CA2136453A1 - Returnable packaging system - Google Patents
Returnable packaging systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA2136453A1 CA2136453A1 CA 2136453 CA2136453A CA2136453A1 CA 2136453 A1 CA2136453 A1 CA 2136453A1 CA 2136453 CA2136453 CA 2136453 CA 2136453 A CA2136453 A CA 2136453A CA 2136453 A1 CA2136453 A1 CA 2136453A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- elements
- packaging unit
- unit according
- returnable packaging
- tongues
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D11/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
- B65D11/18—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected
- B65D11/1866—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected with detachable components
- B65D11/188—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected with detachable components the container being formed by two mating halves
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
- Y02W30/00—Technologies for solid waste management
- Y02W30/50—Reuse, recycling or recovery technologies
- Y02W30/80—Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Stackable Containers (AREA)
- Packaging Frangible Articles (AREA)
- Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)
Abstract
A reusable packaging system has a plastic container for receiving objects. The container (1) consists of separable elements (2,3), such as tray-like base and top elements (2) and wall frame elements (3), constituting module elements in a modular system. The module elements (2,3) have an element-compatible interface configuration at their periphery such that different module elements of the system, and in particular also elements external to the module system defined according to form, size and design of the individual modules, may only be joined to other module elements via the compatible interface configuration.
Description
~ ~36453 Returnable Packaging Sys~em The invention applies to a returnable packaging system encompassing returnable packagings in accordance with the preamble of the C~aim 1.
In the sphere of packing, the cardboard box still represents the dominating means of transport, this applies in particular to consumer goods. The goods packed in cardboard boxes are generally placed as individual units in pallets, secured with self-adhesive tapes, tightening straps or by shrink films and this state delivered to the retail trade. It is a method producing waste in the.form of shrink films, self-adhesive tapes etc. and expecially as cardboard boxes which, in Germany, account for several 10,000 tos of waste per annum. Due to and in the face of ever more stringent environmental regulations aimed at alleviating the increasing lack of landfill capacities, new concepts are strived for in the packaging industry; concepts by which the now resorted to one-way packages can be replaced by a system of returnable ones.
Such a returnable packaging system can, according to the state-of-art technology, be realized by several methods. In the field of returnable packages endeavours are chiefly directed at minimizing additional transport volumes during the recycling of the packages, i.e. the return of same to the manufacturers or the trade, respectively. Proposed as solution to the problem are especially containers being collapsible or those which can be space-savingly stacked into each other.
Introduced are, moreover, containers conceived to a modular system enabling a random selection of container volumes by varying the container modules.
Offered and evaluated as to the returnable transport containers are various concepts. The conventional methods are, however, conceived to~a system by which the individual modules are allotted to a particuiar system, preventing their combination with non-system modules. This results in disadvantages as to the exploitation of space and technical storage problems if various modular systems have to be transported.
It is by this system, moreover, impossible to combine these modular elements, of a particular configuration, size and design with other systems and thus preparing for a returnable transport container.
Declared purpose and aim of this invention is the creation of a system by which various module elements of a modular system can be 2136~5~
combined and various modular systems can be simply and cost-effectively executed.
This objective is being attained by the characteristic features of'Claim 1; the consequential developments of the invention being characterized by the features as described in the sub-claims.
As claimed by the invention, the combinable modular elements as, for instance, the traylike bottom/cover elements or wall frame elements, provide an interRacing configuration beyond the scope of the appertaining element, so that the individual elements independently of their size and design possess an interRacing configuration which allows their combination with other modular elements.
In accordance with the advanta~eous design of the invention, the interface is, by the forming of tongue and groove joints, preferably with directly adjoining tongues and grooves, shaped in the range of the top edge of the modular elements. The direct transition between tongues and grooves is virtually steplessly formed in the form of an inclining line. The gradient of the inclining face corresponds with the gradient of the inclined faces with the tongues and recesses opposite the interRacing line being given as preferably 30.
The tongues and grooves engage with the corresponding grooves and tongues of an opposite modular element establishing thus a connection or interlocking of the elements. For this purpose the tongues and grooves may extend over the whole width of the interRacing edge, but may also be more narrow than the edge of the inteRacing edge. The interRacing edge may, in this connection, especiaily in the instance of modular elements forming bottom or lid elements, take the shape of a seam ledge projecting to the front.
In order to provide the inner edge of the container with a uniform height, it may be of advantage to form the tongues and grooves on the outer edge of the inteRaces narrower than the wall thickness of the interRacing edge.
