Stacking plate and modular container

Abstract

 A stacking plate (4) comprising a base (8) with an inner wall (12), an outer wall (16), opposite the inner wall (12) and a perimetral rim (20) which surrounds and defines the base (8). The plate is characterised by the fact that the perimetral rim (20) has at least one raised portion (24) and at least one lowered portion (28), joined to each other, so that the perimetral rim (20) is not entirely a solid of revolution in relation to an axis perpendicular to the base (8), and by the fact that the base (8) comprises, on the side of the inner wall (12), a perimetral groove (32) able to form a shaped coupling with the perimetral rim (20) of a further stacking plate (4) which may be joined to it.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a stacking plate and relative container composed of a number of stacking plates.

[0002] The plates of the known art are usually stacked together when stored inside dressers or cupboards.

[0003] Usually, the plates of the known art are stacked so as to all be facing the same way, that is one on top of the other, with the bottom of one resting on the inside surface of the one below.

[0004] The stacks of plates are usually not very stable and therefore tend to fall. In addition the stacked plates are exposed to dust and dirt despite being stored inside dressers or cupboards. Lastly, the plates of the known art, once stacked occupy considerable space, which consequently cannot be used to store other objects such as cutlery and the like.

[0005] The aim of the present invention is to produce a plate which resolves the drawbacks mentioned in relation to the known technique.

[0006] Such drawbacks are overcome by a plate according to claim 1 and by a container according to claim 12.

[0007] Other embodiments of the plates according to the invention are described in the subsequent claims.

[0008] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly comprehensible from the description given below of its preferred embodiments, made by way of an indicative and nonlimiting example, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

[0009] figure 1 shows a perspective view of a plate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] figure 2 shows a cross-section view of the plate in figure 1;

[0011] figure 3 shows a perspective view of a plate according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] figure 4 shows a perspective view of a container according to the present invention, in an assembled configuration;

[0013] figure 5 shows a perspective view in separate parts of the container in figure 4;

[0014] figure 6 shows a cross-section view of the container in figure 4, in an assembled configuration;

[0015] figure 7 shows a perspective view of the container in figure 4, in a different assembled configuration;

[0016] figures 8-9 show perspective views of a container according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] The elements or parts of elements shared by the embodiments described below will be indicated by the same reference numeral.

[0018] With reference to the aforesaid figures, reference numeral 4 globally denotes a stacking plate.

[0019] The plate 4 comprises a base 8 with an inner wall 12, able to receive the contents of the plate 4, and an outer wall 16, opposite the inner wall 12, able to form a support for the plate 4. The base 8 is preferably flat and may be of various geometric shapes.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the base 8 is circular and has an axis of symmetry X-X.

[0021] The plate 4 comprises, in addition, a perimetral rim 20, which surrounds and defines the base 8; the rim 20 is preferably made in one piece with the base 8. The perimetral rim 20 is not on the same plane as the base 8.

[0022] Advantageously, the rim 20 has at least one raised portion 24 and at least one lowered portion 28, joined to each other, so that the rim 20 is not entirely a solid of revolution in relation to the axis of symmetry X-X perpendicular to the base 8. In other words, the rim 20 does not have a regular truncated-cone shape but rather presents an asymmetrical shape.

[0023] Advantageously, the base 8 comprises, on the side of the outer wall 16, a perimetral groove 32 able to form a shaped coupling with the perimetral rim 20 of another stacking plate 4.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the rim 20 has a perimetral edge 36, facing the inner wall 12; the perimetral edge 36 is counter-shaped in relation to the perimetral groove 32 so as to be able to form a shaped coupling with another plate, as will be described in more detail below.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the perimetral edge 36 and the perimetral groove 32 present an essentially triangular profile in relation to a cross-section plane perpendicular to the base 8.

[0026] Preferably, the higher side 38 of said triangular profile faces the outer wall 16 of the plate 4.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the base 8, at the outer wall 16, comprises a central recess 40 so that the plate 4 rests exclusively on the outer circumference of the base 8.

[0028] Preferably, the perimetral groove 32 is defined by a pair of circumferential wedges or ribs 44. Said wedges 44 also define the central recess 40 of the base 8.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the perimetral rim 20 has an asymmetrical, truncated-cone shape so that a lateral projection of the perimetral edge 36 of the rim 20 onto a plane perpendicular to the base 8 identifies an inclined plane 48 which extends from the raised portion 24 to the lowered portion 28.

