ES2966009T3 - stackable box - Google Patents

Abstract

Stackable box (1) for receiving and transporting objects and for stacking them one on top of another in a stacking direction (2) with at least one other box (1) of the same type, the box (1) having a base (3) and a side wall (4). , in which the base (3) and the side wall (4) together delimit a reception space (5) for the objects and the side wall (4) in a plan view of the box (1) has corner areas (16) and sides. wall sections (21) that run between them, each of the side wall sections (21) being delimited by an upper side (22) that is inclined at least in some areas obliquely to the stacking direction (2) and a lower side (23) arranged opposite thereto and are adjacent to the side wall sections (21) on the upper sides (22). at least one area (24) inclined obliquely to the stacking direction (2) on this or these projecting contact surfaces (25) and/or on the lower faces (23) on at least one adjacent area (26) contact surfaces projections (27) are formed. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

stackable box

[0001]The present invention relates to a stackable box according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002]In the case of the generic box shown in document EP 1287780 B1 it is provided that the stacked boxes are essentially placed on top of each other respectively in their corner areas. In this state of the art, the top sides of the side wall sections between the corner areas are inclined obliquely to the stacking direction. This has the advantage that water and/or other liquids or moisture drain from the oblique upper sides of the side wall sections following the slope and therefore the upper sides of the side wall sections dry out more. quickly. This is particularly advantageous if the boxes are used in a washing and/or rinsing process. A disadvantage of the construction according to EP 1287780 B1 is that the maximum possible load capacity of such boxes is limited.

[0003]Another generic box is shown in US 2018/251260 A1.

[0004]Therefore, the objective of the invention is to improve generic stackable boxes in the sense that, on the one hand, they have side walls that dry as quickly as possible, but, on the other hand, they also allow a capacity of high load.

[0005]To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a box according to claim 1.

[0006]Therefore, a basic idea of the invention is to create support surfaces along the side wall sections, which ensure stable support of the boxes stacked on top of each other. In this way, boxes are created that have a high load capacity. The upper side areas of the side wall sections remaining between the supporting surfaces are configured inclined obliquely to the stacking direction, so that water and other liquids flow rapidly from the upper sides of the side wall sections, promoting thus rapid drying of the side wall sections. The supporting surfaces projecting from the respectively adjacent areas can be arranged, in this regard, both on the upper sides and on the lower sides of the side wall sections.

[0007]If an arrangement of boxes according to the invention stacked on top of each other is considered, then it is favorably provided that the lower sides of the side wall sections of the respectively upper box rest exclusively in the area of the support surfaces on the upper sides of the respectively lower box side wall sections. It follows favorably that the areas of the respective upper sides of the side wall sections of the lower box, which are inclined obliquely to the stacking direction, are arranged at a distance from the areas, arranged above, of the lower sides of the respectively upper case side wall sections. This creates a gap between the respective upper sides of the respectively lower case side wall sections and the lower sides of the respectively upper case side wall sections, which in turn promotes rapid drying of the side walls. It is also favorably provided in this regard that the boxes stacked on top of each other do not touch each other in the corner areas. This is achieved by the support surfaces also protruding from the corner areas of the side wall of the box.

[0008]The stackable boxes according to the invention could also be called transport and/or storage boxes or, in general, shipping containers or containers. Although they are designed to be grasped mechanically by means of at least one gripping device, they can of course also be advantageously grasped and transported by hand.

[0009]The term mechanical gripping should be understood in its general sense as the physical contact of a box by means of a gripping device in such a way that it can be lifted, carried or otherwise moved in the mechanically gripped state, i.e. in other words, with mechanical contact or mechanical capture, with the grasping devices.

[0010]The stackable boxes according to the invention can be used in very different areas. In principle, it is conceivable to use stackable boxes of this type to store, wash and transport tableware, glassware and the like. Such stackable boxes, which can be gripped mechanically, are particularly preferably used in the industrial environment for storing, transporting, washing, and the like, corresponding objects to be processed, manufactured or manufactured in industry. The minimum load capacity of the stackable boxes according to the invention is advantageously at least 10 kg, particularly preferably 25 kg per box. Depending on the field of application, the stackable boxes according to the invention can also have very different dimensions. These are preferably boxes with a basic rectangular or square shape. In relation to the external dimensions, the length of the box is favorably in the range of 10 cm to 120 cm, preferably 25 cm to 65 cm, and its width is in the range of 10 cm to 100 cm, preferably 25cm to 45cm. In preferred variants, the height of the box is in the range of 3 cm to 25 cm, preferably 4 cm to 15 cm.

[0011]The boxes according to the invention can be composed of different materials or material compositions. They can be metal boxes, but also plastic boxes. Even wooden or composite boxes are conceivable. In any case, it is preferably provided that the stackable box is designed in one piece. So this also means that the side wall and the bottom are then joined together in one piece and are made of the same material. For example, boxes according to the invention may be made of a suitable plastic, such as, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), polyoxymethylene (POM) or poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT). The boxes according to the invention can be manufactured, for example, by the injection molding process.

