Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Stackable Transport Container
The present invention relates in general to a stackable
transport container according to the preamble to Claim 1,
and in particular to a transport container which is adapted,
when filled with products in a full condition, to be stacked
with other transport containers on top of each other, or,
when in an empty condition, to be placed together with other
transport containers inside one another.
Transport containers have already been known for a long
time for the transport of bread and similar foods from a
large bakery to the individual shops, which are therefore
also known as bread baskets.
These well known transport containers have a bottom and
a front wall, a rear wall and two opposite side walls which
extend upwards from the bottom at a right angle to form a
receptacle open towards the top. The upper edges of the
front wall, the rear wall and the side walls are formed with
a kind of rail that is shaped so that it can engage with
projections that are formed at the periphery of the
underside of the container bottom of a transport container
placed on top of it, if two of these transport containers
are stacked on top of one another. In this way, two
transport containers stacked on top of one another cannot be
displaced relative to one another, as the projections on the
underside of the container bottom of the upper transport
container engage with the rail on the upper edge of the side
walls of the lower transport container. These transport
containers are generally used for the delivery of products.
The filled containers being stacked on top of one another to
form stacks, and then transported for example from a large
bakery to the individual shops. The empty transport
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containers are then later transported back to the large
bakery.
The disadvantage of these known transport containers is
that, in their empty condition they cannot be placed one
inside another to save space, which means that the transport
volume of the filled transport containers (filled volume) is
the same as the transport volume of the empty transport
containers (empty volume).
To overcome this disadvantage, transport containers
have been developed that can be both stacked on top of one
another and placed inside one another. Transport containers
of this type, when in a full condition filled with products,
can be stacked on top of one another, generally with the
lower surface of the bottom of an upper transport container
resting on the upper edge of the side walls of a lower
transport container. This creates a relatively large
transport volume (filled volume) for each of the transport
containers, which approximately corresponds to the product
of the bottom surface and the height of the side walls of
such a transport container. Should these transport
containers be transported in an empty condition, it is
naturally desirable that the transport volume of the empty
transport containers (empty volume) should be kept as low as
possible. For this reason the side walls of these known
transport containers are inclined slightly outwards in order
to enable the empty transport containers to be placed inside
one another to save space. In this way a filled volume
empty volume ratio of approximately 2: 1 can be achieved.
It is clear that these known transport containers must
be constructed so as to be able to be stacked on top of one
another and placed inside each other. Various suggestions
for this have already been made in the state of the art.
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Documents EP 0 250 674 and EP 0 553 932 are mentioned as
examples.
Another transport container is disclosed in DE 100 26
149. In a shown embodiment, this stackable transport
container has a bottom, a front wall, a rear wall, a left
side wall and a right side wall to form a receptacle open
towards the top. Further, in each of the left side wall and
the right side wall, four grooves are formed which have
upper openings and lower groove stops. Four guide pegs are
formed on each of the outside of the left side wall and the
outside of the right side wall, wherein in horizontal
direction the distances between the guide pegs are designed
to be in mirror symmetry to each other and are different
from the distances between the upper openings of the
grooves.
.As the distances between the guide pegs in horizontal
direction are designed to be in mirror symmetry to each
other and are different from the distances between the upper
openings of the grooves, it is ensured that with horizontal
alignment of two transport containers situated on top of one
another, not all of the four guide pegs of the upper
transport container can simultaneously penetrate into all of
the four upper openings of the grooves of the lower
transport container, thus preventing the upper transport
container being unintentionally placed in the lower
transport container. Consequently, the upper transport
container can only be placed inside the lower transport
container (condition of being one inside the other) by a
type of plunging movement. Because of the configuration and
arrangement of the four grooves and the four guide pegs, it
is further possible that the transport containers can be
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stacked onto each other or inserted into each other in
opposite orientations relative to each other.
This transport container known from DE 100 26 149 has
several disadvantages. Because of the configuration with
four grooves and the four guide pegs, wherein the distances
of the guide pegs are arranged in mirror symmetry to each
other, insertion into each other in opposite orientations
(i.e. plunging movement from the front and from the rear) is
possible. However, in some cases, it is not desired to allow
insertion into each other from opposite directions as the
transport containers have to be taken out or unstacked what
is difficult, in particular, when a plurality of stacks of
empty transport containers, which are inserted into each
other, are located in a store house or in the storage place
of a truck. When stacks of empty transport containers are
arranged close to each other, it is an advantage when the
transport containers can be displaced from the stack only in
one direction (i.e. from the front side). However, when one
of the transport containers is inserted in the stack with a
wrong orientation, this transport container can not easily
be displaced from the stack in rearward direction as another
stack behind or a wall behind makes the displacement
impossible. Therefore, the whole stack has to be pulled
forward to allow rearward displacement of a transport
container. Further, it has been found that a stacking
apparatus for automatically unstacking in different
directions is much more complicate and thus more expensive
than an unstacking apparatus that is adapted for unstacking
in only one direction. Of course, it is theoretically
possible to provide colored markings at the transport
containers to give a clear indication to the packing
personnel in which orientation the known transport
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containers have to be inserted into each other; however, it
has been found that these measures are prone to errors.
Another disadvantage of the transport container known
from DE 100 26 149 is that the guide pegs, because of the
possibility of insertion or disposal in opposite directions,
can not be provided with reinforcements as these
reinforcements would inhibit the insertion in at least one
direction.
When, for example, a reinforcement in the form of a rip
extending from the guide peg is provided, such a
reinforcement has to be adapted for matching with the shape
of the corresponding channel-shaped groove of the transport
container underneath. However, when the upper transport
container is inserted in the opposite (wrong) direction, the
reinforcement rips at the guide pegs jam with the
corresponding grooves.
Because of the missing reinforcements, the transport
container has to be made from fiber-reinforced plastic
material to ensure a sufficient strength especially of the
guide pegs.
Therefore, it is the task of the present invention to
provide containers which can be stacked at several levels,
or placed inside each other, with the help of which the
above-mentioned disadvantages of the transport containers
according to the state of the art are overcome.
In particular, it is a task of the present invention,
to provide a transport container which is designed to enable
and guarantee safe stacking, so that transport containers
stacked on top of one another cannot inadvertently be placed
inside one another.
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It is an additional main object to provide a transport
container which can be inserted or unstacked in only one
direction.
Further, the guide pegs can be reinforced by means of
suitable measures such that a less stable but less expensive
material can be used for the production of the transport
container.
The transport containers according to the invention
should also be compatible with the baker's trays mentioned
at the start.
Finally the transport containers according to the
invention should have no moving parts and be easy to clean.
These tasks are solved by a transport container with
the features of Claim 1. In the dependent claims,
advantageous and preferred improvements of the transport
container according to the invention are given.
The above transport containers for the transport of
bread and similar foods were described to explain the state
of the art. However, it is clear that the transport
container according to the invention can also be used in
other areas and is under no restrictions with regard to its
size, use and the material used. Thus, the transport
container according to the invention can be used for the
transport of bread, vegetables, meat and eggs. Further, the
transport container according to the invention can be used
for example for the transport of machine parts, or for the
transport of building rubble, in the form of a large steel
container.
The transport container according to the invention has
a bottom, a front wall, a rear wall, a left side wall and a
right side wall, which can slope slightly outwards to form a
receptacle open towards the top. The front wall and the rear
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wall may be of less height compared to both side walls;
however, they can also be of the same height.