For improving the handling of the modular elements during the assembly, the tongues/grooves are preferably cone shaped. With the above described edge layout of the tongues, the outer faces of same are in alignment with the preferably straight outside wall of the container. In this case next to the laterally inclined faces only the irlner faces of tongues/grooves contribute to forming the conical shape~ of tongues and recesses. The forming of the inner face of the ~1364~3 tongue with an inclination to the outside conveniently provides for problemless interstacking of similar lid and bottom elements.
Tongues and grooves are furthermore advantageously dimensioned, so that the top edge of the tongues, running parallelly with the cutting plane, are positioned flush with corresponding face of the grooves thus contributing to the load dissipation of the supported modular elements.
In respect to the shaping of the interface it is advantageous from engineering as well as design aspects, to provide each one tongue and one groove in the direct vicinity as inteRace forming elements. A
certain number of these tongues/grooves is appointed uniformly in "a row", i.e. in an alternative sequence over the scope of the interface.
This layout "in a row" provides fbr a further degree of freedom in respect of establishing connections as the modular elements can be appointed in two positions for engaging with each other by turning through 180 on a vertical axis of the container.
In consideration of the execution examples presented it is advantageous to provide rectangular containers with each two pairs of tongues/grooves regularly placed over the area of each side.
The interface configuration can, furthermore, be characterized by suitably located closure elements thus providing not only for one safe connection respectively ensuring a secure stacking of the modular elements. Recourse may, for instance, be taken to catch or snap-on noses located within the area of the inteRace and effecting a secure locking of same. Particularly suitable for this purpose are semi-circular undercut snap-on noses which are also placed flush on the outside of the container. In another advantageous execution are, within the range of the interface, pin-shaped projections engaging with a complementary design of the opposite modular element thus forming two semi-circular contacting pins locked with a ring element.
Such ring eiements may advantageously take the form of so-called original securing rings which, for instance, engage in a groove provided on the pin side in such a manner that a disengaging of the ring invariably causes its destruction. Modules may also be secured preferably with a hot water soluble glued connection.
The utilization of wall frame elements, being collapsible for the purpose of volume reduction during the return transport, demand especially for a unrestricted compatibilit,v of the interfacing ~configuration resorted to as it must be ensured that the wall frame elements in the opened state fully satisfy the demands of the ~36~53 interfacing configuration. For this purpose it is essential that the coliapsed ffolded-up) wali frame elements can be locked in an opened state. Advantageous is a self-locking system created in that the hinges being provided with the appropriate catch noses interacting with the grooves located on the wall side fixing the wall frame elements thus in an opened condition.
Required as to the stability of the collapsible wall frame elements is,in addition, a specially distortion-resistant execution of the individual wall elements of the wall frame. This being advantageously achieved by a suitable location of longitudinal and cross ribs being rigidly interconnected and on the inside of the single wall elements preferably moulded as one piece.
Provided for convenient loading or packing, respectively, of containers assembled of the described wall frame elements are, apart from the cross ribs being preferabiy connected to the longitudinal ribs at an angle of 90, are so-called deflection ribs. These deflection ribs have been allocated the purpose of preventing, during loading of the container with, for example boxes, an edgewise placing of the box bottom on one of the longitudinal ribs. For this purpose the deflection ribs, starting from the edge of the frame element, end in a tip and are shaped so that objects loaded are deflected from the longitudinal ribs thus ensuring an unimpeded loading activity.
A further aspect of importance to the configuration of the interface isthe stacking capacity of the traylike formed bottom and lid elements.
These consist, as referred to above, preferably of a continuous seam edge of which the top ledge is formed as interface. The side wall between the seam ledge and lid/bottom is preferably of a conical shape thus suitably interacting during the stacking with the also conically shaped tongues of the interface. For the creation of a surface with optimum load dissipation and thus an even more secure stacking, the invention provides in addition for a non-conical shaping of the corner areas of such traylike bottom/lid elements. The corner areas provide in this case for an increased load dissipation face during the stacking. The interface is in this respect complementary formed, i.e. neither tongues nor grooves are being envisaged in such a case.
The proposed interfacing configuration is in every case and independently of its size, the general shape and appertaining design ~f the single modular elements, suited for a safe connection and securlng of the elements.
2136~53 Forming of the described tongue-groove pairs as repeating elements for the configuration of the inteRace makes for simple design and manufacture. The proposed combination of the thus shaped interfacing elements and their arrangement enable a compatible forming of the interface and thus a connection between the various elements.
