STACKABLE AND NESTABLE CONTAINER

Abstract

A container includes a base and conically formed, hollow corner columns that project from the base and are open on the underside of the base. Corner columns of another, structurally identical or compatible container can penetrate into the hollow corner columns of the container from the underside of the base, so that the two containers can be nested. The corner columns can be closed by a slide element so that the container can be stacked on the corner columns of the other container. A side wall projects from the base and is open on the underside of the base. The sidewall is between two corner columns such that a side wall of the other container can penetrate into the side wall from the underside of the base to nest the two containers. The side wall and the corner columns can be closed at the base by a slide element.

Claims

1.-12. (canceled)

13. A container configured to be stackable and nestable with a second container constructed identically to or compatible with the container, the container comprising: a base having a base underside; and corner columns that are conically formed and hollow, the corner columns being open on the base underside and projecting from the base, the corner columns configured to receive corner columns of the second container by insertion from the base underside of the container to nest the container with the second container, the container comprising at least one sidewall that projects from the base, the at least one sidewall being double-walled, conically constructed, and open on the base underside, the at least one sidewall configured to receive a second sidewall of the second container by insertion from the base underside of the container to nest the container with the second container, and at least two of the corner columns of the container and the at least one sidewall being closable at the base underside with at least one slide element to facilitate stacking the container on the corner columns of the second container.

14. The container according to claim 13, wherein the at least one slide element is mounted on the base underside and displaceable parallel to the base underside.

15. The container according to claim 14, wherein the at least one slide element is displaceably mounted within a base rim projecting from the base underside.

16. The container according to claim 14, wherein the at least one slide element is displaceable toward a center of the container.

17. The container according to claim 14, wherein the at least one slide element is displaceable between two stops.

18. The container according to claim 13, wherein the at least one slide element is actuatable from outside the container via a recess in the at least one sidewall and/or is actuatable from inside the container via a recess in the base.

19. The container according to claim 13, wherein the at least one slide element is movable inwards from outside the container via a recess in the at least one sidewall.

20. The container according to claim 13, wherein the at least one slide element is movable inwards from inside the container via a recess in the base.

21. The container according to claim 13, wherein the at least one slide element comprises an underside and a profile or indentation on the underside, the profile or indentation corresponding to a geometry of the corner columns and/or of the at least one sidewall, wherein the container is prevented from slipping sideways relative to the second container when the container is stacked on top of the second container.

22. The container according to claim 13, wherein: the corner columns comprise a first corner column, a second corner column, a third corner column and a fourth corner column, the at least one sidewall comprising a first sidewall between the first corner column and the second corner column, the at least one sidewall further comprising a second sidewall between the third corner column and the fourth corner column, the at least one slide element comprises a first slide element and a second slide element, the first corner column, second corner column and first sidewall being closable at the base underside by the first slide element, and the third corner column, fourth corner column and second sidewall being closable at the base underside by the second slide element.

23. The container according to claim 22, wherein the container has a rectangular shape with a first short side, a second short side opposite the first short side, a first long side, and a second long side opposite the first long side, the first long side comprising the first sidewall, and the second long side comprising the second sidewall.

24. The container according to claim 13, wherein the at least one sidewall comprises gripping handles.

25. The container according to claim 13, wherein the at least one slide element is movable to toward a center of the container to a first position and movable away from the center of the container to a second position, the at least one slide element comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the at least one slide element in the first position or in the second position.

26. The container according to claim 13, wherein the corner columns and/or the at least one sidewall comprise at least one stop that prevents the corner columns of the second container from being inserted completely into the corner columns of the container, or prevents the second sidewall of the second container from being inserted completely into the at least one sidewall of the container.

27. The container according to claim 13, wherein the base, the corner columns and the at least one sidewall are integrally manufactured by injection molding.

28. The container according to claim 13, wherein the at least one side wall has reinforcing geometries in order to increase the stability of the at least one sidewall.

29. The container according to claim 28, wherein the reinforcing geometries are beads or indentations and elevations.

30. The container according to claim 13, wherein the at least one slide element is releasably attached to the base without the use of tools.

31. The container according to claim 13, wherein the container is a plastic container.

32. A container configured to be stackable and nestable with a second container constructed identically to or compatible with the container, the container comprising: a base having a base underside; and at least two sidewalls that are conical, double-walled and open on the base underside and that project from the base, the at least two first sidewalls configured to receive second sidewalls of the second container by insertion from the base underside for nesting the container and the second container, the at least two first sidewalls each being closeable with a slide element so that the container is stackable on the second sidewalls of the second container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] FIG. 1 is a representation illustrating an underside of the container and a slider plate covering openings of the container;

[0042] FIG. 2 is a representation illustrating three containers nested within each other; and

[0043] FIG. 3 is a representation illustrating two containers stacked on top of each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below based on the accompanying figures.

