Handle structure for thermal transport boxes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a handle structure for a transport box, particularly suitable for retrofitting to an integrally manufactured transport box, which is suitable for being arranged in a form-fitting manner as a reinforcing structure in a handle area of ​​the transport box. This reduces wear and, consequently, significantly increases the service life of the transport box.

Description

October 21, 2024 Technical Background In the food delivery sector, transport boxes, also known as thermal boxes, are frequently used for delivering food and beverages. 5 Such transport boxes are often manufactured integrally from a single material for both technical and cost reasons. The transport boxes are frequently provided with lateral structures, in particular slight indentations and / or recesses, to form a grippable structure ("handles"). The box can be carried by the handles during delivery. 10 The material of a thermal box is subject to wear; its service life is limited. High wear often occurs in the area of ​​the handle structures: This is due, on the one hand, to the high friction and pressure load in the area of ​​the handles. On the other hand, the reduced material thickness of the thermal box in this area also plays a role. This makes 15 this area particularly sensitive. As a rule, a thermal box is used until it exhibits a "significant functional or hygienic defect".In practice, a thermal box can wear down in the handle area to such an extent that continuous "handle holes" develop into the interior of the thermal box. The material of the thermal box gradually loses strength and stability, and eventually becomes completely perforated. Because this creates air circulation inside the thermal box during the entire transport time—for example, outdoors and possibly in a delivery vehicle—which can cause hot food to cool down, dirt and / or rain to penetrate the interior, etc., a thermal box worn in this way must (or should) generally be replaced immediately. The described end-division phenomena in the handle area of ​​the transport box are 5. The overall service life of the thermobox is negatively affected. Since the thermobox is manufactured as an integral part, it is usually completely replaced. The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to enable new solutions.In particular, the aim is to create 10 more ecological, practical, flexible, scalable, safer, and more reliable solutions. The factor of cost minimization / economic efficiency also plays a significant role, so a sufficiently robust, yet not too expensive, and durable solution is intended. Ideally, the solution should be retrofittable into existing environments without adversely affecting them. Furthermore, the solution should be environmentally friendly, allow for a high degree of recyclability, and, in particular, keep ongoing costs low. A high degree of comfort should also be ensured for all involved. One objective of the invention is therefore to improve thermal boxes, but also to be usable with existing thermal boxes as they are already available. For example, there is a large, conservative market for thermal boxes, which are mostly manufactured according to standard sizes and shapes.This market should be served complementarily by a technical solution and not displaced by an incompatible alternative. -3 / 14- BE2024 / 0067 21 October 2024 One task is therefore to increase the overall service life of thermal boxes in the delivery catering industry and / or to specifically reduce their wear and tear. 5The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the handle structure according to claim 1. The structure can be retrofitted to a thermal box, e.g., attached by adhesive. The handle structure can also outlast several generations of thermal boxes. —4 / 14— BE2024 / 0067 21 October 2024 Description of the invention The present invention provides a device with the features of claim 1. 5Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. A handle structure can be a handle or represent a handle. It can also be integrated, for example, into a surface structure of a gripping area of ​​an object to be carried, such as the gripping area of ​​a thermal box.A handle structure according to the invention can be provided, in particular, for retrofitting to a transport box. It can be designed to be arranged in a form-fitting manner as a reinforcing structure in a handle area (of the transport box). This allows the supplier to grip the box firmly with their fingers without causing significant wear to the thermal box in the handle area. The service life of the thermal boxes is thus greatly increased. Should a thermal box break or become irreversibly contaminated (food hygiene), the possibility can be provided to transfer the handle structures according to the invention to another transport box. The handles or handle structures can thus protect and improve several generations of transport boxes, and even outlast them. 20 Transport boxes are in particular thermal boxes and / or especially those as they are known on the market and / or with which the transport box market is saturated.The main advantage here, in terms of significant market share, is the manageable number of different existing structures