[0030] In other words, the perimetral rim 20 has an at least partially conic, sectioned orientation, from the part opposite the base 8, from an inclined plane 48 incident with an extension of the base 8, from the side of the lowered portion 28. For example the inclined plane forms an angle with the base 8 of between 10 and 30 degrees.

[0031] According to a further embodiment of the present invention (figure 3) the perimetral rim 20 of the plate 4 comprises at least a pair of raised portions 24 and at least a pair of lowered portions 28 alternated with each other and arranged symmetrically in relation to the axis of symmetry X-X of the base 8, perpendicular to it.

[0032] The plates 4 may be made from various materials and preferably in polymer materials or glass.

[0033] Advantageously the present invention relates to a modular container 60 comprising a number of plates 4 (figures 5-7).

[0034] For example, the container 60 comprises a first plate 4' positioned upside-down, resting the relative perimetral rim 20' on a support surface and a second plate 4'' is laid on top of the first plate 4' so as to couple, according to a shaped coupling, the perimetral rim 20" of the second plate 4" with the perimetral groove 32' of the base 8' of the first plate 4'.

[0035] Preferably, the plates which form the modular container 60 are positioned angularly so as to align the lowered portion of one 28 with the raised portion 24 of the other.

[0036] For example, the lowered portion 28' of the first plate 4' is aligned with the raised portion 24" of the second plate 4" and the raised portion 24' of the first plate 4' is aligned with the lowered portion 28" of the second plate 4''.

[0037] Preferably, the container 60 comprises a third plate 4''' joined to the second plate 4", the third 4''' resting on the second plate 4" so as to couple, according to a shaped coupling, the perimetral rim 20''' of the third plate 4''' with the perimetral groove 32" of the base 8" of the second plate 4''.

[0038] Preferably, the lowered portion 28" of the second plate 4" is aligned with the raised portion 24''' of the third plate 4'''; in addition the raised portion 24" of the second plate 4" is aligned with the lowered portion 28''' of the third plate 4"'.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the container 60 comprises a base plate 64 joined to the first plate 4' so that the bases 8 of the two plates 64,4' lie directly against each other. Furthermore, the perimetral rim 20 of the base plate 64 and the perimetral rim 20 of the first plate 4' are joined to each other by a shaped coupling between circumferential grooves 68, complementary with each other, made on the relative perimetral edges 36,36'.

[0040] To cover the container, it is possible to join to the plate at the top of the stack, a cover plate 76 which is joined for example to the third or fourth plate 4'''' by means of a shaped coupling between circumferential grooves 68, complementary with each other, made on the respective rims 20.

[0041] Preferably, the modular container 60 comprises plates having perimetral grooves 32 and relative perimetral edges 36 of a circular shape so as to enable the reciprocal and continuous rotation of the plates, even in the assembled configuration of the container 60. This way the plates 4 can be independently rotated so as to modify the final form of the modular container 60 which can assume asymmetrical configurations as desired, to adapt the shape and the size of the container to the space where the same is stored (figure 7).

[0042] According to a further embodiment (figures 3,8,9), the plate 4 comprises a number of raised portions 24 and lowered portions 28. For example the plate comprises two or three raised portions 24, alternated with two or three respective lowered portions 28, so as to produce an axial symmetric structure. A second plate 4" may be joined to a first plate 4' so as to form a shaped coupling between the raised portions 24 of the one and the lowered portions of the other (figures 8,9).

[0043] Advantageously, when the plates are assembled to form the modular container 60, each pair of plates forms a containment compartment 80 which can be used, for example, to store crockery and the like.

[0044] As may be seen from the description, the stacking plate of the present invention makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks presented in the plates made according to the known technique.

[0045] Specifically, the plates can be stacked in a stable and safe manner without any risk of the stack overturning.

[0046] In fact, the plates are joined to each other by two shaped couplings.

[0047] A first shaped coupling is made between the perimetral rim of one plate and the groove of another adjacent to it in the stack.

[0048] A second shaped coupling is made in the moment in which the raised portion of one plate is aligned with the lowered portion of another adjacent to it.

[0049] Advantageously, the individual plate has the advantage of enabling the secure containment of objects or foods thanks to the raised portion and at the same time facilitates emptying of the plate at the lowered portion.

[0050] The presence of the ribs and of the recess facilitates the containment of any objects inside the containment compartments defined by the stacked plates, in the assembled configuration of the same in an overturned position (figure 6).

