|
(11) | EP 2 110 334 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| published in accordance with Art. 153(4) EPC |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
| (54) | DISMOUNTABLE BOX |
| (57) Dismountable box, formed by a contour whose lateral (1) and end (2) pieces have hooking
shapes as extensions of their end pegs (5), said pieces (1 and 2) coupling to corner
blocks (3) which determine slots for the fitting of the pegs (5), slots wherein are
provided wedges (3.2), whereto a hooking with the pegs (5) is established by the shapes
thereof. |
SECTOR OF THE ART
[0001] The present invention relates to the packaging of fruits and similar products, for the storage, transport and sale of said products, proposing for this function a box formed by independent wooden or plastic pieces, with a concept of assembly which permits the assembly by means of simple plug-in coupling, without needing tools or accessory means of any type.
STATE OF THE ART
[0002] For the packaging of fruits and similar products, there are cardboard box solutions, which are particularly economical, but have the drawback of decomposition due to humidity, so the cardboard is usually plastificated, with the consequent economic increase, and furthermore to achieve a strong assembly it is necessary to glue the component parts together, which leads to the use of a glue spreading machine.
[0003] There are also wooden box solutions, which are formed by pieces which attach to each other by means of glue or staples, devices and accessories for the gluing or stapling being necessary and, furthermore, the assembly must be done in factory, so the boxes, even when empty, have to be transported already assembled, taking up a lot of space. In the case of the stapling solutions, the staples used are also negative for the recycling and are elements which oxidize easily, affecting the appearance and integrity of the box.
[0004] Plastic boxes also exist, with single-piece structural solutions, or by means of independent coupled pieces which permit a folding and unfolding, this type of boxes being of a very high cost.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the invention, a box intended preferably for said application of fruit, vegetable and similar product packaging is proposed, but which can be applied to the storage and/or transport of any type of product, such as, for example, fish, featuring a formation by independent pieces, which are joined according to a very simple assembly solution by means of simple plugging and clipping, permitting the "in situ" assembly of the box for the use thereof.
[0006] This box object of the invention is made up of four pieces in the form of boards, by means whereof the sides and ends of the contour of the box are determined, said pieces are assembled on blocks which shape the corners, while at the bottom is disposed a plate which is assembled with the lateral and end pieces of the contour.
[0007] The corner blocks determine a straight prismatic triangular shape, defining on the lateral perpendicular faces slots which pass in parallel direction to said faces, with projecting wedges inside those slots.
[0008] The lateral and end pieces of the contour determine on the extended part of their ends pegs shaped to hook into the wedges of the slots of the corner blocks and with a flexibility that permits them to cover the projection of said wedges, whether by flexion of the pegs, by flexion of the wedges or by a combined flexion of both.
[0009] Consequently, the assembly of the contour of the box can be carried out by means of a simple plug-in insertion of the ends of the lateral and end pieces, into the corner blocks, so that the end edges of said lateral and end pieces of the contour are stuck into the corresponding slot of the respective block, while the pegs which protrude from that end edge establish a retaining hook on the wedges of the slot of the block, thus producing a stable and secure assembly of the contour of the box.
[0010] In that function, without altering the concept, the pegs of the ends of the lateral and end pieces of the contour of the box, and the slots of the corner blocks, with the sole condition of a reciprocal correspondence of the shape of the pegs with the shape of the slots and the arrangement of the wedges thereof.
[0011] For the assembly of the plate at the bottom of the box, with the lateral and end pieces of the contour of the body, said bottom plate has projecting tabs on the lateral and end edges, while the lateral and ends pieces of the contour have corresponding slots wherein it is possible to plug in the aforementioned tabs on the edges of the bottom plate.
[0012] Said lateral and end piece slots of the contour of the box determine an omega shape, while the tabs of the edges of the bottom plate have a section which can be flexed, in order to establish, by means of shaping defined in the flexible section or in the adjacent parts thereto, a retaining fitting relating to the aforementioned omega-shaped slots of the lateral and end pieces of the contour.
