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EP 0 399 657 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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23.02.1994 Bulletin 1994/08 |
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Date of filing: 23.04.1990 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC)5: B65D 21/02 |
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End panel for use in erecting a container
Stirnwand zum Zusammensetzen eines Behälters
Panneau terminal pour la réalisation d'un emballage
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE |
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Priority: |
25.04.1989 GB 8909396
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Date of publication of application: |
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28.11.1990 Bulletin 1990/48 |
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Proprietor: CAIRWAY LIMITED |
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Grimsby
South Humberside DN32 2TB (GB) |
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Inventors: |
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- Clarke, Stephen Woodthorpe
Lincolnshire (GB)
- Bacon, Edward Philip
Louth,
Lincolnshire LN1 0GG (GB)
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Representative: Johnson, Terence Leslie et al |
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Edward Evans & Co.
Chancery House
53-64 Chancery Lane London WC2A 1SD London WC2A 1SD (GB) |
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References cited: :
EP-A- 0 272 124 DE-A- 2 549 306
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EP-A- 0 356 543 US-A- 4 147 289
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The invention relates to an end panel, particularly an end panel which with another
similar one and a body part or blank may be erected to provide a container for produce
such as vegetables.
[0002] It is necessary to transport vegetables in boxes or containers which allow ventilation
and inspection of the produce, which can be stacked with another similar container
and which can hold bulky products such as cauliflowers without collapsing under applied
tensile, compressive or torsional loads. Such a box is shown in US-A-4147289 which
discloses a container having two end walls and a wrapper extending between and overlapping
vertical side edges and bottom of the end walls. These parts have then to be connected
together by nails driven through the wrapper and end walls to secure same together,
an expensive operation which destroys the end walls so that they cannot be re-used,
and which forms under the nail heads and in the nail holes sinks for entrapment of
microbes which can be deleterious to produce.
[0003] It is an object of the invention to seek to provide an end part which may be used
to erect a container and which avoids these disadvantages.
[0004] According to the invention there is provided an end panel for use in erecting a container
for produce, comprising a body having two spaced apart opposite surfaces each having
respective complementary spigot and orifice means so that a container erected using
the panel may be stacked vertically with another similar container with the end panels
thereof interengaged to provide a stack which is stable laterally and longitudinally
of a container, characterised by the body comprising outwardly directed means having
a groove and spaced apart facing hooks or noses which in use overlap and retain a
strap in the groove when passed round an erected container.
[0005] The complementary interlocking means may comprise projecting spigots on one surface
and aligned orifices on the opposite surface.
[0006] The aligned orifices may comprise notches or recesses in the opposite surface.
[0007] The opposite surfaces may comprise elongate body parts which have opposite edges,
and there may be two interlocking means adjacent one edge and two adjacent the opposing
edge.
[0008] The interlocking means may be adjacent an outer, in use, surface of the end panel.
[0009] The spigots may each comprise a hollow body tapered towards the inner (in use) surface
of the end panel.
[0010] The body may be a thin-walled plastic body comprising a lattice of generally open
channel lattice members which have means to strengthen them against bowing under compression,
tension or torsion.
[0011] The means may comprise ribs joining the base and side walls of the channel lattice
members.
[0012] The body may comprise a holder for an indicator card or the like.
[0013] The end panel may include at opposite sides connecting means whereby an end panel
may be connected with similar connecting means of another similar panel to make a
stable array of panels.
[0014] Preferably, the connecting means may comprise complementary hooks.
[0015] According to a second aspect, the invention provides a set of parts for making a
container, comprising two separate end panels as hereinbefore defined and a body part
for defining at least a base of the container when erected by being interengaged with
the end panels.
[0016] An end part for use in a set of parts for erecting a container is hereinafter described,
by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings:-
Fig. 1 is an end elevational view of the end part, the part of the drawings to the
right of the central line showing the end part from one side, the (inside in use)
and the part of the drawing to the left of the central vertical showing the end part
from the opposite side, (the outside in use);
Fig. 1A shows a plan view;
Fig. 2 shows a section on the line 'E'-'E' of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 shows a section on line G-G in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 shows to an enlarged scale an embodiment of connection means incorporated on
end parts like that of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 shows the connection means of Fig. 4 interconnected; and
Fig. 6 shows a stack of individual containers according to the invention.
[0017] Referring to the drawings, the end part 1 shown is injection moulded to provide a
thin wall plastic body having two spaced apart opposite surfaces 3 and 4 having respective
interlockable means 5 and 6 so arranged that a container erected using the panel 1
may be stacked vertically with another similar end panel to provide a stack which
is stable laterally and longitudinally of the container.