Based on a uniform modular system are in the following the essential features of the interface. Whereas:
Fig. 1 a side view of a returnable transport container consisting of modular elements, Fig. 2 a side view of the narrow side of a returnable transport container according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a partial view of the inside wall of a wall frame element, Fig. 4 a partial view of the outside bf a wall frame element according to Fig. 3, Fig. 5 a side view of the length side of a bottom/lid element, Fig. 6 a side view of the narrow side of a bottomllid element according ~o Fig. 5, Fig. 7 a view from the top onto the corner area of an interface of a wall element and the hinge catch being envisaged for this assembly, Fig. 8 a view from the top onto the corner area of the container top side, with a non-conical corner.
The container assembled of modules generally identified by 1 in Fig.
1 consists of a lid element 2, a preferably collapsible wall frame element 3, and a bottom element 2 which is preferably formed identically with the lid element. Discerned clearly between the wall frame element 3 and the lid or bottom element, respectively, above and below said wall frame element is each an interface 4, which to the outside displays a serrated image. The image being essentially formed by the interacting engagement of the tongues 5 with the corresponding grooves 6. The top/bottom edge of inteRace 4 is, within the range of lid/bottom elements 2, formed as a continuous seam ledge 4. Fig. 1 clearly displays that the seam ledge 7 projects beyond the perimeter of the bordering side wall of the bottom/lid elements 2;
~136~53 an arrangement resulting due t~ the increased load dissipating bracing in an extra stabile layout of the interface configuration.
Fig. 2 presents a side view of a returnable container unit assembled according to Fig. 1 of modular elements. The interface is here also formed by pairwise arranged tongues 5 and grooves 6 with each two tongues-grooves pairs 5, 6 for each narrow side~ The drawing, moreover, shows that the tongues 5 as well as the grooves 6 are via inclined faces set off the plane of the interface 4. The inclined face is preferably provided with an angle of 30~. Depicted within the area of the bottom/lid elements are, moreover, the recessed grips 9 which, in this execution example, are formed as recesses, i.e. not open to the inside of the con~ainer. Recognized in the middle of the collapsible wall frame elements is also the hinge 10, being preferably formed as film hinge.
Fig. 3 presents a side view of the inner wall of a wall frame element 3 being especially utilized for the length side of the wall frame. Fig. 3 shows clearly the wall frame element 3 on both of the narrow sides with the articulated pin 11 for establishing a moveable connection with the wall frame elements, especially the narrow sides of said elements.
Here, too, the tongues 5 and grooves 6 are arranged in pairs within the area of the interface. Resorted to are preferably per interface two pairs of tongues-grooves arranged in a row, i.e. tongues and grooves are alternating. Fig. 3 shows, moreover, that the tongues 5 and grooves 6 occupy with their width only a partial range of the inteRacing edge, that is the outer edge of same. Recognized in this picture are also the stiffening ribs envisaged especially for the inner wall where they prevent a deformation of the wall frame elements and ensure a reliable interaction of the interface with the complementary interface of another modular element. For achieving this objective the vertical stiffening elements are preferably aligned with the lateral ends of the tongues and grooves resulting in increased stability in the area of the interface configuration. The stiffening elements encompass especially the longitudinal ribs 12 located on the edges as well as the longitudinal ribs 12a being appointed parallelly at a spacing to the longitudinal ribs 12. The longitudinal ribs 12 and 1 2a are in connection with the cross ribs 13, located perpendicular to the longitudinal ribs. Additional deflection ribs 1 3a are envisaged to prevent goods becoming stuck on the longitudinal ribs 12 and 12a during loading and packing. These deflecting ribs extend, as depicted, from the longitudinal rib 12 on the edge via the longitudinal rib 12a to the inside of the wall where they end in a pointed tip. These ribs, too, are preferably located within the range of the interface configuration.
.
2136~3 Fig. 4 presents a partial view of the outside of the wall frame element according to Fig. 3. Recognized apart form the tongues 5 and the grooves 6, located on the outside edge of this element, is also the depression 14 within the range of interface 1. This depression serving as guide for the tensioning strap with which several of the modular elements can be securely joined. The outside is, due to the ribs formed on the inside, completely smooth thus offering an optimum on advertising space.
Fig. 5 depicts the side view of the length side of a lid or bottom element, respectively. This view showing distinctly the non-conical shape of the corner regions 15.
