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(11) | EP 1 041 008 B1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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| (54) |
Dismantled container Demontierenbarer Behälter Conteneur démontable |
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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). |
[0001] The present invention refers to a container that can be dismantled, formed by three independent components, a loading ledge, a foldable body, and a closure lid which can be assembled or dismantled in a quick and easy manner and that can be left dismantled position allowing for easy transport and storage.
[0002] Containers are now well known in which the loading ledge and the lid have peripheral facing channels dimensioned to receive the upper and lower edges of the wall formed by the foldable body. Known containers have security closures that prevent the wall from leaving the channels. In addition, the wall, made up by the foldable body, has folding lines available between its inner and outer edges, as well as reinforcement means placed next to the edges and placed to coincide with the closure lid and ledge items. WO-A-91/13809 discloses a container substantially in accordance with the preamble of claim 1 of this patent.
[0003] These types of containers present problems during the piling up stage, due to the lack of resistance of the closure lid that will receive the weight of the containers situated on top of it, in addition to the security of the position of the pile.
[0004] The present invention, which relates to a container in accordance with claim 1 (preferred embodiments of the container are defined in the dependent claims) has the objective to present a way in which the loading ledge and the closure lid secure the position of the pile, either by the resistance they offer, as well as in securing the position of the pile.
[0005] Another objective of this invention is to allow the body, in its folding position, to be allocated inside another container body, reducing the volume during storage and transport stage.
[0006] Both the ledge and the closure lid can be independently piled up between each other when the container is dismantled, and measures are taken or made available which limits the coupling of items to others when piled up, for the purpose of making separation easier at the moment of assembly of the container.
[0007] These and other advantages of the invention are obtained because of the special constitution of its components.
[0008] The loading ledge is provided with support legs, which are provided on the side with at least one enlargement of less height than said legs. The enlargement terminates, at its lower part, in a supporting surface situated higher than the bottom of the respective supporting leg.
[0009] With regard to the closure lid, this is exteriorly drawn back with respect to the outer or upper rear surface (constituting the bottom) of the peripheral channel. Further, the lid is crossed on this exteriorly drawn back surface by two series of ribs that are perpendicular to the channels. The ribs slightly protrude at the back and present a transversal rounded section. In addition, the lid is provided with protrusions arranged on its outer surface, within the peripheral channel and in a position that coincides with the area taken up by the enlargements of the legs of the load ledge; said protrusions stay on level with the outer (upper rear) surface of the peripheral channel and give support to the enlargements of the legs of the load ledge, when superimposing or heaping up two or more containers on each other.
[0010] With the enlargements of the legs of the ledge and with the protrusions of the closure lid, means of support are found that assures the position of the pile of the containers. On the other hand, the existence of the ribs of the lid and their configurations, guarantee the flat surface structure of the lid, avoiding any type of warping. Moreover, the items mentioned make piling independently easier both for the ledge and the lid, without producing excessive fittings.
[0011] To account for the folding of the wall defining the container body, this is achieved by means of folding lines that run between the upper and lower edges of the wall, and that coincide with the vertical edges of the body and the mean vertical lines of larger walls. With this structuring, the body or the wall is folded towards the inside, reducing the contour and allowing it to reside in the body of another container.
[0012] All the characteristics shown, as well as other particular items of this invention, can be better understood through the following description, made with reference to drawings which show a preferred embodiment of this invention, without restrictions.
[0016] Figure 3 is a transversal section of two piled up lids, taken in accordance with the dashed line III-III in figure 2 on a bigger scale.
[0018] Figure 5 is a partial side view of the underside of three-piled load ledges, with the inside chosen in accordance with the dashed line V-V in Figure 4.
[0019] Figure 6 is a partial vertical section of the container, taken in accordance with the dashed line VI-VI of figure 4, piled over a lid of another container situated immediately underneath.
[0022] Figure 9 corresponds to the development of one of the reinforced items assembled over the wall of the foldable body.
[0023] Figure 10 is a longitudinal section of the reinforced item, taken in accordance with the dashed line X-X in figure 9.
[0024] Figure 11 is a diametrical section by means of subjection of the reinforced item, taken in accordance with the dashed line XI-XI in figure 9.
[0026] Figure 13 is a longitudinal section of the lock flat, with a retaining element, taken in accordance with the dashed line XIII-XIII in figure 12.
[0027] Figure 1 shows the container established in accordance with the invention, composed of a lower load ledge 1, based on plastic material, a side of the foldable wall 2, composed of cardboard, and an upper closure lid 3, established also on the basis of plastic material. These three components are independently easily dismantled and assembled.
