CONTAINER WITH INTEGRATED LOCKING DEVICES IN ITS BOTTOM

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] This invention relates to the design of a container (or a tub) with a bottom, a container side wall and an opening, said container comprising a locking device integrated in its bottom.

Description of the Prior Art

[0002] In order to raise tubs or buckets from the ground, steel frames are in use at present, as described in DK Design Registration no. MR 1994 00652 ("A steel frame for supporting a tub or a bucket"). The frame consists of four legs with rings mounted in between. The rings support either the tub or bucket along the sides, thereby stabilising it sideways, or they support the tub or bucket at the bottom, thereby enabling it to be raised from the ground, when placed in the frame.

[0003] The DK Design Registration no. MR 1997 00368 ("A container (or tub)") describes an alternative option to the steel frames. In the design, the height of the tub is raised by mounting a plastic ring beneath. The tub has a number of taps, which fits into an equal number of holes in the ring. On each tap, there is a locking device, which prevents the parts from disengaging.

[0004] The patent US 5671856 ("Universal Stackable Locking Container") describes the design of a universal stackable locking container, consisting of independent trays. Each tray interlocking and unlocking assembly consists of a lower outer setback face on the sidewall having a plurality of locking taps. When locking, the upper tray is turned slightly clockwise thereby enabling the locking tabs to engage with slots in the lower tray.

[0005] This design does not allow the containers to be stacked within each other. Furthermore, the locking devices are designed as male and female parts, integrated in the walls of the trays.

[0006] Further, US 5 417 327 discloses an insulated modular vessel for transporting beverage containers, e.g. cans and bottles. The modular vessel comprises a main body portion having first and second open ends, which in an embodiment comprise male and female threads to permit a plurality of main body portions to be removably attached to each other to form a modular vessel. Further, threaded end caps are provided. According to an alternative embodiment the matable first and second open ends has first and second matable interconnection components, which are identical one to the other.

[0007] Even further, US 4 742 933 discloses a container of plastics material for mortar, which container has support bars on its bottom side, so that, for example, the tines of a forklift can be inserted underneath the container. The container has two covers on its top, which covers are of such a shape that it is possible to stack one container on top of the other, with the support bars of the upper container resting on the covers of the lower container. WO 93/08888 A discloses a dual purpose container, in particular a food container comprising all features of the preamble of claim 1, which may also be used as a building block assembly toy after completing its primary use as a container. For the purpose as a building block the container is provided with connecting elements in the form of connecting rails and sockets, placed at the side surfaces and the bottom surface. The containers can be connected to each other by engaging the rails of one container with the sockets of another and pushing the containers in parallel and in opposite directions. The containers can be assembled with surfaces side-to-side with one of the containers turned upside down or with a side surface to a bottom surface. The bottom surfaces cannot fully engage one another.

Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention relates to a container with a bottom, a container side wall and an opening, said container comprising locking devices integrated in the bottom of the container, characterized in that

• the locking devices are designed as a plurality of protrusions that are identical and flat, which protrusions are arranged with the same inner and an outer radial distance from the centre of the bottom, that
• the protrusions each have a first end wall and a second end wall, each aligned with the centre of the bottom of the container, that
• the protrusions each have a recession that is approximately half the length and half the height of the protrusion, measured from the bottom of the container, said recession extending from said second end wall of the protrusion, that
• said container is designed in such a manner that makes it possible to stack a plurality of said containers within each other, and in that
• said protrusions are designed in such a manner that makes it possible to interlock the bottom of said container with the bottom of an identical container.

[0009] Favourable embodiments are defined in the dependent claims 2 to 8.

[0010] The design of the locking devices enables two containers placed with the bottoms lodged against each other to be firmly engaged. When exposed to axial or radial pressure (or action), where the axial direction is perpendicular to the bottom of the containers, these will not become dislodged, but will still remain engaged.

[0011] This way, the height of the top container is raised equivalent to the height of the container placed on the ground, thereby achieving an improved working position for the operator. This will ease operations where material is to be picked up from the container, as the operator does not have to bend very much. An improved ergonomic working position is thereby achieved.

[0012] As an example, this is of significant importance within bricklaying in order to avoid back pain and in general for easing the working process by raising the containers with mortar, so the bricklayer does not have to bend very much when reaching for the mortar.

[0013] The locking devices integrated in the bottom of each container are designed as a number of flat protrusions recessed about half their length (2) placed in the bottom of the container (I) on the same circumference. This way, containers may be placed with the bottoms lodged against each other and turned clockwise. The recessed protrusions will interlock with one another and the two containers will be firmly engaged.