Fig. 6 shows a side view of the narrow side of a lid respectively bottom eiement 2 according to Fig. 5. Shown clearly, apart from the already described shape of the interface, is once more the location of the recessed grip 9.
Fig. 7 shows the layout of the snap-in hinge 11. For engaging the hinge with the wall frame element 3 in an open condition, use is made of a catch nose 16 located in the range of the hinge pin. The catch nose being provided with a blind groove 17 located in the corresponding hinge wing with which it interacts to a system by which, in a tensioned condition, the catch nose 16 snaps into the blind groove 17. The hinge wing formed by the wall frame elements will thus collapse only i~ physical force is applied.
Fig. 8 finally shows a top view of a lid element 2. This view depicts especially the non-conical shape of the corner region 15. Fig. 8 shows clearly how the corner region 15 differs from the otherwise cone-shaped side walls 16 of the modular elements 2. This arrangement promotes a safe interstacking of the corner region 15 as the non-conical shape of the corner region t 5 provides for an increased contact area made available for load dissipation.
. .
.
In the sphere of packing, the cardboard box still represents the dominating means of transport, this applies in particular to consumer goods. The goods packed in cardboard boxes are generally placed as individual units in pallets, secured with self-adhesive tapes, tightening straps or by shrink films and this state delivered to the retail trade. It is a method producing waste in the.form of shrink films, self-adhesive tapes etc. and expecially as cardboard boxes which, in Germany, account for several 10,000 tos of waste per annum. Due to and in the face of ever more stringent environmental regulations aimed at alleviating the increasing lack of landfill capacities, new concepts are strived for in the packaging industry; concepts by which the now resorted to one-way packages can be replaced by a system of returnable ones.
Such a returnable packaging system can, according to the state-of-art technology, be realized by several methods. In the field of returnable packages endeavours are chiefly directed at minimizing additional transport volumes during the recycling of the packages, i.e. the return of same to the manufacturers or the trade, respectively. Proposed as solution to the problem are especially containers being collapsible or those which can be space-savingly stacked into each other.
Introduced are, moreover, containers conceived to a modular system enabling a random selection of container volumes by varying the container modules.
Offered and evaluated as to the returnable transport containers are various concepts. The conventional methods are, however, conceived to~a system by which the individual modules are allotted to a particuiar system, preventing their combination with non-system modules. This results in disadvantages as to the exploitation of space and technical storage problems if various modular systems have to be transported.
It is by this system, moreover, impossible to combine these modular elements, of a particular configuration, size and design with other systems and thus preparing for a returnable transport container.
Declared purpose and aim of this invention is the creation of a system by which various module elements of a modular system can be 2136~5~
combined and various modular systems can be simply and cost-effectively executed.
This objective is being attained by the characteristic features of'Claim 1; the consequential developments of the invention being characterized by the features as described in the sub-claims.
As claimed by the invention, the combinable modular elements as, for instance, the traylike bottom/cover elements or wall frame elements, provide an interRacing configuration beyond the scope of the appertaining element, so that the individual elements independently of their size and design possess an interRacing configuration which allows their combination with other modular elements.
In accordance with the advanta~eous design of the invention, the interface is, by the forming of tongue and groove joints, preferably with directly adjoining tongues and grooves, shaped in the range of the top edge of the modular elements. The direct transition between tongues and grooves is virtually steplessly formed in the form of an inclining line. The gradient of the inclining face corresponds with the gradient of the inclined faces with the tongues and recesses opposite the interRacing line being given as preferably 30.
The tongues and grooves engage with the corresponding grooves and tongues of an opposite modular element establishing thus a connection or interlocking of the elements. For this purpose the tongues and grooves may extend over the whole width of the interRacing edge, but may also be more narrow than the edge of the inteRacing edge. The interRacing edge may, in this connection, especiaily in the instance of modular elements forming bottom or lid elements, take the shape of a seam ledge projecting to the front.
In order to provide the inner edge of the container with a uniform height, it may be of advantage to form the tongues and grooves on the outer edge of the inteRaces narrower than the wall thickness of the interRacing edge.
For improving the handling of the modular elements during the assembly, the tongues/grooves are preferably cone shaped. With the above described edge layout of the tongues, the outer faces of same are in alignment with the preferably straight outside wall of the container. In this case next to the laterally inclined faces only the irlner faces of tongues/grooves contribute to forming the conical shape~ of tongues and recesses. The forming of the inner face of the ~1364~3 tongue with an inclination to the outside conveniently provides for problemless interstacking of similar lid and bottom elements.
