Stackable container

Abstract

 The invention relates to a container (10a) comprising a generally rectangular floor portion (14) and a circumferential wall portion (18) with a generally horizontally extending first edge (22), the floor and wall portions (14, 18) defining an interior space (20), the first edge having an arrangement of vertically protruding portions (30) and vertically recessed portions (34). According to the invention the arrangement of protruding and recessed portions (30, 34) is substantially symmetric with respect to a center point (46) of the first edge (22), and for each protruding portion (30) there is a corresponding recessed portion (34) at a position straight opposite.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a container according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such a container is known in the prior art, for example, from the EP 2 559 628 A1.

[0003] The problem solved by the present invention is to provide a container that can be connected to or stacked onto other substantially identical containers in various orientations, whereby the container should function as a container and simultaneously as a lid for the other container.
This problem is solved by a container with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further aspects are given in the dependent claims. Furthermore, essential features of the invention are given in the subsequent description and the drawings, wherein these features can be essential to the invention in various and not necessarily explicitly described combinations.

[0004] The invention provides a container comprising a generally rectangular floor portion and a circumferential wall portion with a generally - in operation position - horizontally extending first (free) edge, which is distal to the floor portion, the floor and wall portions defining an interior space, the first edge having an arrangement of - in operation position - vertically protruding portions and - in operation position - vertically recessed portions, the arrangement of the protruding and the recessed portions being substantially symmetric with respect to a centre point of the first edge and each protruding portion having a corresponding recessed portion at a position straight opposite. Such a container can be connected with its first edge to the first edge of a substantially identical container with the effect that the one container forms a cover for the other container, the two interior spaces of both containers are connected, and a substantially tight seal is formed.

[0005] A protruding portion and a recessed portion, in the context of this invention, are corresponding or matching and thus can be called "complementary", when the protruding portion of a container can be inserted in the recessed portion of another substantially identical container forming a substantially tight seal.

[0006] A first embodiment of the invention relates to a container, wherein a second generally horizontally extending edge of the wall portion comprises an arrangement of - in operating position - vertically protruding portions and - in operating position - vertically recessed portions, the arrangement is substantially symmetric with respect to a centre point of the second edge, and for each protruding portion there is an associated recessed portion straight opposite. This configuration allows the connection of two identical containers via their second edges, which are proximal to their floor portions.

[0007] Again, a protruding portion and a recessed portion, in the context of this invention, are associated or matching, respectively, when the protruding portion of a container can be inserted in the recessed portion of another substantially identical container at least partly forming a substantially tight seal.

[0008] A further embodiment of the invention comprises a container, which is a first container, wherein, when the first edge of this first container is connected to the second edge of a substantially identical second container in the same orientation as the first container, then for each protruding portion on the first edge of the first container and on the second edge of the second container there is a corresponding recessed portion on the second edge of the second container and on the first edge of the first container, respectively. Containers according to this aspect of the invention can be stacked by connecting the second (bottom) edge of a second container with the first (upper) edge of another identical first container such that a stacked array of containers can be constructed. In this array each additional (upper) container forms a substantially tight sealing lid for the interior space of the previous (lower) container.

[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the invention a container comprises at least one protruding portion on the first edge and / or on the second edge that comprises a - in operation position - lateral recess on its laterally outer surface. With this lateral recesses the outer surface of the elongated protruding portions is set back against the remainder of the laterally outer surface of the wall portion. Such a container, when stacked onto another substantially identical container, provides a handle formed by the lateral recess.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention a, the lateral recess is adjacent to a - in operation positionvertically recessed portion. Due to the above defined symmetry conditions a conveniently (large) sized handle is formed by the lateral recesses when arranged as claimed.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, a container comprises at least one pair of generally vertical grooves facing away from each other, the grooves being located on the outer surface of the circumferential wall portion and extending from the first (free or upper) edge to the second (lower) edge. This allows the application of a tensioning strap or several tensioning straps in order to secure several connected containers to each other.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the above-mentioned grooves comprise an inclined or curved transition portion extending from the wall portion to the floor portion. This allows tight contact of applied tensioning straps with the connected containers, with a reduced risk of the straps damaging the edge between the wall portion and the floor portion.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, the first edge the first groove of a pair transitions into a - in operating position - vertically protruding portion and the second groove of a pair transitions into a - in operating position - vertically recessed portion. This allows connecting two containers with their first edge with each other and then applying a tensioning strap around the two containers allowing their secure transportation as a single unit.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, a container comprises at least one type of protruding portion formed as a pin and at least one corresponding or matching recessed portion forming a receiving recess and being formed to contact the protruding portion in at least three lateral directions. Such a pin-shaped protruding portion and a corresponding recessed portion provide to stack two containers onto each other are tightly held them in place with respect to each other.