[0012]The boxes according to the invention have a bottom that, together with the peripheral side wall, delimits the housing space of the box in which objects can be placed. The box is normally placed with the bottom on the floor in such a way that the objects in the accommodation space rest on the bottom. Therefore, the bottom usually forms the support surface for objects in the housing space of the box. On the sides, the accommodation space is delimited by the peripheral side wall of the box. In this regard, the side wall can completely surround the bottom in a self-enclosed manner. However, it can also be made up of several components that are interrupted. Even then, it may still be a peripheral side wall. Both the side wall and the bottom can be designed as closed surfaces in themselves. However, it is also possible to provide lattice-shaped structures, i.e. passages, windows, reinforcing ribs and the like, in the bottom and/or in the side wall. In preferred embodiments, the peripheral side wall consists of corner areas and side wall sections, preferably straight, running between the corner areas. In preferred configurations, the side wall may have a basic rectangular shape in a top view of the box. In this regard, the term rectangular should not be understood only in the strictly mathematical sense. It also includes configuration forms in which the side wall sections basically converge at right angles in the corner area, but the corner area itself still has rounded edges and the like, etc.

[0013]In any case, the boxes according to the invention are designed in such a way that they can be stacked on top of each other in one stacking direction together with other boxes of the same type. As is known per se in the state of the art, in this regard the stacking direction is generally given by the shape of the box or its bottom and its side wall. For example, the bottom may protrude from the side wall, so that this protruding area of the bottom of a box can be inserted into the upper area of the housing space of the box below, that is, in the area that is surrounded by the side wall, so that the bottom of the upper box is held in a form-fitting manner on the sides by the side wall of the lower box. This automatically determines the appropriate stacking direction in which the boxes should be stacked on top of each other. In the case of boxes with several possible stacking directions, the features according to the invention must be implemented with respect to at least one stacking direction, for it to be a box according to the invention.

[0014]In preferred configuration forms of the boxes according to the invention, it is provided that the bottom forms an upper, in particular flat, delimiting surface with which it delimits the accommodation space. The stacking direction then advantageously runs normal to this upper delimiting surface of the bottom. In other words, the stacking direction then forms a surface normal to this upper bottom bounding surface. In an operating position of the box, the upper bounding surface of the bottom delimits the housing space of the box from below, while the side wall delimits the housing space in this position of the box from the sides, i.e. in directions horizontal. The boundary surface extends in this respect from the top of the bottom. This is also true if the bottom is shaped like a lattice or similar. The upper, in particular flat, boundary surface is the surface on which the objects stored in the box in the storage space rest in the operational position. The stacking direction is used in this case as a reference direction at various points in the definition of the invention. As an alternative to the stacking direction, the aforementioned upper, in particular flat, bounding surface of the bottom could also be used as a geometric reference, in which case the stacking direction would be assumed to form a surface normal to this upper bounding surface of the bottom, i.e. That is, it would be located orthogonal on all sides on the upper bounding surface of the background.

[0015]The boxes according to the invention may be open at the top, that is, on the side of the side wall opposite the bottom. In other words, such boxes have a housing space that is open at the top. In principle, however, the stackable boxes according to the invention can of course also be closed with a lid on the side of the accommodation space opposite the bottom, by placing a corresponding lid on this side of a side wall.

[0016]Other characteristics and particularities of preferred configuration forms of the invention are explained by way of example in the following description of the figures by means of embodiment examples. It should be noted in this regard that the individual preferred features are shown in combination with each other in the exemplary embodiments. However, this does not mean that these preferred features always have to be present in this combination when implementing the invention. Therefore, all preferred features or variants described below can also be considered alone and can also be implemented in exemplary embodiments of the invention, other than those shown, in combination with other preferred features of the invention. They show:

Fig. 1 two boxes according to the invention, stacked one on top of the other, of a first embodiment of the invention, in a side view;

Fig. 2 a vertical section along the section line AA of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 a top view of the stack of boxes according to Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows area B of Fig. 3, enlarged;

Fig. 5 the section along the cutting line CC of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 the section through the side wall along the cutting line DD of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 the section through the side wall along the section line EE of Fig. 4; Fig. 8 the two boxes of Fig. 1, with gripping devices inserted in the channels of the boxes;

Fig. 9 a bottom view of the situation according to Fig. 8 and

Fig. 10 and 11 are sectional representations analogous to the cut line CC of Fig. 4, with the gripping device shown inserted into the channels respectively to grip a different number of boxes;

Fig. 12 a perspective view of one of the boxes of the stack of boxes of Fig. 1, obliquely from above; Fig. 13 this box of Fig. 12 in an oblique view of the bottom;

Fig. 14 this box of Fig. 12 in a top view;

Fig. 15 shows area F of Fig. 14, enlarged;

Fig. 16 the section along the cutting line GG of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 the area L of Fig. 16, enlarged;

Fig. 18 the section along the cutting line HH of Fig. 15;

Fig. 19 the section along the cutting line KK of Fig. 15;

Fig. 20 shows an alternative configuration of a box according to the invention in which channels are also provided in the side wall sections;

Fig. 21 a vertical section along the cutting line MM of Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 a corner area of a box according to the invention in which, unlike the embodiment examples illustrated above, the channel is not made circumferentially closed;

Figs. 23 and 24 different sectional representations of possible configuration forms of the interior hollow space of the channel;

Figs. 25 and 26 another example of embodiment of the invention in a view obliquely from above and in a view obliquely towards the bottom of the box;

Fig. 27 and 28 sections through the side wall of the box according to Fig. 25 and 26 in the stacked state of two such boxes on top of each other and

Figs. 29 and 30 a representation analogous to Figs. 27 and 28 for another form of alternative configuration.

[0017]The first example of embodiment of the invention, shown in Figs. 1 to 19, will first be explained below. The following description of the additional embodiment examples then focuses on the differences with the first example of embodiment. realization.

[0018]The box 1 according to the invention of the first exemplary embodiment is stacked in Figs. 1 to 11 in the stacking direction 2 on another box 1 according to the invention of the same type. Figs. 12-19 show this box 1 of the first embodiment individually or parts thereof.