[0014] The invention in question opens the possibility of placing two containers with the bottoms lodged against each other, thereby raising one of the containers equivalents to the height of the container placed on the ground The design of the bottom of the containers makes it possible for them to interlock with each other, and even when exposed to radial or axial forces, they will remain engaged.

Brief description of the drawing figures

[0015] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considering in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein;

Figure 1 is a view of the invention integrated in the bottom of cylindrical tub with four locking devices. Bottom and side view.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of two containers with integrated locking devices. In top of the figure the container with its opening upwards. In bottom of the figure the container with its bottom upwards.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of two containers engaged with each other.

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of an area indicated by arrow 8 in figure 3, showing the locking device disengaged.

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view similar to figure 4 showing the locking device engaged.

Detailed description

[0016] Figures 1 to 5 show a container with integrated locking devices. The locking devices integrated in the bottom of the container are designed as identical flat protrusions (2) with the same radial distance from the centre of the container. The protrusions (2) have the same circumference as the inner (3) and outer (4) radial distance from the centre of the container and two walls (5) (6), which lies on a line that can be extended to pass through the centre of the bottom of the container. In every protrusion, identical recessions have been made, each being approximately half the length and half the height of the protrusion, measured from the bottom of the container. In this way the wall (6) is divided into two parts a front wall (6) and a back wall (7). The design of the locking devices in the bottom of the container is constructed in a way so that the container can still be used as an ordinary container, placed with its bottom against the ground and not connected with another container.

[0017] As an example, the bricklaying process may start with placing the tub on the ground. As the wall gets higher, the tub may be connected to another tub, and thereby raised from the ground, and an improved working position for the bricklayer is achieved.

[0018] The locking devices are designed without male or female parts, so any container can be interlocked with another one from the same series. This way, just two identical containers are needed in order to raise one of them from the ground, and the risk of forgetting different parts is minimized, when transporting containers from one workplace to the next or when working on scaffoldings.

[0019] When using this design for the bottom of a container it becomes possible to connect two containers in order to raise them from the ground, when the operator wishes to get material or fluids from the elevated container. The container can thereby be raised from the ground without being disengaged, when exposed to axial or radial forces. It also becomes possible to tilt material or fluids into the elevated container without this being disengaged from the container on the ground.

[0020] The container can also be used as an ordinary container, where the bottom with the integrated locking devices is placed on the ground, and material or fluids can then be either removed or tilted into the container.

List of reference numbers

[0021] 

1) Container.

2) Locking device.

3) Inner circumference.

4) Outer circumference.

5) Wall of protrusion in the end without recession.

6) Front wall after recession of the protrusion.

7) Back wall after recession of the protrusion.

Claims

1. Container (1) with a bottom, a container side wall and an opening, said container (1) comprising locking devices integrated in the bottom of the container, characterized in that

- the locking devices are designed as a plurality of protrusions (2) that are identical and flat, which protrusions (2) are arranged with
the same inner (3) and an outer (4) radial distance from the centre of the bottom, that

- the protrusions each have a first end wall (5) and a second end wall (6), each aligned with the centre of the bottom of the container, that

- the protrusions (2) each have a recession that is approximately half the length and half the height of the protrusion (2), measured from the bottom of the container, said recession extending from said second end wall (6) of the protrusion, that

- said container (1) is designed in such a manner that makes it possible to stack a plurality of said containers within each other, and in that

- said protrusions (1) are designed in such a manner that makes it possible to interlock the bottom of said container (1) with the bottom of an identical container.

2. Container (1) according to claim 1, wherein said opening exceeds the size of the bottom of the container.

3. Container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the radius of said opening is larger than said outer radial distance (4) from the protrusions (2) to the centre of the bottom.

4. Container (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said container side wall has an upward increasing diameter, i.e. a diameter increasing towards the opening of the container.

5. Container (1) according to any of claims 1 - 4, wherein said bottom of the container comprising the integrated locking devices (2) is designed for supporting the container, i.e. in order to work as the bottom support of the container without being interlocked with another container.

6. Container (1) according to claim 5, wherein said flat protrusions (2) serve as support for said container (1).

7. Container (1) according to any of claims 1-6, wherein said integrated locking devices (2) are neuter locking devices, i.e. having no female or male parts, so that any containers from the same series can be interlocked with one another.