[0013] The aforementioned array permits an assembly of all the component pieces of the box, for the mounting thereof, by means of a simple fitting of the lateral and end pieces of the counter of the body with respect to the corner blocks and to the bottom plate, so that retaining hooks which ensure the firmness and stability of the assembled array are established in said fittings, producing a rigid and strong box, without needing any glue, staple or analogous binding solution.
[0014] The coupling between the different pieces of the composition of the box can also be performed by means of fittings which only require a pressure assembly, without necessity of tools, therefore making the assembly very easy and quick, being able to store and transport the unassembled box, for the in situ assembly thereof when its use is required.
[0015] In the formation of the box, the corner blocks protrude upwards.with respect to the lateral and end pieces of the contour, while the assembly of the bottom plate on said lateral and end pieces of the contour is established at a certain height with respect to the lower edge, so that there is a clearance in the lower part of the box which permits the fitting of the corner blocks between consecutive overlapping boxes, providing the stacking of overlapping boxes with stability and security.
[0016] A lid formed by a plate which in turn can be coupled by means of fittings with respect to the lateral and end pieces of the box is provided for the closure of the box, so that these lateral and end pieces of the contour are provided with slots on the upper part thereof, and the closure plate is provided with fitting tabs in said slots.
[0017] The component pieces of the box, in the structural shape of the invention, can be of plastic or wood, the lateral and end pieces of the contour of the body being provided with bottom plates, as well as with the bottom and lid plates, to facilitate the assembly of the pieces in the assembly of the box. In that sense, in order to facilitate the flexion, in the case of the wooden embodiment the aforementioned pieces are provided with the longitudinal mapping of wood.
[0018] In order to do all of this, said box object of the invention has truly advantageous characteristics, acquiring their own preferred life and character with respect to the conventional solutions of the boxes in the same application.
[0019] In accordance with a variant of embodiment of the invention, the box lacks the slotted corner blocks, so that the connection between the lateral pieces and the ends pieces is carried out in this case by means of the six new tabs equal to those provided at the bottom and on the lateral and side pieces themselves provided to make the connection of the bottom with said pieces.
[0020] Furthermore, in this variant of embodiment the stacking is achieved as a consequence of the fact that the lateral and end pieces have extensions on their upper edge which are slightly lower than the lateral edges, which are complementary to steps established on the lower edge of such pieces, in order to achieve a correct and stable stacking of the boxes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0021] In order to complement the description which will be carried out below and with the object of helping towards a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings has been included as an integral part of said description wherein the following has been represented in an illustrative and non-limitative character:
Fig. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the array which forms a box according to the invention.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the assembled box.
Fig. 3 is a plan view corresponding to the previous figure.
Fig. 4 is a frontal view of the box from one end, according to the embodiment of the previous figures.
Fig. 5 is a frontal view of the box from one end, according to another embodiment as regards the retaining hooks of the assembly.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a corner block for the formation of the box, according to the embodiment from figure 1.
Fig. 7 is an upper plan view of the formation of two corner blocks according to that embodiment of the previous figure, from a prismatic square block.
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a corner block, in an embodiment with the wedges of the flexible slots;
Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12 represent different non-limitative examples of the end pegs of the lateral and end pieces of the contour of the box, for the assembly with the corner blocks.
Figs. 13, 14 and 15 represent different non-limitative examples of the couplings of the assembly between the bottom plate of the box and the lateral and ends pieces of the contour.
Fig. 16 is a close-up perspective view of the stacking arrangement of the area of a corner between two boxes.
Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the lid for closing the box, according to one example of embodiment.
Figs. 18 and 19 are both representations of a variant of embodiment of the box without the corner blocks.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The object of the invention relates to a box of those intended for the packaging of fruit, vegetables, fish or other products, with assembly characteristics by connecting of the component pieces by means of only fitting assemblies.