[0028] Closure lid 3, as it appears in figures 2 and 3 is composed of a tray provided with a series of shapes that delimits the upside down peripheral channel 4, and intermediate reinforcement channels 5, that run in perpendicular directions to the edges of the tray and have a rounded section.
[0029] As it can be better seen in Figure 3, the intermediate reinforcement channels protrude outwards with respect to the back of the channel (4), and remain slightly drawn back with respect to the outer wall (6) of the channel, protruding also the edge of the wall with respect to the inner surface of the tray 3. This arrangement allows, in accordance with what is shown in figure 3, the piling of lids over others, achieving a stable and a self-supporting position.
[0030] The lid 3 presents on its outer surface and starting from the peripheral channel 4, protrusions 7 which, as it can be appreciated in figure 3, stay on level with the outer surface of the channel 4.
[0031] In addition, the lid 3 is a carrier for security closures 8 for fixing it to the container wall 2, in accordance with what will be shown ahead.
[0032] The container ledge 1, which can be appreciated in figures 4 to 6, is composed of a resistant tray or layer, also of plastic material, with fitted shape that delimits a peripheral channel 9, with the same dimensions as the channel 4, of the lid 3 and opposed to the same, and reinforced intermediate ribs or channels 10. In addition the ledge 1 has hollow support legs 11, said legs decreasing towards the bottom, to allow the piling of the ledges over others. These legs show on one of its side's surface, at least an enlargement 12 that has less height than the legs 11 and remains drawn back at its lower end with respect to the bottom end 13 of the legs. These enlargements 12 are limited at their bottom end by a supporting surface 14 that serves as a restrictive joint between ledges 1, figure 5, making two or more piles available.
[0033] Moreover, this enlargement 12 co-operates in piling containers, in accordance with what is shown in figure 6.
[0034] The protrusions 7 of the lid and the enlargements 12 of the ledge, figures 2 and 4, occupy positions that coincide, in the way that a container is superimposed above another, as appears in figure 6. The enlargements 12 of the ledge of the upper container give much better support over the protrusions 7 of the lid of the lower container, the lower portion of the leg 11 remaining inside the vertical protrusions' surface, preventing sliding.
[0035] The load ledge 1 carries security closures 15 that have the same characteristics as the closure 8 of the lid 3.
[0036] The closures 8, and 15 of the lid 3, and the ledge 1, are established with a lock 16, referring to figure 6, established, as it can be better appreciated in figures 12 and 13, through an contour plate 17 sensibly made rectangular with a passing collar 18, fitted inside with annular grooves 19. This lock is assembled in shapes carried out in the load ledge 1, and lid 3, that delimits parallel and facing channels 20, figures 6 and 7, perpendicular to the channel 9 of the ledge, and to the channel 4 of the lid. The plate 17, which establishes the lock, is arranged in a way so that the collar 18 remains directed towards the outside of the container. The lock 16 further comprises a retaining item 21, in the way of a stopper 22, inserted by adjusting in the collar 18 and fitting the peripheral ribs 23 that penetrate using pressure until reaching the grooves 19, where they house. The stopper 22 remains finished in a head 24 that will serve as a way of stopping the lock 16 from leaving or escaping.
[0037] With this arrangement displayed, the lock or plate 17 can slide in a perpendicular direction between a blocked position, shown in figure 6, in which the lock or plate crosses the channel, and an open position, in which the lock or plate remains drawn back, moved towards the inside of the ledge or lid, and outside the channel 9 of the ledge or of the lid 4.
[0038] The wall 2 of the container is composed of, which can be better appreciated in figures 8 and 9, a cardboard item with folding lines 25, of a fitted closed shape, the folding lines running between the upper and lower edges of the walls, coinciding with the vertical edges and a mean or centre vertical line on the larger walls that allow their foldability, when not forming part of the container.
[0039] In figure 8, details can be seen of the joining of the free edges 26 of the cardboard item in order to form the closed shape shown in figures 8 and 9.
[0040] The cardboard wall 2 is provided, near its upper and lower edges and coinciding, with reinforcement items 27, figure 1, in which each one of them is composed of two plates placed near to and fixed in a coinciding position, one on the inside surface, and the other on the outside surface of the wall.
[0041] Reinforcement plates, as is shown in figures 10 and 12, can be composed of a plate of plastic material 28, provided with two transversal weakening lines 29, which will define the folding lines. With this arrangement, the plate 28 can adopt a U shape in order to join over the cardboard wall 2, straddling from its upper and lower edges. The plate 28 has holes 30 dimensioned and positioned to coincide with the holes in the cardboard wall 2. In addition the plate 28 establishes female tubular rivets 31, and male rivets 32, fixed by small inner notches 33, and external notches 34 for a mounted joint to be established introducing tubular male rivets 32 through tubular female rivets 31. The holes 30 can be provided with peripheral connectable walls 35 provided, just as the tubular rivets 31 and 32, with inner and outer mountings.