The left side wall and the right side wall (and, if
desired, also the front wall and/or the rear wall) can be
formed in a step-like configuration, wherein these walls
each having a first substantially vertically extending,
lower wall portion and a second substantially vertically
extending upper wall portion, wherein the lower and upper
wall portions being connected by means of a slightly
inclined outwardly extending connecting portion. Thus, the
upper wall portions define a horizontal substantially
rectangular cross section plane which is larger than a
horizontal substantially rectangular cross section plane
defined by the lower wall portions. Further, the lower wall
portions and the upper wall portions are sized so that the
lower part of the transport container defined by the lower
wall portions can be inserted in the upper part of an
underneath transport container defined by the upper wall
portions, i.e., the outer dimensions of the lower part
substantially correspond to (or being less than) the inner
dimensions of the upper part. Substantially at the level of
the connecting portion, a horizontally extending flange is
formed at the outer surface of the side walls and, if
desired, at the front wall and/of the rear wall. When two
containers are placed inside one another, the downward
surface of the horizontal flange lies on the upward surface
of the upper wall portions of the side walls and, if
present, of the front wall and/of the rear wall. By means of
such a construction, the strength of the transport container
is increased. Further, the transport containers can be
easier placed inside one another, and canting in this
inserted condition is minimized.
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In the left side wall and in the right side wall, at
least two grooves are formed, which have upper openings at
the upper edge of the side walls, and lower closed groove
stops. These grooves are open towards the inner space of the
container and, therefore, are accessible. Consequently, the
grooves extend from the upper edge of the side walls, where
the grooves are open and also accessible, down to the groove
stops, which are preferably located at half way of the side
walls and preferably in the lower half of the side walls.
These grooves can be formed as channels in the inside
surface or at the inner side of the side walls in question,
or may extend completely through the side walls in the form
of slits, making possible lower conicality of the side
walls. The grooves can also be formed by means of rib-like
extensions at the inner surface of the side walls, or by
means of a laterally displaced arrangement of different side
wall sections, or by other means known by a person skilled
in the art.
In addition, at least two guide pegs are formed on the
outside of the left side wall and on the outside of the left
side wall, wherein the number of the guide pegs on the
respective outsides being equal to the number of grooves
formed in the side walls. These guide pegs are located
approximately at the height of the bottom of the transport
container to ensure a rigid connection to the bottom which
is preferred for reasons of increased strength. The guide
pegs are formed in such a way that the guide pegs of an
upper transport container can be inserted through the groove
openings into the grooves of a transport container
underneath. The grooves are shaped so that the guide pegs of
the upper transport container can slide into the grooves of
the lower transport container downwards as far as the groove
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stops, when two transport containers are placed inside one
another. Further, the outermost ends of the guide pegs may
be provided with downwardly extending protrusions for
engaging with an upwardly extending rib or with a channel
formed at the upper surface of the side walls of a transport
container underneath when both transport containers are
stacked on top of one another. Thereby, it can be better
prevented that two transport containers can inadvertently
slide inside each other. Further, the upper surfaces
(support surface) may be provided with suitable ribs for
engaging with the downwardly extending protrusions of the
guide pegs to ensure increased strength when placed inside
one another.
In a first embodiment of the transport container of the
present invention, in a horizontal direction, the distances
between the guide pegs are different from the distances
between the upper openings of the grooves. It is thus
ensured that with horizontal position and vertical alignment
of two transport containers situated on top of one another,
i.e., the two transport containers are situated on top of
one another in horizontal and parallel relationship, not all
the guide pegs of the upper transport container can
simultaneously penetrate into all the upper openings of the
grooves of the lower transport container, thus preventing
the upper transport container being unintentionally placed
in the lower transport container. Instead, the groove
openings and the guide pegs are arranged relative to each
other in such a way that the upper transport container can
only be placed inside the lower transport container by a
type of plunging movement (condition of being one inside the
other). To do this, the upper transport container is
inclined in relation to the lower transport container about
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a horizontal axis extending transverse to both side walls,
and the front (consequently lowest) guide peg is inserted
into the front groove of the lower transport container and
then being moved downwardly into the groove. In this way,
the following guide peg is brought into alignment with the
following groove opening and can be inserted into the
appropriate groove by a continued plunging movement. If
there are more than two grooves or guide pegs on each side
of the transport containers, the third guide peg can then
also be inserted into the third groove, and so on.
In this way, the guide pegs of the upper transport
container can only be inserted one after the other into the
appropriate grooves of the transport container underneath by
means of the plunging movement as explained, until the guide
pegs push against the appropriate groove stops of the
corresponding grooves. It is clear that the distances
between the guide pegs are equal to the distances between
the groove stops to make it possible for the upper transport
container to be placed inside the lower transport container
in a horizontal position (i.e. a horizontal and parallel
relationship of two transport containers one above the
other).
In a second embodiment of the transport container of
the present invention, in a horizontal direction the
distances between the guide pegs can be equal to the
distances between the upper openings of the grooves. In this
second embodiment, at least three guide pegs are formed on
the outer surface of the left side wall and on the outer
surface of the right side wall, wherein the central guide
peg (or the central guide pegs) is (are) shorter and
preferably thicker than the outermost guide pegs. The
horizontal cross sections of the grooves and the upper
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openings of the grooves, the number of which is equal to the
number of the guide pegs, correspond to the shape of the
respective guide pegs. This means that the groove openings
and the grooves are formed in such a way that the outermost
guide pegs can only received in the outermost groove
openings and grooves, and that the inner (central) guide
pegs can only be received in the inner (central) groove
openings and grooves. In other words, the outermost groove
openings and grooves are deeper and narrower (more slim) for
being able to receive the longer and preferably thinner
outermost guide pegs, and the central groove openings and
grooves are more shallow and preferably wider for being able
to receive the shorter and preferably thicker central guide
pegs. Of course, the central guide pegs can be longer and/or
thinner than the outermost guide pegs, wherein the
respective groove openings and grooves have a corresponding
shape. It is noted that other groove shapes and guide peg
shapes are possible. However, it is important that the
different grooves and guide pegs are formed in such a way
that the outermost guide pegs can only be inserted in the
outermost grooves and, preferably, the inner guide pegs can
only be inserted in the inner grooves. Further, it is noted
that the shape and arrangement of the grooves and the guide
pegs is symmetrically.
By means of the above features it is thus ensured that,
when two transport containers according to the second
embodiment of the invention are situated on top of one
another, the guide pegs of the upper transport container can
only penetrate into all the upper groove openings and
grooves of the lower transport container when the guide pegs
of the upper transport container are in alignment with the
corresponding groove openings of the lower transport
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container. Thus, when an upper transport container is pushed
over the lower transport container for being stacked on top
of the lower transport container, the front guide peg in
pushing direction of the upper transport container can not
unintentionally penetrate, because of its longer shape, into
a central shallow groove opening. In the same way, a central
thick guide peg can not unintentionally penetrate into one
of the outermost narrow grooves. Therefore, it is prevented
that the guide pegs of the upper transport container can
penetrate into the wrong upper groove openings of the lower
transport container, thus preventing the upper transport
container unintentionally being placed in the lower
transport container when the upper transport container being
pushed over the lower transport container. Consequently,
when an upper transport container according to the second
embodiment of the invention is, for the purpose of stacking,
pushed over a lower transport container, the front (in
pushing direction) longer guide pegs slide over the central
shallow groove openings of the lower transport container
without penetrating into these groove openings. when the
front (outermost) longer guide pegs of the upper transport
container are in alignment with the corresponding front
(outermost) deeper groove openings of the lower transport
container, then also all other guide pegs of the upper
transport container are in alignment with the corresponding
groove openings of the lower container, and all guide pegs
simultaneously can penetrate into the corresponding grooves
such that the upper transport container can be inserted into
the lower transport container. It is obvious that the upper
transport container can be inserted into the lower transport
container without the plunging movement as described above.