[0023] The box proposed is made up of an array of independent pieces, which can be wooden or plastic, comprising a contour of the body of the box which is formed by two lateral pieces (1) and two end pieces (2), which are joined to each other by means of blocks (3) which shape the corners, while the bottom is formed by a plate (4) which is assembled with respect to the aforementioned pieces (1 and 2) of the contour of the box.
[0024] The corner blocks (3) (figure 6) are constituted by pieces of a straight triangular prismatic shape, slots (3.1) determining in parallel the perpendicular lateral faces, in the interior whereof project prominent wedges (3.2).
[0025] Said blocks (3) can be produced, for example, by means of a diagonal cut of a prismatic squad block provided with the necessary shaping to define the slots (3.1) and their wedges (3.2) in the two halves to be separated, as represented in figure 7; without this shaping being limitative, as the blocks (3) can also be formed individually, without this affecting its operational concept of application in the constructive formation of the box.
[0026] The lateral (1) and end (2) pieces of the contour of the box are constituted from flat boards, pegs (5) determining an extension of the ends thereof intended to be inserted in the slots (3.1) of the corner blocks (3), said pegs (5) defining shapes (5.1) which can establish hooks relating to the wedges (3.2) of the aforementioned blocks (3).
[0027] In this way, by means of a simple pressure fitting of the ends of the pieces (1 and 2) in the corresponding blocks (3), an assembly coupling of said pieces (1 and 2) is produced on the respective blocks (3), with retention by means of the hook of the shapes (5.1) of the pegs (5) on the wedges (3.2), thus achieving a firm and stable assembly of the contour of the box.
[0028] The slots (3.1) in the blocks (3) are provided with a continuous crack along the receiving front of the coupling of the pieces (1 and 2), so that upon assembling the end edge of said pieces (1 and 2) fit into the aforementioned continuous frontal crack of the slots (3.1), thus better ensuring the fastening of the coupling.
[0029] In one mode of embodiment the pegs (5) of the pieces (1 and 2) can be flexed, as shown in figures 9 and 12, permitting them to cover the projection of the wedges (3.2) in the insertion on the blocks (3), in order to establish the retaining hook with the shapes (5.1) once the corresponding wedge (3.2) has been lowered. In this form of embodiment the wedges (3.2) can be fixed and immovable with respect to the body of the blocks (3), according to the example of figures 1, 6 and 7.
[0030] Nevertheless, in compliance with the same operational purpose, the wedges (3.2) can be shaped flexibly in the blocks (3), as shown in figure 8, so upon inserting the pegs (5) of the pieces (1 and 2) in the slots (3.1) of the shaped blocks (3), according to this embodiment, the wedges (3.2) flex, permitting the passage of said pegs (5) until hooking onto the corresponding shapes (5.1).
[0031] In the case of the fixed wedges (3.2) on the body of the blocks (3), in the mounting position the pegs (5) of the pieces (1 and 2) can be forced with a screwdriver or such like, to free the shapes (5.1) of the hooks, with the purpose of unblocking the coupling, thus being able to perform the disassembly. In the case of the flexible wedges (3.2), orifices (3.3) are provided in the blocks (3) against said wedges (3.2) to force said wedges (3.2) with a rod or similar element in order to permit the liberation of the hooking of the pegs (5) of the pieces (1 and 2), for the purpose of disassembly.
[0032] The shapes (5.1) of the pegs (5) of the pieces (1 and 2) can be of any type of shape which permits the establishment of a hook with respect to the wedges (3.2) of the blocks (3), for example by means of a simple perpendicular bending at the end of the corresponding pegs (5), such as in figures 9 and 12 or as in figures 10 and 11 by means of a closed aperture, without these embodiments being limitative.
[0033] In the same sense, the ends of the pieces (1 and 2) can have two pegs (5), such as in figures 9 and 10, to fit either both slots (3.1) of the blocks (3), or a single peg (5), as in figures 11 and 12, to fit into a respective slot (3.1) of the blocks (3); these solutions are also not limitative, as they could also be three or more pegs (5) on the ends of the pieces (1 and 2), corresponding to other slots (3.1) of the blocks (3), without it altering the concept.
