FR2594802A1 - CONTAINERS HAVING INTERCONNECTING DEVICES AND GROUPS FORMED BY SUCH CONTAINERS - Google Patents

Abstract

Container 10 comprising external interconnection means 26, 28 which mate with the corresponding interconnection means of other identical containers. The containers are thus temporarily held together without relative movement transverse to their axes, with the exception of a possible rotational movement around their axes. In addition, relative movement of the containers parallel to their axes can be prevented. This provides advantages when the containers are processed along a transport system and when stacked in large stacks. (CF DRAWING IN BOPI)

Description

CONTAINERS HAVING INTERCONNECTING DEVICES

  AND GROUPS FORMED BY SUCH CONTAINERS

  The present invention relates to

  containers, such as buckets of paint and many other containers of various types, which must be processed by automatic means, after placement on a conveyor belt, and automatically filled and closed. Such a transport operation is relatively delicate and requires a very precise adjustment of the various operating parameters, for effective treatment. For example, plastic containers such as paint buckets, when empty, can easily be ejected from their correct position while traveling on

  a conveyor belt in curves or others.

  some of the paint buckets can overlap a

  adjacent paint bucket and take an indistinct attitude

  cline that can prevent effective automatic filling of the container, with a spill of paint

on the edge of the container inclines.

  Similarly, containers can be stored

  filled with plastic or metal in batteries

  in warehouses. Theoretically, this does not pre-

  feel no difficulty, even if the containers are

  heavy. However, in reality, a container may also

  In this case, the central part of the stack of containers may bend slightly outside the plane of each level of containers in the stack, which causes the weight of the stack to be concentrated on one or more of the containers therein. are contained. As a result, such a container can break, resulting in the destruction of a substantial quantity of the stock and requiring the demolition of the stock.

  pile of containers and a cleaning.

  The present invention relates to recipes

  equipped with a device for mutual

  10. Interconnection of these containers which avoids the incon-

  venents above. The containers following this

  the invention may be transported in interlocking

  on the conveyor belt, their interconnection preventing the containers from tipping up or down or slipping sideways when the conveyor belt

  conveyor circulates in curves, which compromises

  would put an effective treatment by self-

on the transmission line.

  Similarly, when stacking containers

  in accordance with the present invention, their

  connection can hold them at a precise location without any offset, so that the forces exerted by the battery

  containers do not concentrate on a single recipe.

  individual, which would cause it to deteriorate.

  According to the present invention, there is obtained a rigid container which comprises external means of mutual connection or interconnection

  which mate with means of interconnection cor-

  other containers generally identified

  c. This has the effect of temporarily

  containers in a relationship of solidarity, without any relative movement

  tif transversely to their axes, except a possible rotational movement around their axes. In other words, when the containers are brought into contact

  side-by-side, their means of interconnection

  can be triggered. When the means of

  interconnection are switched on, the receptacles can not

  not to move horizontally, that is to say transverse

  dirty on their axis, the containers can only turn relative to each other. So, during

  moving on a transmission line, reci-

  respective members are integral with one another if they are interlocked. Individual containers can not be ejected from

  the line or perform a similar movement.

  Preferably, the interconnection means prevent the temporarily retained containers from moving relative to each other in parallel with each other.

  their axes and also prevent a movement

  tif transversely to their axes. As a result,

  placed on a transmission line can not be

  to swing upwards from each other.

  On the other hand, when

  a plurality of such identical containers,

  physical contact with the means of intercon-

  nexion, so as to define rows of containers

  along two different transverse axes (for example,

  a container layer in a large stack of containers), the containers in the center of the assembly are prevented from flexing under the weight of the containers placed above them in the stack, by

  the retaining action of their interconnection means.

  As a result, the concentration of the compressive force due to the weight of the stack is removed. As a result, stacks can be used in warehouses

  taller and taller containers according to the

  tion, for a more efficient storage of these

  without the risk of damaging the containers in

the lower parts of the batteries.

  Belt means can be provided which

  turn each layer of containers, to keep them

  in physical contact so as to ensure that

  of their interconnection means.

  Specifically, the means of intercon-

  may include a series of projections and

  cavities alternately and circumferentially spaced

  around the container. The projections and cavities

  have dimensions and shapes such that they are

  respectively with the protrusions and cavities of generally identical containers placed side by side, to obtain the advantages of the present invention.

  as described above. The series of projections and cavities

  The teeth may constitute a toothed rack having alternating teeth and recesses arranged around the periphery of the container, the depressions being supported at the axial ends by walls to prevent the teeth in these recesses from moving in a direction.

  direction substantially parallel to the axis of the container.

