EP0680886B1 - Stackable and nestable box with vertical columns - Google Patents

Abstract

The plastics container is rectangular in shape, with a base (11) and side walls (3, 5, 7, 9) which extend upwards from it and are corrugated to form alternating outward (23) and inward (25) projections. The container is smaller at the bottom than at the top, so that a number of them can be stacked fitting partially one inside another when aligned one way and stacked one on top of another when one container is reversed in relation to the one below it. The number and position of the pillars formed by the wall corrugations are different on the container's opposite side and end walls, so that the pillars projecting outwards on one side of the container lie opposite pillars projecting inwards on the opposite side. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to handling in general parallelepiped shape, substantially rectangular section, preferably in plastic material, which can be stacked or nested in especially with boxes of the same type.

Of course, we already know, in this field, many stackable boxes in one position and nestable in another.

DE-A-3 718 504 presents a case as described in the preamble to the claims 1 and 9 attached.

EP-C-292,787 further describes a case comparable.

In practice, however, it turns out be essential to be able to very easily not only nest the boxes in one another, without users have to fumble for this but also that the boxes can be stacked or stacked on top of each other without having to grope, however you want build the stacks. Stability of the batteries as well resistance of each case to the load are also essential.

So, the problem that first of all is aimed at to solve the invention relates to the stability and resistance of body batteries, especially when are full, without complicating the realization of batteries and while retaining the features mentioned above and the advantages already disclosed, particularly in EP-C-292,787.

The solution of the invention is presented in the characterizing part of claims 1 and 9, in particular.

So the user won't have to think to find out if the crate that it will stack at a cross on the body already present, has or not an orientation "correct" around its vertical axis passing through its background: a cross layout is sufficient. In addition, favorable support of at least one full box on a underlying box, in stacking position, will warn risks of capsizing batteries or buckling bins, especially for heavy loads, such as quarters of meat.

Under the advantages of the invention, we may further note that it will be possible to have series of boxes of different sizes, these boxes that can be stacked together without accessory accessory (including covers), said boxes are not in practice nestable in normal conditions only for cases of the same format.

In addition, the cases of the invention closely meet the delicate requirements of the storage on pallets, offering the possibility of Heterogeneous palletizing, stacking of boxes both stacked and stacked particularly easy way.

We also provide an internal volume of heavy loading without compromising the ease of handling.

As for the characteristics of the claim 2, they favor the right balance boxes, so still with the stability of the stacks, of even for the features of claim 3.

Note also that to optimize the desired association between stability, strength and ease of use, dimensions optimal in box section have been defined with preferred characteristics specific to each dimension, as indicated in claims 5 to 8.

The features of claim 4 also allow to optimize the solution general of the invention.

Always for questions of stability and of solidity, pillars and sectional housings horizontal substantially trapezoid are also recommended, at least on some of the walls.

• la figure 1 est une vue de dessus d'un bac conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe dans le sens de la flèche II - II de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue dans le sens de la flèche III de la figure 1,
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus d'une variante de réalisation d'un bac également conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 5 est une vue en demi-coupe dans le sens de la flèche V - V de la figure 4,
• la figure 6 montre, avec arrachement local, deux bacs identiques à celui de la figure 1 disposés empilés croisés dans un angle, l'un sur l'autre,
• la figure 7 montre, avec arrachement local, deux bacs conformes à celui des figures 1 à 3 disposés en empilement croisé sur trois bacs conformes à celui des figures 4 et 5, et
• les figures 8, 9 et 10 montrent en vue de dessus trois caisses conformes à l'invention, de dimensions en section horizontales respectivement de 600 X 400 mm, 800 X 400 mm et 1200 X 400 mm.

A more detailed description of the invention follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a top view of a container according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view in the direction of the arrow II - II in FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a view in the direction of the arrow III in FIG. 1,
• FIG. 4 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a container also according to the invention,
• FIG. 5 is a half-section view in the direction of the arrow V - V in FIG. 4,
• FIG. 6 shows, with local cutaway, two tubs identical to that of FIG. 1 arranged stacked crossed at an angle, one on the other,
• FIG. 7 shows, with local cutaway, two containers conforming to that of FIGS. 1 to 3 arranged in cross stacking on three containers conforming to that of FIGS. 4 and 5, and
• Figures 8, 9 and 10 show a top view of three boxes according to the invention, with dimensions in horizontal section of 600 X 400 mm, 800 X 400 mm and 1200 X 400 mm respectively.

In Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a first tank 1 parallelepiped, substantially rectangular, with two opposite side walls 3, 5, of greater length (L) and two other walls also opposite 7, 9, of shorter length (l) defining respectively, for walls 3, 5, the length of the tank and for the walls 7, 9, its width.

As seen in Figures 2 and 3, these four walls are vertical (close to the draft angle) and stand up from a supposedly horizontal bottom 11.

