a perspective compilation of two differently designed container corners placed one above the other before nesting.

In Fig. 1 , three identical, rectangular stacking containers 1 are one above the other. One looks from above into the opening of the container on the bottom 2 thereof. While the upper and the middle container 1 are aligned in the same way, the lower container is rotated by 180 ° about its vertical axis (in the direction of view) relative to the other two. In the manner of a wire model, only the main edges of each container are shown as connecting lines between the corners.

Each container 1 has two long side walls L1, L2 and two short side walls K1, K2. The side walls L1, L2, K1, K2, which are only slightly set towards each other, are drawn here in an exaggeratedly oblique, distorted perspective (in the manner of a photograph with a wide-angle lens) in order to make the arrangement of the stacking elements and the box elements visible in this top view. All four corners can be shown at a glance. The latter are designated clockwise with E1 (side walls K1 and L1), E2 (side walls L1 and K2), E3 (side walls K2 and L2) and E4 (side walls L2 and K1).
At each corner E1 to E4 of each container 1 is a pair of an upper inner stacking element 3.1 (near the upper edge of the container on the inner wall surface) and a lower outer stacking element 3.2 (near the bottom 2 on the outer wall surface) in extension of a first one Side wall arranged. In each case at the same corner adjoin the stacking elements 3.1, 3.2 to be provided in pairs, box elements 4, which are located approximately halfway between the upper edge of the container 1 and the bottom 2 thereof.
For the "stacking" and "nesting" functions of the containers, it is important that the stacking elements 3.1 and 3.2 overlap each other at least partially in a vertical projection of each corner. At the same time, it is necessary that the respective lower outer stacking elements are offset so far from the (ideal) corner of the container that, after a container has been rotated, they can pass the upper inner stacking element 3.1 of the intestinal lower container in order to access the associated box element 4 to put on. At the same time, there must be a space in the area between the underside of each box element 4 and the bottom of the relevant container, into which the upper stacking element 3.1 of the then lower container can immerse until it almost touches the underside of the box element 4.

The basic arrangement of the stacking and boxing elements is now for the one shown above Container 1 discussed in more detail; the other two containers 1 are, as said, identical executed.

Real spatial embodiments of the stacking and boxing elements will be explained later of the other figures described.

Pairs of stacking elements 3.1 and 3.2 are connected to the side wall K1 on both sides. The opposite side wall K2 has no stacking element, but on its two sides connect box elements 4.

The two side walls L1 and L2, however, each have their left in the drawing End of box elements 4, at their right ends again upper and lower stacking elements 3.1 and 3.2.

This results in the regularity that the corners E1 and E2 and the corners E3 and E4 are identical in pairs. If you turn the corner E1 mentally in Clockwise by 90 °, it can be brought into exact overlap with corner E2. The same applies analogously to the corner pair E3 and E4. In contrast, the corners E1 and E4 as well as E2 and E3 mirrored.

The containers 1 thus have one that touches the center of the bottom 2 and the side walls K1 and K2 of the central intersecting axis of symmetrical construction.

The middle container 1 is aligned in FIG. 1 in the same way as the upper one. One recognizes without further that with an imaginary placement of the middle container 1 on the upper container the lower stacking elements 3.2 of the attached container 1 are above the upper stacking elements 3.1 of the container 1 below it and are placed on it can (remember the strong perspective distortion of this principle representation). The upper stacking elements 3.1 each form contact areas for the lower stacking elements 3.2, and the upper container stands securely at all four corners E1 to E4.

In the case of the container 1 shown below, the four corners E1 to E4 and side walls are the result Rotation by 180 ° in pairs in relation to the corresponding corners and side walls of the swapped the two containers 1 shown above. Dashed lines between the Box elements 4 of the container 1 shown below indicate an uprising level, on which when nesting two containers, the upper container or its lower outer container Place stacking elements 3.2.

