EGG TRAY AND USE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an egg tray suitable for packaging a plurality of eggs formed with a lid and a bottom, where the lid is hinged relative to the bottom, where the egg tray for each position suitable for positioning of an egg in the lid is formed with a top protuberance and in the bottom with a bottom protuberance where a top protuberance can mechanically engage with a bottom protuberance, where each top protuberance is designed as a frustoconical pipe end and in that each bottom protuberance is designed as a frustoconical pipe end, where the top protuberances are designed with an outer shape corresponding to an inner shape of the bottom protuberances.

[0002] In addition, the invention relates to the use of said egg tray.

[0003] It is known to produce egg trays, which are daily used in a large number for packaging and distribution of for example eggs for human nutrition.

[0004] The previously known egg trays are often produced of a cardboard material which is destroyed after use.

[0005] However, it has been found that there are some disadvantages of this prior art, including that the well-known egg trays are easily destroyed, and cannot be cleaned effectively, and therefore cannot be reused for packaging eggs and for the same reason cause a relatively large waste problem.

[0006] From FR 2112777 A (PLASTICFORMING) 23 June 1972 and US 3319865 A (Livas, G) 16 May 1967, egg trays are known, where the top and bottom at their outer edges have protuberances which are engageable with each other. The protuberances are arranged above each cavity, which is designed to receive an egg.

[0007] However, a disadvantage of the egg trays described in FR 2112777 A and US 3319865 A is that by the production of egg trays there will be a spread in the physical dimensions, including in the dimensions of the protuberances, which often means that the protuberances in practice cannot engage with each other as intended.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an egg tray without the above disadvantages.
The object of the invention is realized by an egg tray of the kind mentioned in the preamble of claim 1, which is characterized in that at least one bottom protuberance is formed with a of rod-shaped tolerance-absorbing beads, which are placed with equidistant spacing on the inner face of the frustoconical pipe end and/or that at least one top protuberance is formed with a of rod-shaped tolerance-absorbing beads, which are placed with equidistant spacing on the outer surface of the frustoconical pipe end.
By this it is possible to compensate for in the production dispersion of the physical dimensions so that the protuberances of the egg trays can easily engage with each other.
From claim 3 it is clear that it is also a special feature of the invention that the egg trays are completely or partially made of a polymeric material.
In this way it is thus possible to reuse egg trays for example as toys for children.

[0009] Other expedient embodiments of the egg tray are indicated in claim 2 as well as claims 4-7. the invention also relates to the use of egg trays as a toy.

[0010] This makes it possible to reuse egg trays for example for creative play and for teaching children.

[0011] Several uses are apparent from claims 8 and 9. The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a closed egg tray produced in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 shows an open egg tray with an egg, where the egg tray is produced in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 3 shows, seen from above, the top of a closed egg tray.

Fig. 4 shows, seen from below, the bottom of a closed egg tray.

Fig. 5 shows a plurality of identical egg trays, which are stacked like toy bricks.

Fig. 6 shows an enlarged sectional view of a section of Fig. 5, which comprises mechanical engagement between a top protuberance of an egg tray with a bottom protuberance of another egg tray.

[0012] In Fig. 1 is shown a closed egg tray with the reference numeral 1.

[0013] The egg tray 1 is also depicted in Fig. 2, which shows the egg tray 1 opened.

[0014] As will be apparent from Fig. 2, the egg tray 1 can contain eight eggs, although in Fig. 2 only one egg 6 is depicted.

[0015] In Fig. 2, it is also shown that the egg tray 1 is hinged between the top and bottom.

[0016] In Fig. 1 as well as Fig. 2, it is shown that for each egg the egg tray 1 is formed in the lid with a top protuberance 4 and in the bottom with a bottom protuberance 5.

[0017] It is a special feature of an egg tray 1 produced according to the invention that a top protuberance 4 can mechanically engage with a bottom protuberance 5.

[0018] In Fig. 3, the top of a closed egg tray 1 is shown, where the top protuberances 4 are formed like pipe ends, and have an outer diameter 7.

[0019] In Fig. 4, the bottom of an enclosed egg tray 1 is shown, where the bottom protuberances 5 are formed like pipe ends, and have an inner diameter 8.