[0019]The box 1 has a bottom 3 and a side wall 4 that protrudes from the bottom 3 parallel to the stacking direction 2 and, in this example embodiment, extends completely around the bottom 3. The bottom 3 and the side walls 4 together delimit the accommodation space 5 of the box 1, which is intended to house the objects in the box. In the operational position, as shown for example in Figs. 1 and 2, the accommodation space 5 is delimited from below by an upper delimiting surface 17 of the bottom 3, which in this case is flat. The stacking direction 2 forms a surface normal to this upper bounding surface 17 of the bottom 3. In other words, the stacking direction 2 runs normal to the upper bounding surface 17 of the bottom 3. The stacking direction 2 is also given, in This exemplary embodiment, due to the fact that, to stack the boxes 1 on top of each other, the bottom 3 of the respectively upper box 1 must be inserted into the upper area of the accommodation space 5 of the lower box 1 surrounded by the wall side 4. As can be clearly seen in Fig. 2, for example, this results in a shape creep in the direction orthogonal to the stacking direction 2. The consequence of this is that the boxes 1 must be stacked on top of one another. another in the stacking direction 2 and, for unstacking, the upper box or boxes 1 respectively must be lifted from the lower box or boxes 1 respectively in the opposite direction to the stacking direction 2. As already explained at the beginning, both the bottom 3 and the side wall 4 can be designed as closed surfaces in themselves. This is not the case in this exemplary embodiment. In this case, both the bottom 3 and the side walls 4 have respective passages or openings. In this exemplary embodiment, the bottom 3 is formed by a lattice-shaped structure. The side wall 4 has a large number of window-shaped openings. Of course, all this is shown only by way of example and can also be realized in other ways known per se. Above all, reinforcing ribs and the like can also be formed both on the bottom 3 and on the side wall 4, to the extent necessary for the intended purpose of application in each case. The boxes 1 shown here have a rectangular basic shape with four corner areas 16 which are rounded in this exemplary embodiment. Between the corner areas 16, respective side wall sections 21 run. In the embodiment variants shown here, the side wall 4, which respectively completely surrounds the bottom 3, is therefore formed by the four corner areas 16 and the side wall sections 21, preferably straight, running respectively between them. Of course, boxes 1 according to the invention with a basic shape that is not rectangular, but designed differently, are also conceivable and possible. The preferred side wall sections 21 implemented in this case are respectively designed to be straight or linear in themselves. They join each other in an adjacent side wall section 21 at an orthogonal angle in the corner areas 16. Of course, this does not have to be the case either. For example, the number of corner areas 16 and the number and shape of the side wall sections 21 can of course also be designed differently.

[0020]The boxes 1 are designed with adapters arranged at a distance from each other for mechanical gripping of the box 1 by means of at least one gripping device 6. The adapters on the side wall 4 are respectively configured as channels 8 extending longitudinally in a longitudinal extension direction 7 that runs parallel to the stacking direction 2, where the channels 8 respectively have an inlet opening 9 and an outlet opening 10 and, between them, an interior channel hollow space 12, delimited by a channel boundary wall 11 of the box 1 and extending longitudinally in the respective longitudinal extension direction 7 to pass the gripping device 6 through the entrance opening 9 and the inner hollow space of channel 12 and of the outlet opening 10. Advantageously, the channel boundary wall 11 is respectively configured as a subarea of the side wall 4, as is also implemented in this case. In preferred embodiments, as also shown here in the first exemplary embodiment, provision is made for the channel boundary wall 11 to delimit the inner channel cavity 12 in a circumferentially closed manner. Circumferentially closed means in this regard that the channel boundary wall 11 surrounds the inner channel cavity 12 at a circumferential angle of 360°. This can be clearly seen in Figs. 3, 4, 9, 12 to 14 and 15 in relation to the first embodiment. The circumferentially closed design can also be seen in a cutting plane 13 normal to the stacking direction 2. Such cutting planes 13 are shown in Fig. 5 as an example. Advantageously, the channels 8 are respectively formed in a corner area 16 of the side wall 4, as also shown in the first embodiment. In terms of a stable grip of the stacked box 1 or boxes 1, at least two channels 8 are favorably formed in each box or in its side wall 4. Preferred configuration forms provide that at least four are arranged in the side wall 4, preferably exactly four, channels 8.

[0021]The channels 8, arranged in the side wall 4 or, in preferred configurations, in the corner areas 16, serve so that a corresponding gripping device 6 can be passed through them, so that the device correspondingly designed gripper 6 can pass through the inlet opening 9, the inner hollow space of channel 12 and the outlet opening 10 of the respective channel 8. For this purpose, the shape of the gripping device and the shape of the channel 8 must be coordinated with each other, different shapes being basically conceivable and possible. Preferably, it is provided that the inner channel cavity 12 of the respective channel 8 has a circular cross section at least in sections, as is also the case in the first embodiment shown here. This can be seen in the first exemplary embodiment, for example, in the shape of the inlet opening 9 and also in the shape of the outlet opening 10 and also in a corresponding section through the respective channel 8 in a plane of cut 13 normal to the stacking direction 2. The channel 8 preferably extends with its longitudinal extension direction 7 over the entire or at least a large part of the height extension 15 of the side wall 4 in the area of the respective channel 8 in a direction parallel to the stacking direction 2. In this sense it is favorably provided that the side wall 4 in the area of the respective channel 8 has an extension in height 15 in a direction parallel to the stacking direction 2 and that the channel 8 extends for at least 50%, preferably for at least 80%, of this extension in height 15 of the side wall 4. In Fig. 5 it can be seen especially well that the channel 8 extends practically over the entire extension at height 15 of the side wall 4 in this first embodiment. It is also favorable that the longitudinal extension of the respective channel 8 in its longitudinal extension direction is at least, preferably twice, the diameter of the inlet opening 9 or the outlet opening 10. In case of doubt, one should use in this sense the largest of these diameters.