When the guide pegs of the upper transport container are in
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alignment with the groove openings of the lower transport
container, then the upper transport container can be
inserted with a vertical or diagonal movement in a downward
direction, whereby the guide pegs of the upper transport
container simultaneously slide into the grooves of the lower
transport container, which is advantageous for automatic
stacking and unstacking. It is obvious that the described
shape and structure of the grooves and guide pegs can also
be used in the first embodiment.
In addition, in both embodiments of the transport
container of the invention, recesses are preferably made in
the upper edges (i.e. of the rail) of the right side wall
and the left side wall, so that the guide pegs of an upper
transport container can engage with the recesses of a
transport container underneath (stacked condition), so that
the two transport containers thus stacked on top of one
another cannot be displaced relative to each other. To
enable the guide pegs of the upper transport container to
engage with the recesses of the lower transport container,
the distances between the recesses must be equal to the
distances between the guide pegs. As described above, when
the outermost ends of the guide pegs are provided with
downwardly extending protrusions for engaging with an
upwardly extending rib or with a channel formed at the upper
surface of the side walls of a transport container
underneath when both transport containers are stacked on top
of one another, then, preferably the recesses are also
provided with such a rip or channel to prevent that the
guide pegs inadvertently slide away towards the inner space
of the transport container and to prevent the two transport
containers can be inadvertently placed inside each other.
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In the second embodiment of the transport container of
the invention, the cross sections of the recesses correspond
to the cross sections of the corresponding guide pegs so
that, for example, an outermost longer guide peg of the
upper transport container can not penetrate into a central
shallow recess. As already mentioned above, also in the
second embodiment the protrusions at the guide pegs and the
rip or channels can be provided.
In the second embodiment, when an upper transport
container is pushed over the transport container underneath
for being stacked on top thereof, the front guide peg in
pushing direction of the upper transport container can not
unintentionally penetrate, because of its longer shape, into
in central shallow groove opening or into a central shallow
recess. In the same way, a central thick guide peg can not
unintentionally penetrate into an outermost narrow groove or
into an outermost narrow recess. Therefore, it is prevented
that the guide pegs of the upper transport container can
penetrate into the wrong recesses of the lower transport
container, thus preventing the guide pegs of the upper
transport container can penetrate into the wrong recesses of
the lower transport container, therefore, interlocking of
the guide pegs of the upper transport container with the
wrong recesses of the transport container underneath is
prevented when the upper transport container being pushed
over the lower transport container. Consequently, when an
upper transport container according to the second embodiment
of the invention is, for the purpose of stacking, pushed
over a transport container underneath, the front (in pushing
direction) longer guide pegs slide over the central shallow
groove openings of the lower transport container without
penetrating into the central groove openings. When the front
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(outermost) longer guide pegs of the upper transport
container are in alignment with the corresponding front
(outermost) deeper recesses of the lower transport
container, then all other guide pegs of the upper transport
container are also in alignment with the corresponding
recesses of the lower transport container, and all guide
pegs can simultaneously penetrate into the corresponding
recesses such that the upper transport container can be
stacked on top of the lower transport container.
Preferably, in both embodiments the dimensions and
designs of the bottom and of the guide pegs are preferably
to be selected so that a transport container according to
the invention can be stacked on top of a known baker's tray,
with the bottom and the guide pegs of an upper transport
container according to the invention engaging properly with
the rail of a lower baker's tray. The upper edges of the
side walls and the front and rear wall of the transport
container according to the invention are dimensioned so that
they engage with the peripheral edge of the bottom and with
the projections on the underside of the bottom of an upper
baker's tray. In this design the transport container
according to the invention is compatible with the known
baker's tray and a combination of these can be stacked on
top of one another; however it is not possible for the
transport containers and baker's trays to be placed inside
one another. Preferably, at the outer areas of the corners
of the upper surface of the rail protrusions or upward ribs
are provided, thus preventing an upper baker's tray can
slide along the rail of a lower transport container
according to the invention. In particular, this is important
for transport containers according to the invention which
have a front wall and/or rear wall which is lower in height.
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In both embodiments of the transport container
according to the invention, four grooves, four recesses and
four guide pegs are preferably formed on each side wall.
According to the above considerations, the grooves are
at an angle to the vertical, are slightly bent, and each
have a different slope and configuration. The exact
configuration, slope and curve of the grooves from the
groove openings at the upper edge of the side walls down to
the groove stops depends on the desired nature of the plunge
movement, the number of and the distances between the guide
pegs.
In the first embodiment of the transport container
according to the invention, the grooves in one side wall
each have a different slope, curve and configuration, with
the corresponding opposite grooves in the other side wall
are identical, respectively. In other words, the grooves in
one side wall all have a different shape, with the side
walls are identical and mirror symmetrical. The precise
configuration, slope and curve of the grooves from the
groove opening in the upper edge (rail) of the side walls to
the groove stop depends on the desired nature of the plunge
movement, the number of and the distances between the guide
pegs etc.
In the second embodiment of the transport container
according to the invention, the grooves are also at an angle
to the vertical, however, the grooves substantially have the
same shape and orientation. The precise shape, slope and
curve of the grooves from the groove opening in the upper
edge (rail) of the side walls to the groove stop depends on
the number of and the distance between the guide pegs and
the groove openings. Preferably, the lower groove stops of a
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groove, the above corresponding recesses and the guide pegs
are in vertical alignment to each other.
The essential advantage of the transport container
according to the invention consequently relates to the
special shape and arrangement of the grooves/slits and the
guide pegs ensuring safe stacking of the transport
containers filled with product on top of one another, and at
the same time prevents the transport containers
inadvertently being placed inside one another when being
stacked on top of one another or being placed inside one
another in a wrong orientation/alignment.
A further essential advantage of the transport
container according to the invention consists in the fact
that the guide pegs are reinforced by means of ribs, wherein
the guide pegs are formed with rib-shaped extensions which
extend towards the grooves. It is also possible that the
grooves are formed by channels at the inner surface of the
side walls, wherein the walls of the channels provide
reinforcement ribs at the outer surface of the side walls,
and wherein the thickness of the material of the channels at
at least some portions thereof is higher than at the
remaining wall portions. By these measures, reinforcement
ribs are provided which substantially have the shape of the
grooves. The sidewalls can be inclined to allow improved
engagement of the grooves of a lower container with the
guide pegs of an upper container. Further, the thickness of
said ribs at or near the guide pegs can be higher and,
thereafter, the thickness decreases. The advantage of this
configuration is an essentially higher strength of the guide
pegs and, therefore, use of less expensive and less rigid
materials or a decreased wall thickness with the same
material is possible to reduce the weight of the container.
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When a plunge movement inside one another or a take out
movement in only one direction has to realized, a
symmetrical arrangement of the guide pegs is not necessary.
It is therefore possible to provide the transport containers
with only two or three guide pegs and grooves at each side
wall (the use of four or more guide pegs is also possible,
of course). This makes the transport container less complex
and easier to produce.
When using two guide pegs and two grooves at each side
of the container, the packing personnel immediately realizes
the correct direction of the plunge movement. Further, a
plunge movement in wrong direction is prevented, first, by
the different distances of the guide pegs and the grooves
and, second, by the reinforcement ribs which extend in the
direction of the grooves. When three or more guide pegs are
used, the distances of the guide pegs must not be
symmetrical; for example, the distances can increase, seen
in one direction.