[0034] The pieces (1 and 2) of the contour of the box have slots (6) near the lower edge, while the bottom plate (4) has projecting tabs (7) on their edges which can fit into the aforementioned slots (6) for the assembly of said bottom plate (4) in the assembly of the box, the number of slots (6) in the pieces (1 and 2) and corresponding tabs (7) on the edges of the bottom plate can be variable.
[0035] In a specific embodiment, the slots (6) of the pieces (1 and 2) are provided in an omega shape, and the tabs (7) of the bottom plate (4) with a flexible section (7.1), which permits the establishment of a fitting with a retaining crimp between said tabs (7) and the slots (6) in order to ensure a strong mounting of the bottom plate (8) on the array of the box.
[0036] To do that, according to one embodiment, the flexible section (7.1) of the tabs (7) can be provided with an aperture (7.1.1) to establish a retaining hook with respect to the prominent interior part (6.1) of the slots (6), as represented in figure 13.
[0037] In another embodiment with the same purpose, the lateral parts (7.2) of the tabs (7) can determine an outward bend (7.2.1), to hook onto the lateral merlons (6.2) of the slots (6), as represented in figure 14.
[0038] Likewise, without this altering the concept, any other type of configurations can be used which permit the fitting with the tab (7) hook into the slots (6), such as for example a similar solution to that of figure 14 but with a single hook, as represented in figure 15, or any other which fulfils the same function.
[0039] The pieces (1 and 2) of the contour of the box additionally have slots (8) in their upper part, which can be used for the mounting of a lid plate (9) for the box, as represented in figure 17, which is provided with tabs (10) on the edges thereof to fit into the aforementioned slots (8) of the pieces (1 and 2) of the contour of the box, some of the slots (8) and the corresponding tabs (10) intended to fit into each other can be shaped so that they permit a retaining hook to better ensure the fastening of the lid plate (9).
[0040] The corner blocks (3) of the contour of the box are provided with a length so that they protrude in the upper part with respect to the pieces (1 and 2); while the height of the slots (6) in the pieces (1 and 2) for the mounting of the bottom plate (4) results in a clearance (11) in the lower part of the assembled box; which permits the secure and stable stacking of boxes on others, as the upwards projecting part of the blocks (3) of each box fit into the hollow of the lower clearance (11) of the box which is above it, thus establishing a lateral retention between the consecutive overlapping boxes.
[0041] In order to facilitate the coupling assemblies of the pieces in the assembly of the box, it is provided that the pieces (1 and 2) of the contour, as well as the bottom plate (4) and the lid plate (9), are of a flexible nature; and in such sense, in the case of wooden embodiment, the aforementioned pieces are formed with the matting in the longitudinal direction, which favours the flexion thereof, facilitating the fitting of the assembly shapes therebetween.
[0042] When the application of the box is going to be intended for products such as fruit, vegetables, etc., which require aeration, the pieces (1 and 2) of the contour, the bottom plate (4) and the lid plate (9) can be provided, at least some of them, with orifices, slots or apertures of any type, to facilitate the passage of air.
[0043] In one variant of embodiment shown in figures 18 and 19, it is shown how the box is produced by means of two lateral pieces (1'), two end pieces (2') and the corresponding bottom piece (4'), joining the pieces (1' and 2') to the bottom (4') in exactly the same way as done in the preferred and main embodiment of the invention, i.e., with housing of the tabs (7) of the bottom of the slots (6) of the lateral (1') and end (2') pieces.
[0044] Furthermore, the lateral pieces (1') themselves have tabs (7') on their edges equal to those previously referred to, which are housed in other slots (6'), also exactly the same to those referred to, in order to achieve a rigidity in the assembly, and whose last slots (6') logically correspond to the end pieces (2').