[0022]In an arrangement of boxes 1 stacked on top of each other, it is favorably provided that the, preferably at least two of the, channels 8 of respectively one of the boxes 1 are arranged respectively aligned with a channel 8 of the respectively arranged box 1 below and/or above for the passage of a gripping device 6 through them. This can be clearly seen in Fig. 5, 10 and 11, where no gripping device 6 is shown in Fig. 5, while in Fig. 10 the gripping device 6 is passed through the two channels 8 of the boxes 1 stacked on top of each other, arranged one on top of the other and aligned with each other, and in Fig. 11 the gripping device 6 is passed only through the channel 8 of the upper box 1.

[0023]So that the respective gripping device 6 can be passed without obstacles through the corresponding channels 8 of the boxes 1 stacked on top of each other, the preferred forms of configuration provide that the box 1 is free, preferably completely, of wall areas covering, in particular completely, the respective inlet opening 9 and the respective outlet opening 10 of the respective channel 8 in their respective longitudinal extension 7. In other words, it is favorably provided, therefore, at least that The box 1 does not have wall areas that completely cover the inlet opening 9 and the outlet opening 10 of the respective channel 8. This ensures that the gripping device 6 can be passed unhindered through the channels 8 of the boxes 1 stacked on top of each other. Advantageously, it is provided in this regard that the box is completely free of such wall areas that also only partially cover the inlet opening 9 and the outlet opening 10 of the respective channel. However, for the sake of completeness, it is noted that with a corresponding form of configuration of the gripping device 6, wall areas that partially cover the inlet opening 9 and the outlet opening 10 would be possible if the gripping device 6 passed alongside to them and was still made to pass through the inlet opening 9 and the outlet opening 10 of the respective channel 8.

[0024]For the mechanical gripping of boxes 1 stacked on top of each other, a preferred method provides that at least two gripping devices are passed respectively through the mutually aligned channels 8 of the boxes 1 stacked on top of each other. 6 and that the gripping devices 6 are releasably fixed in a positive and/or frictional manner respectively, preferably only, in the box located below the boxes 1 stacked on top of each other that are to be gripped together. In other words, therefore, it is favorably provided that the gripping device 6 for gripping a certain number of boxes 1 stacked on top of each other is not attached to each of these individual boxes 1 in form and/or frictional engagement. , but rather, to put it simply, this releasable fixation only takes place in form and/or frictional drag in the box 1 located at the bottom of the set of boxes 1 stacked on top of each other that must be gripped. When this lowermost box 1 of the stack of panels is lifted by means of the gripping device 6, the boxes 1 of the stack of boxes arranged above it are also automatically lifted. To releasably fix the box 1 or the bottommost box 1 of the stack of boxes to be lifted, the gripping device 6 can engage with positive and/or frictional engagement in the respective channel 8 of the box. 1 in several ways. For example, it is conceivable that the diameter of the gripping device 6 within said channel 8 is increased, for example, by means of appropriate pressure pads or the like, so that it is releasably fixed by frictional drag to the boundary wall of channel 11 surrounding the inner hollow space of channel 12. Preferred, however, is a releasably drag-type fixation of the respective gripping device 6 in or to the respective channel 8 of the corresponding box 1, as is also very clearly shown. schematic in Figs. 8 to 11. The variant of the gripping device 6 shown therein has a pin 20 that can be moved in a direction orthogonal to the stacking direction 2 and that can be engaged in a corresponding undercut 18 in and/or on the channel boundary wall 11. In this context, it is favorably provided that at least one undercut 18 is formed in and/or on the channel boundary wall 11 of the respective channel 8 to form with the gripping device 6. a drag so that it acts in the direction of longitudinal extension 7 of the channel 8. In Figs. 5, 10 and 11 it is clearly seen that this undercut 18 can be formed, for example, in the area of the outlet opening 10 of the respective channel 8. In the variant shown, this undercut 18 of the corresponding box can be gripped from behind by the pin 20 deployed correspondingly in a positive manner. To create the corresponding space for the pin 20, a clearance 34 can be provided, as implemented in the embodiment examples shown here, in the area of the inlet opening 9 of the respective channel 8, which creates the necessary space. to insert the pin 20. To grip the respective undercut 18 from behind in a positive manner, the pin 20 is deployed with respect to the gripping device 6, as can be clearly seen in Figs. 10 and 11. If, on the other hand, the respective gripping device 6 must be inserted into the channel(s) 8 or pulled out again from it, the pin 20 is placed in a retracted position (not shown in this case), in which it does not protrude in one direction orthogonal to the stacking direction 2 or to the longitudinal extension direction 7 of the channels 8 beyond the gripping device 6, so that in this position it does not collide with the channel delimiting walls 11 of the channels 8 and

[0025]The gripping device 6 can be correspondingly inserted into or removed from the corresponding number of channels 8.