[0020] It is a special feature of the invention that the outer diameter 7 of a top protuberance 4 shaped like a pipe end is less than or equal to the inner diameter 8 of a bottom protuberance 5 shaped like a pipe end, whereby a top protuberance 4 can mechanically engage with a bottom protuberance 5.
Hereby is achieved that several egg trays 1 can be built together as toy bricks and thereby assume arbitrary new figures e.g. as shown in Fig. 5.
In a preferred embodiment, the egg trays 1 are made of a polymeric material such as polypropylene.
Hereby is achieved that the egg trays 1 after use can be washed and reused as egg trays 1 or as toy bricks, including as toys for creative play and for teaching children.
In Fig. 5, a circle C is shown, which in Fig. 6 is shown as an enlarged cross-sectional view.
Fig. 6 thus shows a detailed cross-sectional picture of a mechanical engagement between a top protuberance 4 and a bottom protuberance 5, produced in a preferred embodiment wherein both the top protuberances 4 shaped like pipe ends and the bottom protuberances 5 shaped like pipe ends preferably are frustoconical.
In order to absorb tolerance variations by the production of egg trays 1, bottom protuberances 5 are in the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 6 provided with a plurality of, preferably five, rod-shaped tolerance-absorbing beads 9, which are placed with equidistant spacing on the inner surface of the frustoconical pipe end.
As shown in Fig. 6, there will be a minimal gap 12 between a top protuberance 4 and a bottom protuberance 5 with a bead 9, while there will be a larger gap 13 between a top protuberance 4 and a bottom protuberance 5, where there is no bead 9.
In principle, the beads 9 can be placed either in the outer surface of the top protuberances 4 or, as shown in Fig. 6, in the inner surfaces of the bottom protuberances 5, or in both of said surfaces, where they in that case most expediently are displaced relative to each other.

[0021] In Fig. 6 it is also shown that the frustoconical pipe ends in the shown embodiment are produced with an angle 10, and a smallest common diameter 11.
In a preferred embodiment, an egg tray 1 can at the bottom for each egg be formed with a shock-absorbing unit such as a polymeric O-ring.
From the above it can therefore be deduced that it is special feature of the invention that:

• for each egg 6 the egg tray 1 is formed in the lid 2 with a top protuberance 4, and in the bottom 3 with a bottom protuberance 5, where a top protuberance 4 can mechanically engage with a bottom protuberance 5.
• each top protuberance 4 is designed as a frustoconical pipe end and in that each bottom protuberance 5 is designed as a frustoconical pipe end, where the top protuberances 4 are designed with an outer shape corresponding to the inner shape of the bottom protuberances 5.
• at least one bottom protuberance 5 is formed with a plurality, preferably five rod-shaped tolerance-absorbing beads 9, which are placed with equidistant spacing on the inner surface of the frustoconical pipe end and/or at least one top protuberance 4 is formed with a plurality, preferably five, rod-shaped tolerance-absorbing beads 9, which are placed with equidistant spacing on the outer surface of the frustoconical pipe end.
• for each egg 6 the egg tray 1 is at the bottom 3 formed with a shock-absorbing unit such as a polymeric O-ring.
• the egg tray 1 is completely or partially made of polypropylene.
• the egg tray 1 is designed for packaging a plurality of eggs 6 which form a multiple of four.
• egg trays 1 are used as toys.
• egg trays 1 are used as toy bricks.

Claims

1. Egg tray (1), which is suitable for packaging a plurality of eggs (6), is formed with a lid (2) and a bottom (3), where the lid (2) is hinged relative to the bottom (3), where the egg tray (1) for each position suitable for positioning of an egg (6) in the lid (2) is formed with a top protuberance (4) and in the bottom (3) with a bottom protuberance (5), where a top protuberance (4) can mechanically engage with a bottom protuberance (5), characterised in that each top protuberance (4) is designed as a frustoconical pipe end, and in that each bottom protuberance (5) is designed as a frustoconical pipe end, where the top protuberances (4) are designed with an outer shape corresponding to an inner shape of the bottom protuberances (5) and in that at least one bottom protuberance (5) is formed with a plurality of rod-shaped tolerance-absorbing beads (9), which are placed with equidistant spacing on the inner surface of the frustoconical pipe end, and/or that at least one top protuberance (4) is formed with a plurality, of rod-shaped tolerance-absorbing beads (9), which are placed with equidistant spacing on the outer surface of the frustoconical pipe end.

2. Egg tray (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the egg tray (1) at the bottom (3) of each bottom protuberance (5) is formed with a shock-absorbing unit such as a polymer O-ring.

3. Egg tray (1) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the egg tray (1) is completely or partially made of a polymeric material.

4. Egg tray (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the egg tray (1) is completely or partially made of polypropylene.

5. Egg tray (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the egg tray (1) is designed for packaging a plurality of eggs (6) which form a multiple of four.

6. Egg tray (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that a bottom protuberance (5) is formed with five rod-shaped tolerance-absorbing beads (9).

7. Egg tray (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that a top protuberance (4) is formed with five rod-shaped tolerance-absorbing beads (9).