The bottom 11 is bordered perimeter, at inside the tank, by a gutter 13, so that the bottom 11 is slightly raised by presenting, in bottom view, a projecting peripheral frame with four slots 15, 17, aligned in pairs, forming in view from above (Figure 1) two connecting bridges spanning the gutter 13, the width of these bridges corresponding substantially double the thickness of the belt upper 19 of the tank, so as to block several tanks stacked in stacked position.

The four side walls are mostly full, except possibly locally to define handles such as 21 (figure 3) provided in the upper perimeter belt 19 of the of the checkout.

Preferably, both seen from the outside and from inside, the side walls of the body follow a crenellated shape, with a succession of vertical pillars projections 23 separated by recesses, or housings, 25 extending essentially continuously across the perimeter of the body, and this substantially vertically for each pillar.

It will be noted that each vertical pillar 23 is in back-to-back with a corresponding recess 25, and this alternately inside and outside the body, over at least 50% of its height, from so as to ensure a nesting at about 50% of several identical cases in each other in successively identically oriented positions of the cases superimposed, and the stack pressing on each other others of these same cases for successive positions inversely oriented, by 180 ° rotation of a box the other with respect to the vertical axis 27 passing through the middle of each background.

At about half height (H), we will notice a rupture around the entire perimeter of the body in the vertical continuity of hollows and housings, this rupture creating, on the outside, an overhang 29 and, at inside, a rim 32, thus limiting the nesting to the desired height and giving the body a larger section small at the bottom (bottom side) than at the top.

Preferably, both the pillars and the dwellings will actually stand beyond this line: substantially from the bottom of the body to the edge fallen that the belt 19 forms on the outside, for pillars, while inside, housing will expand to the top of the body, the interior pillars image external hollows interrupting before the edge of top of the body to form from place to place substantially coplanar portions forming a rim support 32 when the boxes are superimposed, crossed at 90 ° or inversely oriented 180 °. Note that this construction of the body with side walls vertical and an intermediate offset both inside that exterior was preferred to inclined side walls specific to nestable frusto-conical boxes, in particular to facilitate manufacturing.

As illustrated, the alternating succession of pillars and housing present, both inside and the outside of the body, a substantially sectional shape trapezoidal, with a distribution of pillars and housings, on each wall, in a symmetry with respect to from the vertical median plane 33, 35 passing through the midpoints respectively shorter walls (7, 9) and of greater length (3, 5).

Taking into account the dimensions of the box shown in Figures 1 to 3 (400 mm x 600 mm), we also note that on one of the two large walls (wall 5), the two end pillars close to the corners have a different width than those of the other three more central pillars, all the others pillars of the illustrated body being identical.

Anyway, the case presented was here designed so that the distance (d) between the midpoints of two successive pillars (or two dwellings) is constant, and this on each wall, as well as from one wall to another, with, taking into account the stacking / nesting positions chosen, an outer pillar centered on two sides adjacent (5 and 7 in this case), to which corresponds a hollow exterior centered on the other two sides (3 and 9 here).

For, as will be explained more detailed below, facilitate good support in position crossed at 90 ° by two identical boxes conforming to the invention or of the same type but of different dimensions, the pillars 23 of a wall will preferably have dimensions and / or shapes (remaining trapezoidal in species) different from those of an adjacent wall, the pillars or housings facing one wall at a facing wall remaining identical two by two.

Now let’s briefly look at representations of Figures 4 and 5 where we see a alternative embodiment of the figures box previous.

The box 10 shown in these figures incorporates most of the above characteristics.

As a difference, we will however note the increased width (l ') of the central outer pillar 23' of the wall 3 'to which corresponds on the opposite wall 5', a 25 'enlarged central outer trough, due to a lengthening of the body 10 relative to the box 1, box 10 can have dimensions of 400 mm x 800 mm.

We will also note on this same wall 3 ', rather than following, for pillars other than the central pillar 23', a constant pillar width (l _p ), we preferred to also widen the two corner pillars 23 ' ₁ and 23 ′ ₂ , so as to avoid that the body presents externally, in its two successive angles, a hollow or recess which could have adversely affected its stability.

Thus, by matching the two pillars 23 ' ₃ and 23' ₄ closest to the corners of the wall 5 ', there is not, on the wall 3', an external recess, but an extension of the pillar.

The box of Figures 4 and 5 is therefore such that on its two opposite side walls of larger length, it has pillars on the outside intermediaries arranged between end pillars each adjacent to one of the corresponding angles of the body, with on one side a large central pillar and the other, a large central hollow.

Even more markedly than in the previous version, we will also note the different shape of the pillars of the short sides 7 ', 9' opposite those of the long sides 3 ', 5', although the "step" (d) between two successive "standard" pillars, that is to say of the same width (l _p ), remains constant.