Tongues and grooves are furthermore advantageously dimensioned, so that the top edge of the tongues, running parallelly with the cutting plane, are positioned flush with corresponding face of the grooves thus contributing to the load dissipation of the supported modular elements.
In respect to the shaping of the interface it is advantageous from engineering as well as design aspects, to provide each one tongue and one groove in the direct vicinity as inteRace forming elements. A
certain number of these tongues/grooves is appointed uniformly in "a row", i.e. in an alternative sequence over the scope of the interface.
This layout "in a row" provides fbr a further degree of freedom in respect of establishing connections as the modular elements can be appointed in two positions for engaging with each other by turning through 180 on a vertical axis of the container.
In consideration of the execution examples presented it is advantageous to provide rectangular containers with each two pairs of tongues/grooves regularly placed over the area of each side.
The interface configuration can, furthermore, be characterized by suitably located closure elements thus providing not only for one safe connection respectively ensuring a secure stacking of the modular elements. Recourse may, for instance, be taken to catch or snap-on noses located within the area of the inteRace and effecting a secure locking of same. Particularly suitable for this purpose are semi-circular undercut snap-on noses which are also placed flush on the outside of the container. In another advantageous execution are, within the range of the interface, pin-shaped projections engaging with a complementary design of the opposite modular element thus forming two semi-circular contacting pins locked with a ring element.
Such ring eiements may advantageously take the form of so-called original securing rings which, for instance, engage in a groove provided on the pin side in such a manner that a disengaging of the ring invariably causes its destruction. Modules may also be secured preferably with a hot water soluble glued connection.
The utilization of wall frame elements, being collapsible for the purpose of volume reduction during the return transport, demand especially for a unrestricted compatibilit,v of the interfacing ~configuration resorted to as it must be ensured that the wall frame elements in the opened state fully satisfy the demands of the ~36~53 interfacing configuration. For this purpose it is essential that the coliapsed ffolded-up) wali frame elements can be locked in an opened state. Advantageous is a self-locking system created in that the hinges being provided with the appropriate catch noses interacting with the grooves located on the wall side fixing the wall frame elements thus in an opened condition.
Required as to the stability of the collapsible wall frame elements is,in addition, a specially distortion-resistant execution of the individual wall elements of the wall frame. This being advantageously achieved by a suitable location of longitudinal and cross ribs being rigidly interconnected and on the inside of the single wall elements preferably moulded as one piece.
Provided for convenient loading or packing, respectively, of containers assembled of the described wall frame elements are, apart from the cross ribs being preferabiy connected to the longitudinal ribs at an angle of 90, are so-called deflection ribs. These deflection ribs have been allocated the purpose of preventing, during loading of the container with, for example boxes, an edgewise placing of the box bottom on one of the longitudinal ribs. For this purpose the deflection ribs, starting from the edge of the frame element, end in a tip and are shaped so that objects loaded are deflected from the longitudinal ribs thus ensuring an unimpeded loading activity.
A further aspect of importance to the configuration of the interface isthe stacking capacity of the traylike formed bottom and lid elements.
These consist, as referred to above, preferably of a continuous seam edge of which the top ledge is formed as interface. The side wall between the seam ledge and lid/bottom is preferably of a conical shape thus suitably interacting during the stacking with the also conically shaped tongues of the interface. For the creation of a surface with optimum load dissipation and thus an even more secure stacking, the invention provides in addition for a non-conical shaping of the corner areas of such traylike bottom/lid elements. The corner areas provide in this case for an increased load dissipation face during the stacking. The interface is in this respect complementary formed, i.e. neither tongues nor grooves are being envisaged in such a case.
The proposed interfacing configuration is in every case and independently of its size, the general shape and appertaining design ~f the single modular elements, suited for a safe connection and securlng of the elements.
2136~53 Forming of the described tongue-groove pairs as repeating elements for the configuration of the inteRace makes for simple design and manufacture. The proposed combination of the thus shaped interfacing elements and their arrangement enable a compatible forming of the interface and thus a connection between the various elements.
Based on a uniform modular system are in the following the essential features of the interface. Whereas:
Fig. 1 a side view of a returnable transport container consisting of modular elements, Fig. 2 a side view of the narrow side of a returnable transport container according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a partial view of the inside wall of a wall frame element, Fig. 4 a partial view of the outside bf a wall frame element according to Fig. 3, Fig. 5 a side view of the length side of a bottom/lid element, Fig. 6 a side view of the narrow side of a bottomllid element according ~o Fig. 5, Fig. 7 a view from the top onto the corner area of an interface of a wall element and the hinge catch being envisaged for this assembly, Fig. 8 a view from the top onto the corner area of the container top side, with a non-conical corner.