A further important feature is the provision of a guide
groove formed at the upper surface of the rail, with slide
ribs formed at the guide pegs of a respective upper
transport container can slide within said guide groove. This
is, in the upper support surface of the rail of each of the
side walls, a groove having a V-shaped cross-section is
provided, wherein the outermost inner surface of said groove
substantially extends in vertical direction, and the
innermost inner surface is slanted. At the bottom surface of
the guide pegs, slide ribs having a corresponding cross-
section are formed. This configuration has the advantage
that, when two transport containers being stacked one above
the other, the inwardly directed and slanted surface of the
guide ribs at the guide pegs of the upper container abuts
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against the also slanted and outwardly directed surface of
the guide groove, whereby, in case of loading (the upper
container is filled with products), the side walls of the
lower container are pushed together. Therefore, it is
possible, without any problems, that more that 15 transport
containers filled with products being stacked one above the
other, without the side walls of the transport container
underneath, which are slightly slanted in outward direction,
being push away from each other. This is a very important
feature, in particular in case of heat influence when the
products within the containers are dried.
In case of containers being provided with three or more
(for example four) guide pegs and grooves, it is preferred
that the central guide peg(s) are arranged somewhat deeper
compared to both outer guide pegs such that only the central
guide pegs slide in the above described rail, wherein these
guide pegs are formed with the above described tapered slide
ribs which slide within the correspondingly formed guide
groove to achieve the side walls to be pushed together and
to prevent the side walls to be pushed away from each other,
in case of a force applied from above.
A further advantage of the transport container
according to the invention consists in the fact that a good
ratio of filled volume: empty volume is achieved. This means
that the volume of transport containers stacked on top of
one another compared with the volume of transport containers
placed inside one another is relatively large. This good
filled: empty ratio preferably amounts to 2. 1 or better
and is achieved in that the side walls and the front or rear
wall of the transport container according to the invention
are only slightly inclined relative to the vertical, which
means that the transport container according to the
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invention has a very large filled volume. The formation of
slits/grooves in the side walls however at the same time
means that the transport containers can be placed deep
inside each other.
Yet another advantage of the transport container
according to the invention consists in the fact that there
are no movable parts which can break. In addition the
transport container according to the invention is compatible
with other transport containers.
Finally the transport container according to the
invention is easy to clean.
Preferred forms of construction of the invention are
now described with reference to the attached drawings; these
show:
Figure 1 a diagrammatic perspective view of a first
form of construction of the first embodiment of the
stackable/nesting transport container according to the
invention, with the shape of the grooves is shown in a
diagrammatic way;
Figure 2 a diagrammatic perspective view of a second
form of construction of the first embodiment of the
stackable/nesting transport container according to the
invention, with the shape of the grooves is shown in a
diagrammatic way;
Figure 3 a diagrammatic front view of two transport
containers according to the invention from Figure 2,
represented stacked one on top of the other;
Figure 4 a diagrammatic side view of two transport
containers according to the invention from Figure 2,
arranged one above the other with space between;
Figure 5 a diagrammatic side view of two transport
containers according to the invention, arranged one above
CA 02648575 2008-10-06
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the other with space between but slightly offset against
each other;
Figure 6 a diagrammatic side view, similar to Figures
4 and 5, of two transport containers according to the
invention arranged one above the other with space between
and in opposite orientation compared to figures 4 and 5,
with the grooves formed in the side walls of the transport
containers arranged in opposite orientation;
Figure 7 a diagrammatic side view of two transport
containers according to the invention in opposite
orientation, arranged one inside the other, with the grooves
formed in the side walls of the transport container arranged
in opposite orientation;
Figure 8 a view, similar to Figure 7, but with the
grooves formed in the side walls arranged in the same
orientation;
Figure 9 a diagrammatic side view of four transport
containers according to the invention, arranged one inside
the other, with the grooves formed in the side walls of the
lower three transport containers arranged in the same
orientation;
Figure 10 a diagrammatic side view of five transport
containers according to the invention, arranged one inside
the other, with the grooves formed in the side walls of the
transport containers arranged in different orientations;
Figure 11 a diagrammatic representation showing the
progressive insertion of an upper transport container into a
transport container underneath;
Figure 12 a diagrammatic representation of how the
external (outermost) guide pegs of an upper container are
inserted step by step into the grooves of a transport
CA 02648575 2008-10-06
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container underneath, to place the upper transport container
inside the lower transport container;
Figure 13 a diagrammatic representation of a third form
of construction of the first embodiment of the transport
container according to the invention, in which the front
wall and the rear wall are lower in height than the side
walls;
Figure 14 a diagrammatic representation of a form of
construction of the second embodiment of the transport
container according to the invention;
Figure 15a a top view of the transport container from
Figure 14;
Figure 15b a front view of the transport container from
Figure 14;
Figure 15c a side view of the transport container from
Figure 14, with the groove having different shapes;
Figure 15d a detailed area of the front view of
Figure 14 in enlarged scale;
Figure 16 a diagrammatic representation of a third
embodiment of a transport container according to the
invention, in which the side walls, the front wall and the
rear wall have a step-like configuration;
Figures 17a and 17b a diagrammatic top view and cross
sectional view of the central and outermost guide pegs;
Figure 18 a diagrammatic cross sectional view of a side
wall of the transport container from Figure 16;
Figure 19 a diagrammatic and not in correct scale of
the transport container shown in Figure 16 in which the
shape of the grooves and guide pegs formed at the side walls
are shown, as well as a diagrammatic cross sectional view
along line A-A showing the structure of the grooves in the
side walls;
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Figures 20a and 20b a diagrammatic view of a transport
container according to another preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
Figures 21a and 21b a diagrammatic view of a transport
container according to a modification of the embodiment from
Figures 20a and 20b of the present invention;
Figures 22a and 22b a diagrammatic view of a transport
container according to a modification of the embodiment from
Figures 20a, 20b, 21a and 21b of the present invention; and
Figure 23 a diagrammatic view of a preferred embodiment
of the guide peg and the guide groove.
Figure 1 shows a perspective representation of a first
form of construction of the first embodiment of the
stackable/nesting transport container 1 according to the
invention. The transport container 1 has a bottom 2 that may
be a continuous surface which may as an option have
crosspieces underneath to increase the stability of the
bottom. Alternatively, however the bottom 2 can also be
perforated or have a cellular structure. The bottom 2 is
preferably rectangular, but may also have rounded or
differently shaped corners. From the bottom 2 of the
transport container 1 a front wall 3, a rear wall 4, a left
side wall 5 and a right side wall 6 extend to form a
receptacle open towards the top. The bottom 2, the front
wall 3, the rear wall 4, the left side wall 5 and the right
side wall 6 are preferably made from plastic, although other
materials can be used. The front wall 3, the rear wall 4,
the left side wall 5 and the right side wall 6 are
preferably inclined slightly outwards, to enable individual
transport containers 1 to be placed one inside the other.
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In the inner surface of the left side wall 5 four
grooves 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d are formed, which are inclined
relative to the vertical. In the inner surface of the right
side wall 6 corresponding grooves 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d are
formed, that are inclined to the vertical in the same
arrangement as the grooves 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d in the inner
surface of the left side wall 5. The grooves 7a - 7d and 8a
- 8d are shown in a diagrammatic representation; the special
way in which these individual grooves are inclined will be
described in detail below.
On the upper edge of the front wall 3, the rear wall 4,
the left side wall 5 and the right side wall 6 there is a
broad circumferential edge/rail 9, which preferably has a
rectangular cross-section. Alternatively it is possible that
only the upper edges of the left side wall 5 and the right
side wall 6 are formed with such a rail 9 or such a broad
edge. The rail 9 on the upper edge of front wall 3 and rear
wall 4 serves preferably to increase the stability of the
transport container 1.