[0042] The holes 30, and tubular rivets 31, and 32, of the plate 28 are left positioned in a way so that when assembling these straddling plates over the edges of the wall 2, they coincide with the holes and openings of the cardboard wall 2. In this way a perfect joint and fastening of the plate over the cardboard wall is obtained.
[0043] With this mentioned arrangement, in order to proceed to assemble the container, the ledge 1 is positioned over a horizontal surface, supported by its legs 11. Proceeding and with the plates 17 in a drawn back position, the lower edge of the cardboard wall 2 is put into the channel 9, then the plates 17 are slid towards the closed position shown in figure 6; the plates can be operated from the inside of the container thanks to the passing collar 18 of the plates 17 that make up the locks 16. The lock 16, figures 6 and 7, will pass through the facing gaps 30 of the reinforcement plate 28, of the wall. Once the container is filled up the lid can be prepared, with its peripheral channel 4 in an upside down position joined over the upper edge of the wall 2. As in the previous case, over the locks of the closure items of the lid the same arrangement stated could be carried out and represented by with reference to figure 6.
[0044] As it can be seen, the container is designed in a way that its three components are independently piled, and the walls 2 can even be housed in a folded position, between the ledge 1 and the lid 3 of the same container.
[0045] Thanks to the existence of the security closures 15 and 8, included in the load ledge and lid respectively, a secure fixing of the container is achieved.
[0046] However, it can be understood that the shape and dimensions of the contour in addition to the height of the container will vary in order to adapt the container to the necessities of the addressee.
[0047] The arrangement of the container reports considerable advantages because of all of its fixed or unfixed components are able to be easily recycled and occupy an unfixed position in highly reduced space.
[0048] The channels 20 can be left out, due to the establishment of the lock 16, by the plate 17 and the retaining element 21, figures 13 and 14. For this it will be sufficient that on the ledge 1 and lid 3, oblong holes are made through which will pass the collar 18, of the plate 17, that would remain retained by means of the stopper 21.
the ledge (1) and the lid (3) have opposed peripheral channels (4, 9) dimensioned to receive, respectively, upper and lower edges of the wall (2);
the ledge (1) and the lid (3) are further provided with security closures (8, 15) including blocking elements (17) in order to prevent the wall (2) from escaping from the channels (4, 9);
the wall (2) conforms to a closed shape to coincide with limits of the peripheral channels (4, 9) of the ledge (1) and the lid (3) and is provided with folding lines (25) that run between the upper and lower edges;
the ledge (1) is provided with support legs (11);
characterised in that:the container further comprises reinforcement items (27) arranged next to the upper and lower edges of the wall (2) and aranged to coincide with the security closures (8, 15) of the ledge (1) and lid (3), in order to receive said blocking elements (17) of said security closures; in that
fixed to the support legs (11) at one of their side surfaces, there is at least one enlargement (12) of less height than the legs (11), whereby said enlargement (12) terminates, at a lower end thereof, in a support surface (14) that is situated higher than the bottom end (13) of the support legs (11); in that
the closure lid (3) has an upper central portion that is arranged lower than an upper rear surface of the peripheral channel (4) of the closure lid (3) and is crossed by two series of ribs (5) perpendicular to said channel (4), said ribs (5) protruding slightly with regard to said upper rear surface of the channel (4) and having an upper portion with a rounded cross section; and in that
the closure lid (3), on its upper surface and centrally from the channel (4), in a position to coincide with the position of the enlargements (12) of the support legs (11) of the load ledge (1) when said load ledge is placed upon the closure lid (3), is provided with protrusions (7) the top portion of which is at the same level as the upper rear surface of the peripheral channel (4) of the closure lid so as to provide support to the enlargements (12) of the support legs (11) of the load ledge (1) when superimposing or piling a plurality of containers.