8. Use of the egg trays (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 7 as a toy.

9. Use of egg trays (1) according to claim 8 as toy bricks.

Ansprüche

1. Eierablage (1), welche zum Verpacken einer Vielzahl an Eiern (6) geeignet ist, ist mit einem Deckel (2) und einem Boden (3) ausgebildet, wobei der Deckel (2) aufklappbar relativ zu dem Boden (3) ist, wobei die Eierablage (1) für jede Position, die zum Positionieren eines Eis (6) geeignet ist, in dem Deckel (6) mit einem oberen Höcker (4) und in dem Boden (3) mit einem unteren Höcker (5) ausgebildet ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jeder obere Höcker (4) als ein kegelstumpfförmiges Rohrende ausgestaltet ist und dass jeder untere Höcker (5) als ein kegelstumpfförmiges Rohrende ausgestaltet ist, wobei die oberen Höcker (4) mit einer äußeren Form ausgestaltet sind, die einer inneren Form der unteren Höcker (5) entspricht, und
dass wenigstens ein unterer Höcker (5) mit einer Vielzahl an stabförmigen toleranzabsorbierenden Sicken (9) ausgebildet ist, welche mit äquidistantem Abstand auf der inneren Oberfläche des kegelstumpfförmigen Rohrendes angeordnet sind, und/oder dass wenigstens ein oberer Höcker (4) mit einer Vielzahl an stabförmigen toleranzabsorbierenden Sicken (9) ausgebildet ist, welche mit äquidistantem Abstand auf der äußeren Oberfläche des kegelstumpfförmigen Rohrendes angeordnet sind.

2. Eierablage (1) gemäß Anspruch 1 dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Eierablage (1) an dem Boden (3) jedes unteren Höckers (5) mit einer stoßabsorbierenden Einheit wie einem Polymer-O-Ring ausgebildet ist.

3. Eierablage (1) gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2 dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Eierablage (1) völlig oder teilweise aus einem polymerischen Werkstoff hergestellt ist.

4. Eierablage (1) gemäß Anspruch 3 dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Eierablage (1) völlig oder teilweise aus Polypropylen hergestellt ist.

5. Eierablage (1) gemäß einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Eierablage (1) zum Verpacken einer Vielzahl an Eiern (6) ausgestaltet ist, welche ein Vielfaches von vier bilden.

6. Eierablage (1) gemäß einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein unterer Höcker (5) mit fünf stabförmigen toleranzabsorbierenden Sicken (9) ausgebildet ist.

7. Eierablage (1) gemäß einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein oberer Höcker (4) mit fünf stabförmigen toleranzabsorbierenden Sicken (9) ausgebildet ist.

8. Verwendung der Eierablage (1) gemäß einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 1 bis 7 als Spielzeug.

9. Verwendung von Eierablagen (1) gemäß Anspruch 8 als Spielzeugklötze.

Revendications

1. Plateau à oeufs (1), qui est approprié pour le conditionnement d'un certain nombre d'oeufs (6), réalisé avec un couvercle (2) et une base (3), le couvercle (2) étant articulé par rapport à la base (3), dans lequel le plateau à oeufs (1) pour chaque position appropriée pour le positionnement d'un oeuf (6) dans le couvercle (2) est réalisé avec une protubérance supérieure (4) et, dans la base (3), avec une protubérance inférieure (5), dans lequel une protubérance supérieure (4) peut venir coopérer mécaniquement avec une protubérance inférieure (5), caractérisé en ce que chaque protubérance supérieure (4) est conçue sous la forme d'une extrémité tubulaire tronconique, et en ce que chaque protubérance inférieure (5) est conçue sous la forme d'une extrémité tubulaire tronconique, les protubérances supérieures (4) étant conçues avec une configuration externe correspondant à une configuration interne des protubérances inférieures (5), et en ce qu'au moins une protubérance inférieure (5) est réalisée avec un certain nombre de billes de forme allongée (9) absorbant la tolérance, qui sont placées dans des positions équidistantes sur la surface interne de l'extrémité tubulaire tronconique, et/ou en ce qu'au moins une protubérance supérieure (4) est réalisée avec un certain nombre de billes de forme allongée (9) absorbant la tolérance, qui sont placées dans des positions équidistantes sur la surface externe de l'extrémité tubulaire tronconique.

2. Plateau à oeufs (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le plateau à oeufs (1) à la base (3) de chaque protubérance inférieure (5) est réalisé avec une unité absorbant les chocs, comme par exemple un joint torique polymère.

3. Plateau à oeufs (1) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que le plateau à oeufs (1) est constitué complètement ou en partie d'une matière polymère.

4. Plateau à oeufs (1) selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que le plateau à oeufs (1) est constitué complètement ou en partie de polypropylène.

5. Plateau à oeufs (1) selon une ou plusieurs des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que le plateau à oeufs (1) est conçu pour le conditionnement d'un certain nombre d'oeufs qui forme un multiple de quatre.

6. Plateau à oeufs (1) selon une ou plusieurs des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce qu'une protubérance inférieure (5) est réalisée avec cinq billes de forme allongée (9) absorbant la tolérance.

7. Plateau à oeufs (1) selon une ou plusieurs des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce qu'une protubérance supérieure (4) est réalisée avec cinq billes de forme allongée (9) absorbant la tolérance.

8. Utilisation des plateaux à oeufs (1) selon une ou plusieurs des revendications 1 à 7, comme jouet.

9. Utilisation de plateaux à oeufs (1) selon la revendication 8, comme briques de jeux.

Drawing