IL99313A - Stackable container structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A stackable container consists of a cut and creased blank of a sheet of material, preferably corrugated cardboard, for erection into a box having a rectangular base 1, side walls 2 and end panels 3. Each end panel 3 are provided with a flap 5 which forms a double wall therewith. The flap 5 is separated from the end panel 3 by a strip 8 contained between parallel fold lines (6 & 7 fig. 1), said strip, when flap is folded over acting as a support for another container when stacked. Hinge lug 11 fits into notch 12 and end flap 4 folds around and completely cover the connection (fig. 4). A recess (10, fig 6) is provided in the double wall to aid handling and ventilation. In a modified container (figs 5 & 6) upwardly projecting tabs (13, fig 5) may be provided in the corners, corresponding recesses being provided in the bottom of the container so that they receive the tabs when one container is stacked on another. In an alternative embodiment the inner partitions may be separate pieces. <IMAGE> [GB2255076A]

Description

A STACKABLE CONTAINER STRUCTURE s a structure for been considerably improved* in which two of its parallel sides > either the longer sides or the end walls » have a double wall* the inner partition of which has a projection at each end, and these projections are inserted into matching recesses made in the adjacent side of the container > in such 'a way that they lie level with the said side.

The joints thus formed are covered on the outside by flaps hinged at each end of the outer partition of the double wall.

The most specific application of. the container thus formed is as a stackable container.

BACKGROUND OF THE MODEL.

Various kinds of stackable containers in the form of open boxes are already known> which have methods of support and insertion so that when they are placed one on top of another the resulting load is stable and can adequately withstand the vertical stresses that the containers must endure during stacking.

Known containers are usually provided with an overhanging flap which extends from the upper border of their shorter sides or end walls* projecting horizontally towards the inside of the confines of the container* thus forming a wide ledge which extends without interruption along the entire length of each end wall, and on which will rest another container placed immediately on top. The stacks thus formed have the disadvantage that the said projecting flaps are not sufficiently strong to withstand the vertical stresses that develop when piling several containers one on top of one another > and the load loses its stability and crushes the packed products.

In order to overcome this drawback, triangular prisms have been arranged in each corner of the container which form props for the said projecting flaps* and these props partially solve the problem, since they hold up the said projecting flaps along the edges, although the centre section remains unsupported. On the other hand, these prismatic props reduce the capacity of the container.

In more recent times, the appellant company found an effective solution to the problem by forming the sides that must support the load from two adjoining partitions, in which the ondulations of the corrugated cardboard run vertically, so that the upper border provides a strong, sturdy base for any other containers placed on top.

This convenient arrangement is also reinforced by means of the extensions provided at the ends of the inner partition of the double-walled sides, the extensions of which adjoin or overlap the upper border of the adjacent side of the container.

These structures have been widely developed by the appellant company IBEROAMERICANA DEL EMBALAJE, S.A. > by means of the following versions: VERSION A. In this case the short sides or end walls of the container have a wide flap extending along the entire length of their upper borders > which folds down inside the container* forming a double wall the same height as the side wall itself.

The aforementioned wide flap has end extensions which adjoin and adhere to the inner surface of the adjacent long side.

This design provides end walls whose upper borders are considerably thickened and act as a base for another container placed on top> this base being partially extended to the longer sides.

The two adjoining partitions that make up each end wall are each provided with flaps at each end which are turned orthogonally until they back up against and are glued* one to each side of the longer side of the container* and therefore the ends of these longer sides have three thicknesses of material* forming a very sturdy container.

VERSION B. In this second case* the end walls are also double* but in contrast to the preceding example* the inner partition extends from the upper edge of the end wall to approximately half its height. Similarly* its extensions or end flaps are turned orthogonally and fit into recesses or notches made in the longer side walls. The end flaps of each end wall fold round the corners of the container and are glued to the adjacent long side and to the folded flap of the inner partition.

VERSION C. This case is similar to that shown in version B» but varies in that the end flaps of the inner partition of the end wall are positioned on the upper edge of the adjacent long wall> on the same vertical plane as the latter > and the respective end flaps of the end walls which fold round the corners of the container are folded against and glued to both.

The present, invention is a considerable improvement on other known versions and in particular on the three cases described* created by the company presenting this claim.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.