[0051] In addition, thanks to the circularity of the rim and of the relative grooves as well as to the fact that the rim is not axial-symmetric but presents raised and lowered portions, it is possible to rotate the plates stacked up and change the shape, size and aesthetic appearance of the modular container.

[0052] This possibility, as well as permitting the modification as desired of the final aesthetic appearance of the container, also makes it possible to change the shape and therefore the size so as to adapt it and enable the container to be stored in restricted or irregular spaces.

[0053] A person skilled in the art may make numerous modifications and variations to the stacking plates described above so as to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, all moreover contained within the scope of protection as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Stacking plate (4) comprising

- a base (8) with an inner wall (12), able to receive the contents of the plate (4), and an outer wall (16), opposite the inner wall (12), able to form a support for the plate (4),

- a perimetral rim (20) which surrounds and defines the base (8),

characterised by the fact that

- the perimetral rim (20) has at least one raised portion (24) and at least one lowered portion (28), joined to each other, so that the perimetral rim (20) is not entirely a solid of revolution in relation to an axis (X-X) perpendicular to the base (8),

- the base (8) comprises, on the side of the outer wall (16), a perimetral groove (32) able to form a shaped coupling with the perimetral rim (20) of a further stacking plate (4) which may be joined to it.

2. Stacking plate (4) according to claim 1, wherein the perimetral rim (20) presents a perimetral edge (36) facing the inner wall (12) and able to form a shaped coupling with the perimetral groove (32) of a plate (4) which may be joined to it.

3. Stacking plate (4) according to claim 2, wherein said perimetral edge (36) and said perimetral groove (32) present an essentially triangular profile in relation to a cross-section plane perpendicular to the base (8).

4. Stacking plate (4) according to claim 3, wherein the higher side (38) of said triangular profile is facing the outer wall (16).

5. Stacking plate (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein said base (8), at the outer wall (16), comprises a central recess (40) so that the plate (4) rests on the outer circumference of the base (8).

6. Stacking plate (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the perimetral groove (32) is defined by a pair of circumferential wedges or ribs (44).

7. Stacking plate (4) according to claim 6 dependent on claim 5, wherein said wedges (44) define the central recess (40) of the base (8).

8. Stacking plate (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the perimetral rim (20) has an asymmetrical, truncated-cone shape so that a lateral projection of the perimetral edge (36) of the rim (20) onto a plane perpendicular to the base (8) identifies an inclined plane (48) which extends from the raised portion (24) to the lowered portion (28).

9. Stacking plate (4) according to claim 8, wherein said inclined plane (48) forms an angle of 10 to 30 degrees with the base.

10. Stacking plate (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the perimetral rim (20) comprises at least a pair of raised portions (24) and at least a pair of lowered portions (28) alternating with each other and arranged symmetrically in relation to an axis of symmetry (X-X) of the base (8), perpendicular to it.

11. Stacking plate (4) according to any of the previous claims, wherein said plate is made from polymeric material and/or in glass.

12. Modular container (60) comprising a number of plates (4) according to any of the claims from 1 to 11, wherein
a first plate (4)' is positioned upside-down, resting the relative perimetral rim (20') on a support surface and a second plate (4'') is laid on top so as to couple, according to a shaped coupling, the perimetral rim (20'') of the second plate (4'') with the perimetral groove (32') of the base 8' of the first plate (4'), and wherein
the plates (4', 4'') are positioned angularly so as to align the lowered portion of one (4')28 with the raised portion (4'') of the other.

13. Modular container (60) according to claim 12, wherein a third plate (4''') is joined to the second plate (4''), the third plate (4''') resting on the second plate (4'') so as to couple, according to a shaped coupling, the perimetral rim (20''') of the third plate (4''') with the perimetral groove (32'') of the base (8'') of the second plate (4'').

14. Modular container (60) according to claim 12 or 13, comprising a base plate (64) joined to the first plate (4') so that the bases (8) of the first plate (4') and of the base plate (64) lie directly against each other, the perimetral rim (20) of the base plate (64) and the perimetral rim (20) of the first plate (4') being joined to each other by a shaped coupling between circumferential grooves (68), complementary with each other, made on the same edges.

15. Modular container (60) according to any of the claims from 12 to 14, comprising plates (4', 4'', 4''') having perimetral grooves (32', 32'', 32''') and relative perimetral edges (36', 36'', 36''') of a circular shape so as to enable the relative rotation between the plates (4', 4'', 4''') even in an assembled configuration of the modular container (60).

Drawing