  Alternatively, the teeth and recesses may be substantially conical in shape, so that one or more conical teeth of a container will fit in conical depressions of the neighboring container,

  for a mutual liaison or interconnection action.

  In another variant, the means of inter-

  connection provided on the outside of each container may

  be in the form of an annular toothing of

  grinding or the like, the teeth of an interstitial

  gear-tooth connection housing in the

  intervals between the teeth of another device

  connect another container. However, in this

  case, there can be no detention against a movement

  relative position of the container in a sensitive direction

  parallel to the axis of the container, but only a limitation of the lateral

to the axis of the container.

  In yet another embodiment, the container according to the invention may constitute an element

  of rectangular cross section with rounded corners.

  The angles may themselves comprise a series of protrusions and cavities, arranged circumferentially,

  to mate with projections and cavities

  corresponding to another generally identical container. Such a container may also comprise, on its flat rectangular faces, a plurality of ribs or tongues and grooves dimensioned so as to be assembled with grooves and tongues

  of a generally identical container.

  The containers according to the present invention are substantially rigid. However, the term "rigid"

  does not necessarily mean an absolute lack of support

  plesse as in the case of a ceramic. Self-supporting plastic containers or thin sheet metal containers which are substantially rigid can be used in accordance with the present invention, even

  if they have some degree of flexibility.

  In addition, a circumferential skirt may be provided on the container according to the invention,

  the edge of the container, the projections and cavities de-

  written above being defined on the outer surface

re skirt.

  The invention also relates to groups formed by a plurality of containers joined by their interconnection means. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the

  description of its non-limiting embodiments,

  shown in the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a partial longitudinal section of a series of plastic buckets according to the present invention, placed on a conveyor belt, which illustrates how adjacent buckets can be held in mutual liaison for

  the stabilization of the individual buckets during their

  placement along the conveyor; Figure 2 is a partial vertical section, on a larger scale, of the bucket of Figure 1;

  FIG. 3 is an elevation view of

  larger scale of the bucket of Figure 1, similar to that shown in Figure 2; FIG. 4 is a larger-scale cross-section along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, but also illustrating the engagement relationship

  with a corresponding part of another container

lar;

  FIG. 5 is an elevation view of

  on a larger scale, similar to Figure 3 but illustrating a different embodiment of the interconnection means;

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of

  larger scale following the. line 6-6 of Figure 5, also illustrating the engagement relationship with a corresponding portion of another similar container; FIG. 7 is a perspective view

  part of another container or bucket manufactured

  according to the present invention; Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Figure 7; - Figure 9 is a section along the line 99 of Figure 7; - Figure 10 is a view. raising a stack of solid containers according to the present invention; and

  FIG. 11 is a plan view of the

pilling of Figure 10.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 which represent

  feel a plastic container, more particularly

  a bucket manufactured in accordance with the present

  the invention. It can be seen that the plastic bucket 10

  that mold is of generally usual design, with the excep-

  the annular skirt structure 12 which is provided around the periphery of the bucket 10 near its upper edge 14. As shown, the annular skirt 12 carries interconnecting or interconnecting means which can engage with one or several adjacent buckets 10a which may comprise a skirt 12a and corresponding interconnection means. Figure 1

  illustrates a row of containers in which a recipe

  10 can be supported on each side by

  10a, having skirts 12a, the row

  containers being conveyed on a conveyor belt

  16 of conventional design, for example for an operation

  filling of paint cans. A

  constant technical difficulty of automatic filling

  that pots of paint is that the large empty pots 10, 10a of plastic are light and

  are easily displaced by clashes or

  very small forces. For example, when the band

  conveyor 16 moves in a curve, the recess

  empty container 10 can be easily ejected or a container can tilt against the other container of

  so that he is pushed out of position for a treat-

  correct in the paint fill line.

  According to the present invention, interconnection means 15 are provided to allow the temporary interlocking of the containers 10,

  a, in order to hold them together during their

  temporarily, with no relative transverse movement

  their axes (the axis of container 10 being indicated

  by line 18). However, when the conveyor belt 16 makes a change of direction,

  the respective containers 10, 10a can rotate around

  turn of their respective axes 18, without leaving their

interconnection.