of transport boxes in the handle area. The invention -5 / 14- BE2024 / 0067 21 October 2024 can therefore be designed in such a way that it can be positively integrated into these transport boxes; is thus suitable and / or intended for real use on the market; and is not merely theoretically suitable for use on a purely hypothetical thermobox handle area. 5 An injection molding process can be used for cost-effective mass production. A further advantage is that, due to the manageable number of different handle structures used in practice, a limited number of injection molds can be used. 10. As an alternative to plastic handles, metallic handle structures are also conceivable. Another variant uses carbon fiber (stability, low weight). The back of the handle structure can mimic the shape of a handle area on the transport box.A front and / or handle side can also be designed this way. This preserves the familiar carrying feel or the grip structure felt by the supplier. The supplier can therefore continue to grip as usual and can also continue to rely on the specific grip structure of the respective box, which is familiar to them. This promotes intuitive use. On both the front and / or handle side, more tolerance can be allowed, for example, due to the lack of a need for a form-fit. A top part of the grip structure can be provided. This top part can, for example, be arranged form-fit to a bottom of a grip area of ​​the transport box. This "supporting area", where the supplier reaches in with their hands or fingers to hold the box securely, can also be imitated by the grip structure. —6 / 14— BE2024 / 0067 21 October 2024 This can happen on an outside (which has contact with the box, if applicable).(which may also be glued there) or on an inner side of the handle structure (which the supplier grips during intended use). In particular, a shape with an outer concave surface and an inner convex surface may be provided. These handles enable a particularly secure hold: both the hold of the overall structure by the load-bearing element and the hold of the handle structure (e.g., glued there) on the transport box. An S-shaped cross-sectional structure may also be provided (with the aforementioned advantages). Form-fitting side structures improve the secure hold of the handle structure on the transport box. On the opposite side of the handle structure, the upper part preferably tapers, e.g., continuously in one end area. Thus, the material tapers, for example, to zero thickness; and forms a smooth transition with the transport box. This enables a secure and ergonomic grip.In this area, one does not accidentally "catch" one's fingers or injure oneself on protrusions or sharp edges. Preferably, at least two, in particular two, grip structures are used on a transport box. These can, for example, be glued or also pressed on or (lightly) in. 20 As a result, an invention is created which provides an excellent addition to the market for thermal boxes and improves their service life. Significant economic savings for delivery catering companies are expected through the use of the invention. —7 / 14— BE2024 / 0067 21 October 2024 For an improved exemplary understanding of the embodiments, reference is made to the figures and the associated figure descriptions. 5 —8 / 14— BE2024 / 0067 21 October 2024 List of Figures The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic figures of the 5 drawings. They show: Fig. 1a - your first embodiment, from four different perspectives; Fig.2a - your second embodiment, from four different perspectives; Fig. 3a - your third embodiment, from four different perspectives. 10 In all figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements and devices—unless otherwise specified—have been provided with the same reference numerals. Description of the drawings 15 Figures 15 show a first embodiment of a handle structure 100 according to the invention, for example, as an injection-molded plastic part. The top part 101 and the side parts 102 are designed so that they can be positively fitted into a handle area of ​​a (frequently used) thermal box. The same applies to the back. 20In Figure 1, the front and handle side 110 is facing forward and visible. The reverse side is opposite the front and handle side 110 and, in Figure 1b, is turned away from the viewer. In Figure 1, a clearer view of the upper part is possible, -9 / 14- BE2024 / 0067 21 October 2024 and the side parts are also recognizable.The back of the handle structure 100 is shown in Figure 1, while the front and grip side 110 faces downwards. In Figure 1, a concave shape of the upper part 101 is visible on the outside (and correspondingly convex on the inside). Overall, the upper part 101 has an S-shaped structure. 5 These shapes ensure that the handle structure 101 (which is, for example, glued) adheres securely to the box being carried. The internal forces during carrying do not pull on the handle. Furthermore, the handle is particularly secure to grip. All of this contributes to a high level of safety and stability when carrying. As can be seen in Figure 1, the handle structure 101 tapers continuously downwards. 10Figures 2a-d show an alternative, second version. In Figure 2d, the profile of the outer concave part of the upper part is clearly visible.