[0026]This technology makes it possible to grab a desired number of boxes 1 stacked on top of each other mechanically and simultaneously with the corresponding number of gripping devices 6, by inserting the gripping devices 6 at the appropriate depth in the channels 8 aligned with each other. of the boxes 1 stacked on top of each other, then fixing them to the box located below the desired number of boxes 1 correspondingly in form and/or force drag in a releasable manner, to then lift, transport and/or otherwise move correspondingly the stack of boxes 1 thus grabbed. The gripping devices 6 can be moved by lifting devices, robots, cranes or the like, which are known per se. Fig. 10 shows as an example how the gripping device 6 grabs the bottommost box 1 of the two in a form-fitting manner by means of its pin 20, so that the two boxes 1 stacked on top of each other. , shown in Fig. 10, are mechanically gripped together by the gripping device 6. In Fig. 11, however, the gripping device 6 is only inserted into the channel 8 of the upper box 1 and is locked. in form-fitting in its undercut 18, so that in Fig. 11 only the upper box 1 of the stack of boxes represented is mechanically gripped. Although this is only shown as an example for a stack with two boxes 1 in the accompanying figures, this technology can of course be implemented correspondingly to grip almost any number of boxes 1 stacked on top of each other. In this case, a complete stack, but also only part of a stack of boxes 1, can be mechanically gripped.

[0027]In Figs. 8 and 9, the situation according to Fig. 10 is shown in a side view and in a bottom view, in which both boxes 1 are mechanically gripped simultaneously by the gripping devices 6.

[0028]Figs. 12, 13 and 14 show a single one of the boxes 1 stacked on top of each other from the previous figures. Fig. 12 shows a view obliquely from above of the accommodation space 5. Fig. 13 shows a view obliquely from above of the inverted box, i.e. towards its bottom 3. Fig. 14 shows a view from above of the box 1. The detail F of Fig. 14 is shown in Fig. 15. In Fig. 15 the cutting lines GG, HH and <k K are drawn.> Fig. 16 shows the section along the GG cut line. Fig. 17 shows area L of Fig. 16, enlarged. In it you can see the orientation surface 19, preferably configured in the shape of a wedge, which in this example of embodiment is formed on an outer side of the bottom 3. By stacking the boxes 1 on top of each other, this orientation surface 19 ensures an orientation or centering of the stacked boxes with respect to each other, since when they are stacked in the stacking direction 2, the bottom 3 of the respective box 1, as can be seen in Fig. 2, penetrates into the upper area of the space housing 5 of the box 1 located below and interacts with the upper edge of the side wall 4 of the lower box 1. By means of the orientation surfaces 19, which are correspondingly distributed in the box 1 or its bottom 3, the boxes 1 stacked on top of each other are oriented relative to each other in the horizontal direction, that is, in the direction normal or orthogonal to the stacking direction 2, such that the channels 8 of the boxes 1 stacked on top of each other align with each other. In general terms, the preferred embodiment variants provide that orientation surfaces 19 are formed in the box 1, preferably in the shape of a wedge, to orient the channels 8 of boxes 1 stacked one on top of each other, in an aligned manner. other. For the sake of completeness, it is noted that the corresponding orientation surfaces 19 can also have a different shape and can be formed at other points of the respective box 1. For example, it is conceivable to arrange the orientation surfaces 19 not on the bottom 3 , but in the corresponding areas of the upper edge of the side wall 4, so that, when the boxes 1 are stacked on top of each other in the stacking direction 2, they correspondingly interact with the bottom 3 of the box 1 stacked on top and secure an appropriate orientation of the channels 8 of the boxes 1 stacked on top of each other.

[0029]In Fig. 19, the lower exit opening 10 serving as undercut 18 and the corresponding clearance 34 in the area of the entry opening 9 for the pin 20 can again be clearly seen. With regard to the terms inlet opening 9 and outlet opening 10, it is noted that these are in this case ultimately only openings of the channel 8 or the corresponding ends of the inner hollow space of channel 12. The term inlet opening 9 and exit opening 10 was chosen for linguistic simplification. The inlet opening is the opening of the channel 8 through which a gripper 6 is pushed from above into the channel 8. The outlet opening 10 was so named because, when the gripper 6 is pushed from above into the inside the channel 8, the gripper 6 exits the channel 8 again through the exit opening 10 once it has passed through the channel 8. Strictly speaking, when the gripper 6 is removed from the channel 8, the entry opening 9 and the outlet opening 10 should be named the other way around. However, this is omitted for the sake of linguistic simplification. The inlet opening 9 could also be referred to as the first opening and the outlet opening 10 as the second opening.

[0030] Figs. 20 and 21 show a second exemplary embodiment of a box 1 according to the invention, in which, in addition to the four channels 8 arranged in the corner areas 16, additional channels 8 are arranged in the 21 longer side wall sections. Fig. 20 shows in this regard a top view and Fig. 21 shows the section along the section line MM of Fig. 20. This serves to illustrate that the channels 8 do not necessarily have to be arranged in areas corner 16 of the box 1. It should be illustrated that the channels 8 may also be arranged in other areas of the side wall 4, including in the area of the side wall sections 21 arranged between the corner areas 16. For the sake of For completeness, it is noted that the corner areas 16 can also be designed without any channels 8 if the channels 8 are correspondingly made in other areas of the side wall 4.

[0031]Fig. 22 shows a corner area 16 of a box 1 in which the channel 8 is not designed circumferentially closed. In other words, in this exemplary embodiment, the inner hollow space of channel 12 is not circumferentially closed, that is, delimited by the channel boundary wall 11 with a circumferential angle of 360°. In such embodiments, however, it is favorable that the channel boundary wall 11 defines the interior cavity space of channel 12, in particular in a cutting plane 13 normal to the stacking direction 12, at least in sections by a circumferential angle 14. of at least 180°. This is the case in Fig. 22, as shown by the drawn circumferential angle 14.