Still as in the previous version, we found on this case an odd number of pillars on two adjacent walls and an even number of pillars on the two other walls.

We will also note the gap that remains between the positioning, on a given wall, of the first hollow or first pillar closest to one of the two angles which limit this wall, in comparison with the positioning of the first pillar or first hollow on the adjacent wall, the two distances being different, by so as to obtain a lateral offset favorable to stacking crossed crates.

So when, as shown in the figure 7, two series of boxes of horizontal sections different will be superimposed crossed at 90 ° in a angle, from one layer to another, with, as here, two boxes 400 mm x 600 mm stacked crossed on three 400 mm boxes x 800 mm, at least most of the outer pillars upper boxes located in the general plan (i.e. in continuity) of a side wall considered of the underlying box (es) will come to rest in stacking, without practically nesting, on these boxes, by finding individually under them at least one part of an interior pillar of the box (es) lower (s), as can be clearly seen in the figure 7 in the broken away parts, as well as in FIG. 6 in the context of two identical cases.

We can therefore store layers at will cases of both homogeneous formats (for example, four 400 x 600 mm boxes) than heterogeneous (for example, two 400 x 600 mm boxes and one 400 x 1200 box mm), the distribution of pillars and housings allowing practically not to authorize the nesting of a case of smaller dimensions in a larger case dimension according to the invention only by type of formats identical (400 x 600 mm boxes do not fit together in bins of 400 x 1200 mm, or even in crates of 400 x 800 mm). It will also be noted that the support of a pillar exterior of an upper body on an interior pillar of a lower case, even if it is by force only partial support in a cross relative arrangement, may be insured regardless of how the crates are presented.

In Figures 8, 9 and 10, we can still see illustrated (at different scales) three achievements favorable boxes according to the invention, of dimensions respectively 600 mm X 400 mm, 800 mm X 400 mm and 1,200 mm x 800 mm, the cases of the invention being very advantageously of equal, multiple or submultiple dimensions of those mentioned and of 1200 mm X 800 mm which are the current dimensions of the transport trays.

Firstly, in FIG. 8, the two side walls of greater length 3.5, include the same external housing (25 ₁ , 25 ₂ ) in the central part framed, for one of these side walls, by two pillars external (23 ₁ , 23 ₃ ) to each of which correspond, vis-à-vis, on the opposite side wall (and therefore in the same size), substantially an external pillar and housing, respectively 23 ₂ , 25 ₄ and 23 ₄ , 25 ₆ .

On the walls 7, 9 of shorter length (width of the body) to a large central external pillar 23 ₅ on the wall 9 corresponds opposite, on the wall 7, a large external housing 25 ₇ of the same dimensions , framed laterally by two small pillars 23 ₇ and 23 _{9 to} which correspond two identical external housings on the wall 9, on either side of the central pillar 23 ₅ .

In Figure 9, at each outer pillar of a side wall corresponds, vis-à-vis, on the wall opposite side, an outer housing of the same shape and same dimensions.

Thus, for example, the outer pillar 23 ₁₀ of the long wall 3 corresponds to the outer housing 25 ₉ (or the inner pillar 23 ₁₁ ) of the opposite wall 5; similarly on the small walls 7 and 9.

In FIG. 10, the box has dimensions in horizontal section equal to 1200 mm X 400 mm. Its opposite side walls of greater length 3 and 5 include, one (3), a large external hollow central housing 25 ₁₁ and, the other (5), a large external central protruding pillar 23 ₁₃ , image of the housing 25 ₁₁ . Each of these central housings and pillars is framed laterally by narrower external housings such as 25 ₁₃ , 25 ₁₅ , 25 ₁₇ and 25 ₁₉ .

In Figures 8 to 10, we will also note the symmetrical distribution, by wall, of the pillars and housings to which they are attached, in relation to the plan median 33 or 35 passing through the middle respectively of larger and shorter walls (3, 5; 7; 9).

Note also the shape substantially in trapezoid of pillars and housings on the large walls 3, 5 and the different shape (often with a width pillars and housings on the small walls 7, 9 where the shape is closer to the square or the rectangle.

Still to favor the support in the stacking position, in particular crossed, of several stacked boxes, it will also be noted that on a determined side wall, the width l _p of the pillars will very advantageously be between a quarter and four times that (l _l ) housing.