Ecken E1 -> E3, E2 -> E4, E3 -> E1, E4 -> E2

Unteres äußeres Stapelelement 3.2 von E1 -> Schachtelelement 4 von E3

Schachtelelement 4 von E1 -> oberes inneres Stapelelement 3.1 von E3

Unteres äußeres Stapelelement 3.2 von E2 -> Schachtelelement 4 von E4

Schachtelelement 4 von E2 -> oberes inneres Stapelelement 3.1 von E4

Unteres äußeres Stapelelement 3.2 von E3 -> Schachtelelement 4 von E1

Schachtelelement 4 von E3 -> oberes inneres Stapelelement 3.1 von E1

Unteres äußeres Stapelelement 3.2 von E4 -> Schachtelelement 4 von E2 und

Schachtelelement 4 von E4 -> oberes inneres Stapelelement 3.1 von E2.

If one mentally shifts the middle container 1 into a vertical projection over the lower container 1, the following elements, projected onto the drawing level, reach one another (the elements belonging to the middle container 1 are named first):

Corners E1 -> E3, E2 -> E4, E3 -> E1, E4 -> E2

Lower outer stacking element 3.2 from E1 -> box element 4 from E3

Box element 4 from E1 -> upper inner stacking element 3.1 from E3

Lower outer stacking element 3.2 from E2 -> box element 4 from E4

Box element 4 from E2 -> upper inner stacking element 3.1 from E4

Lower outer stacking element 3.2 from E3 -> box element 4 from E1

Box element 4 from E3 -> upper inner stacking element 3.1 from E1

Lower outer stacking element 3.2 from E4 -> box element 4 from E2 and

Box element 4 from E4 -> upper inner stacking element 3.1 from E2.

FIG. 2 shows two containers 1 'with a square outline, the corners E1 to E4 of which are in principle identical to those shown in FIG. 1. The same symbols as in Fig. 1 denote the stacking elements 3.1 and 3.2 and the box elements 4. In contrast to Fig. 1, these containers 1 ', however, only have to be rotated by 90 ° in order to be able to nest them, since the sequence of the equipment of the Corners with stacking elements 3.1 and 3.2 and box elements 4 compared to the containers 1 is changed.

In the case of the stacking containers 1 ', shaped elements close to each side wall on both sides 3.1 / 3.2 or 4 of the same type. This is an axisymmetric arrangement with two mutually perpendicular axes of symmetry, both through the Center of the bottom 2 'of the container 1' and the side walls L1 / L2 or Divide K1 / K2 in the middle. This only works with a square floor plan.

A common feature of both corner configurations in FIGS. 1 and 2 is, however, that there are no stacking elements on either side or box elements on both sides; with such a configuration there would be no safe stacking of containers 1 or 1 ' possible in all four corners.

Ecken E1 -> E4, E2 -> E1, E3 -> E2, E4 -> E3, und demnach

Unteres äußeres Stapelelement 3.2 von E1 -> Schachtelelement 4 von E4

Unteres äußeres Stapelelement 3.2 von E2 -> Schachtelelement 4 von E1

Unteres äußeres Stapelelement 3.2 von E3 -> Schachtelelement 4 von E2

Unteres äußeres Stapelelement 3.2 von E4 -> Schachtelelement 4 von E3.

analog die Schachtelelemente 4 über die jeweils oberen inneren Stapelelemente 3.1.

Obviously, two identical containers 1 'are again stackable.
If, on the other hand, in FIG. 2 the upper container 1 'is again shifted into a vertical projection over the lower container 1' rotated by 90 °, the following elements, projected onto the drawing plane, reach one another (in each case the elements belonging to the upper container 1 ') first mentioned):

Corners E1 -> E4, E2 -> E1, E3 -> E2, E4 -> E3, and accordingly

Lower outer stacking element 3.2 from E1 -> box element 4 from E4

Lower outer stacking element 3.2 from E2 -> box element 4 from E1

Lower outer stacking element 3.2 from E3 -> box element 4 from E2

Lower outer stacking element 3.2 from E4 -> box element 4 from E3.

analogously the box elements 4 via the upper inner stacking elements 3.1.

Of course, you could also the container 1 shown in Fig. 1 with a square plan execute, but always to switch between stack and box position would still have to be turned by 180 °.