[0032]Fig. 23 and 24 serve to illustrate various possibilities of how a particular circumferentially closed channel 8 or its channel boundary wall 11 and its inner channel hollow space 12 can be formed. In both variants it is provided that the space inner channel gap 12 of the respective channel 8 has a circular cross section throughout, seen in a section plane 13 corresponding normal to the stacking direction 2. However, in the variant according to Fig. 23, the space inner channel cavity 12 is formed by two truncated cones that meet in a constriction area 35, while the inner channel hollow space 12 in the variant according to Fig. 24 has a circular cylindrical shape throughout its entire length. . The constriction area 35 in the variant according to Fig. 23 can serve, for example, to releasably fix in drag a correspondingly designed gripping device 6 in the respective channel 8. The constriction area 35 is, therefore, another possibility to carry out the undercut 18 already mentioned above.

[0033] To further improve the box 1 in the sense that, on the one hand, it is stacked with large load-bearing loads or heavy objects in the accommodation space 5 and, on the other hand, however, it is also equipped with sections of side wall 21 that dry well, it is provided in the case of stackable boxes 1 that the side wall 4, in a top view of the box 1, has a basic shape, preferably rectangular, with preferably four corner areas 16 and sections of side wall 21 running between the corner areas 16, wherein the side wall sections 21 running between the corner areas 16 are respectively delimited by an upper side 22 of the side wall section 21 inclined at least in some areas obliquely to the stacking direction 2 and a lower side 23 of the side wall section 21 arranged opposite this, where, in the side wall sections 21, on the upper sides 22 of the side wall sections 21, respectively of adjacent to at least one area 24 of the respective upper side 22 inclined obliquely to the stacking direction 2, preferably between respectively two of these obliquely inclined areas 24 of the respective upper side 22, supporting surfaces 25 are formed projecting from this or from these obliquely inclined areas 24, and/or, on the lower sides 23 of the side wall sections 21, supporting surfaces 27 are formed that project respectively from at least one adjacent area 26, preferably two adjacent areas 26, of the respective lower side. 23. This is implemented in different variants in the different embodiments of this invention to further illustrate and explain preferred design options in this regard. In the first exemplary embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 19, as well as in the variation forms according to Figs. 20 to 22, the support surfaces 25 are formed exclusively on the upper sides 22 of the sections of side wall 21. The exemplary embodiment according to Figs. 25 to 28, on the other hand, shows by way of example a variant in which the support surfaces 27 are formed exclusively on the lower sides 23 of the side wall sections 21. Fig. 29 and 30 show images of a mixed shape in which both support surfaces 25 are formed on the upper sides 22 and support surfaces 27 on the respective lower side 23 of the respective side wall section 21.

[0034] In the case of the first exemplary embodiment, reference is made in particular to Figs. 4, 6 and 7. Fig. 6 shows the section along the cutting line DD of Fig. 4 through the side wall sections 21 of the boxes 1 stacked on top of each other and therefore in an area outside the support surfaces 25. Fig. 7, on the other hand, shows the section along the line of section EE of Fig. 4 and therefore the area in which the support surfaces 25 formed on the respective upper side 22 of the side wall section 21 of the respectively lower box 1 support the lower sides 23 of the box 1 arranged on top.

[0035] Therefore, this is a first example of an arrangement of boxes 1 according to the invention stacked on top of each other, in which it is provided that the lower sides 23 of the side wall sections 21 of the box 1 respectively upper rest exclusively in the area of the support surfaces 25 on the upper sides 22 of the side wall sections 21 of the box 1 respectively lower. As also implemented in this case, this favorably ensures that the areas 24 of the respective upper sides 22 of the side wall sections 21 of the lower box 1, which are inclined obliquely to the stacking direction 2, are arranged at a distance of the areas, arranged above, of the lower sides 23 of the side wall sections 21 of the respectively upper box 1. In the section shown in Fig. 6, the distanced arrangement of the lower side 23 of the respectively upper box 1 with respect to the inclined area 24 of the upper side 22 of the side wall section 21 of the lower box 1 can be clearly seen. In this way a gap is formed between the respective lower side 23 and the inclined area 24 of the respective upper side 22. In combination with the oblique design of the inclined areas 24 with respect to the stacking direction 2, the result is that the sides tops 22 of the side wall sections 21 of the respective box 1 can dry particularly quickly and well.

[0036] In the description of the invention, the term oblique should be understood as an angle, preferably an acute angle, which is neither a right angle nor coincides with a parallel line. In this, as well as in other exemplary embodiments according to the invention, the areas 24 of the respective upper side 22 of the respective side wall section 21, which are inclined obliquely to the stacking direction 2, preferably form an acute angle in a range of 75° to 85°, preferably 80° to 83°, with the stacking direction.

[0037] Fig. 7 and therefore the section along the section line EE of Fig. 4 shows how the supporting surfaces 25, which protrude from the obliquely inclined areas 24 on the upper side 22 of the side wall section 1, they support over the entire surface the lower side 23, arranged above, of the side wall section 21 of the box 1 arranged above, so that with a corresponding number of support surfaces 25 the boxes also They can withstand high load-bearing loads.

[0038] In this, as well as in other preferred configuration forms of the invention, the support surfaces 25 and 27 are the only areas of the entire side wall 4 in which the boxes 1 stacked one on top of each other rest. other. This means that, in preferred configurations, the boxes 1 stacked on top of each other do not touch each other in the corner areas 16 and therefore do not rest against each other in these corner areas 16 either.