[0018] The opposite surfaces 3 and 4 are substantially planar strips and the interlockable
means 5 and 6 comprise four integral upstanding spigots 5 on the upper (as viewed
in and use) strip 3, and four vertically aligned orifices in the form of notches or
recesses 6 formed in the opposite or lower (as viewed and in use) strip 4. As shown
in Fig. 2, the notches or recesses 6 are spaced apart along the length of the strip
4, there being two at the ends 7, 7' of the strip 4 and two intermediate the length
thereof. The two at the end are in one lateral edge 8, the intermediate two are in
the opposite lateral edge 9 so that immediately adjacent notches or recesses 6 are
laterally offset. It follows that the spigots 5 are positioned identically as shown
in Fig. 1A so that when stacked similar end parts cannot move to left or right in
the plane of the paper or at 90° to the plane of the paper. Also, the upper strip
3 and lower strip 4 of vertically adjacent containers lie one on another, whilst being
interengaged. Therefore, when a container is erected from a set of parts comprising
two end parts identical to the one shown, and a blank of material such as fluted plastic
material secured between them by respective interengaging means of the end parts and
blanks, the stack of containers is stable as indiviual containers cannot move laterally
or longitudinally of the stack.
[0019] The body 2 is a thin walled plastic body which comprises a lattice of elongate members
11 of generally channel shape in cross-section. The walls and base of most or all
of the channels are tied together by ribs 12 transversed to the length of the channel
1 and formed integrally during the moulding process.
[0020] There are also generally flat grid-like ribs 13 which form a basket-like arrangement
arrangement to prevent produce like sweetcorn or leeks falling through the ends in
use of an erected container.
[0021] There are also inside and outside strengthening ribs at 14, adjacent upper interengaging
15 means for the end part 1 with a blank (not shown) to strengthen the interengagement.
[0022] The lattice arrangement provides ventilation, while the ribs 11, 13 maintain the
integrity of the lattice structure so that there is no twisting or bowing of the body
so that an erected container does not collapse under applied loads from without or
within.
[0023] The body 2 also has retaining means 16 for a strap which is sometimes passed round
an erected container, the retaining means 16 comprising two slots 17 defined by two
facing hooks or noses 18 which have a gap between them less than the width of the
strap so that the strap is retained in the slots 17. In use, erected containers are
stacked adjacent one another and the straps (not shown), are passed round the outside
of the stack being received in the outwardly facing slots 17 so that the edges of
the straps are overlapped by the hooks or noses 18 so retaining the strap in place,
and binding them together.
[0024] The end part 1 has a configuration comprising a groove 19 defined by sides 20 and
21 the groove 19 defining the configuration of the base and walls of an assembled
container. In the grooves 19 are interengaging means in the form of spaced lugs, upstands
or teeth 15 which project from side 20 towards the wall 21 and behind (or viewed to
the right in Fig. 1) which means there is a cut-out or hole 22 in the wall 21. The
blank has pairs of parallel slits, slots, or apertures, hereinafter called slits,
defined by a cut-out or flap which is not removed and is hinged to the sheet body
part, which are spaced apart and define a width of material just wide enough to accommodate
a lug, upstand or tongue 15. The lugs, upstands or tongues 15 and the slits 16 comprise
the interengaging means for the end part and the blank.
[0025] The height of the groove 12 in each end part 4 is slightly narrower or just equal
to the thickness of the sheet material.
[0026] The lugs, upstands or tongues 15 may be of wedge-shape to provide an inclined surface
leading into the groove 19 to act as a guide for the leading edge of the material
of the flank. The wedge shape in the groove comprises four spaced apart supports or
struts 23 for wall 24 with a hook end 25 which butts against a boundary edge of the
slit in the blank to secure the end wall and body part together, the body part riding
over the supports or struts 23 to allow the parts 24, 25 to engage in and against
the adjacent boundary of the blank defining the slit. As the leading edge of the body
part is pushed into the groove 19, it rides up over the lug, upstand or tongue 15
and then as it progresses into the groove 19 strikes a rear, downwardly as viewed
in Fig. 3, inclined boundary wall part 21A before entering hole 22 thereof so that
the body part is positively forced downwardly so that the lug, upstand or tongue 15
enters the slit. Stated in another way when the slit is over the lug, upstand or tongue
15, continued movement of the body part into the groove 19 forces the body part down
around the lug, upstand or tongue 15 positively to wedge it in position and to ensure
a firm connection of the interengaging means provided by the lug, upstand or tongue
15 and the slit.
[0027] In use to assemble a container 27 using two end parts 1 and a blank 26, it is merely
necessary to fold the blank to the configuration of the groove 19, and offer it up
to and then push it into the groove 19 of one end part 1. This action forces the end
of the blank 1 over the the lug, upstand or tongue 15 and into the groove. The lug,
upstand or tongue 15 forces the material of the blank between the slits up so that
it is locked in the material between parallel slits. A similar end part 4 is mounted
on the opposite, free end of the blank in a similar manner, to provide an erected
container 27 as shown in Fig. 6. Such a container 27 can then be stacked on a similar
container, and so on, to provide a stack 28, and two such stacks 28 may be stacked
side by side as shown at 29 in Fig. 6 where they are mounted on a pallet 30. The strap
referred to hereinbefore can then be passed round the stacks 29 to provide horizontal
(as viewed) bands.