der Träger (1) und der Deckel (3) einander gegenüberliegende, umfängliche Kanäle (4, 9) aufweisen, die so bemessen sind, dass sie obere bzw. untere Ränder der Wand (2) aufnehmen;
der Träger (1) und der Deckel (3) außerdem mit Sicherheitsverschlüssen (8, 15) versehen sind, die Sperrelemente (17) beinhalten, um zu verhindern, dass die Wand (2) aus den Kanälen (4, 9) austritt;
die Wand (2) einer geschlossenen Form entspricht, um mit Grenzen der umfänglichen Kanäle (4, 9) des Trägers (1) und des Deckels (3) in Deckung zu sein, und mit Faltlinien (25) versehen ist, die zwischen oberen und unteren Rändern verlaufen;
der Träger (1) mit Tragfüßen (11) versehen ist;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:der Behälter außerdem Verstärkungseinheiten (27) aufweist, die zu den oberen und unteren Rändern der Wand (2) nächstgelegen und so angeordnet sind, dass sie mit den Sicherheitsverschlüssen (8, 15) des Trägers (1) und des Deckels (3) in Deckung sind, um die genannten Sperrelemente (17) der genannten Sicherheitsverschlüsse aufzunehmen; dass
an den Tragfüßen (11) an einer ihrer Seitenflächen zumindest eine Erweiterung (12) von geringerer Höhe als die Füße (11) befestigt ist, wobei die genannte Erweiterung (12) an einem unteren Ende derselben in einer Trägerfläche (14) endet, die höher gelegen ist als das bodenseitige Ende (13) der Tragfüße (11); dass
der Verschlußdeckel (3) einen oberen Zentralteil besitzt, der tiefer angeordnet ist als eine obere, hintere Fläche des umfänglichen Kanales (14) des Verschlußdeckels (3) und durch zwei Reihen von Rippen (5) gekreuzt wird, die zu dem genannten Kanal (4) senkrecht sind, wobei genannte Rippen (5) leicht relativ zu der genannten oberen, hinteren Fläche des Kanales (4) vorstehen und einen oberen Teil mit einem gerundeten Querschnitt aufweisen; und dass
der Verschlußdeckel (3) an seiner oberen Fläche und vom Kanal (4) zentral gelegen, in einer Position, die sich mit der Position der Erweiterungen (12) der Tragfüße (11) des Lastträgers (1) deckt, wenn der genannte Lastträger auf dem Verschlußdeckel (3) plaziert ist, mit Vorsprüngen (7) versehen ist, deren oberer Teil sich auf dem gleichen Höhenniveau befindet wie die obere, hintere Fläche des umfänglichen Kanales (4) des Verschlußdeckels, um eine Abstützung für die Erweiterungen (12) der Tragfüße (11) des Lastträgers (1) zu bilden, wenn eine Mehrzahl Behälter aufeinander gelegt oder gestapelt wird.
la base (1) et le couvercle (3) ont des canaux périphériques opposés (4, 9) dimensionnés pour recevoir, respectivement, les bords supérieur et inférieur de la paroi (2) ;
la base (1) et le couvercle (3) sont, de plus, munis de fermetures de sécurité (8, 15), incluant des éléments de blocage (17) afin d'empêcher la paroi (2) de s'échapper des canaux (4, 9) ;
la paroi (2) se conforme à une forme fermée pour coïncider avec les limites des canaux périphériques (4, 9) de la base (1) et du couvercle (3) et est munie de lignes de pliage (25) qui se trouvent entre les bords supérieur et inférieur ;
la base (1) est munie de jambes de support (11) ;
caractérisé en ce que :le conteneur comprend, en outre, des éléments de renforcement (27) disposés suivant les bords supérieur et inférieur de la paroi (2) et conçus pour coïncider avec les fermetures de sécurité (8, 15) de la base (1) et du couvercle (3), afin de recevoir lesdits éléments de blocage (17) desdites fermetures de sécurité ; en ce que
fixé aux jambes de support (11) à une de leurs surfaces latérales, se trouve au moins un évasement (12) d'une hauteur inférieure à celle des jambes (11), avec pour effet que ledit évasement (12) se termine à son extrémité inférieure dans une surface de support (14) qui est située plus haute que l'extrémité inférieure (13) des jambes de support (11) ; en ce que
le couvercle de fermeture (3) comporte une partie centrale supérieure qui est disposée plus basse qu'une surface arrière supérieure du canal périphérique (4) du couvercle de fermeture (3) et est coupé par deux séries de nervures (5) perpendiculaires audit canal (4), lesdites nervures (5) dépassant légèrement par rapport à ladite surface arrière supérieure du canal (4) et ayant une partie supérieure avec une section transversale arrondie ; et en ce que
le couvercle de fermeture (3) est muni de saillies (7) sur sa surface supérieure, et centralement par rapport au canal (4), dans une position pour coïncider avec la position des évasements (12) des jambes de support (11) de la base de renforcement (1) lorsque ladite base de renforcement est placée sur le couvercle de fermeture (3), lesdites saillies (7) ayant leur partie supérieure qui est au même niveau que la surface arrière supérieure du canal périphérique (4) du couvercle de fermeture de façon à procurer un support aux évasements (12) des jambes de support (11) de la base de renforcement (1) lors de la superposition ou de l'empilement d'une pluralité de conteneurs.