The following perspective views will now be used with reference to the corner configurations 1 a preferred real embodiment of the stack and Box elements described.

3 shows the bottom 2 of one of the containers 1 from obliquely below in the area of the corner E1. This is not formed in the ideal corner of the meeting of the extended side walls L1 and K1. A lower outer stacking element 3.2 of the same corner E1 in continuation of the side wall K1 is visible. It springs back slightly in relation to this side wall, and it is also set back in relation to the side wall L1 adjoining the corner to the interior of the container 1. In this way, only the lower side of the upper, inner stacking element 3.1 can be seen, on the upper surface of which another lower outer stacking element 3.2 of another identical container 1 can be placed from above. The surface area of the lower stacking element 3.2 has a recess 3.3, the determination of which will be discussed later. Stiffening ribs 5 extend between the stacking elements 3.2 and 3.1 arranged approximately one above the other in a vertical projection at the corner E1.
Beyond the corner E1 (to the left of it in the drawing), approximately halfway up the side wall L1, one can see the lower surface of the associated box element 4, which adjoins the side wall L1. This is also slightly set back from the outer contours of the two side walls L1 and K1 towards the interior of the container. One can also see the already mentioned free space 6, which is provided in the area between the lower surface of said box element 4 and the bottom 2 of the container in the form of a recess recessed into the interior of the container at corner E1.

It can also be seen here that the upper edges of the side walls L1 and K1 compared to the Corner posts trained corner area are significantly lowered, but essentially smooth and are formed along the outer contour of the container.

Fig. 4 shows the same corner E1 seen obliquely from above over the interior of the container 1. Here the upper surface of the upper inner stack element 3.1 is visible, over which a nose 3.4 rises. The latter penetrates into the recess 3.3 provided on the associated lower outer stacking element 3.2 when the containers 1 are stacked and supports the centering and stabilization of the relative position of the two stacked containers.

Small oblique ribs 3.5 are used to center the container 1 to be placed; they provide z. B. the upper container exactly so that the recess 3.4 exactly over the nose 3.3 of the lower container arrives.

One can also see the top of the box element 4, the shoulder-like as the lower limit a pocket-like free space 7 is formed, as well as the inner wall of the outside free space 6 below the same box element 4.

FIG. 5 illustrates the process of stacking two identical containers 1 with a view of the relative position of two identically formed corners E1 lying one above the other from obliquely above / outside. It shows a movement phase shortly before the upper container is put on. It can be seen that the lower outer stacking element 3.2 of the upper container is located exactly above the upper inner stacking element 3.1, the nose 3.4 being below the recess 3.3 which is not visible here. Analog relative positions are shown in FIG. 1 at all other three corners. The physical design of the stacking and boxing elements is generally identical everywhere. When lowering the upper container 1 further, the lower outer stacking elements 3.2 sit on the assigned upper inner stacking elements 3.1 at all four corners E1 to E4.

The box elements 4 remain inoperative when two containers 1 are stacked.
In reverse of the embodiment shown here, a downward-pointing nose on the lower outer stack elements 3.2 and a corresponding recess on the upper inner stack elements 3.1 could also be provided. However, in this case one would also have to provide corresponding recesses in the surfaces of the box elements 4 if one did not want to accept that the boxed containers could only sit on the tips of the noses pointing downwards without such recesses. Of course, other variants of centering elements are also possible.

In contrast, FIG. 6 shows a phase when nesting or nesting two stacking containers 1 of identical construction but rotated by 180 ° relative to one another, corresponding to the combination of the lower and middle container 1 already described with reference to FIG. 1. Here, one has the corner E1 of the upper container 1 brought vertically over the corner E3 of the lower container 1. Side wall L1 of the upper container 1 is thus aligned with side wall L2 of the lower container 1, side wall K1 above with side wall K2 below.