[0015] These and other aspects of the present invention, as well as the method of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts, will become more apparent upon consideration of the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be understood that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not a limitation of the invention. In addition, it should be appreciated that structural features shown or described in anyone embodiment herein can be used in other embodiments as well.

Figure 1

is a perspective view from above onto a container having a first edge, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2

is a perspective view from below onto the container of figure 1, the container having a second edge;

Figure 3

is a perspective view on two containers according to the one shown in figures 1 and 2, the containers being connected with their first edges to each other;

Figure 4

is a perspective view on two containers according to the one shown in figures 1 and 2, the containers being connected with the first edge of one container contacting the second edge of the other container;

Figure 5

is a perspective view on a stacked array of pairs of containers as shown in figures 3 and 4;

Figure 6

is a sectional view in plane VI of figure 5;

Figure 7

is a detailed view on a part of figure 5;

Figure 8

is another detailed view of a part of figure 5; and

Figure 9

is a perspective representation of the containers of figures 1;

Figure 10

is a perspective view of a stacked array of containers; and

Figure 11

is a further perspective view of a stacked array of containers;

Figure 1 shows a container 10a with a substantially rectangular and operationally horizontal floor portion 14. The floor portion 14 is encircled by a circumferential wall portion 18. The floor portion 14 and the wall portion 18 define an interior space 20. The circumferential wall portion 18 comprises an in operation position generally horizontally extending first free and upper edge 22. Opposite to the first edge 22, the wall portion 18 comprises an in operation position generally horizontally extending second and lower edge 26, which is proximal to floor portion 14.

[0016] Vertically protruding portions 30a-d and vertically recessed portions 34a-d are arranged on the first edge 22. The arrangement of the protruding and recessed portions 30a-d, 34a-d is symmetrical to a centre point 36 of the first edge. The arrangement of the protruding and recessed portions 30a-d, 34a-d is furthermore such that for each protruding portion 30a-d there is a corresponding and matching or complementary recessed portion 34a-d located at a position straight opposite. E.g., protruding portion 30c has a corresponding recessed portion 34c.

[0017] In figure 2, the container 10a of figure 1 is shown in a perspective view rotated by 180°, that is from below. On the second edge 26 vertically protruding portions 38a-c and vertically recessed portions 42a-c are arranged.

[0018] The arrangement of the protruding portions 38a-c and the recessed portions 42a-c is such that they are substantially symmetric with respect to a centre point 46 of the second edge 26. The arrangement of the protruding portions 38a-c and the recessed portions 42a-c is furthermore such that for each protruding portion 38a-c there is an associated corresponding recessed portion 42a-c straight opposite. E.g., protruding portion 38a has a corresponding recessed portion 42a.

[0019] In the context of this invention a protruding portion 30a-d, 38a-c and a recessed portion 34a-d, 42a-c are corresponding, when the protruding portion 30a-d, 34a-c of a container 10a can be inserted in the recessed portion 38a-d, 42a-c of another substantially identical container 10b forming a substantially tight seal.

[0020] The container 10a as shown in the figures has a first longitudinal axis 54a and a first transversal axis 54b. The centre point 36 of the first edge 22 is located where the first longitudinal axis 54a and the first transversal axis 54b cross each other. The container 10a has a second longitudinal axis 58a and a second transversal axis 58b. The centre point of the second edge 26 is located where the second longitudinal axis 58a and the second transversal axis 58b cross each other.

