FR2843945A1 - Stackable and nestable container includes two retractable handles in cut- outs on opposite sides of box, with handles pivotable between an outer container nesting position and a position where they project inside the container for stacking - Google Patents

Abstract

The container (1) includes two retractable handles (7) formed in cut-outs (6) at both ends of the container. The handles are articulated at their lower parts (72) on the lower edges (61) of the cut-outs on which they rest. The handles pivot between a retracted position (7B) where their front faces (76) are in-line with the lateral walls (2) of the container for nesting purposes, and a position in which the handles project inside the container walls to form a projection used for stacking the containers on top of each other.

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stackable container and

  built-in fitted with a retractable stacking means for fitting a tray. PRIOR ART There are different variants of stackable and built-in containers. Thus, according to document FR 92 13 751, a stackable and built-in container is known, comprising at its upper edge, foldable flaps which rest on the upper end of columns made in the walls of the container and thus serve as support. for feet or edge

  bottom of identical bins, stacked.

  To fit the empty trays into each other and gain transport or storage space, the bearing surfaces are folded outwards around their hinge to clear the inside of the trays 15 and allow this stacking.

  According to the embodiment, the columns are in identical or symmetrical positions for two opposite sides of a container and thus, as the case may be, to insert the containers, they will have to be turned around.

  from their vertical axis by an angle of 180.

  These known tanks have a number of drawbacks. The folding support, in the support position, creates an extra thickness which must be taken into account when the container receives a cover which has only a sealing function. The hinges produced in the material remain relatively fragile due to the very fact that they consist of a thin film of material. Depending on the stresses, especially at low temperatures,

  the plastic material becomes fragile and in particular the hinges.

  Some of these known tanks also have the drawback of having a mounting orientation which can constitute a significant drawback given that these operations must be carried out very quickly.

  OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to develop a stackable and built-in container which facilitates the positioning and fixing of the cover, which does not have any orientation and which has handles, and which is either

  generally simple to make and use.

  To this end, the invention relates to a stackable and built-in container of the type defined above, characterized in that - at least two opposite walls include a window each receiving a recessed handle, - this handle being articulated by its lower part on the lower edge of the window against which it rests, this handle switches into a projecting stacking position inside the container and serving as a stacking support and a retracted position releasing the interior of the

  tray and projecting outside.

  Depending on the shape of the trays, in particular if this shape is a multiple of a module as is usual or even necessary for the 10 trays intended to be loaded on a pallet, that is to say according to the corresponding square or rectangular shape for each side we will preferably have a recessed handle per module unit. Thus in the case of a rectangular tray of format 1 x 2, there will be a handle at the level of each small side and two handles at the level of each large side of the tray.

  This handle is articulated between its support position and its

  retracted position serving as a handle without articulation which would be constituted by a thin veil of the material.

  This handle which fits into the corresponding window of the container can be made of a material different from that of the container 20, for example a more rigid material possibly more expensive than that of the container since the handles are produced separately from the container and do not

  are set up only after completion of the tank.

  This handle is astride by its lower part on the lower edge of the window which allows an excellent transmission of the load of the trays stacked on top and especially the good distribution of

  this load over a relatively large length to induce it directly in the slightly inclined wall of the tank.

  The switching between the stacking position and the retracted external position is done by simple pivoting until the final stop. In the retracted position, that is to say leaving the interior of the prismatic volume free to receive a built-in container, the handle can serve as a grip handle for transporting an empty container or a stack of empty containers. According to another characteristic, the container has a circular neck provided with cavities at the location of the handles and whose shape

  matches the top of each handle in the retracted position.

  This cover can thus receive, at the locations of the cavities, the feet of a container stacked on the container provided with the cover. As

  each handle is in the retracted position, the forces exerted by the top tray are directly transmitted to each handle due to the direct contact between the bottom of the cavity and the top of the corresponding handle.

  In addition, the introduction of the cover constitutes a polarizing means 5. Due to the cavity, the cover cannot be put in place

  only if each handle is in the retracted position.

  According to another advantageous characteristic, the cavity of the cover has an orifice and the top of the handle, an orifice, for discharging the liquid arriving on the cover. This allows in particular where to directly discharge the exudates from a tank placed above to avoid

  that these exudates do not pass through the tray placed below.

  Advantageously, the handle is a prismatic piece comprising - two sides in the form of a sector of a circle, the top of which is provided with a notch to overlap the lower edge of the window and form the articulation of the handle, - an upper side constituting the stacking bearing surface, this side being bordered by a stop for each of the tilting positions of the handle,

  - a front panel closing the window when the handle is in the retracted position.

  This form of handle in particular prevents the handle from being able to detach from its window, for example when it switches from a built-in position to a deployed position or vice versa. The handle as25 also ensures the closing of the interior of the tank especially if the tank is

  fitted with a cover. In the case where the front face of the handle has a larger surface than that of the window to rest against part or all of the edge surrounding the window, it is advantageous that the wall surrounding the window is set back from the window. wall thickness so that when the wall is in the built-in position, the bottom wall is extended by the front face of the handle, in continuity with the interior surface of the wall of the tank.