As can be clearly seen in Figure 1, the grooves 7a - 7d
of the left side wall 5 and the grooves 8a - 8d of the right
side wall 6 extend upwards to the upper surface of the rail
9 and are closed at bottom, forming groove stops 10a - 10d
at the lower end of grooves 7a - 7d and groove stops 11a -
lld (not shown) at the lower end of grooves 8a - 8d. The
groove stops 10a - 10d and lla - 11d all lay in one
horizontal plane.
On the outer surface of the left side wall 5 there are
four guide pegs 12a - 12d (not shown), and on the outer
surface of the right side wall 6 there are four guide pegs
13a - 13d. These guide pegs are preferably formed in the
lower area of the outer surface of the side walls at the
CA 02648575 2008-10-06
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level of the bottom or just above it, and also all lie in
one horizontal plane. The guide pegs preferably have a round
cross-section but can also have a polygonal cross-section,
extend in a horizontal direction and are preferably rounded
off at their outer ends. In addition, on the outer surface
of the left side wall 5, at its ends near to the front wall
3 and rear wall 4 respectively, at the level of the bottom 2
there are retaining pegs 14a, 14b (not shown), and on the
outer surface of the right side wall 6, at its ends near to
the front wall 3 and rear wall 4 respectively, at the level
of the bottom 2 there are also retaining pegs 15a, 15b.
In the upper surface of the rail 9 of the left side
wall 5 and the right side wall 6 there are also four
recesses 16a - 16d and 17a - 17d respectively. The recesses
preferably have a semi-circular cross-section or a cross-
section that matches the cross-section of the guide pegs.
The function of the grooves, guide pegs and recesses is
described in detail below.
Figure 2 shows a second form of the first embodiment of
the stackable/nesting transport container 20, with the same
reference numbers being used to designate the same elements
in both figures.
The essential difference between the stackable
transport container 1 of the first form of construction from
Figure 1 and the stackable transport container 20 of the
second form of construction from Figure 2 consists in the
fact that the grooves 7a - 7d in the left side wall 5 and
the grooves 8a - 8d in the right side wall 6 extend
completely through the side walls, thus forming slits or
cuts. In the description of the following Figures 3 to 13,
reference will still be made to grooves, both with respect
to the grooves in these figures that do not go through the
CA 02648575 2008-10-06
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wall, as in Figure 1, and also grooves that do go through
the wall, as in Figure 2. The advantage of the grooves going
through the wall (slits) is that the material of the side
walls can be thinner and the side walls do not need to be so
sharply inclined. If for example it is necessary for the
transport container to form a watertight trough, then it is
necessary to use grooves that do not go through the walls.
Figure 13 shows a third form of construction of the
transport container 30 according to the invention. The only
difference between this container and the transport
containers from Figures 1 and 2 is that the front wall 3 and
the rear wall 4 are smaller in height than the side walls 5
and 6. The advantage of this shortened side or rear wall 3,
4 consists in the fact that the transport containers can
nest deeper inside one another. The grooves can have a form
as in Figure 1 or in Figure 2.
As is further to be seen in Figure 2, the grooves 7a -
7d and 8a - 8d do not go through at the level of the rail 9,
so that an outer section of the rail 9 remains in the area
of the grooves, to increase the stability of the transport
container 20. Otherwise, the construction of the transport
container 20 is similar to that of the transport container
1. In the front wall 3 and the rear wall 4, there may
preferably be openings 18, 19 which are designed to make it
easier to grasp and carry the container 20 with the hands.
Further, there may be additional openings in the side wall
below the groove or between the grooves. The openings in the
front wall, the rear wall and/or both side walls can however
also be provided in the transport containers of Figures 1
and 13.
CA 02648575 2008-10-06
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Figure 3 shows a front view of two transport containers
201, 20" that are stacked one on top of the other. This
stacking arrangement, with one container on top of the
other, is preferred when the transport containers are filled
with product. As Figure 3 clearly shows, the guide pegs 12a
- d on the left side wall 5 of the upper transport container
20' rest in the recesses 16a - d, which are formed in the
rail 9 of the lower transport container 20". Similarly, the
guide pegs 13a - d formed on the right side wall 6 of the
upper transport container 20' rest in the recesses 17a - d,
which are formed in the rail 9 of the lower transport
container 20". This ensures that the transport container 20'
will not slip out of place relative to the lower transport
container 20". In the same way further transport containers
20 can be stacked on top of the upper transport container
20'.
It is clear that the distances between the individual
guide pegs 12a - d and 13a - d respectively are in each case
equal to the distances between the corresponding recesses
16a - d and 17a - d respectively. It is further clear that
because of the method of representation in Figure 3 only the
front guide pegs 12a and 13a, and the front recesses 16a and
17a can be seen.
Figure 4 shows a side view of two transport containers
20' and 20", positioned one above the other, in order to be
stacked one on top of the other. However for clarity of
representation, the rail 9 on both the transport containers
20', 20" has been omitted. Figure 4 clearly shows that the
guide pegs 13a - d on the visible right side wall 6 of the
upper transport container 20' in each case have the same
distance between them as the associated recesses 17a - d of
the transport container 20" underneath. The same of course
CA 02648575 2008-10-06
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also applies to the distances between the guide pegs 12a - d
on the left side wall 5 (not shown) of the upper container
20' and the distances between the corresponding recesses 16a
- d in the upper edge of the left side wall 5 of the
transport container 20" underneath. In this way it can be
ensured that in the stacked position all the guide pegs 12a
- d and 13a - d of the upper transport container 20' can
engage directly with the corresponding 16a - d and 17a - d
respectively, of the transport container 20" underneath,
when the upper transport container 20' and the lower
transport container 20" are situated in precise vertical
alignment relative to one another.
The distance between the guide pegs 13a and 13b is
preferably equal to the distance between the guide pegs 13c
and 13d; this distance is preferably not the same as the
distance between the guide pegs 13b and 13c. The same
applies to the guide pegs 12a - 12d on the left side wall of
the transport container. The distances between the recesses
16a - d and 17a - d respectively are corresponding.
Consequently the distances between the guide pegs and the
recesses are designed to be in mirror symmetry to each
other. In this way two or more guide pegs can only engage
with the associated recesses if the upper transport
container is placed in precise vertical alignment to the
lower transport container. This means that the upper
transport container can be pushed more easily onto the lower
transport container, without the guide pegs being able to
engage with the wrong recesses during the pushing movement.
If, when being pushed on, a guide peg is in alignment with
the wrong recess, it cannot however engage with this recess,
as the upper transport container will be held on the upper
edge of the rail by the other guide pegs that because of the
CA 02648575 2008-10-06
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different distances explained above cannot be in alignment
with the recesses underneath. Only when all the guide pegs
of the upper transport container are in alignment with all
the corresponding recesses of the lower transport container
can the upper transport container be lowered, which means
that all the guide pegs of the upper transport container
engage simultaneously with the appropriate recesses of the
lower transport container.
Figures 1 - 13 show the transport containers each with
four gu.ide pegs, four recesses and four grooves on each side
of the transport container. The distance between the guide
pegs 12a and 12b (and 13a and 13b) is equal to the distance
between the guide pegs 12c and 12d (and 13c and 13d), for
example 15 cm. The distance between the guide pegs 12b and
12c (and 13b and 13c) is different and amounts, for example,
to 20 cm. The distances between the associated recesses are
corresponding. Consequently the distances between the guide
pegs and the recesses are in mirror symmetry to each other.