[0045] The container 1 according to the disclosure is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The substantially rectangular container 1 has a base 3 and four corner columns 5 projecting from the base 3. The corner columns 5 are conical, hollow and open at the base underside. The corner columns 5 are drawn around the respective corner or, respectively, have approximately an L-shape. FIG. 1 shows a base underside of the container 1. A crosspiece 4 extending in the longitudinal direction of the container 1 is formed centrally on the base underside. The crosspiece 4 is formed by reinforcing ribs arranged in a grid shape. It is furthermore shown that the corner columns 5 open at the base underside have openings 7 on the base underside of the container 1. The base underside has a base rim 9, which, together with the crosspiece 4, forms the footprint. This means that when the container 1 is standing on a surface, the crosspiece 4 and the base edge 9 of the container 1 come into contact with the surface.

[0046] On the long sides of the container 1, long (high) sidewalls 11 are formed between the corner columns 5. On the short sides, the container 1 is open and the base 3 is limited only by short (low) side rims 12.

[0047] The sidewalls 11 and side rims 12 are conical, double-walled and open on the base underside.

[0048] As can be seen from FIG. 1, a respective slider plate 17 is displaceably arranged or mounted on the base underside on both sides of the crosspiece 4, so that each slider plate 17 can be displaced transversely to its longitudinal extension between the crosspiece 4 and the base rim 9 of the long side of the container 1. In other words, each slider plate 17 can be displaced transversely to the longitudinal extension of the container 1.

[0049] The slider plate 17 forms a closure element, with which the corner columns 5 open on the base underside and sidewalls 11 can be selectively closed and opened.

[0050] When the slider plate 17 is pushed completely to the center of the container or to the crosspiece 4, respectively, the corner columns 5 open on the base underside and the sidewalls 11 open on the base underside are open. When the slider plate 17 is pushed completely outward or toward the base rim 9, respectively, the corner columns 5 open on the base underside and the sidewalls 11 open on the base underside are covered or closed (see arrows in FIG. 1).

[0051] Each slider plate 17 has two apertures or elongated holes 18 extending in the transverse direction, in each of which two detents or securing lugs 20 formed on the base 3 of the container engage. The two securing lugs 20 face each other and fix the slider plate 17 to the base underside of the container 1. The securing lugs 20 have projections that releasably fix the slider plate 17. The interaction of the elongated holes 18 and the securing lugs 20 guides the displacement of the slider plate 17. Furthermore, the slider plates 17 also still slide along the short side of the container 1 with their short end faces on the inside of the base rim 9 to prevent the slider plate 17 from jamming. In order to release the slider plate, for example to replace the slider plate 17, the securing lugs 20 are compressed by the user. As a result, the projections of the securing lugs 20 are pressed inward and the securing lugs 20 slide through the elongated hole 18. As a result, the slider plates are detachable and can be released by the user without tools. The securing lugs 20 are furthermore beveled so that the slider plate 17 can be easily pressed onto the securing lugs 20 during assembly. In this way, the user can mount the slider plate 17 without tools and can also release it again.

[0052] The slider plate 17 does not necessarily have to be fixed to the base 3 of the container 1 by the securing lugs 20. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that a protruding sliding block or pilot pins formed on the base 3 engage(s) in the elongated hole 18. In this case, the pilot pins are T-shaped and thus hold the slider plates 17 on the base underside of the container 1.

[0053] In order to attach the separate or separately manufactured slider plates 17 to the base underside of the container 1, these are placed at the points provided for this purpose on the base underside and the pilot pins are subsequently inserted from below through the elongated holes 18 and connected to the base 3 of the container 1, e.g. via a click connection. By releasing the pilot pins, the slider plates 17 can be detached from the container 1 again and can be replaced if applicable.

[0054] The height of the slider plates 17 is less than the crosspiece 4 and the base rim 9, so that when the container 1 stands on a lower surface, the slider plates 17 are spaced from this lower surface and are thus freely movable or displaceable.

[0055] The slider plate 17 has (L-shaped) indentations 19 on the underside, i.e. the side facing away from the container 1. The indentations 19 are configured in such a way that the shape of the (L-shaped) corner columns 5 of an identical container 1 on which the container 1 is stacked fits into the base indentations 19 of the slider plates 17 and the corner columns 5 of the lower container 1 engage in the indentations 19 of the container 1 stacked above. The indentations 19 may also beas shown in FIG. 1corresponding recesses in reinforcing ribs on the underside of the slider plates 17.

[0056] In order to move the slider plates 17, each has a raised rim border 15 on the side facing the sidewall 11, which serves as a gripping or actuating element for the slider plate 17.

[0057] The base 3 has recesses 13 on both long sides through which the rim borders 15 of the slider plates 17, which are displaceably attached to the base underside, pass in order to be able to actuate the slider plates 17 on the underside of the container via the projecting rim borders 15, which extend into the interior of the container.