8. Container (1) according to any of claims 1-7, wherein said integrated locking devices comprise four protrusions (2).

Ansprüche

1. Behälter (1) mit einem Boden, einer Behälterseitenwand und einer Öffnung, wobei der Behälter (1) Verriegelungsvorrichtungen umfasst, die in den Boden des Behälters integriert sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass

- die Verriegelungsvorrichtungen als mehrere Vorsprünge (2) konzipiert sind, die identisch und flach sind und wobei die Vorsprünge (2) in demselben inneren (3) und einem äußeren (4) radialen Abstand vom Mittelpunkt des Bodens angeordnet sind, dass

- jeder der Vorsprünge eine erste Abschlusswand (5) und eine zweite Abschlusswand (6) hat, die jeweils mit dem Mittelpunkt des Behälterbodens ausgerichtet sind, dass

- jeder der Vorsprünge (2) eine Einbuchtung hat, die sich in etwa über die halbe Länge und die halbe Höhe des Vorsprungs (2) erstreckt, gemessen vom Boden des Behälters, wobei sich die Einbuchtung ausgehend von der zweiten Abschlusswand (6) des Vorsprungs erstreckt, dass

- der Behälter (1) auf eine Weise konzipiert ist, die es gestattet, mehrere der Behälter ineinander zu stapeln, und dadurch, dass

- die Vorsprünge (1) auf eine Weise konzipiert sind, die es gestattet, den Boden des Behälters (1) mit dem Boden eines identischen Behälters zu verriegeln.

2. Behälter (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Öffnung größer ist als die Abmessung des Behälterbodens.

3. Behälter (1) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei der Radius der Öffnung größer ist als der äußere radiale Abstand (4) von den Vorsprüngen (2) zum Mittelpunkt des Bodens.

4. Behälter (1) nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, wobei die Behälterseitenwand einen nach oben zunehmenden Durchmesser hat, das heißt einen Durchmesser, der in Richtung der Behälteröffnung zunimmt.

5. Behälter (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei der Behälterboden, der die integrierten Verriegelungsvorrichtungen (2) umfasst, dafür konzipiert ist, den Behälter zu tragen, das heißt als Bodenauflage des Behälters zu dienen, ohne mit einem weiteren Behälter verriegelt zu sein.

6. Behälter (1) nach Anspruch 5, wobei die flachen Vorsprünge (2) als Auflage für den Behälter (1) dienen.

7. Behälter (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei die integrierten Verriegelungsvorrichtungen (2) geschlechtslose Verriegelungsvorrichtungen sind, das heißt keine weiblichen oder männlichen Teile haben, so dass beliebige Behälter derselben Reihe miteinander verriegelt werden können.

8. Behälter (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, wobei die integrierten Verriegelungsvorrichtungen vier Vorsprünge (2) umfassen.

Revendications

1. Conteneur (1) ayant un fond, une paroi latérale de conteneur et une ouverture, ledit conteneur (1) comprenant des dispositifs de verrouillage intégrés dans le fond Conteneur, caractérisé en ce que

- les dispositifs de verrouillage sont conçus comme une pluralité de saillies (2) qui sont identiques et plates, les saillies (2) étant disposées aux mêmes distances radiales intérieure (3) et extérieure (4) par rapport au centre du fond, en ce que

- les saillies ont chacune une première paroi d'extrémité (5) et une deuxième paroi d'extrémité (6), alignées chacune avec le centre du fond du conteneur, en ce que

- les saillies (2) ont chacune un évidement qui mesure approximativement la moitié de la longueur et la moitié de la hauteur de la saillie (2), mesurées depuis le fond du conteneur, ledit évidement s'étendant depuis ladite deuxième paroi d'extrémité (6) de la saillie, en ce que

- ledit conteneur (1) st conçu de telle manière qu'il soit possible d'empiler une pluralité desdits conteneurs les uns sur les autres, et en ce que

- lesdites saillies (1) sont conçues de telle manière qu'il soit possible de verrouiller le fond dudit conteneur (1) avec le fond d'un conteneur identique.

2. Conteneur (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite ouverture à une taille supérieure à celle du fond du conteneur.

3. Conteneur (1) selon a revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel le rayon de ladite ouverture est plus grand que ladite distance radiale extérieure (4) entre les saillies (2) et le centre du fond.

4. Conteneur (1) selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, dans lequel ladite paroi latérale de conteneur a un diamètre augmentant vers le haut, à savoir un diamètre augmentant en direction de l'ouverture du conteneur.

5. Conteneur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel ledit fond du conteneur comprenant les dispositifs de verrouillage (2) intégrés est conçu pour supporter le conteneur, à savoir de manière à agir comme le support inférieur du conteneur sans être verrouillé avec un autre conteneur.

6. Conteneur (1) selon la revendication 5, dans lequel lesdites saillies plates (2) servent de support audit conteneur (1).

7. Conteneur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel lesdits dispositifs de verrouillage (2) intégrés sont des dispositifs de verrouillage neutres, à savoir n'ayant ni parties femelles ni parties mâles, de sorte que n'importe quels conteneurs de la même série puissent être verrouillés ensemble.

8. Conteneur (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans lequel lesdits dispositifs de verrouillage intégrés comprennent quatre saillies (2).

Drawing