It is clear that it is also possible to have a different
number of guide pegs, recesses and grooves. Thus for example
it is possible to have two, three or more than four guide
pegs, recesses and grooves respectively on each side of the
transport container according to the invention. With regard
to the distance between the guide pegs and the recesses it
is only important that the guide pegs of the upper transport
container engage with the recesses in the lower transport
container, when the two transport containers are in the
stacking position relative to one another. It is moreover
important that the distances between the guide pegs and the
recesses respectively are in each case selected so that the
guide pegs of the upper transport container engage with the
recesses of the lower transport container in both alignments
CA 02648575 2008-10-06
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of the transport container to each other, i.e. in the
alignment shown in Figure 4 and in the alignment turned
round 180 (see Figure 6), if both transport containers are
stacked on top of one another in the correct position
relative to each other.
As is also shown clearly by Figure 4, the distances
between the lower groove stops 11a - d are equal to the
distances between the associated guide pegs 13a - d.
Preferably, the groove stops lla - d are in vertical
alignment with the associated guide pegs 13a - d. The same
also of course applies to the groove stops 10a - d and the
guide pegs 12a - d on the left side wall 5 (not shown) of
the transport container. It is clear that these conditions
also apply to a transport container that has a different
number of guide pegs and grooves, as explained above.
Figure 4 also shows that the distances between the
upper openings of the grooves 7a - d and 8a - d differ from
the distances between the associated guide pegs 12a - d and
13a - d respectively. This prevents the guide pegs 12a - d
and 13a - d respectively, when the lower transport container
20" and the upper transport container 20' are each placed in
a horizontal position, from all becoming vertically aligned
with one another. If the upper transport container 20' in
Figure 4 is pushed from left to right in a horizontal
position onto the transport container 20" underneath, in
each case only one or two of the guide pegs 12a - d and 13a
- d on the left side wall 5 and on the right side wall 6
respectively, of the upper transport container 20' can come
into alignment with an upper opening of the grooves 7a - d
and 8a - d of the left side wall 5 and the right side wall 6
respectively, of the lower transport containers 20"; the
other guide pegs slide on the upper edge of the rail. This
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ensures that the upper transport container 20', when pushed
from left to right on the transport container 20"
underneath, so that the guide pegs 12a - d and 13a - d slide
along the upper edge of the rail 9, cannot inadvertently get
into the nesting position in relation to the lower transport
container 20", as the guide pegs 12a - d and 13 a - d cannot
all simultaneously come into alignment with the upper
openings of the grooves 7a - d and 8a - d respectively, and
thus cannot all simultaneously slip into the grooves 7a - d
and 8a - d respectively. The way in which the upper
transport container 20' can be brought to nest inside the
lower transport container 20" is described in detail below.
Figure 5 shows in detail how the upper transport
container 20' is pushed onto the lower transport container
20" with reference to Figure 4. As can be seen in Figure 5,
the right guide peg 13d on the right side wall 6 of the
upper transport container 20' is located in alignment with
the upper opening of the groove 8d in the right side wall 6
of the lower transport container 20" and could easily slide
into the groove 8d by virtue of its own weight. However this
is prevented by the fact that the other three guide pegs
13a, b and c on the right side wall 6 of the upper transport
container 20' are not in alignment with the upper openings
of their associated grooves 8a, 8b and 8c in the right side
wall 6 of the lower transport container 20", but instead are
held and supported on the upper edge/rail 9 or the right
side wall 6 of the lower transport container 20". If the
upper transport container 20' is pushed still further to the
right, the guide peg 13d of the upper transport container
20' comes to rest on the upper edge of the rail 9 of the
right side wall 6 of the lower transport container 20", the
guide peg 13c of the upper transport container 20' comes
CA 02648575 2008-10-06
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into alignment with the upper opening of the groove 8c of
the lower transport container 2011, whilst the guide pegs 13a
and 13b of the upper transport container 20' come to rest on
the upper edge of the rail 9 of the right side wall 6 of the
lower transport container 20". As already explained above,
the distances between the guide pegs of the upper transport
containers and the distances between the recesses in the
lower transport container 20" are preferably selected so
that the guide pegs of the upper transport container 20'
only engage with the recesses of the lower transport
container 20", when all four guide pegs of the upper
transport container 20' are in vertical alignment with the
associated four recesses of the lower transport container
20". In this case it cannot happen that during the pushing
of the upper transport container 20' onto the lower
transport container 20", for example three guide pegs 13b, c
and d of the upper transport container engage with the
recesses 17a, b and c of the lower transport container. This
considerably simplifies the pushing of the upper transport
container 20' onto the lower transport container 20".
It is clear that the above considerations, which
because of the representation in Figures 5 and 6 relate in
each case to the right side walls 5 of the upper transport
container 20', and the lower transport container 20", also
apply in each case to the left side walls 6 of the upper
transport container 20' and the lower transport container
20", as the transport containers have a symmetrical
construction in each case.
Figure 6 is a representation, similar to that in
Figures 4 and 5, in which the alignment of the grooves of
the upper transport container 20' (which are directed from
the right at the bottom to the left at the top) differs from
CA 02648575 2008-10-06
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the alignment of the grooves of the lower transport
container 20" (which are directed from the left at the
bottom to the right at the top) . It can also be seen here
that the guide pegs of the upper transport container are in
alignment with the associated recesses of the lower
transport container. The considerations relating to Figure 5
on the pushing of the upper transport container 20' onto the
lower transport container 20" also of course apply to the
orientation of the two transport containers 20', 20" shown
in Figure 6.
Figure 7 shows the case in which the upper transport
container 20' is nesting inside the lower transport
container 20". Here it can be seen that the distances
between the guide pegs 13a - d of the upper transport
container are equal to the distances between the groove
stops l1a - d of the lower transport container 20", so that
the guide pegs of the upper transport container 201, sit
precisely in the lower closed end of the grooves 8a - d of
the lower transport container 20", and fit precisely against
the groove stops 11a - d of the lower transport container
20". Figure 7 shows the case in which the alignment of the
grooves of the upper transport container 20' is different
from the alignment of the grooves of the lower transport
container 20".
Figure 8 shows the case in which the upper transport
container 20' is nesting inside the lower transport
container 20". Here the grooves of the upper transport
container are in the same alignment as the grooves of the
lower transport container, as this is also shown in Figures
4 and 5. In this case also, the guide pegs of the upper
transport container 20' engage precisely with the groove
stops of the lower transport container 20".
CA 02648575 2008-10-06
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Figures 9 and 10 show several transport containers
nesting one inside the other, with the orientation of these
transport containers differing from one another. It is
clearly shown that it is completely immaterial, in which
orientation the transport containers are placed one inside
the other. Unlike some transport containers according to the
state of the art, with the transport container according to
the invention, no rotation around 180 is necessary; in
addition no movable parts are necessary.
Figure 11 shows schematically how the upper transport
container 20' can be placed inside the lower transport
container 20". The following description again relates only
to the right side wall 6 of the upper transport container
20' or the lower transport container 20" respectively, but
it is of course clear that these considerations also apply
in each case to the left side walls 5 of the upper transport
container 20' and the lower transport container 20", or the
associated grooves, groove stops and guide pegs, which are
arranged on the left side wall 5 of the upper/lower
transport container 20', 20".
