Patent Application
20240092531
This application claims priority to Austrian Patent Application No. A 185/2022, filed Sep. 20, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.
The present invention relates to a container having an encoding body for introducing into an encoding body receptacle of another container, and to an arrangement with at least two containers which can be stacked on one another.
Containers such as industrial baskets have broad application fields for foodstuffs, tools and other goods which are to be stored, warehoused and/or transported. For this purpose, containers such as, for example, crates, boxes, frames, baskets and/or pack frames are used. In particular in the commercial and industrial field, these containers can often be stacked, in order to ensure space-saving logistics.
AT 17373 U1 discloses an arrangement of at least two baskets which can be stacked on one another, exclusively a single stack position being possible as a result of an encoding body of a first basket and an encoding body receptacle of a second basket. Here, the encoding body can preferably be fastened without destruction to the upper side of the side wall of the first container, and can be released again from the latter without destruction.
DE 91 05 963 U1 discloses a stackable crate which is equipped with a ramp-shaped chamfer, in order to prevent slipping of the stacked crates. This chamfer is intended to make improved handling possible even in the case of heavy loading and wear.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a container which can be encoded in as many different ways as possible.
With regard to the present invention, the object is achieved by a container having one or more of the features disclosed herein.
It is therefore provided in the case of a container that the encoding body receptacle of the container is likewise fastened or can be fastened to one of the side walls of the container by a connecting device which can be released without destruction.
The invention therefore makes it possible for the containers to be fitted with a very large number of different types of encoding bodies and encoding body receptacles. As a result, the containers can be encoded in a large number of different ways, and a very wide variety of groups of containers can be provided in a highly simple and flexible way, the containers of each group being encoded in a specific way by the respective encoding bodies and encoding body receptacles. This can be utilized such that in each case only the containers which belong to this group can be stacked on one another in the desired way, and containers of different groups cannot be stacked on one another in a desired way.
A further advantage of the invention is provided in the fact that, if required, the encoding can also be changed in a simple way in the case of existing containers, by other encoding bodies and encoding body receptacles simply being fastened to the container, or the encoding bodies and encoding body receptacles previously used for this container being fastened to the container in a different arrangement.
Advantages of a container according to the invention are therefore, in addition to an increased flexibility, also an increased and simpler convertibility, the possibility of it being possible for an encoding body and/or an encoding body receptacle to be used only if required, and a simple replaceability in the case of breakage, damage, wear or abrasion of the encoding body and/or the encoding body receptacle.
The bottom of the container is as a rule defined between the side walls of the container. Together with the side walls, it delimits an interior space of the container. Should the bottom also extend below the side walls in specific embodiments, these part regions of the bottom directly below the side walls are considered to be part regions of the respective side wall.
A connecting device which can be released without destruction is understood to mean an arrangement, with the aid of which two components can be connected to one another, the combination of components remaining intact in a temporally unlimited manner without external action, and it being possible for this component combination to be released again by way of a defined external action without damage of the connecting device. A connecting device which can be released without destruction in this way can be non-positive and/or positively locking connections. One specific example is a screw connection of two components by screwing one component with an external thread into another component with a corresponding internal thread. As will still be explained in the following text, there is of course a multiplicity of connecting devices which can be released without destruction, however.
In other words, a component with a part of a connecting device which can be released without destruction can be called a separate and/or replaceable part. In this context, in the case of the present invention, this means that the at least one encoding body is fastened or can be fastened as a separate and/or replaceable component to one of the side walls of the container, and has a projection. In this context, this means, furthermore, that the encoding body receptacle is likewise fastened or can be fastened as a separate and/or replaceable component to one of the side walls of the container.
In the case of the invention, both the at least one encoding body and the at least one encoding body receptacle are fastened or can be fastened to one of the side walls of the container by a connecting device which can be released without destruction.
In this way, the desired combination of encoding body and encoding body receptacle can be used in a flexible manner. For example, the encoding body which is used can simply be replaced by a new encoding body for the same container, and, in the same way, the encoding body receptacle which is used can be replaced by a new encoding body receptacle which corresponds to the new encoding body.