[0028] Alternatively or in addition, the right hand and left hand sides or boundaries (as
viewed in Fig. 1) 31 and 32 of the end part 1 may include integral connecting means
33 and 34 respectively, the former comprising a laterally projecting downwardly directed
hook 35 and the latter an upwardly directed hook 36. These hooks 35 and 36 can then
be connected together when like containers 27 are stacked side by side, the connection
being achieved either by simple snap engagment when the containers 27 are pushed together
laterally, or by sliding longitudinally. The engaged hooks 35 and 36 provide a locking
system which maintains the stack stable. In yet another modification, the hooks 35
and 36 may be replaced by a peg or hook on one side, 31 say, and a loop of the other
side 32. The pegs or hooks and loops on facing sides of adjacent containers can be
engaged to form, as before, a stable array of stacked containers. The hooks 35 and
36, or pegs and loops then form a releasable fastening means on opposite sides of
the container.
[0029] The notches or recesses 6 are formed in the lower (as viewed in Fig. 1) or outer
side 20 of the groove 19.
[0030] The end part 1 also includes an integral holder 38 for an indicator card or the like
comprising a panel 39 with spaced lugs 40. An indicator such as a price and/or name
label can be slipped down between the panel 39 and the lugs to rest on a ledge 41,
the panel 39, being apertured at 42, the apertures being spaced by a rib 43. The lable
in then held in place by the lugs 40 and supported by the panel, including the rib
43 and is nevertheless unobstracted from the viewing or reading purposes from the
exterior of the end part 1 in use.
1. An end panel for use in erecting a container for produce, comprising a body having
two spaced apart opposite surfaces (3, 4) each having respective complementary spigot
(5) and orifice means (6) so that a container (27) erected using the panel may be
stacked vertically with another similar container with the end panels thereof interengaged
to provide a stack which is stable laterally and longitudinally of a container, characterised
by the body (1) comprising outwardly directed means (16) having a groove (17) and
spaced apart facing hooks or noses (18) which in use overlap and retain a strap in
the groove (17) when passed round an erected container.
2. An end panel according to Claim 1, characterised by projecting spigots (5) on one
surface (3) and aligned orifices (6) on the opposite surface (4).
3. An end panel according to Claim 2, characterised by the aligned orifices (6) comprising
notches or recesses in the opposite surface (6).
4. An end panel according to any preceding claim, characterised by the spigots (5) each
comprising a hollow body tapered towards the inner (in use) surface of the end panel
(1).
5. An end panel according to any preceding claim, characterised by the body (1) comprising
a thin-walled plastic body comprising a lattice of generally open channel lattice
members (11) which have means (2) to strengthen them against bowing under compression,
tension or torsion.
6. An end panel according to Claim 5, characterised by the means (12) comprising ribs
joining the base and side walls of the channel lattice members (11).
7. An end panel according to any preceding claim, characterised by a holder (38) for
an indicator card or the like.
8. An end panel according to any preceding claim, characterised by opposite sides (31,
32) and by connecting means (33, 34) at said opposite sides (31, 32) whereby an end
panel (1) may be connected with similar connecting means (33, 34) of another similar
panel to make a stable array of panels.
9. An end panel according to Claim 9, characterised by the connecting means comprising
complementary hooks (35, 36).
10. A set of parts for erection to provide a container, characterised by comprising two
separate end panels (1) according to any preceding claim and a body part (26) for
defining at least a base of the container when erected by being interengaged with
the end panels (1).
1. Stirnwand, die zum Aufbau eines Produktbehälters verwendet wird, mit einem Körper
der zwei gegenüberliegende, beabstandete Flächen aufweist, wobei jede Fläche mit jeweils
komplementären Zapfen und Löchern versehen ist damit ein unter Verwendung der Wand
aufgestellter Behälter vertikal mit einem anderen, ähnlichen Behälter stapelbar ist,
wobei die Stirnwände der Behälter in der Weise miteinander in Eingriff sind, daß ein
zur Seite und zur Länge eines Behälters stabiler Stapel entsteht,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Körper (1) Elemente (16) umfaßt, die nach außen gerichtet
und mit einer Nut (17) versehen sind sowie mit gegenüberliegenden Haken und Ösen (18),
die sich bei Verwendung überlappen und in der Nut (17) einen um einen aufgestellen
Behälter geführten Gurt festhalten.