[0039] By comparing Fig. 6 and 7, it is easy to see that, in preferred configuration forms of the invention, the support surfaces 25 are arranged in a first plane 28 and the respectively adjacent areas 24 of the respective sides upper planes 22 are arranged in a second plane 29, the first plane 28 and the second plane 29 forming an acute angle 30 with respect to each other. To clarify this, the close-up plane 28 of the support surface 25 drawn in Fig. 7 is included again in Fig. 6. In this exemplary embodiment, Fig. 7 also clearly shows that, in preferred variants of the invention, the support surfaces 25 formed on the upper sides 22 run in a plane 31 arranged normal to the stacking direction 2.

[0040]If reference is now made to the exemplary embodiment according to Figs. 25 to 28, in which the support surfaces 27 are formed exclusively on the lower sides 23 of the respective side wall sections 21, Figs. 27 and 28 show sections analogous to Fig. 6 and 7. Fig. 27 shows a section in an area in which there is no support surface 27. Here again the areas 24 running obliquely from the respective upper side 22 of the side wall sections 21 of the respectively lower box 1 are spaced from the respective lower sides 23 of the side wall sections 21 of the box 1 stacked on top. The resulting gap, which is clearly visible in Fig. 27, in turn favors the drying of the upper and lower sides of the side wall sections.

[0041]In Fig. 28 a section through the side wall sections 21 of the boxes 1 stacked on top of each other can be seen in the area of the support surfaces 27 formed on the respective lower sides 23 of the sections of side wall 21. In Fig. 26 it can be clearly seen that they protrude from the respectively adjacent areas 26. Also in this exemplary embodiment it happens that the support surfaces 27 are arranged in a first plane 28 and the areas 26 of the lower sides 23, respectively adjacent, of the respective upper sides 23 are arranged in a second plane 29, forming the first plane 28 and the second plane 29 an acute angle 30 with respect to each other. To clarify this, the first plane 28 of Fig. 28 is also included again in Fig. 27. This exemplary embodiment shows in particular in Fig. 28 that the support surfaces 27 formed on the lower sides 23 can run in a plane 32 arranged obliquely to the stacking direction 2. As also shown in Fig. 28, this oblique course of the support surfaces 27 is favorably formed at an angle corresponding to the obliquely running areas 24 of the respective upper sides 22 of the side wall sections 21. As a result, the support surfaces 27 rest snugly and over the entire surface on the corresponding areas 24 of the upper sides 22 of the box 1 arranged below, so that a stable support of boxes 1 stacked on top of each other. This exemplary embodiment according to Figs. 25 to 28 also shows, by way of example, that if the support surfaces 27 protruding from the respectively adjacent areas 26 of the underside 23 are formed on the underside 23, the areas 26 of the lower side 23 respectively adjacent to the support surfaces 27 can run in a plane 33 in which the normal stacking direction 2 is arranged, see in particular Fig. 27.

[0042] With reference to Figs. 29 and 30, another form of configuration of the invention is now shown by way of example, in which corresponding support surfaces 25 and 27 are formed on both the upper sides 22 and the lower sides 23. . Analogously to Fig. 6, Fig. 27 again shows the situation in a section through the side walls 21 of the boxes 1 stacked on top of each other outside the areas of the support surfaces 25 and 27 In these areas, the distanced arrangement and therefore the drying-promoting gap is again obtained between the lower sides 23 of the respectively upper box 1 and the obliquely inclined areas 24 on the upper sides 22 of the wall sections. side 21 of the box 1 arranged below. For the angle 30 between the first plane 28 and the second plane 29, as shown in Fig. 29, the result is again the same as in the other two embodiment examples explained above.

[0043]In the section through the support surfaces 25 and 27 according to Fig. 30 it can be clearly seen that these support each other over the entire surface, so that the boxes 1 stably support one another. over another. In this variant, it is again provided that the support surfaces 25 formed on the upper sides 22 run in a plane 31 arranged normal to the stacking direction 2. This embodiment shows by way of example that, however, the support surfaces Supports 27 formed on the lower sides 23 can also run in a plane 31 arranged normal to the stacking direction 2.

[0044]The sizes of the support surfaces 25 and 27, as well as their relationship to the remaining surfaces of the upper sides 22 or the lower sides 23 of the side wall sections 21 can correspondingly be adjusted in principle according to the load requirements expected or to be achieved. However, it is favorable that the ratio between the sum of the areas of all support surfaces 25 on the upper side 22 of all side wall sections 21 of the box 1, on the one hand, and the total area of the sides upper part of the side wall 4 of the box 1, on the other hand, is in a range of 1:5 to 1:15, preferably 1:9 to 1:11. The same is favorably fulfilled when the support surfaces 27 are arranged on the lower sides 23 of the side walls 4. Preferably it is then fulfilled that the relationship between the sum of the areas of all the support surfaces 27 on the lower side 23 of all the side wall sections 21 of the box 1, on the one hand, and the total area of the lower sides 23 of the side wall 4 of the box 1, on the other hand, lie in a range of 1:5 to 1 :15, preferably from 1:9 to 1:11. In absolute numbers, it is favorably provided that the respective support surface 25 or 27 has an area of the order of 75 mm2 to 175 mm2, preferably of 120 mm2 to 135 mm2.