The lower outer stacking element 3.2 (side wall K1) of the upper container / corner E1 is located vertically above the box element 4 (side wall K2) of the lower container 1 / corner E3 and above pocket 7. At the same time there is box element 4 (Side wall L1) in addition to the free space 6 of the upper container 1 / which extends below it Corner E1 vertically above the upper inner stacking element 3.1 (side wall L2) of the lower one Container 1 / corner E3.

When the upper container 1 is lowered further, the upper inner stacking element 3.1 runs of the lower container 1 in the free space 6 under the box element 4, while the lower outer stacking element 3.2 of the upper container 1 in the above the box element 4 of the corner E3 formed pocket 7 runs in until it is finally on the top of the box element 4 is seated. The same thing happens again at the three other corners, so that the upper container 1 is securely supported at all 4 corners. The wall thickness in the area the box elements 4 can be designed so that the noses 3.3 are seated on the bottom of the box elements 4 is avoided.

Only the stacking or nesting of two containers 1 is described here. It it goes without saying, however, that a plurality of containers using the described Shaped elements 3.1, 3.2 and 4, 5 can be stacked or nested stably, whereby when nesting two consecutive containers at 180 ° to each other are turning.

Claims (12)

Stacking container (1; 1 '), in particular transport container for food such as fruit, with shaped elements (3.1, 3.2, 4, 5) for stacking the stacking container (1; 1') on at least one further stacking container (1; 1 ') and for nesting the same container pair into one another after rotating one of the stacking containers (1; 1') about its vertical axis,
characterized in that
the shaped elements (3.1, 3.2, 4, 5) are arranged in the corner regions (E1 to E4) of each stacking container (1; 1 '), at least two different corner configurations being provided. Stacking container according to claim 1,
characterized in that
at each corner (E1 to E4) stacking elements (3.1, 3.2) are arranged on one side and box elements (4) on the other side, each extending in line with the two corner side walls (L1, L2; K1, K2) connect. Stacking container according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
two different configurations of corner areas (E1 / E4; E2 / E3) are mirror-inverted to each other. Stacking container according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
stacking elements (4) on a side wall (L1; L2) of the container (1) extending between two corners in the area of a first corner (E1; E4) and stacking elements (3.1, 3.2) in the area of the second corner (E2; E3) connect. Stacking container according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
stack elements (3.1, 3.2) are connected to a side wall (K1) of the container (1) extending between two corners (E1, E4) in the area of both corners, while a side wall (K2) lying opposite them is connected in the area of both corners ( E2, E3) Connect box elements (4). Stacking container according to claim 1, 2 or 3,
characterized in that
In the case of a container (1 ') with a square outline, stacking elements (3.1, 3.2) are connected to a pair of opposing side walls on both sides and box elements (4) to the other pair of opposing side walls. Stacking container according to claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that
Two identical containers (1) can be nested one inside the other after being rotated by 180 °. Stacking container according to claim 6,
characterized in that
Two identical containers (1) can be nested one inside the other after being rotated 90 °. Stacking container according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the stacking elements each lying in pairs one above the other by an upper inner stacking element (3.1) in the area near the corner of the upper edge of the container (1; 1 ') and by a lower outer stacking element (3.2) in the area near the corner of the bottom of the container (1; 1') are formed, the lower outer stacking elements (3.2) of one corner coming to rest on the upper inner stacking elements (3.1) of another corner during stacking. Stacking container according to claim 9,
characterized in that
centering shaped elements (3.3, 3.4, 3.5) are provided on the pair of upper inner stack elements (3.1) and lower outer stack elements (3.2) which belong together. Stacking container according to claim 9 or 10,
characterized in that
an upward-pointing nose (3.3) is provided on each upper inner stacking element (3.1) and a recess (3.4) intended for receiving the nose (3.3) during stacking is provided on each lower outer stacking element (3.2). Stacking container according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the box elements (4) are formed by approximately half the height of the corner regions (E1 to E4) of the container (1; 1 ') with shoulder surfaces essentially extending parallel to the bottom (2) of the container, above the inner pockets (7) and are formed underneath the outer free spaces (6), a lower outer stacking element (3.1) being placed on the surface of a box element (4) when two containers are being nested.

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