Claims (10)

1. Handling box of a generally parallelepipedal shape having a substantially rectangular cross-section, wherein:

   the box comprises, at the lower portion, a base (11) from which rise, as far as the upper portion, side walls (3, 5, 7, 9, 3', 5', 7', 9') which therefore meet in pairs at four corners and each of which carries, both externally and internally, projecting pillars (23, 23') alternating with upright recessed housings (25, 25'), the box having a smaller cross-section at the lower portion than at the upper portion,

   each housing is backed against a pillar in order to ensure the partial nesting of several identical boxes (1, 1') of that type inside one another in successive identically orientated positions of the superimposed boxes, and the stacking of those same boxes on one another in successive oppositely orientated positions,

   the dimensions and/or the shape of the pillars and the housings of the walls of greater length (3, 5, 3', 5') differ from those of the walls of shorter length (7, 9, 7', 9'),

   internally and externally, on each side wall, the width of the pillar(s) is between approximately one quarter and four times that of the housing(s),
   characterised in that:

   the side walls of the boxes are vertical and have, at a predetermined position along their height and over the entire periphery of the boxes, a shoulder defining, externally, a protuberance (29) and, internally, a flange (30) which divide each pillar and housing into an upper portion and a lower portion which are offset in depth relative to one another, and

   internally and externally, the arrangement of the pillars and the housings is such that, with one box mounted across at approximately 90° on another identical box, with any corner of the upper box arranged above any corner of the lower box, all, or the majority of, those of the external pillars of the upper box which are then arranged substantially above the side walls of the lower box, rest at least partially on an internal pillar of the lower box.
2. Box according to claim 1, characterised in that, on the two side walls of greater length which face one another (3, 5, 3', 5'), and also on the two side walls of shorter length which likewise face one another (7, 9, 7', 9'), the pillars (23, 23') and the housings (25, 25') against which they are backed are, per wall, and both internally and externally, arranged symmetrically relative to the vertical median plane (33, 35) passing through the middles of the walls of greater length and the middles of the walls of shorter length, respectively.
3. Box according to either of the preceding claims, characterised in that, both internally and externally, the pillars (23, 23') and the housings (25, 25') of two opposing side walls have a substantially trapezoidal horizontal cross-section and those of the other two opposing side walls have a horizontal cross-section closer to a square or a rectangle.
4. Box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one of the two opposing side walls of greater length (3, 5, 3', 5') comprises, both internally and externally, intermediate pillars arranged between end pillars, each of which is adjacent to one of the corresponding corners of the box, and also a central pillar or a central housing having a width greater than that (l_p) of each of the intermediate pillars.
5. Box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it has cross-sectional dimensions which are equal to, or multiples or sub-multiples of, 1200 mm x 800 mm, and 600 mm x 400 mm, or 800 mm x 400 mm or 1200 mm x 400 mm.
6. Box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it has cross-sectional dimensions of 800 mm x 400 mm, and to each external pillar of a side wall there corresponds, in a facing arrangement on the opposite side wall, an external housing of the same shape and the same dimensions.
7. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it has cross-sectional dimensions of 600 mm x 400 mm and in that the two side walls of greater length comprise an external housing which is arranged in the central portion and which is framed, in the case of one of those side walls, by two external pillars to each of which correspond, in a facing arrangement, on the opposite side wall, substantially an external pillar and an external housing.
8. Box according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it has cross-sectional dimensions of 1200 mm x 400 mm and in that one of the side walls of greater length comprises a wide central external pillar and the other comprises a wide central external housing, each bordered by narrower external housings.
9. Assembly constituted by at least two boxes, each of a generally parallelepipedal shape having a substantially rectangular cross-section, wherein:

   the box comprises, at the lower portion, a base (11) from which rise, as far as the upper portion, side walls (3, 5, 7, 9, 3', 5', 7', 9') which therefore meet in pairs at four corners and each of which carries, both externally and internally, projecting pillars (23, 23') alternating with upright recessed housings (25, 25'), the box having a smaller cross-section at the lower portion than at the upper portion,

   each housing is backed against a pillar in order to ensure the partial nesting of several identical boxes (1, 1') of that type inside one another in successive identically orientated positions of the superimposed boxes, and the stacking of those same boxes on one another in successive oppositely orientated positions,

   the dimensions and/or the shape of the pillars and the housings of the walls of greater length (3, 5, 3', 5') differ from those of the walls of shorter length (7, 9, 7', 9'),

   internally and externally, on each side wall, the width of the pillar(s) is between approximately one quarter and four times that of the housing(s),
   characterised in that:

   the side walls of the boxes are vertical and have, at a predetermined position along their height and over the entire periphery of the boxes, a shoulder defining, externally, a protuberance (29) and, internally, a flange (30) which divide each pillar and housing into an upper portion and a lower portion which are offset in depth relative to one another, and

   internally and externally, the arrangement of the pillars and the housings is such that, with one box mounted across at approximately 90° on another identical box, or a smaller box similarly mounted on a larger box, with any corner of the upper box arranged above any corner of the lower box, all, or the majority of, those of the external pillars of the upper box which are then arranged substantially above the side walls of the lower box, rest at least partially on an internal pillar of the lower box.
10. Assembly according to claim 9, characterised in that a given box has the features of a box according to any one of claims 2 to 8.

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