The container assembled of modules generally identified by 1 in Fig.
1 consists of a lid element 2, a preferably collapsible wall frame element 3, and a bottom element 2 which is preferably formed identically with the lid element. Discerned clearly between the wall frame element 3 and the lid or bottom element, respectively, above and below said wall frame element is each an interface 4, which to the outside displays a serrated image. The image being essentially formed by the interacting engagement of the tongues 5 with the corresponding grooves 6. The top/bottom edge of inteRace 4 is, within the range of lid/bottom elements 2, formed as a continuous seam ledge 4. Fig. 1 clearly displays that the seam ledge 7 projects beyond the perimeter of the bordering side wall of the bottom/lid elements 2;
~136~53 an arrangement resulting due t~ the increased load dissipating bracing in an extra stabile layout of the interface configuration.
Fig. 2 presents a side view of a returnable container unit assembled according to Fig. 1 of modular elements. The interface is here also formed by pairwise arranged tongues 5 and grooves 6 with each two tongues-grooves pairs 5, 6 for each narrow side~ The drawing, moreover, shows that the tongues 5 as well as the grooves 6 are via inclined faces set off the plane of the interface 4. The inclined face is preferably provided with an angle of 30~. Depicted within the area of the bottom/lid elements are, moreover, the recessed grips 9 which, in this execution example, are formed as recesses, i.e. not open to the inside of the con~ainer. Recognized in the middle of the collapsible wall frame elements is also the hinge 10, being preferably formed as film hinge.
Fig. 3 presents a side view of the inner wall of a wall frame element 3 being especially utilized for the length side of the wall frame. Fig. 3 shows clearly the wall frame element 3 on both of the narrow sides with the articulated pin 11 for establishing a moveable connection with the wall frame elements, especially the narrow sides of said elements.
Here, too, the tongues 5 and grooves 6 are arranged in pairs within the area of the interface. Resorted to are preferably per interface two pairs of tongues-grooves arranged in a row, i.e. tongues and grooves are alternating. Fig. 3 shows, moreover, that the tongues 5 and grooves 6 occupy with their width only a partial range of the inteRacing edge, that is the outer edge of same. Recognized in this picture are also the stiffening ribs envisaged especially for the inner wall where they prevent a deformation of the wall frame elements and ensure a reliable interaction of the interface with the complementary interface of another modular element. For achieving this objective the vertical stiffening elements are preferably aligned with the lateral ends of the tongues and grooves resulting in increased stability in the area of the interface configuration. The stiffening elements encompass especially the longitudinal ribs 12 located on the edges as well as the longitudinal ribs 12a being appointed parallelly at a spacing to the longitudinal ribs 12. The longitudinal ribs 12 and 1 2a are in connection with the cross ribs 13, located perpendicular to the longitudinal ribs. Additional deflection ribs 1 3a are envisaged to prevent goods becoming stuck on the longitudinal ribs 12 and 12a during loading and packing. These deflecting ribs extend, as depicted, from the longitudinal rib 12 on the edge via the longitudinal rib 12a to the inside of the wall where they end in a pointed tip. These ribs, too, are preferably located within the range of the interface configuration.
.
2136~3 Fig. 4 presents a partial view of the outside of the wall frame element according to Fig. 3. Recognized apart form the tongues 5 and the grooves 6, located on the outside edge of this element, is also the depression 14 within the range of interface 1. This depression serving as guide for the tensioning strap with which several of the modular elements can be securely joined. The outside is, due to the ribs formed on the inside, completely smooth thus offering an optimum on advertising space.
Fig. 5 depicts the side view of the length side of a lid or bottom element, respectively. This view showing distinctly the non-conical shape of the corner regions 15.
Fig. 6 shows a side view of the narrow side of a lid respectively bottom eiement 2 according to Fig. 5. Shown clearly, apart from the already described shape of the interface, is once more the location of the recessed grip 9.
Fig. 7 shows the layout of the snap-in hinge 11. For engaging the hinge with the wall frame element 3 in an open condition, use is made of a catch nose 16 located in the range of the hinge pin. The catch nose being provided with a blind groove 17 located in the corresponding hinge wing with which it interacts to a system by which, in a tensioned condition, the catch nose 16 snaps into the blind groove 17. The hinge wing formed by the wall frame elements will thus collapse only i~ physical force is applied.