It can be seen that the upper transport container 20'
is placed inside the lower transport container 20" in a
position sloping downwards. First of all the front guide
pegs (Figure 11 shows only the right guide peg 13d of the
upper transport container) are inserted into the upper
openings of the front groove 8d into the groove 8d of the
lower transport container. Because of the sloping position
of the upper transport container 20' relative to the lower
transport container 20", if the front guide peg 13a of the
upper container 20' is pushed deeply enough into the front
groove 8a of the lower transport container, the guide peg
13c can also be inserted through the upper opening of the
CA 02648575 2008-10-06
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second groove 8c into this groove 8c of the lower transport
container. If the guide pegs 13d and 13c of the upper
transport container 20' are pushed further into their
associated grooves 8d and 8c, then the guide peg 13b of the
upper transport container 20' comes into alignment with the
groove 8b of the lower transport container 20" and can be
pushed into it. If the upper transport container 20' is
inserted further, at some point the guide peg 13a of the
upper transport container 20' engages with the groove 8a of
the lower transport container 20" and can be pushed into it.
It is clear that the upper transport container 20' can
only be placed inside the lower transport container 20" by
means of a kind of plunging movement. As explained above,
the upper transport container cannot thus be inadvertently
pushed into the lower transport container, preventing the
produce inside the lower transport container from being
inadvertently damaged.
Figure 12 once again shows the plunging movement of the
upper transport container into the lower transport
container, but with the outline of the upper transport
container omitted, to enable the progressive movement of the
guide pegs of the upper transport container into the grooves
of the lower transport container to be represented better.
This way of plunging the upper transport container 20'
into the lower transport container 20" also results in
increased stability. It also guarantees that transport
containers placed one inside the other can be unstacked
without difficulty. As already mentioned, the guide pegs are
slightly beveled, which makes it easier to push the guide
pegs into the grooves and also facilitates unstacking
(manually or automatically).
CA 02648575 2008-10-06
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Figure 14 shows a form of construction of the
stackable/nesting transport container 40 according to the
second embodiment of the invention. The difference relative
to the transport containers according to the first
embodiment from Figure 1, 2 and 13 consists in the fact that
the grooves 7a - 7d in the left side wall 5 and the grooves
8a - 8d in the right side wall 6 extend at an angle to the
vertical and have in general all the same shape.
On the upper edge of the front wall 3, the rear wall 4,
the left side wall 5 and the right side wall 6 there is a
edge/rail 9. The front wall 3 is lower in height than the
other three walls. The rail 9 on the upper edge of front
wall 3 and rear wall 4 serves preferably to increase the
stability of the transport container 40.
As can be clearly seen in Figure 14, the grooves 7a -
7d of the left side wall 5 and the grooves 8a - 8d of the
right side wall 6 extend upwards to the upper surface of the
rail 9 and are closed at bottom, forming groove stops at the
lower end of grooves.
On the outer surface of the left side wall 5 there are
four guide pegs 12a - 12d (not shown), and on the outer
surface of the right side wall 6 there are four guide pegs
13a - 13d. The guide pegs preferably have a round cross-
section but can also have a polygonal cross-section, extend
in a horizontal direction and are preferably rounded off at
their outer ends. The two outermost guide pegs 12a, 12d and
13a, 13b respectively at the left side wall and at the right
side wall are longer and thinner than the central guide pegs
12b, 12c and 13b, 13c respectively at the left side wall and
the right side wall 5, 6.
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In the upper surface of the rail 9 of the left side
wall 5 and the right side wall 6 there are also four
recesses 16a - 16d and 17a - 17d respectively. The recesses
preferably have a semi-circular cross-section or a cross-
section that matches the cross-section of the guide pegs. As
can be clearly seen in Figure 14, the outermost recesses
16a, 16d and 17a, 17d respectively are deeper and have a
smaller diameter for being able to receive the corresponding
outermost guide pegs 12a, 12d and 13a, 13d respectively.
Accordingly, the central recesses 16b, 16c and 17b, 17c
respectively are shallower and have a larger diameter for
being able to receive the corresponding central guide pegs
12b, 12c and 13b, 13c respectively.
In a similar way, the openings of the grooves are
shaped to correspond to the shape and dimensions of the
respective guide pegs 12a - d and 13a - 13d. As can be
clearly seen in Figure 14, the openings of the outermost
grooves 7a, 7d and 8a, 8d respectively are deeper and
narrower for being able to receive the respective longer and
thinner outermost guide pegs 12a, 12d and 13a, 13d
respectively. Further, the openings of the central grooves
7b, 7c and 8b, 8c respectively are more shallow and wide for
being able to receive the shorter and thicker central guide
pegs 12b, 12c and 13b, 13c respectively.
It is obvious that, when an upper transport container
40 is pushed over a lower transport container 40 in pushing
direction, the front outermost longer guide pegs 12d and 13d
slide over the central more shallow groove openings 16b, 16c
and 17b, 17c respectively and over the openings of the
central grooves 7b, 7c and 8b, 8c respectively and can only
penetrate into the outermost deeper and more shallow
CA 02648575 2008-10-06
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recesses 16d and 17d respectively or into the outermost
deeper and more shallow grooves 7d and 8d respectively.
In Figure 14, it can also be seen that at the upper
surface of the rail 9 (preferably at the outer corners
thereof) upward ribs 50a, 50c and 50d are provided. These
ribs are arranged to engage with the outer edge of the
bottom of a known baker's tray stacked on top of the
transport container 40 according to the invention. In
particular, these ribs 50a, 50c and 50d are important for
the transport container 40 which has a front wall 3 and/or
rear wall 4 which is lower in height than the side walls 5,
6 and when the projections on the underside of the bottom of
the known upper baker's tray do not engage with the rail of
the front wall and/or rear wall of the transport container
underneath of the invention. In this case, the ribs 50a, 50c
and 50d engage with the outer edge of the bottom of the
baker's tray thus preventing that the baker's tray can slide
off the rail 9 of the transport container 40 underneath in
forward or rearward direction. It is obvious that the ribs
50a, 50c and 50d can also be provided at the respective
forms of construction of the transport containers 1, 20 and
40 of first embodiment of the invention.
Figure 15a shows a top view of the transport container
40 of the second form of construction according to the
invention. Figures 15b and 15c show a front view and a side
view, respectively, of the transport container 40 from
Figure 15a, which is provided with grooves as used in the
first form of construction, however. Figure 15d shows a
detail of the front view from Figure 15b in enlarged scale,
to better represent the dimensions of the guide pegs.
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Figure 16 shows a perspective representation of a third
and most preferred form of construction of the first
embodiment of the stackable/nesting transport container 50
according to the invention. This transport container 50 has
a bottom 2 that may be a continuous surface that may as an
option have crosspieces underneath to increase the stability
of the bottom. Alternatively, however the bottom 2 can also
be perforated or have a cellular structure. The bottom 2 is
preferably rectangular, but may also have rounded or
differently shaped corners. From the bottom 2 of the
transport container 50 a front wall 3, a rear wall 4, a left
side wall 5 and a right side wall 6 extend to form a
receptacle open towards the top. The bottom 2, the front
wall 3, the rear wall 4, the left side wall 5 and the right
side wall 6 are preferably made from plastic, although other
materials can be used. The front wall 3, the rear wall 4,
the left side wall 5 and the right side wall 6 each have a
substantially vertically extending lower wall portion 103,
104, 105 and 106, and a substantially vertically extending
upper wall portion 203, 204, 205 and 206. As can be seen in
Figure 16, the lower wall portions 103 - 106 extend more
inwardly, and the upper wall portions 203 - 206 extend more
outwardly, so that the horizontal cross section plane
extending between the lower wall portions is smaller than
the horizontal cross section plane extending between the
upper wall portions. The lower and upper wall portions are
connected by means of a slightly inclined outwardly
extending connecting portion 207 which extends inclined
outwardly and upwardly from the upper edge of the lower wall
portions to the lower edge of the upper wall portions.