  According to another advantageous characteristic, the handle is provided with a gripping strip on the outer edge of the upper side and reinforced with the handle.

  According to another advantageous characteristic, the upper side has two engagement cavities to receive the upper edge

  window in stacking position and in retracted position.

  The container according to the invention is of a very simple embodiment since the separate molding of the container and that of the handles makes it possible to use very simple molds. This separate manufacture of the container itself and of the handles also makes it possible to use plastics having different mechanical characteristics or different colors. Drawings The present invention will be described below in more detail using an embodiment of a stackable and built-in container according to the invention shown in the accompanying drawings in which 10 - Figure 1 is a view in partial section of a stackable and built-in container wall to the right of the handle in the embedding position, - FIG. 1A is a sectional view from the side of the handle, fitted with an embedding window, - FIG. 1B is a sectional view of the separate handle, intended for the mounting window, - Figure 2 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 1 showing the handle in the support position, - Figure 2A is a separate sectional view of the handle and of the upper edge of the window, when the handle is in the support position, - Figure 2B is a partial sectional view similar to that of Figure 2 but with the bottom covered with a cover, - Figure 3 is a perspective view of an example ple of tray according to the invention, of rectangular double square shape, - Figure 4 is a partial view of the tray of Figure 1, - Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the stacking

  of two types of containers according to the invention.

  Description of embodiments

  According to Figures 1, 1A, 1B, the invention relates to a stackable and built-in tray. This tank 1 which is only partially represented at its side wall 2 and its bottom 3 provided with a rim or a

  foot 4, has in its side wall 2, near its curved upper edge forming a reinforcement 5, a window 6 which receives a handle 7.

  The tray can be produced separately from the handle 7 and the assembly of the handle 7 in its window 6 of the tray 1 is done by playing on the elasticity of the material, in particular that of the tray just after leaving the mold when the

  material is still relatively flexible.

  The window 6 of rectangular shape consists of a lower edge 61, an upper edge 62 and two side edges of which only the rear edge 63 appears in FIG. 1A. This figure also shows the recessed position of the wall part at the level of the window 6 with respect to the surface XX continuing the interior surface of the wall 2 in the

  extension of its lower part.

  s The upper edge 5 preferably surrounds the entire tank and

  is a means of reinforcement at the opening.

  It is the same for the foot 4 which can be continuous or is preferably discontinuous as in Figures 1, 1A.

  The handle 7 (FIG. 1B) as shown in section is a piece of prismatic shape comprising two sides 71 of which only the side of the bottom appears in the section view of FIG. 1B. This side 71 has the same shape as the other side not shown. This side is in the form of a sector of a circle, the top of which, that is to say the part situated towards the point, has a notch 72 of width or opening substantially equal to that of the thickness of the wall 2 of the tank. or more precisely from the lower edge 61 of the window. The notch 72 has a rounded shape analogous or identical to the rounding of the lower edge 61 of the window 6. The container 1 comprises, at the edge of the window 6, a vertical triangular veil 65 intended to reinforce the wall on both sides other of the window 6. The handle 7 being en20 engaged in the window 6, the notch 72 of its side walls 71 covers the rounded bottom edge 61 of the window so as to constitute a tilting support by cooperation of the notch 72 and of the edge 61. Furthermore, since the handle is forcibly engaged in the window 6, by playing on the relatively high elasticity of the material of the container 2 around the window 6 when the container is not yet completely cooled, this elasticity is attenuated and when the tank is completely cooled, it is no longer possible to extract the

handle 7 of window 6.

  The two sides 71 of the handle are joined by an upper side 73 in the form of a circular cylinder arc, centered on the notch 72. This upper side 73 constitutes a stacking bearing surface. This upper side 73 is bordered on each side by a tilting stop 74 75. The tilting stop 74 is in fact constituted by the front face 76 of the handle 7, face 76 which is of dimensions larger than those of the window 6 or at least its height is greater than that of the window 35 to be 6 so as to constitute the stop 74 in the upper part and also a

  stop 77 in the lower part, bordering the notch 72.

  In a position homologous to the front face 76 there is provided a gripping strip 78 also connecting the two sides 71 and the

  sus 73. This gripping strip 78 completes the hollow shape of the handle and increases its gripping characteristics and its solidity.

  It should be noted that, in addition to its stops 74 - 75 limiting its tilting movement, the handle also has a sur5 bearing face 731, which receives the foot 4 of a tray in the stacking position (Figure 2). In front of the stop 74 or in front of the stop 75, there is also provided a hooking surface 732 - 733 which retains, by elastic clipping, the handle in one or other of its tilting positions shown

Figures 1 and 2 respectively.