  On the other hand, in the specific mode of

  1 to 4, the containers 10, 10a are temporarily retained so as to prevent relative movement parallel to their axes 18, ie a vertical movement as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 Thus, the containers 10, 10a

  may be held together on the conveyor belt

  so that they can not fall out of their

  desired position for treatment at the various stations along the conveyor belt 16. This is illustrated by the fact that a slight gap may exist

  between the bucket 10 and the conveyor belt.

  connection between the container 10 and the adjacent containers

  10a can effectively maintain the container 10 spaced from the conveyor belt 16, in a fixed holding position between the containers 10a, if the conveyor belt 16 flexes slightly at a location of

his journey.

  With regard to the specific structure of the interconnection means 15, the annular skirt 12

  door on its outer surface two peripheral strips

  annular serrated teeth 22, 24 similar to

  gates comprising a series of protrusions 26 and

  28 that are dimensioned to fit

  in mating relation with projections and

  corresponding lines 26, 28 of the container 10a, as

  shown in Figure 1. Circumferential walls

  the 30 shoulder each cavity 28, while each projection 26 of each band or ring gear 22, 24 is

  projects outwards from the circumferential walls

  As a result, the walls 30 trap the projections 26 of another container as they enter the cavities 28, so as to limit the relative movement between the containers 10, in a longitudinal or parallel direction to

the axis 18.

  Consequently, the containers 10, 10a can move along the conveyor belt 16,

  the interconnection means 15 being in mutual commitment

  the respective containers in a predetermined position of contact side-by-side,

  so that a jostling, a rebound or an incident

  The log along the conveyor belt 16 does not extend to pushing the containers out of position. At the same time, the containers 10, 10a can rotate about their axes 18 when the conveyor belt 16 moves in a curve, without the containers leaving

their interconnection relationship.

  Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 which illustrate an enlarged portion of a container of

  structure similar to that of container 10, with the excep-

  the differences described herein, and which has similar use benefits to the container 10. Figure 5 shows a portion of a container

  b near a lip 14b, according to this embodiment.

  Interconnection means 32 are provided which include

  two annular rows of pyramids 34 and

  alternatively 36, the dwellings 36 being

  born to receive structures of the same shape as the pyramids 34. For clarity of the drawing, each pyramid 34 is shown with a projected shadow as if the

  light came from the upper left of the drawing.

  Of course the pyramidal shape can be replaced

  by a conical or frustoconical shape.

  In this case also, as before, there are two rows 38, 40 of pyramids or the like and alternate cavities. However, if desired,

  can use a single row of projections and cavities

  FIGS. 1 to 4 or the type shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, without a second row. Similarly, although the rows 22, 24, 38 and 40 are generally annular and extend over the entire circumference of their container, this is not a

  imperative characteristic in all modes of

  the containers according to the invention. We can

  instead, if desired, use short

projections and cavities. -

  FIG. 6 illustrates how protrusions 34 can penetrate cavities 42 of an adjacent container 10c when containers 10b, 10c

  are, for example, in mutual contact while traveling

  on a conveyor belt. Similarly, projections 46 of the container 10c can enter the cavities 36 of the container 10b, to provide the temporary interconnection according to the present invention. Containers 10b and 10c may, but not necessarily, be

identical shape.

  Figures 7 to 9 illustrate another embodiment of the container according to the invention. The

  container 10d may be of rectangular cross-section

  gular, a single angle being represented. Below the rim 14d, the container 10d may have rounded corners 48, the angles defining at least one projection and a cavity 52 for engagement of projections and corresponding cavities of another container. The four corners of the container 10Od may all be of the type shown in FIG. 7, but the positions of the elements 50 and 52 must be reversed in the corners.

  adjacent, this relationship continuing around the reconciliation

  tainer. Thus, the angle 49 opposite the angle 48 comprises elements 50 and 52 in the position shown, it

  while in the two adjacent angles 51 of the

  the positions of elements 50 and 52 are inversely

  Sees. In addition, the flat side faces 54 of the rectangular container 10d may have ribs or tongues 56 and grooves 58 which are dimensioned to fit with grooves.

  and corresponding tabs of another container.

  It can be seen that on the flat rectangular side 60, beyond the angle from the side 54, the positions

  grooves 58 and tabs 56 are reversed.

  This alternating inversion arrangement of the elements 56

  and 58 continues around the other sides of the container.

  Thus, the container of Figure 7 can

  snap into another container of the same type,

  that the alternating arrangement of the projections 50 and the

  52, as well as grooves 58 and tabs 56, is continued around the other sides of the container.

  d. In this way, we can place a row of

  10d containers in interconnection relationship and the reci-

  may, however, turn on a trans-

  carrier, without losing their interconnection relationship

with adjacent containers.