As indicated in the heading* the invention concerns the structure for an improved stackable container formed from a cut-out sheet » preferably but not exclusively composed of corrugated cardboard.

The said container constitutes an open* stackable box* preferably in the shape of a rectangular parallelopiped, two parallel sides of which> be they the longer sides or the end walls* are formed by two homologous partitions in which the corrugations of the cardboard run vertically* abutted together to form a double wall* the upper border of which is noticeably wide* thus allowing it to act as a base to give safe support to another or other containers placed immediately on top. The inner partitions of each double wall may be separate pieces or folded extensions of the outer partitions.

The said inner partition is provided with projections at each end which are folded through 90° to be inserted into a matching recess cut out of the corresponding end of each adjacent side* with which they are perfectly aligned on both sides and along the upper edge.

The outer partitions of the said double-walled sides are provided with flaps at each end which are turned down against the adjacent side wall, folding round the corresponding corner of the box to adhere to the said side wall and to the projection aligned with it, so that the upper edge of the double wall that constitutes the base for another box placed on top is partially extended along the upper border of the adjacent sides.

The container thus formed may be provided with crests or projections suitable for fitting some boxes over others » avoiding dangerous lateral displacements during stacking which would endanger the stability of the loads formed.

A more complete idea of the object concerned in the invention is given by the following description* considered together with the attached drawings which, diagrammatically and by way of example, which is in no way limited, show the most salient combinations and details of the invention with a view to a possible practical realization.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a fragmentary view showing the development of a corner of the container corresponding to a version in which means have been provided for inserting one box over another situated immediately underneath.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view showing part of a container in the assembly phase. This version shows a corner of the container being assembled) in which no means of insertion between the boxes has been foreseen* but it is clear that these insertions can be formed by appropriate crests which would fit into recesses of a matching shape and size> made in the lower edge of the corners of the superimposed container.

Figure 3 shows a fragmentary view of the same box as Figure 2> after assembly* viewed from the inside; it can be seen that the end wall is formed by two parallel partitions. The inner partition has a projection at the end which is inserted into the recess cut into the adjacent side wall.

Figure 4 shows a corner of the container in Figures 2 and 3 after being assembled.

Figure 5 is a view showing a corner of the container in perspective; in this version it can be seen that a crest emerges from the upper corner edge which forms a dihedral angle, one wing of which is situated on the end wall of the container and the other on the adjacent main side wall. This crest fits into a recess made in the lower border of the corner of another box placed on top> which is held between the four corner crests of the container placed immediately below.

Figure 6 is a view in perspective of a corner of the container represented in Figure 5» an angular crest can be seen on the top corner edge and on the lower edge of the same corner there is a recess designed to receive a matching crest emerging from another container placed immediately below, with a slight movement of adjustment.

The boxes are fitted into one another by means of these devices* forming loads of a considerable height without any lateral displacement.

In commenting now on these drawings* it may be explained that number -1- refers to the base of the container* along the main sides of which stand the longer sides -2-» and along the shorter sides the end walls -3-, which are each provided with extensions at the ends* constituting the flaps -4-> which enfold and close the corners of the container.

Number -5- indicates a wide flap which articulates from the upper border of the end wall. This flap -5- has the same measurements as the end wall -3- and is folded down towards the inside of the container to be situated vertically and parallel to the end wall -3- with which it forms a double wall, the two partitions of which -3- and -5- have the channels of the corrugated material of which they are composed running vertically, resulting in a wall of considerable mechanical strength, ideal for effectively bearing the vertical stresses that develop when several containers are stacked.

The articulation between each end wall -3-and its wide flap -5- is carried out by means of two fold lines -6- and -7- between which is a strip -8- which forms a wide ledge on the top edge of each end wall, where another container will rest firmly on top.

In the case of practical realization shown in figures 1> 5 and 6, a wide recess has been cut between each end wall -3- and its flap -5-, which fulfills two functions* firstly to form an opening -10- between every two stacked containers to provide an air passage for the ventilation of the packed products; the second function of this opening -9- is to permit the fingers of the hand to be inserted between every two containers for carrying purposes.

To each side edge of each flap -5- are hinged lugs -11- which, when the flaps -5- are folded down* move down with them and are deflected orthogonally to fit into the notch -12- made in the top ends of each longer side -2-, being perfectly aligned with the said longer side, on either side> and level with the top edge, as shown in figures 3 and 5.