Fig. 8 finally shows a top view of a lid element 2. This view depicts especially the non-conical shape of the corner region 15. Fig. 8 shows clearly how the corner region 15 differs from the otherwise cone-shaped side walls 16 of the modular elements 2. This arrangement promotes a safe interstacking of the corner region 15 as the non-conical shape of the corner region t 5 provides for an increased contact area made available for load dissipation.
. .
.
Claims (23)
1. Returnable packaging unit encompassing a plastics container for being loaded with goods with said container (1) being assembled of single elements (2,3) such as traylike bottom/lid elements (2) and wall frame elements (3) as modular elements of a modular system and being characterized In that the module elements (2, 3) are provided over their perimeter with an element compatible interfacing configuration in such a manner, that the modular elements of the system and especially also elements other than those of shape, size and design of the single modules as defined for the modular system, can be connected with the modular elements (2, 3) only via the compatible interfacing configuration.
2. Returnable packaging unit according to Claim 1 characterized in that the tongue/groove connection in the form of directly adjoining tongues (5) and grooves (6) corresponding with the complementary tongues and recesses of a joined modular element.
3. Returnable packaging unit according to Claim 2 characterized in that the direct transition between tongues and recesses is steplessly enacted by an inclined face (8).
4. Returnable packaging unit according to Claim 3 characterized in that the gradient of the inclined faces (8) each form an angle of 30 degrees to the interfacing plane (4).
5. Returnable packaging unit according to one of the previous claims characterized in that the tongues (5) and grooves (4) are of less width than that of the top edge of one of the modular elements.
6. Returnable packaging unit according to one of the previous claims being characterized in that the top edge within the range of the interfacing plane (4) of the traylike modular elements are formed as continuous seam ledge (7) projecting to the outside.
7. Returnable packaging unit according to Claim 5 or 6 being characterized in that the tongues (5) and grooves (6) are located on the edge of the outside of the modules.
8. Returnable packaging unit according to one of the above claims being characterized in that the tongues (5) are conically formed and the recesses (6) offer an essentially corresponding shape to the former.
9. Returnable packaging unit according to Claim 8 being characterized in that bordering area of the tongues (5), facing the inner side of the container, takes an inclined conical course while the grooves (6) depict an correspondingly inclined face.
10. Returnable packaging unit according to one of the previous claims being characterized in that the tongues (5) and grooves (6) depict straight top edges taking a parallel course to the interfacing plane (4) and being height dimensioned so that they act load dissipatingly on the corresponding recesses of a modular element below.
11. Returnable packaging unit according to one of the previous claims being characterized in that any given tongue (5) together with the directly adjoining groove (6) form a tongue-groove pair.
12. Returnable packaging unit according to Claim 11 being characterized in that several tongue-groove pairs are uniformly located in a row over the perimeter of the interface (4).
13. Returnable packaging unit according to Claim 11 being characterized in that the tongue-groove pairs are located uniformly and at a given spacing over the perimeter of the interface (4).
14. Returnable packaging unit according to the Claims 1 1 to 13 being characterized in that for each container side two appropriately spaced pairs of tongue-grooves are envisaged.
15. Returnable packaging unit according to Claim 1 being characterized in that closing elements are envisaged for the fixing of the individual modular elements (2,3).
16. Returnable packaging unit according to Claim 15 characterized in that the closing elements on the container outside are preferably appointed flush with the outside container wall.
17. Returnable packaging unit according to Claim 15 or 16 characterized in that the closing elements appointed in the middle of the length side range are also preferably located near the interfacing plane(s) of the modular elements (2,3).
18. Returnable packaging unit of one of the Claims 15 to 17 characterized in that the closing elements in the form of snap-in closures are formed of two round undercut snap-in noses.
19. Returnable packaging unit according to one of the Claims 15 to 18 in that the closing elements in the form of semi-round pinlike projections within the range of the top edge on the separation level together with the opposite complementary shaped pin elements form an essentially cylindrical pin which can be fixed with an annular plugging element.
20. Returnable packaging unit according to Claim 1 with collapsible wall frame element (3), which can be locked for a safe engagement in the corresponding tongues (5) and grooves (6) in a folded out condition and characterized in that the engagement is accomplished with the catch noses (16) above the hinges (11) which interlock by catching with suitably appointed blind grooves (17).