1. st.- Dismountable box, of the type which comprises a structure formed by independent
pieces, of wood or plastic, determining a contour formed by lateral pieces and end
pieces, in the form of boards, which fasten on corner blocks, characterized in that the contour of the box is formed by lateral pieces (1) and end pieces (2) which have,
as extension of their ends, pegs (5) provided with hooking shapes (5.1), said pieces
(1 and 2) coupling to corner blocks (3) which determine slots (3.1) for the fitting
of the pegs (5), and in the interior of said slots (3.1) protrude wedges (3.2) which
establish retaining hook shapes (5.1) of the aforementioned pegs (5.1).
2. nd.- Dismountable box, according to claim 1, characterized in that the wedges (3.2) are fixed on the body of the blocks (3), determining the pegs (5)
of the pieces (1 and 2) which are capable of a certain flexion to cover the projection
of the aforementioned wedges (3.2) with the shapes (5.1) until the hooking position.
3. td. - Dismountable box, according to claim 1, characterized in that the wedges (3.2) are determined with a flexible connection on the blocks (3), permitting
them to elastically give way for the passage of the shapes (5.1) of the pegs (5) until
the hooking position.
4. th. - Dismountable box, according to claim 1, characterized in that the pegs (5) of the pieces (1 and 2) determine shapes (5.1) in the form of end bending
tabs, for the hooking with respect to the wedges (3.2) of the blocks (3).
5. th.- Dismountable box, according to claim 1, characterized in that the pegs (5) of the pieces (1 and 2) determine shapes (5.1) in the form of closed
apertures, for the hooking with respect to the wedges (3.2) of the blocks (3).
6. th.- Dismountable box, according to claim 1, characterized in that the slots (3.1) of the blocks (3) determine a continuous crack along the front insertion
of the pieces (1 and 2), establishing a fitting of the end edge of said pieces (1
and 2) in the insertion coupling thereof on the blocks (3).
7. th.- Dismountable box, according to claim 1, characterized in that the pieces (1 and 2) which form the contour of the box, have omega-shaped slots (6)
near the lower edge with respect whereto are established the fitting of the projecting
tabs (7) on the edges of a bottom plate (4), said tabs (7) determining a flexible
section (7.1) and shapes (7.1.1 and 7.2.1), by means whereof is established a retaining
hook with respect to the aforementioned slots (6) of the pieces (1 and 2).
8. th.- Dismountable box, according to claim 1, characterized in that the corner blocks (3) of the contour of the box protrude upwards with respect to
the pieces (1 and 2), while the bottom plate (4) is incorporated in a position a bit
below the lower edge of said pieces (1 and 2), determining a hollow (11) in the lower
part of the box wherein the upper projecting part of the blocks (3) can fit to another
box placed below, permitting the stacking with lateral retention of boxes on others.
9. th. - Dismountable box, according to claim 1, characterized in that the pieces (1 and 2) of the contour of the box have slots (8) on the upper part,
which a lid plate (9) can fit onto by means of tabs (10) which protrude from its edges,
some of these tabs (10) determining shapes to establish a retaining hook with relation
to the corresponding fitting slots (8).
10. th.- Dismountable box, which being constituted from lateral pieces (1'), end pieces
(2') and a bottom (4'), joined amongst each other by means of tabs (7) provided on
the edges of the bottom which are housed in slots (6) both of the lateral pieces (1')
and the end pieces (2'), is characterized in that the lateral pieces (1') feature respective tabs (7') on their end edges which are
housed in complementary slots (6') established for that purpose on the end pieces
(2'), determining a stabilization in the assembly and connection between said pieces
(1' and 2'), and of these with the bottom (4') itself.
11. th.- Dismountable box, according to claim 10, characterized in that the lateral pieces (1') and the end pieces (2') feature projections or extensions
(12') on their upper edge, while on their lower edge are indentations (13') intended
to receive the aforementioned upper extensions (12') in the stacking amongst boxes
to achieve a stable stacking thereof.