This increased flexibility makes it possible, for example, that structurally identical container main bodies can be equipped with different encoding bodies and corresponding encoding body receptacles. In this way, different types of products can be stored separately from one another, without the containers with the different types of products and the different encoding bodies and the corresponding encoding body receptacles being stacked on one another or mixed with one another.
A container main body is understood to mean a container without encoding body and without encoding body receptacle. In other words, a container main body is a body with a bottom and side walls. The container main body can be configured in one piece or else assembled from a plurality of individual parts.
There are almost no limits here to the design of the size and the shape of the encoding bodies used and the corresponding encoding body receptacles.
The projection of the encoding body which is used can have, for example, a round profile and/or a polygonal profile. The projection can therefore be circular, oval and/or triangular, square, cross-shaped, etc. In the following exemplary embodiments, the projection of the encoding body always has a cross profile. It is noted at this point, however, that this embodiment represents merely one example and is not to be understood as restrictive in any way.
The encoding body receptacle which is used to receive the projection of the encoding body can have, for example, a round profile and/or a polygonal profile. That is to say, in other words, a cutout of the encoding body receptacle for receiving the encoding body can be circular, oval and/or triangular, square, cross-shaped, etc. In the following exemplary embodiments, the encoding body receptacle always has a circular cutout, in the case of which is sufficiently great diameter is provided to receive the projection of the encoding body. It is noted at this point, however, that this embodiment likewise represents merely one example and is not to be understood as restrictive in any way.
The size and shape of the encoding body, in particular the profile of the projection of the encoding body, and the encoding body receptacle, in particular the cutout of the encoding body receptacle, can fit flush with respect to one another in one preferred exemplary embodiment, for example by an isosceles triangular profile of the projection of the encoding body sitting precisely into an isosceles triangular cutout of the encoding body receptacle.
The size and shape of the encoding body, in particular the profile of the projection of the encoding body, and the encoding body receptacle, in particular the cutout of the encoding body receptacle, can fit one another in one preferred exemplary embodiment merely in so far as, although the encoding body can be introduced sufficiently far into the encoding body receptacle, they both have different profiles and/or shapes. For example, the projection of the encoding body can have a cross profile and the encoding body receptacle can have a circular cutout. This preferred exemplary embodiment is shown in the case of the figures which are described in the following text. In case of this type, another encoding body with, for example, a round profile might likewise be introduced sufficiently far into the encoding body receptacle if the diameter of the circular profile is smaller than or equal to the circular cutout of the encoding body receptacle.
The container according to the invention is preferably a basket. Containers according to the invention can also be configured as crates, boxes, frames and/or pack frames, however.
Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the following description and claims.
It can be provided in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the container that the connecting device which can be released without destruction and by way of which the at least one encoding body of the container is fastened or can be fastened to one of the side wall of the container is a first connecting device, and the connecting device which can be released without destruction and by way of which the at least one encoding body receptacle of the container is fastened or can be fastened to one of the side walls of the container is a second connecting device.
That is to say, it can be provided that a separate connecting device which can be released without destruction is provided in each case for the encoding body and for the encoding body receptacle.
In a case of this type, it can be provided, for example, that two parts, which are separate from one another, of the two separate connecting devices which can be released without destruction are arranged in the container main body. The respective corresponding parts of the two separate connecting devices which can be released without destruction can be arranged on the encoding body and the encoding body receptacle in an exemplary embodiment of this type.
It can be provided in the case of this type that the two separate connecting devices which can be released without destruction differ for the encoding body and for the encoding body receptacle. It can be provided, for example, that the connecting device which can be released without destruction for the encoding body is a screw connection, and the connecting device which can be released without destruction for the encoding body receptacle is a snap-in connection.
It can be provided in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the container that the container has at least one encoding body lock for blocking the introduction of the encoding body of the other container in turn, the encoding body lock being fastened or being capable of being fastened to one of the side walls of the container by a connecting device which can be released without destruction.
It can be provided in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the container that at least one of the connecting devices which can be released without destruction is a positively locking and/or a non-positive connecting device.