  Referring to Figures 10 and 11 which

  have a stack of containers or buckets 10, the containers 10 being grouped together horizontally

  in physical contact with their means of

  respective interconnection 15, so as to define rows of containers along two mutually transverse different axes, that is to say axes 62 and 63. The containers 10 are blocked in their relationship

  interlocking means by means of interception

  connection 15, whose details are shown on

  Figures 2 to 4 or alternatively in Figures 5 to 7.

  A strap 64 encircles each group of containers in the same layer of stacked containers, so as to completely surround the encircled group

  and to keep the receptacles together in the said

  physical tact that engenders the interconnection relationship.

  The containers 10 are of course provided with lids

  66 to allow their stacking, as shown.

  Therefore, since each horizontal layer

  the individual zonal 68, 70, 72 of containers is

  in the interconnecting relation of the containers relative to each other, so as to prevent horizontal movement and preferably also vertical movement of the containers relative to each other, the stack of containers may be higher than could not safely do so, since the individual containers are locked to each other in their respective

  can not move relative to each other.

  As a result, the risks that a container may be

  accidentally placed in such a way as to be subject to

  excessive concentrated compression force

  to make a break are very small. Since the reci-

  are all held together in a relative position

  fixed force, the compressive force exerted by the

  upper containers of stacking on containers

  may be divided so as to be

  also carried by each individual container in

  a lower layer of the stack.

  It is understood that changes in

  tail can be made in the form and consistency

  truction of the device according to the invention, without leaving

of the frame of it.

Claims (12)

  1. rigid container (10) characterized in that it comprises, in combination, a series of projections   (26) and cavities (28) spaced alternately and cir-   conferringly around the container, these projections and cavities having dimensions and shape such that they mate respectively with cavities and projections of another container (10a) placed side by side,   so that said containers can be-depicted. en.contact c8-   side-by-side along a conveyor beltJ16), the containers   being maintained in a predetermined position of contact side-by-side.   2. Container according to claim 1,   characterized in that said series of protrusions and hinges   includes a toothed rack (24) comprising   alternating teeth (26) and recesses (28),   around the periphery of the container, said recesses being supported by walls (30) so as to prevent the teeth placed in the recesses from moving in a direction substantially parallel to the axis (18) of the container.   Container according to claim 2,   characterized in that the teeth (34) and the depressions (36)   are of substantially corresponding conical shape.   4. The container of claim 1, which   has a portion (10d) of cross section rec-   tangential to rounded corners (48), characterized in that said angles comprise at least one projection (50) and a cavity (52) for engagement with projections   and corresponding cavities of another container.   5. Container according to claim 4,   characterized in that its rectangular lateral faces comprise a plurality of ribs or tongues (56)   and grooves (58) sized to accommo-   fold with corresponding grooves and tongues from another container.   Container according to one of the claims   1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a circular skirt   (12) close to the edge (14), said protrusions   (26) and cavities (28) being defined on the outer surface   this skirt. 7. Rigid container, characterized in that it comprises external interconnection means which   mate with interconnection means corresponding to   other containers, such as the said containers   are temporarily held together without any movement   transverse relative to their axes, with the exception of a possible rotational movement about their axes.   Container according to claim 7,   characterized in that said interconnection means   prevent relative movement of the temporary containers   retained, parallel to their axes.   Container according to claim 8, in contact with a plurality of identical containers grouped together horizontally in physical contact at their interconnection means so as to define rows of containers along two different axes (62, 63) mutually transverse,   characterized in that strap means (64) surrounds   said group of containers and maintain these   together in said physical contact.   10. Group of containers according to claim   cation 9, characterized in that it constitutes a common layer (68, 70, 72) of containers in a stack of containers, so that the distribution of weight in the stack is better and the risk of a weight   excessive concentration causing crushing of a recipe pient is reduced.   11. Group of rigid containers, grouped   horizontally together in physical contact and defined   arranging rows of containers along two mutually transverse different axes, characterized in that, in combination, each container comprises a series of projections and cavities spaced alternately and circumferentially around said container, the   protrusions and cavities of each container   plant respectively with cavities and protrusions   neighboring receptacles placed in contact with one another, the   said cavities being supported by walls to prevent   expensive projections placed in these cavities to move   in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the containers so that the containers can not tilt or move axially relative to each other, and strap means surround   said group of containers and maintain these seems in said physical contact.   12. Group of containers according to the claim   11, characterized in that it constitutes a   common layer of containers in a stack of containers   in order to obtain a better distribution   weight in the stack, reducing the risk of crushing a container by excessive concentrated weight.