  Tray 1 is molded separately from the handles 7. The materials or qualities of materials used for the tray and the handles can

to be different.

  The separate molding of the tray and the handle allows the use of simple molds. After molding and preferably when the material of the container is still relatively flexible, the handle 7 is fitted in.

  in window 6 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

  Figure 1 shows the position 7B of the handle tilted outward in the retracted or gripping position. FIG. 2 shows the position 7A of the handle 7 tilted towards the inside of the tray in the support position allowing the stacking of a tray lA whose foot 4A comes on the

  bearing surface 731 of the handle 7 (see FIG. 1B and FIG. 2).

  When the handle is retracted outwards as shown in FIG. 1, the upper edge 62 of the window comes to engage elastically in the recessed part 732 of the upper wall 73 of the handle 7 so as to retain the handle in this position when she

  is not otherwise blocked by other elements.

  Similarly when the handle is in the retracted position shown in Figure 2, the upper edge 62 engages in the part

  set back 733 to be retained in this position.

  To release the handle from the position of figure 1 and bring it from the position of figure 2 or for the reverse movement, it

  it suffices to exert a certain tilting force.

  Figure 2B shows the tray 1 with the handle 7 in the retracted position 7A. The tray is capped by a cover 10 conforming not only to the shape of the edge 5 of the tray by an edge 11 but also to the top 73 of the

  handle 7 taking into account the protrusion of the stop 74. The cover thus comprises a cavity 12 which can receive the foot 4A of the container 1A intended to be stacked on the container 1.

  According to a variant, the wall of the cavity 12 has an orifice 13 and the handle 7, a corresponding orifice 79, to allow the flow of exudates from the tank 1A collected by the cover 10 to evacuate them directly as indicated by the arrows F1 , F2, F3, thus preventing the exudates from passing into the tank 1. The shape of the cavity 12 matching the shape of the bottom 73, 74 of the handle 7 in position 7A, means that the cover cannot be put in place if the handle 7 occupies the position 7B (Figure 1) because then the stop 74 of the handle will hinder the descent of the cover and its establishment 10 complete. This avoids a false maneuver, the handle playing the role

coding.

  It should also be noted that the handles on the same side of a bin can be coupled to a link bar to be

  maneuver together with a single gesture.

  Figure 3 is a perspective view of an example of a rectangular container whose long side is twice the length of the short side. The short sides of the container have a handle 7 and the

long sides two handles 7.

  FIG. 3 shows the handles in the retracted outward position and FIG. 4 one of the handles 7 in the support position, the handle being tilted inward.

  FIG. 5 shows the stacking of several bins, namely a lower bib of square format comprising two handles on each of its sides. Above this container there are two rectangular containers 1C 25 - 1C with a handle on each of the short sides and two handles on the long sides. These two tanks 1C are surmounted by another tank 1D of

  same type as these but arranged crosswise.

  The container according to the invention can also receive a cover, not shown. This preferably thin cover which matches the shape 30 of the top of the tank 1 with the handles 7 in the retracted position as in Figure 2. In this case the cover also follows the shape of the wall

upper 73 of the handles 7.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS Stackable and built-in container provided with a retractable stacking means for the installation of a container, characterized in that - at least two opposite walls (2) have a window (6) each receiving a recessed handle (7), - this handle (7) being articulated by its lower part (72) on the lower edge (61) of the window (6) against which it rests, this handle switches between a projecting stacking position inside the tank and 10 serving as a stacking support and a retracted position clearing the inside of the tank and projecting outside.   2) A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle (7) is a prismatic piece comprising - two sides (71) in the form of a sector of a circle, the top of which is provided with a notch (72) for overlapping the lower edge (61) of the window (6) and form the articulation of the handle (7), - an upper side (73) constituting the stacking bearing surface, this side being bordered by a stop for each of the handle tilting positions, - a front face (76) closing the window (6) when the handle (7) is in retracted position.   3) Tray according to claim 2, characterized in that - the front face (76) has dimensions greater than those of the window (6)   to extend downward from the bottom edge and upward from the top side of the window by serving as a stop for the retracted position of the handle.   4) tray according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that   the wall (2) is set back around the window (6) to receive the front face of the handle (7) in the retracted position.    ) Tray according to claim 2, characterized in that   the handle (7) is provided with a gripping strip (78) on the outer edge of the upper side.   6) Tray according to claim 2, characterized in that the upper side (73) has two engagement cavities (732, 733) for receiving the upper edge (62) of the window (6) in the stacking position and in retracted position.   7) tray according to claims i and 2,   characterized in that it comprises a cover (10) provided with cavities (12) at the location of the handles whose shape matches that of the top (73, 74) of the handle (7) in the retracted position (7A). 8) Tray according to claim 7, characterized in that   the cavity (12) of the cover (10) has an orifice (13) and the top (73) of the handle (7), an orifice (79) for discharging the liquid arriving on the cover (10).