It can be provided in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the container that at least one of the connecting devices which can be released without destruction is a screwing-in connection, preferably a screw connection, or a plug-in connection, preferably a snap-in connection, or a sliding connection.
A screwing-in connection is understood to be a connection between two components, in the case of which the combination of components results, at least inter alia, from a screwing-in movement. Examples of a screwing-in connection screw connections or bayonet locks.
A plug-in connection is understood to be a connection between two components, in the case of which the combination of components results only or at least substantially from being plugged into one another. Examples of a plug-in connection are snap-in connections or press joints.
It can be provided in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the container that the side walls have a lower side and an upper side which lies opposite the lower side in each case in the region of the bottom of the container, the at least one encoding body of the container and/or the at least one encoding body receptacle of the container and/or the at least one encoding body lock of the container being fastened or being capable of being fastened by the respective connecting device which can be released without destruction on or to the lower side and/or on or to the upper side of the respective side wall of the container.
Lower side and upper side of the container are understood to be sides of the container which lie opposite one another, a side, on which the goods to be stored and/or to be transported lie, being understood to be an upper side. The upper side of the bottom of the container delimits, together with the inner sides of the side walls of the container, the hollow volume of the container. Those sides of the side walls which are oriented substantially in the same direction as the upper side of the bottom likewise represent upper sides. The lower side of the bottom of the container is that side which lies opposite the upper side of the bottom of the container, and the lower sides of the side walls of the container are those sides which lie opposite the upper side of the side walls of the container.
It can be provided in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the container that at least one of the connecting devices which can be released without destruction can be actuated manually and/or without tools.
It can be provided in one particularly preferred exemplary embodiment that the at least one encoding body of the container and/or the at least one encoding body receptacle of the container and/or the at least one encoding body lock of the container is/are configured in a different color than the side walls and/or the bottom of the container. In a case of this type, it can be provided, for example, that a user can screw and/or plug and/or push the at least one encoding body and/or the at least one encoding body receptacle and/or the at least one encoding body lock manually into the container main body, and can screw and/or pull and/or push it out of it again. The change which is manual and does not use tools can ensure a rapid and simple changeover and/or retrofitting.
It can be provided in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the container that the at least one encoding body of the container and/or the at least one encoding body receptacle of the container and/or the at least one encoding body lock of the container is/are configured in a different color than the side walls and/or the bottom of the container.
It can be provided in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the container that the at least one encoding body of the container and/or the at least one encoding body receptacle of the container and/or the at least one encoding body lock of the container have/has a disk-shaped element, a part of the connecting device which can be released without destruction being configured on the disk-shaped element.
It can be provided in one particularly preferred exemplary embodiment that are part of the connecting device which can be released without destruction, for example an external thread, is arranged on the shell surface of the disk-shaped element.
Furthermore, protection is sought for an arrangement with at least two containers according to the invention which can be stacked on one another, it being possible for the at least one encoding body which is fastened to one of the containers to be introduced exclusively in a single stack position sufficiently far into the at least one encoding body receptacle which is fastened to the other container in order to stack the containers on one another.
Further advantages and details of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention result from the figures and the associated description of the figures. In the figures:
The container 1 comprises a bottom 2 and four side walls 3. The bottom 2 and the side walls 3 form the container main body 8. Moreover, the container 1 also comprises an encoding body 4, an encoding body receptacle 7 and three encoding body locks 14. Only the one encoding body 4, the one encoding body receptacle 7 and two of the three encoding body locks 14 can be seen in the perspective exploded illustration of the container 1 according to
The encoding body 4, the encoding body receptacle 7 and the three encoding body locks 14 can be fastened to the side walls 3 of the container 1 by way of connecting devices 10 which can be released without destruction, see the exploded illustration according to
Four parts of the connecting devices 10 which can be released without destruction for connecting to the encoding body 4, the encoding body receptacle 7 and/or the encoding body locks 14 are situated in each case in the corner regions of the container 1 both on the respective upper side 19 of the side walls 3 and on the respective lower side 18 of the side walls 3 of the container 1. In other words, the other parts, the counterparts of the connecting devices 10 which can be released without destruction are situated on or at the encoding body 4, the encoding body receptacle 7 and the three encoding body locks 14.