[0021] Dotted symmetry lines 62 illustrate that the arrangement of the protruding and recessed portions 30, 34, 38, 42 on the first and second edge 22, 26 is substantially symmetric with respect to the respective centre points 36, 46.

[0022] On the outer surface of the circumferential wall portion 18 pairs of vertical grooves 66a, 66b are located. Each of the grooves 66a, 66b extends from the first upper edge 22 to the second lower edge 26.

[0023] A is shown in figure 1, for each pair of grooves 66a, 66b, the first groove 66a transitions into a vertically protruding portion 30d, and the second groove 66b transitions into a vertically recessed portion 34d.

[0024] As is shown in figure 2, the grooves 66a, 66b comprise a curved or inclined transition portion 70a, 70b extending from the wall portion 18 to the floor portion 14. Each pair of grooves 66a, 66b in this embodiment is located adjacent to corners 74 of the circumferential wall portion 18 which is a preferential location if two pairs of grooves are implemented.

[0025] Elongated protruding portions 30b, 30c comprise lateral recesses 78b, 78c on their laterally outer surface. In the lateral recesses 78b, 78c the outer surface of the elongated protruding portions 30b, 30c is set back against the laterally outer surface of the wall portion 18.

[0026] A protruding portion 30b formed as a pin has a corresponding recessed portion 34d. The corresponding recessed portion 34d is shaped such that when it receives the protruding portion 30d it contacts it with an inner surface and two lateral surfaces, that is in three main lateral directions.

[0027] In figure 3, a first container 10a, which is identical to the container shown in figures 1 and 2, is connected with its first free edge 22a to the first free edge 22b of another identical container 10b.

[0028] In figure 4, the container 10a is connected with its first free edge 22a to the second bottom edge 26b of another identical container 10b.

[0029] In figure 5, an arrangement of six identical containers 10a-f is shown, the containers 10a-f being identical to the container shown in figures 1 and 2. The first container 10a is connected with its first edge 22a to the second edge 26b of a second container 10b. The second container 10b is connected with its first edge 22b to the second edge 26c of a third container 10c. The third container 10c is connected with its first edge 22c to the first edge 22d of a fourth container 10d. The fourth container 10d is connected with its second edge 26d to the second edge 26e of a fifth container 10e. A sixth container 10f is connected with its first edge 22f to the first edge 22e of the fifth container 10e.

[0030] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view according to plain VI-VI indicated in figure 5. In figure 6 the characteristics of the different types of connections between the six containers 10a-f are appreciated. The floor portion 14b of the second container 10b forms a lid or cover for the interior space 20a of the first container 10a while the floor portion 14c of the third container 10c forms a lid or cover for the interior space 20b of the second container 10b. The third container 10c and the fourth container 10d are connected to each other via their first edges 22c and 22d. Due to this connection, the interior spaces 20c and 20d of the third container 10c and the fourth container 10d are in connection with each other. The fourth container 10d and the fifth container 10e are connected to each other via their respective second edges 26d and 26e. The fifth container 10e and the sixth container 10f are in an analogue configuration to the third container 10c and the fourth container 10d.

[0031] Figure 7 shows a partial enlarged view of figure 4. More specifically, figure 7 shows a side view on the elongated protruding portions 30b, 38b comprising lateral recesses 78b, 82b in a configuration where the container 10a is connected with its first edge 22a to the second edge 26b of the other container 10b.

[0032] Figure 8 shows a partial enlarged view of figure 3. More specifically, figure 8 shows a side view on the elongated protruding portions 30b comprising lateral recesses 78b in a configuration where the container 10a is connected with its first edge 22a to the first edge 22b the other container 10b.

[0033] Figure 9 shows the container 10a of figure 1.

[0034] In figure 10, an arrangement of three identical containers 10a-c is shown, the containers 10a-c being identical to the container shown in figures 1 and 2. The first container 10a is connected with its first edge 22a to the second edge 26b of a second container 10b. The second container 10b is connected with its first edge 22b to the first edge 22c of a third container 10c.