The assembly formed by the two longer side walls -2-, the end walls -3- with their double inside wall -4- and the projections -11-. inserted into the longer sides -2- of the box, form the corners of the container, which are enfolded by the wide flaps -4-hinged at the respective side edges of the main outer partitions -3- of the end walls as shown in the versions of figures 4 and 6.

These closing flaps -4- are joined, preferably, by means of adhesive to the adjacent long side -2- and to the lug -11- inserted into the notch -12- of the long side> so that it is invisible from the outside.

Referring now to the case of practical realization represented in figures 5 and 6» it may be observed that, in additon to the characteristics described in the preceding paragraphs, the container so formed is also provided with means to permit the successive fitting of some boxes over others and thus to stabilize them when they are placed one on top of another in stacks, these means consisting of the angular crests -13- emerging from the upper edge of each corner, between which crests -13- is fitted another container placed immediately above, and which is provided with recesses -14- in the lower edge of the corners, into which are inserted the angular crests -13- emerging from the corners of the box placed immediately underneath.

The container so described has been designed so that it may be assembled entirely by machine, without the intervention of manpower, and this is a considerable advantage. The containers thus formed are equipped with sturdy means of stacking, without the need to provide triangular supporting prisms in the corners which reduce the capacity of the assembled container to a large extent.

The retention of the inner partition -5-of the end walls inside the container is carried out simply by inserting the lateral lugs -11- into the notches -12- of the longer sides -2-. The end flaps -4- which fold round the corners of the container, completely cover the connection between the lugs -11- and the longer side walls -2-, which is not visible from the outside.

Another advantageous detail of the container described derives from the upper edge of the end wall which > owing to its sturdy character > provides a very strong> stable base to give effective support to the weight of one or more containers placed on top. This base also extends along the ends of the upper border of the longer side walls* increasing the supporting surface between containers.

The nature of the invention having been suitably described > it must be pointed out that this is not strictly limited to the exact details of this description* since it is possible to introduce changes in detail as long as they do not alter the essential character of the object described.

Claims (6)

- 12 - 99313/2 WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A stackable container, which consists of a sheet of material that can be stamped out, with cutting and folding lines marking out a central panel for the formation of a rectangular base wall, panels to form the main side walls articulating from the . longer sides of said rectangular base wall, and panels to form the lesser side walls articulating from the shorter sides of the base, these four panels, being folded upwards, defining the area of the container, each short side having an extension of the same size articulating from its upper border, said extension being separated from said short side wall by a strip contained between two grooves marking parallel fold lines towards the inside, in such a way that when said extension is folded down towards the interior of the container, it remains in a vertical position in a plane parallel to the corresponding short side with which it forms a double wall, resting its edge on the container bottom and, in addition, forming on the upper edge of the short side a longitudinal ledge which acts as a support for another container placed immediately on top; characterized in that the side edges of said extensions of the short sides are provided with lugs at each end which turn down from the inside of the container frame for insertion in the same plane as the adjacent side wall and that the longer sides of the container have recesses made at each end, starting at the top edge and extending to halfway down, which recesses are covered on the outside by end flaps articulating from the side edges of the shorter end walls. - 13 - 99313/2

2. The stackable container according to claim 1, characterized in that said recesses cut into the longer sides are covered on the outside and open on the inside, forming a cut-out which receives and retains the matching projection which articulates from each side edge of the folded-down extensions that form the inner partitions of each end wall.

3. The stackable container according to claim 2, characterized in that the projections that hinge from the sides of the inner partition of each end wall fit into the closed recesses of the longer sides from the interior of the container, being retained in said recesses preferably by means of adhesives.

4. The stackable container according to claim 2, characterized in that the projections articulating from the inner partition of each end wall have their top edges level with the longitudinal ledge formed on the upper border of said end walls, forming an extension of said ledge with the upper border of the corners of the container.

5. The stackable container according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper border of the end walls and that of the orthogonal flaps extending from the long sides are surrounded by elevations at a dihedral angle of 90° which emerge from each corner of the container, the lower edge of each corner also being provided with recesses matching the shape and capacity of said elevations. - 14 99313/2

6. A stackable container as claimed in claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. for the Applicant: WOLFF, BREGMAN AND GOLLER