[0058] Furthermore, each sidewall 11 has a recess 13 in the center of the lower area or, respectively, in the transition area between sidewall 11 and base 3 to allow the rim borders to be pushed laterally outward and inward and not to block the sliding movement of the slider plates 17. The recess 13 corresponds in shape and size to the shape and size of the respective rim border 15.

[0059] In this way, the rim border 15 can be moved from the outside through the recess 13 to the inside and thus the slider plate 17 to the center of the container or to the crosspiece 4, respectively, and vice versa from the inside to the outside in order to move the slider plate 17 to the outside or to the base rim 9, respectively. In the position pushed to the outside, the rim border 15 is flush with the sidewall 11 or, respectively, completely fills the recess 13.

[0060] The slider plate 17 can preferably be fixed or locked at the position close to the center of the container and at the outer position. For this purpose, the base 3 and/or the slider plate 17 have locking elements that cooperate with each other (not shown). The locking elements can be configured either as clamp connections or snap-in connections. The slider plate 17 is held in the respective position so that it does not slip out of position.

[0061] FIG. 2 shows three containers nested inside each other. When the closure element 17 is pushed to the center of the container and the corner columns 5 open on the base underside and the sidewalls 11 open on the base underside, the corner columns 5 and sidewalls 11 of another identically constructed or compatible container 1 can enter the hollow corner columns 5 and sidewalls 11 from the base underside. This causes the two containers to nest. The corner columns 5 of the other container 1 disappear completely into the hollow corner columns 5 of the first container. The base underside of the first container 1 then rests on the base 3 of the other container 1. The sidewalls 11 of the other container 1 are inserted into the sidewalls 11 open on the base underside of the first container 1 in the same way as the corner columns 5. On the short side of the nested containers 1, the containers 1 form handles 23. The handles 23 make it possible to lift the containers 1 conveniently or, respectively, to remove the upper container 1 from a stack of containers 1.

[0062] The two nested containers 1 require only slightly more space for storage than a single container. This saves storage and transport costs. It is obvious that in this way not only two containers can be nested into each other, but more than two containers can be nested.

[0063] By actuating the actuating elements 15 projecting inward into the container interior, the closure elements 17 are pushed outward. For this purpose, the actuating elements 15 are pushed from the inside to the outside through the recesses 14 in the container base 3. The closure elements 17 are moved with the respective actuating element 15. This closes the openings of the corner columns 5 open on the base underside and the sidewalls 11 open on the base underside.

[0064] FIG. 3 shows two stacked containers 1. When the closure element 17 is pushed completely outward, it covers the corner columns 5 open on the base underside and the sidewalls 11 open on the base underside. This means that the base underside is no longer open. As a result, the corner columns 5 of the other container 1 can no longer enter into the hollow corner columns 5 of the container. Instead, the corner columns 5 rest against the closure element 17 of the container. This allows the containers 1 to be stacked on top of each other. The closure element 17 of the container 1 rests on the upper ends of the corner columns 5 of the other container 1. The shape of the corner columns 5 of the other container fits the shape of the indentations 19 on the closure element 17 of the first container 1. The two stacked containers 1 are thus pushed together and secured against slipping in a direction parallel to the container base 3. The base rim 9 of the base underside protrudes beyond the container base 3 and the closure element 17. For this reason, the base rim 9 also encompasses the upper end of the corner columns 5. This also prevents the stacked containers 1 from slipping.

[0065] The sidewalls 11 of the container have one or more struts 21. The struts 21 are attached to the outside of the sidewalls 11 in a vertical direction. Preferably, a sidewall 11 has three struts 21, one in the middle of the sidewall 11 and one at each end of the sidewall next to the corner columns 5. The struts 21 are hollow on the inside and are configured in such a way that the struts 21 of another sidewall can be nested in the crosspieces. The struts 21 increase the stability of the sidewall 11.

[0066] When the containers 1 are stacked, goods can be stored/received in the lower container 1 without the goods being damaged by the upper container 1. The goods in the container 1 are thus protected by the upper container 1 against damage from above and by the sidewalls 11 against damage from the side. Furthermore, the sidewalls 11 prevent goods from falling out of the container 1 to the side. It is obvious that in this way not only two containers 1 can be stacked on top of each other, but more than two containers 1 can be stacked.

[0067] The containers 1 are preferably manufactured as a single component. Preferably, the containers 1 are made of a plastic and manufactured by injection molding.

[0068] It is obvious that the container 1 may have a different number of sidewalls 11 depending on the use and requirements. Thus, it is possible that the container has only one (short) sidewall. However, the container may also have three or four sidewalls.

[0069] In a modified embodiment (not shown), the container also has a base and at least two (opposite) sidewalls, but no corner columns. The sidewalls project from the base, are conical and double-walled and open on the base underside so that corresponding sidewalls of another identically constructed or compatible container and corresponding orientation for nesting the two containers can enter the double-walled sidewalls from the base underside. The sidewalls open on the base underside may also be closed with a slider plate in each case so that the container can be stacked on the sidewalls of the other container.