[0035] In figure 11, an arrangement of three identical containers 10a-c is shown, the containers 10a-c being identical to the container shown in figures 1 and 2. The first container 10a is connected with its first edge 22a to the second edge 26b of a second container 10b. The second container 10b is connected with its first edge 22b to the second edge 26c of a third container 10c.

[0036] The protruding portions 30, 38 in conjunction with the recessed portions 34, 42 allow a stacking of several containers 10. Through the cooperation of protruding portions 30, 38 and recessed portions 34, 42 containers 10 connected to each other cannot move laterally with respect to each other.

[0037] The arrangement of the protruding portions 30, 38 in a symmetric fashion with respect to centre points 36, 46 allows the connection of a container 10a to another container 10b in a variety of configurations.

[0038] The cooperation of the protruding portion 30b formed as a pin and the shape of the corresponding recessed portion 34d is specifically suited to ensure mechanical stability of a stacked array of containers 10. Due to the strong restriction of lateral movement via the protruding portion 30b when received in the corresponding recessed portion 34b two containers 10 connected with each other cannot be moved laterally against each other and can be disconnected from each other only by moving them apart vertically.

[0039] The lateral recesses 78b, 78c, 82b, 82c on the elongated protruding portions 30b, 30c, 38b, 38c form a handle when a container 10a is connected to another container 10b.

[0040] As will be appreciated, according to figure 5 the groves 66 allow the application of a tensioning strip around an array of containers 10. Besides fastening an entire array or stack of containers 10a-f, two containers 10c, 10d and two containers 10e, 10f may be connected with each other via their respective first edges 22 and can be fixed via a tensioning strip due to the curved transition portions 70 which extend from the wall portion 18 onto the floor portion 14. The two pairs of containers 10c, 10d and 10e, 10f then each form separate units secured by the respective tensioning strap.

Claims

1. A container (10a) comprising a generally rectangular floor portion (14) and a circumferential wall portion (18) with a generally horizontally extending first edge (22), the floor and wall portions (14, 18) defining an interior space (20), the first edge having an arrangement of vertically protruding portions (30) and vertically recessed portions (34), characterized in that the arrangement of protruding and recessed portions (30, 34) is substantially symmetric with respect to a center point (46) of the first edge (22), and that for each protruding portion (30) there is a corresponding recessed portion (34) at a position straight opposite.

2. The container (10a) according to claim 1, wherein a second generally horizontally extending edge (26) of the wall portion comprises an arrangement of vertically protruding portions (38) and vertically recessed portions (42), the arrangement is substantially symmetric with respect to a center point (50) of the second edge (26), and for each protruding portion (38) there is an associated recessed portion (42) straight opposite.

3. The container (10a) according to claim 2, wherein, when the first edge (22) is connected to the second edge (26) of a substantially identical second container (10b) in the same orientation as the container (10a), then for each protruding portion (30, 38) on the first edge (22) and on the second edge (26) of the second container there is a corresponding recessed portion (38, 42) on the second edge (26) and on the first edge (22), respectively.

4. The container (10a) according to anyone of the preceding claims 2 to 3, wherein at least one protruding portion (38b, 38c) on the first edge (22) and/or on the second edge (26) comprises a lateral recess (82b, 82c) on its laterally outer surface.

5. The container (10a) according to claim 4, wherein the lateral recess (82b, 82c) is adjacent to a vertically recessed portion (42b, 42c).

6. The container (10a) according to anyone of the preceding claims 1 to 4, comprising at least one pair of generally vertical grooves (66) facing away from each other, the groves being located on the outer surface of the circumferential wall portion (18) and extending from the first edge (22) to the second edge (26).

7. The container (10a) according to claim 6, wherein the grooves (66) comprise an inclined or curved transition portion (70) extending from the wall portion (18) to the floor portion (14).

8. The container (10a) according to anyone of the preceding claims 6 or 7, wherein on the first edge (22) the first groove (66) of a pair transitions into a vertically protruding portion (30d) and the second groove of a pair transitions into a vertically recessed portion (34d).

9. The container (10a) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein at least one type of protruding portion is formed as a pin and at least one corresponding recessed portion is formed to contact the protruding portion on at least three lateral directions.

Drawing