Substantially at the level of the connecting portion 207, an
outwardly extending horizontal flange (303 and 306 in
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Figures 18 and 19) is formed at the outer surface of the
side walls and, if desired, at the front wall and/of the
rear wall. When two transport containers are placed inside
one another, the downward surface of the flange 303, 306 of
the upper transport container lies on the upward surface of
the upper wall portions of the side walls and, if present,
of the front wall and/of the rear wall of the transport
container underneath. By means of such a construction, the
stability of the stack is increased and the load of the
guide pegs of the upper transport container supported on the
groove stops of the transport container underneath is
reduced.
The transport container 50 shown in Figure 16
preferably has a total length of about 60 cm and a total
width of about 40 cm, wherein the lower wall portions 103 -
106 preferably have a height of about 8 cm, and the upper
wall portions 203 - 206 preferably have a height of about 7
cm so that the total height of the transport container is
about 15 cm. The grooves 7a - 7d and 8a - 8d are formed
through the upper wall portions 203 - 206 and between
outwardly protruding wall sections 207a - 207d as shown in
the cross sectional view of Figure 19. A possible design of
the grooves 7a - 7d is shown in Figure 19, for example, with
the grooves 8a - 8d in the opposed side wall are identical.
In this way, by means of such a construction of the grooves
7a - 7d and 8a - 8d a plurality of strengthening ribs are
formed on the outside of the upper wall portions 205 and 206
for increasing the stability of the transport container 50.
As shown in Figures 17a, 17b and 19, the guide pegs
12a - 12d and 13a - 13d have different shapes. The two outer
guide pegs 12a, 12d, 13a and 13d have a drop shape, and the
inner guide pegs 12b, 12c, 13b and 13c have a substantially
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semi-circular shape. The outermost ends of all guide pegs
are provided with downwardly extending protrusions (213a and
213b in Figures 17a and 17b, for example) adapted for
engaging with an rib or edge (406 in Figure 18) formed at
the upper surface of the upper wall portions of the side
walls. These protrusions can also engage with the support
surface of the groove stops (10a - 10d in Figure 19) when
both transport containers are placed inside one another. By
means of the drop shape (see guide peg 13a in Figure 17b) or
by means of the semi-circular shape (see guide peg 13b in
Figure 17a) of the guide pegs insertion of the guide pegs
into the grooves is facilitated.
Preferably, the guide pegs 13a and 13b have a distance
of about 13 cm. Preferably, the guide pegs 13b and 13c have
a distance of about 16 cm. Preferably, the guide pegs 13c
and 13d have a distance of about 13 cm. The guide pegs 12a -
12d on the opposite side wall have the same distances.
Preferably, the recesses 16a and 16b have a distance of
about 13 cm. Preferably, the recesses 16b and 16c have a
distance of about 16 cm. Preferably, the recesses 16c and
16d have a distance of about 13 cm. The recesses 17a - 17d
on the opposite side wall have the same distances.
Preferably, the groove openings 21a and 21b have a distance
of about 13 cm. Preferably, the groove openings 21b and 21c
have a distance of about 15 cm. Preferably, the groove
openings 21c and 21d have a distance of about 10,5 cm. The
groove openings 22a - 22d on the opposite side wall have the
same distances.
Figures 20a, 20b, 21a, 21b and 22a, 22b show
particularly preferred configurations of the transport
container of the present invention. In these configurations,
a plunge movement of the upper container into the container
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underneath is possible in one direction only. Thereby,
"mixed" insertion inside one another of a plurality of
transport containers stacked one above the other is
prevented. Therefore, also unstacking is conducted in only
one direction, with the advantage that the packing personnel
or the packing apparatus must work in one direction only.
The advantage thereof consists in the fact that a stack of
transport containers, positioned directly in front of a wall
or in front of another stack of containers, must not be
pulled forward when a incorrectly stacked container has to
be removed from the stack in rearward direction (instead in
forward direction). It is obvious that this feature is very
important with respect to empty containers inserted one into
another.
As can be seen in Figures 20a and 20b, the transport
container comprises two guide pegs 500 a-d and two grooves
502 a-d at each side thereof. The distances between the
groove openings 503 a-d at each side are different from the
distances between the corresponding guide pegs. It is
obvious that the above described plunge movement is also
necessary in this case to insert an upper container into the
container underneath. It is also obvious that said plunge
movement is possible in one direction only such that an
incorrect plunge movement (i.e. from the opposite direction)
is not possible.
In Figures 21a and 21b, a modification of the container
of Figures 20a and 20b is shown. At this container, three
guide pegs 600 a-f and three grooves 602 a-f are provided at
each side. The distances between the groove openings 603 a-f
at each side are different from the distances between the
corresponding guide pegs. Further, the distances between the
guide pegs 600 a-f are different at each side of the
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container. Thus, it is obvious that the above described
plunge movement is also necessary in this case to insert an
upper container into the container underneath, and that said
plunge movement is possible in one direction only such that
an incorrect plunge movement (i.e. from the opposite
direction) is not possible. In Figures 21a and 21b, it can
also be seen that the central guide pegs 600 b, e are
positioned slightly deeper than the two outermost guide pegs
600 a, c, d, f.
In Figures 22a and 22b, a further modification of the
container of Figures 20a,b and 21a,b is shown. At this
container, four guide pegs 700 a-f and four grooves 702 a-f
are provided at each side. The distances between the groove
openings 703 a-h at each side are different from the
distances between the guide pegs. Further, the distances
between the guide pegs 700 a-h are all different at each
side of the container. Thus, it is obvious that the
described plunge movement is necessary to insert an upper
container into the container underneath, and that said
plunge movement is possible in one direction only such that
an incorrect plunge movement (i.e. from the opposite
direction) is not possible. A plunge movement from opposite
directions is not possible as the distances of the guide
pegs are not symmetrically distributed (i.e. the distances
between the two outer guide pegs are the same, but are
different from the distances between the two central guide
pegs), instead, all three distances at each side are
different from each other. In Figures 22a, 22b, it can also
be seen that the central guide pegs 700 b, c, f, g are
positioned slightly deeper than the two outermost guide pegs
700 a, d, e, h.
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A further important aspect of the invention, shown in
Figures 20a, 20b to 22a, 22b, consists in the fact that a
reinforcement rib VR is formed at each of the guide pegs.
The reinforcement rib VR may either be formed by a suitable
reinforcement of the material (i.e. the material is thicker
at the rib) or by a suitable shaping of the material at the
sidewalls at the reinforcement ribs. In each case, the
strength of the guide pegs is substantially improved such
that breaking of the guide pegs is effectively prevented. In
this way, it is possible to avoid the use of expensive
plastic material which is reinforced with glass fibers, for
example. Instead, a conventional plastic material may be
used. As the technically complex mixing of glass fiber
particles into the plastic material may be avoided, material
costs and production costs can be substantially reduced.
Another important feature is the configuration of the
guide pegs G itself and the configuration of the guide
groove FN. As diagrammatically shown in Figure 23, the guide
groove FN of a container B according to the invention
comprises a sloped side surface 800 which is adapted to
engage with a correspondingly sloped surface 801 of a slide
rib 803 formed at a bottom side of the guide peg 802 of an
upper container B. It is obvious that the sidewall of the
lower container B even in case of applying high forces by
the upper container, i.e. via the respective guide peg 802,
not being pushed in outward direction, which would result in
that the guide pegs disengage from the upper edge of the
side wall of the lower container. Instead, the side wall is
pushed in inward direction by means of the engagement of the
correspondingly sloped surfaces 800 and 801 of the guide
groove FN and the slide ribs 803, thereby preventing
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disengagement even in case of applying high forces by the
upper container.