In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the four connecting devices 10 which can be released without destruction are used on the lower side 18 of the container 1. In contrast, only one of the connecting devices 10 which can be released without destruction is used on the upper side 19 of the side walls 3 of the container 1 with the one encoding body 4 which is shown here. The remaining three of the four parts of the connecting devices 10 which can be released without destruction on the upper sides 19 of the container main body 8 are not in use. As can be seen in
In the first exemplary embodiment, each connecting device 10 which is in use and can be released without destruction comprises two parts of a screwing-in connection, specifically to matching thread portions here. These two, matching thread portions belong to in each case two individual components which can be connected to one another by way of screwing. These screw connections can be released without destruction by being screwed apart.
In this first exemplary embodiment, the connecting devices 10 which can be released without destruction can preferably be joined together manually and/or without tools by being screwed into one another, and can be released again by being screwed apart. Specifically, this is achieved in the first exemplary embodiment such that an external thread as part of the respective connecting device 10 is configured in each case on a disk-shaped element 20 of the encoding body 4, the encoding body receptacle 7 and the encoding body lock 14, and a total of eight internal threads are configured as respective corresponding parts of the respective connecting device 10 on the container main body 8 of the container 1, see
The encoding body 4 which is shown separately in
The exemplary embodiment shown here with regard to the shape of the projection 11 is not to be understood as restrictive. A large number of different shapes of the projection 11 are possible. In order that another container 6 can be stacked onto the container 1 in the desired way explained further below, the shape of the projection 11 of the encoding body 4 of the container 1 and, in particular, its width 22 have to be adapted to the cutout in the encoding body receptacle 5 of the other container 6 in such a way that the projection 11 fits through the cutout of the encoding body receptacle 5.
The arrangement 21 which is shown in perspective in
In this exemplary embodiment, the two containers 1 and 6 each comprise a container main body 8, an encoding body 4 and 9, respectively, an encoding body receptacle 5 and 7, respectively, and three encoding body locks 14.
The container main bodies 8 of the two containers 1 and 6 each comprise a bottom 2, four side walls 3 and eight parts of the eight connecting devices 10 which can be released without destruction, in each case in the form of corresponding internal threads here in the first exemplary embodiment.
The encoding body 4, the encoding body receptacle 7 and the three encoding body locks 14 are connected to the container main body 8 of the container 1 by way of the connecting devices 10, which can be released without destruction, of the container 1. In the same way, the encoding body 9, the encoding body receptacle 5 and three further encoding body locks 14 are connected to the container main body 8 of the container 6.
In this exemplary embodiment, the two containers 1 and 6 can be stacked on one another only in a single stacked position. In this single stacked position, the two containers 1 and 6 are stacked on one another in a desired way and are therefore also arranged above one another and, as viewed in a plan view, congruently with one another.
In this context, “can be stacked on one another in a desired way” means that the at least two containers 1, 6 are stacked on one another congruently in a plan view and lie flush on one another. This state in which they are stacked on one another in a desired way is shown in
The encoding body 4 which is fastened to the lower container 1 can be introduced with its projection 11 sufficiently far for stacking the containers 1 and 6 on one another into the encoding body receptacle 5 which is fastened to the upper or other container 6 exclusively in this single stacked position which is shown in
Therefore, any desired number of containers can in practice be stacked on one another in an analog way to the containers 1, 6.
Subsequently, a second and a third exemplary embodiment of the invention will now also be explained. Only the differences from the first exemplary embodiment will be described in the following description, however. Apart from this, the statements made with respect to the first exemplary embodiment applied to the exemplary embodiments which are described in the following text.
In particular, it can be seen clearly in
In an analogous manner to
In the case of the third exemplary embodiment, shown in
In the case of this third exemplary embodiment, the encoding body 4, the encoding body receptacle 7 and the encoding body lock 14 are configured in each case as sliding elements, in order for it to be possible for a sliding connection 17 to the container main body 8 to be established.
In an analogous manner with respect to
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| A185/2022 | Sep 2022 | AT | national |