[0045]With respect to the upper, in particular flat, delimiting surface 17 of the bottom 3, which delimits the accommodation space 5, it is favorably provided that a relationship between the sum of the areas of all the support surfaces 25 or 27 in the upper sides 22 and/or the lower sides 23 of all side wall sections 21 of the box 1, on the one hand, and the total area of the upper bounding surface 17 of the bottom 3 of the box 1, on the other hand, is in a range of 1:100 to 1:130, preferably 1:110 to 1:115.

Legend of reference numbers:

1 box 29 background

2 stacking direction 30 acute angle

3 background 31 plane

4 side wall 32 plane

5 accommodation space 33 plan

6 gripping device 34 clearance

7 longitudinal extension direction 35 constriction area

8 channel

9 entrance opening

10 exit opening

11 channel boundary wall

12 channel inner hollow space

13 cutting plane

14 circumferential angle

15 extension in height

16 corner area

17 upper bounding surface

18 undercut

19 orientation surface

20 pin

21 side wall section

22 top side

23 bottom side

24 obliquely inclined area

25 support surface

26 adjacent area

27 support surface

28 closeup

Claims (9)

1. Stackable box (1) for housing and transporting objects and for stacking one on top of another in a stacking direction (2) with at least one other box (1) of the same type, where the box (1) has a bottom ( 3) and a side wall (4) projecting from the bottom (3) and extending at least in some areas, in particular completely, around the bottom (3), where the bottom (3) and the side wall ( 4) together delimit a housing space (5) of the box (1) for housing the objects, and the side wall (4) has, in a plan view of the box (1), a basic shape, in particular rectangular , with, in particular, four corner areas (16) and side wall sections (21) running between the corner areas (16), wherein the side wall sections (21) running between the corner areas ( 16) are respectively delimited by an upper side (22) of the side wall section (21) inclined at least in some areas obliquely to the stacking direction (2) and a lower side (23) of the side wall section ( 21) arranged opposite this, characterized by the side wall sections (21) on the upper sides (22) of the side wall sections (21) between respectively two of these areas (24) inclined obliquely from the respective upper sides (22), support surfaces (25) are formed that protrude from these obliquely inclined areas (24) to support, over the entire surface, a lower side (23) of a side wall section (21) of a box (1 ) arranged above or to support, over the entire surface, support surfaces (27) formed on the lower sides (23) of a side wall section (21) of a box (1) arranged above and running in a plane ( 31) arranged normal to the stacking direction (2), where the support surfaces (25) formed on the upper sides (22) run in a plane (31) arranged normal to the stacking direction (2), or by that on the lower sides (23) of the side wall sections (21) supporting surfaces (27) are formed that protrude from two adjacent areas (26) of the respective lower side (23) to ensure stable support of boxes stacked one above another, where the support surfaces (27) formed on the lower sides (23) run in a plane (32) arranged obliquely to the stacking direction (2) and the oblique course of the support surfaces (27) formed on the lower sides (23) is formed at an angle that corresponds to the areas (26) that run obliquely from the respective upper sides (22) of the side wall sections (21). 2. Box (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support surfaces (25, 27) are arranged in a first plane (28) and the areas (24, 26) of the respective upper sides (22) or the respective Lower sides (23), respectively adjacent, are arranged in a second plane (29), and the first plane (28) and the second plane (29) form an acute angle (30) with each other. 3. Box (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support surfaces (25, 27) formed on the upper sides (22) and on the lower sides (23) run in a plane (31) arranged normal to the stacking direction (2). 4. Box (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the bottom (3) forms an upper delimiting surface (17), in particular flat, with which it delimits the accommodation space (5), where the stacking direction (2) runs normal to the upper delimiting surface (17) of the bottom (3). 5. Box (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support surfaces (27) projecting from the respectively adjacent areas (26) of the lower side (23) are formed on the lower side (23), and the areas (26) of the lower side (23) respectively adjacent to the support surfaces (27) run in a plane (33) in which the normal stacking direction (2) is arranged. 6. Box (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the relationship between the sum of the areas of all the support surfaces (25) on the upper side (22) of all the side wall sections (21 ) of the box (1), on the one hand, and the total area of the upper sides of the side wall (4) of the box (1), on the other hand, is in a range of 1:5 to 1: 15, preferably from 1:9 to 1:11, and/or because the ratio between the sum of the areas of all the support surfaces (27) on the lower side (23) of all the side wall sections (21 ) of the box (1), on the one hand, and the total area of the lower sides (23) of the side wall (4) of the box (1), on the other hand, is in an interval of 1:5 to 1:15, preferably 1:9 to 1:11. 7. Box (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the respective support surface (25, 27) has an area of the order of 75 mm2 to 175 mm2, preferably 120 mm2 to 135 mm2. 8. Box (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the bottom (3) forms an upper delimiting surface (17), in particular flat, with which it delimits the accommodation space (5), and the relationship between the sum of the areas of all support surfaces (25, 27) on the upper sides (22) and/or on the lower sides (23) of all side wall sections (21) of the box (1) , on the one hand, and the total area of the upper delimiting surface (17) of the bottom (3) of the box (1), on the other hand, is in a range of 1:100 to 1:130, preferably 1 :110 to 1:115. 9. Arrangement of boxes (1) stacked on top of each other according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the lower sides (23) of the side wall sections (21) of the upper box (1) respectively rest exclusively on the area of the support surfaces (25, 27) on the upper sides (22) of the side wall sections (21) of the respectively lower box (1) and the areas (24) of the respective upper sides (22) of the side wall sections (21) of the lower box (1), which are inclined obliquely to the stacking direction (2), are arranged at a distance from the areas, arranged above, of the lower sides (23) of the side wall sections (21) of the box (1) respectively upper.