21. Returnable packaging unit according to Claim 20 characterized in that for stabilization of the wall elements (3) at least four longitudinal ribs (12, 12a) are located over their entire length and these longitudinal ribs are connected to cross ribs (13) extending over the entire length of the wall elements.
22. Returnable packaging unit according to Claim 21 or 22 characterized in that between each two cross ribs (13) conically formed deflection ribs (13A) are located which preferably from one longitudinal rib (12) located on the edge extend over at least one further longitudinal rib (12A) and beginning at the edge of the element to the inside end in a pointed tip.
23. Returnable packaging unit according to Claim 20 with essentially traylike elements (2) whereas the conically formed tonguelike projections (5) on the edge of the inner container wall function as stacking aid for the similar elements (2) stacked above, being characterized in that the corner regions (15) of the traylike elements (2) are non-conically formed so that an area increased in size is made available for the dissipation of stacking load.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19939305093 DE9305093U1 (en) | 1993-04-02 | 1993-04-02 | |
| DEG9305093.3 | 1993-04-02 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2136453A1 true CA2136453A1 (en) | 1994-10-13 |
Family
ID=6891610
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2136453 Abandoned CA2136453A1 (en) | 1993-04-02 | 1994-03-07 | Returnable packaging system |
Country Status (13)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0642445A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH08506788A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9404827A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2136453A1 (en) |
| CZ (1) | CZ302694A3 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE9305093U1 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI945676A0 (en) |
| HU (1) | HUT73515A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO944621L (en) |
| PL (1) | PL307023A1 (en) |
| RU (1) | RU94046319A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1994022729A2 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA941883B (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE9305093U1 (en) * | 1993-04-02 | 1993-05-27 | Schoeller-Plast S.A., Romont, Ch |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1199687B (en) * | 1963-02-16 | 1965-08-26 | Alfred Boenecke | Transport or storage container |
| FR2190682A1 (en) * | 1972-06-28 | 1974-02-01 | Pauly Roger | Rigid packages of variable depth - made by assemblies of two modular EPS mouldings with laterally interlocking profiles |
| FR2300522A1 (en) * | 1975-02-14 | 1976-09-10 | Buysse Andre | Modular elements for construction of furniture - are held together by series of interlocking tenon and mortice joints |
| GB8712673D0 (en) * | 1987-05-29 | 1987-07-01 | Negal D G C | Elements |
| DE9116664U1 (en) * | 1990-11-27 | 1993-06-09 | Schoeller-Plast S.A., Romont, Ch | |
| DE9305093U1 (en) * | 1993-04-02 | 1993-05-27 | Schoeller-Plast S.A., Romont, Ch |
-
1993
- 1993-04-02 DE DE19939305093 patent/DE9305093U1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1994
- 1994-03-07 EP EP94910380A patent/EP0642445A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1994-03-07 CZ CZ943026A patent/CZ302694A3/en unknown
- 1994-03-07 WO PCT/EP1994/000676 patent/WO1994022729A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1994-03-07 HU HU9403218A patent/HUT73515A/en unknown
- 1994-03-07 JP JP52158894A patent/JPH08506788A/en active Pending
- 1994-03-07 RU RU94046319/13A patent/RU94046319A/en unknown
- 1994-03-07 PL PL30702394A patent/PL307023A1/en unknown
- 1994-03-07 CA CA 2136453 patent/CA2136453A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1994-03-07 BR BR9404827A patent/BR9404827A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1994-03-17 ZA ZA941883A patent/ZA941883B/en unknown
- 1994-12-01 FI FI945676A patent/FI945676A0/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1994-12-01 NO NO944621A patent/NO944621L/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE9305093U1 (en) | 1993-05-27 |
| NO944621D0 (en) | 1994-12-01 |
| WO1994022729A3 (en) | 1995-01-12 |
| FI945676A (en) | 1994-12-01 |
| CZ302694A3 (en) | 1995-06-14 |
| JPH08506788A (en) | 1996-07-23 |
| NO944621L (en) | 1995-01-25 |
| HUT73515A (en) | 1996-08-28 |
| EP0642445A1 (en) | 1995-03-15 |
| PL307023A1 (en) | 1995-05-02 |
| FI945676A0 (en) | 1994-12-01 |
| BR9404827A (en) | 1999-06-15 |
| RU94046319A (en) | 1997-03-10 |
| HU9403218D0 (en) | 1995-02-28 |
| WO1994022729A2 (en) | 1994-10-13 |
| ZA941883B (en) | 1994-10-14 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 19990308 |