2. Die Stirnwand nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß an einer Fläche (3) vorspringende Zapfen (5) und in der
gegenüberliegenden Fläche (4) dazu ausgerichtete Löcher vorgesehen sind.
3. Die Stirnwand nach Anspruch 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die ausgerichteten Löcher (6) in der gegenüberliegenden
Fläche (6) Kerben oder Ausnehmungen sind.
4. Die Stirnwand nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
jeder Zapfen (5) einen sich nach der inneren (in Verwendung befindenden) Fläche der
Stirnwand (1) verjüngenden Hohlkörper umfaßt.
5. Die Stirnwand nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
der Körper (1) einen dünnwandigen Kunststoffkörper umfaßt aus einem Gitter aus normalerweise
offenen Profilgitterelementen (11), die Mittel (2) zur Verstärkung gegen Durchbiegen
unter Druck, gegen Zugspannung oder Verdrehung umfassen.
6. Die Stirnwand nach Anspruch 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Mittel (12) Rippen umfassen, die mit der Basis und
den Seitenwänden der Rofilgitterelemente (11) verbunden sind.
7. Die Stirnwand nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch einen
Halter (38) für eine Hinweiskarte oder dergleichen.
8. Die Stirnwand nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch gegenüberliegende
Seiten (31, 32) und Verbindungsmittel (33, 34) an den gegenüberliegenden Seiten (31,
32), wodurch eine Stirnwand (1) mit ähnlichen Verbindungsmitteln (33, 34) einer anderen,
ähnlichen Wand verbunden werden kann, um eine stabile Wandformation zu erstellen.
9. Die Stirnwand nach Anspruch 9,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verbindungsmittel komplementäre Haken (35, 36) umfassen.
10. Ein Satz von Teilen für den Aufbau eines Behälters, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß er
zwei getrennte Stirnwände (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüchen umfaßt, sowie
ein Teil (26), das zumindest als Basis für den dann aufgebauten Behälter dadurch dient,
daß es mit den Stirnwänden (1) in Eingriff steht.
1. Panneau d'extrémité, à utiliser lors de l'érection d'un conteneur de produits, comprenant
un corps doté de deux surfaces (3, 4) opposées et espacées, comprenant chacune des
moyens respectifs complémentaires à tourillon et à orifice, de manière qu'un conteneur
érigé utilisant le panneau puisse être empilé verticalement avec un autre conteneur
analogue, leurs panneaux d'extrémité étant mutuellement engagés pour constituer une
pile stable dans les directions latérale et longitudinale du conteneur, caractérisé
en ce que le corps (1) comprend des moyens (16) orientés vers l'extérieur, munis d'une
rainure (17), et des crochets ou ergots (18) placés en regard à distance, qui, en
fonctionnement, viennent chevaucher et retenir une bande dans la rainure (17), une
fois qu'elle a été passée autour d'un conteneur érigé.
2. Panneau d'extrémité selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par des tourillons (5) faisant
saillie sur une surface (3) et des orifices (6) alignés, situés sur la surface (4)
opposée.
3. Panneau d'extrémité selon la revendication 2, caractérisé par le fait que les orifices
alignés (6) comprennent des encoches ou cavités ménagées dans la surface (6) opposée.
4. Panneau d'extrémité selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé
par le fait que les tourillons (5) comprennent chacun un corps creux effilé en direction
de la surface située (en fonctionnement) à l'intérieur du panneau d'extrémité (1).
5. Panneau d'extrémité selon l'une quelconques des revendications précédentes, caractérisé
par le fait que le corps (1) comprend un corps en matière plastique à parois minces,
comprenant un réseau d'organes réticulés (11) formant des canaux globalement ouverts,
comportant des moyens (2) destinés à les renforcer pour s'opposer à une flexion sous
compression, traction ou torsion.
6. Panneau d'extrémité selon la revendication 5, caractérisé par le fait que les moyens
(12) comprennent des nervures reliant la base et les parois latérales des organes
réticulés à canaux (11).
7. Panneau d'extrémité selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé
par un support (38) destiné à une carte indicatrice ou analogue.
8. Panneau d'extrémité selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé
par des faces opposées (31, 32) et par des moyens de liaison (33, 34) sur les faces
opposées (31, 32), de manière qu'un panneau d'extrémité (1) puisse être relié à des
moyens de liaison (33, 34) analogues appartenant à un autre panneau analogue, pour
constituer un ensemble de panneaux stable.
9. Panneau d'extrémité selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de
liaison comprennent des crochets complémentaires (35, 36).
10. Jeu de pièces pour constituer un conteneur une fois érigés, caractérisé en ce qu'il
comprend deux panneaux d'extrémité (1) séparés, selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes, et une partie corps (26), destinée à définir au moins la base du conteneur
une fois érigé, par le fait d'être engagée avec les panneaux d'extrémité (1).