Containers for liquids

Abstract

Container, in particular for liquids, comprising a container body with a base and one or more walls projecting from the base, and a fastening system for the container to fix the container body to a support surface with which the base of the container can come into contact, wherein the fastening system comprises at least one receptacle provided on one or more walls and configured to be engaged by a first section of a fastening bracket, the fastening bracket supporting a second section which is provided with connecting means to connect the bracket to the support surface, so that after connecting the bracket to the support surface the container is held fixed to the support surface, wherein the at least one receptacle has a predominant longitudinal extent which is greater than the corresponding extent of the first bracket section.which is designed to engage with at least one receptacle, so that the holder can be attached to the container in a variety of positions relative to the container.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a container for liquids, in particular a container for storing water.

[0002] The invention is preferably, although not exclusively, used in the field of water containers designed for the camping or boating sector in general, as well as for special vehicles.

[0003] An example of a preferred application of the invention is that of the containers for filling with fresh water provided in recreational boats or vehicles such as mobile homes or caravans, that is to say containers intended to constitute the water supply for the uses provided for in the living and / or functional areas of these vehicles, including special-purpose vehicles.

[0004] In these applications, the container is anchored to the floor or wall or other suitable support surface by means of brackets or by means of straps or belts suitable for permanently securing the container.

[0005] However, the spaces designated for housing containers in this category are usually rather small due to the limited space available in the areas where they are to be housed, making securing and releasing the container difficult or difficult, both during installation and during subsequent maintenance. If the container provides predetermined anchoring points or areas, for example, on special profiles provided within the container to interact with appropriate brackets or fastening straps, anchoring the container may be hampered or, in any case, complicated by other structural components located in the generally very small spaces intended to house the container.

[0006] A main object of the invention is to provide a container with a system for its fastening which is structurally and functionally designed to overcome the limitations identified with reference to the prior art and which is particularly designed to make securing and releasing the container easier and more convenient while ensuring an equally high or higher fastening stability of the container compared to known fastening systems.

[0007] These and other objects, which will be clarified below, are achieved according to the invention with a container designed according to the appended claims.

[0008] According to one aspect, the invention relates to a container, in particular for liquids.

[0009] The container preferably comprises a container main body having a base and one or more walls projecting from the base, and a container fastening system for fixing the main body to a support surface of the container with which the base of the container can come into contact.

[0010] The fastening system preferably comprises at least one receptacle provided on one or more walls and designed to be gripped by a first portion of a fastening bracket.

[0011] The fastening bracket preferably carries a second portion provided with connecting means for connecting the bracket to the support surface, so that the container is held fixed to the support surface after the bracket is connected to the support surface.

[0012] Preferably, the at least one receptacle has a predominantly longitudinal extension that is greater than the corresponding extension of the first holding portion intended to engage the at least one receptacle, so that the holder can be attached to the container in a variety of positions relative to the container. Preferably, the at least one receptacle comprises a channel-shaped recess that extends continuously along the corresponding wall of the container.

[0013] Preferably, the channel-shaped recess extends with a uniform cross-section.

[0014] The cross-section is preferably C-shaped.

[0015] Preferably, the at least one receptacle extends inside the volume of the container formed by its walls, without projecting outwardly beyond the alignment line of the wall in which the receptacle is provided.

[0016] Preferably, the main body of the container has a cuboid shape and the at least one receptacle extends longitudinally parallel to a horizontal longitudinal edge formed between the base side and the vertical wall supporting the receptacle.

[0017] Preferably, at least two adjacent vertical walls of the container are each provided with a respective receptacle, each receptacle being designed to engage one or more fastening brackets.

[0018] Preferably, all vertical walls of the container are each provided with a respective receptacle, each receptacle being designed to engage one or more fastening brackets.

[0019] Preferably, the fastening bracket attachable to the container has a Z-shaped configuration.

[0020] Preferably, the at least one receptacle is designed for attaching one or more of the fastening brackets, which can be attached at any location along the longitudinal extent of the receptacle. Preferably, the first section and the second section of the fastening bracket are connected to a web of the bracket and extend in opposite directions from the respective ends of the web.

[0021] Preferably, the first support section extends from the web in an undercut manner, wherein the angle between the first section and the web is less than 90°.

[0022] Preferably, the mounting bracket comprises an elastomer coating provided on at least one surface of the first portion of the bracket intended for contact with the at least one receptacle when the mounting bracket is attached to the container.

[0023] Preferably, the elastomer coating is further provided on a respective surface of the second support portion intended for contact with the support surface of the container.

[0024] Preferably, the elastomer coating is applied to the mounting bracket by injection molding.

[0025] The mounting bracket is preferably made of plastic. Preferably, the at least one receptacle in the container is formed using rotational molding technology.

[0026] The container is preferably made of plastic.

[0027] Preferably, the connecting means provided on the second portion of the fastening bracket comprise one or more through openings designed to engage respective screw fastening members.

[0028] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, which is presented by way of example and not by way of limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: - Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a container constructed according to the invention, - Fig. 2 a perspective partial sectional view on an enlarged scale of the container from Fig. 1, - Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 perspective views of a detail of the fastening system of the container from the previous figures, - Fig. 6 a side view of the detail from the Fig. 3 to 5, - Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 front and back views of the detail from the Fig. 3 to 5, - Fig. 9 a top view of the detail from the Fig. 3 to 5.

[0029] With reference to the figures mentioned, 1 denotes an example of a container for liquids designed according to the invention.

[0030] The container described in this example is specifically designed for filling with clear water for use in recreational vehicles such as motorhomes or caravans, but is equally suitable for use in other environments, for example in the nautical sector or in areas not typically related to vehicles.

[0031] The container 1 comprises a cuboid main body 2 with a base 3, from which a first pair of opposite side walls 4 and a second pair of side walls 5 protrude.

[0032] On the side vertically opposite to the base side 3, the container 1 comprises an upper wall 6 in which a filling nozzle 7 is provided, which can be closed with a plug 8.

[0033] The horizontal longitudinal edges 9 are formed between each side wall 5 and the base 3 and have a greater longitudinal extension than the corresponding edges of the walls 4. The term "horizontal" in this context refers to an orientation perpendicular to the vertical direction of gravity. The container 1 is designed such that the base 3 is designed for contact with a Fig. 1 only partially shown support surface 10, and the container 1 comprises a fastening system with which the container is secured on the support surface 10.

[0034] The surface 10 may consist of the floor of a room in which the container is housed, or of a rack frame on which the container is arranged, or of any other structure suitable for supporting the container.

[0035] The fastening system comprises a first receptacle 12 provided on one of the walls 5 and a second receptacle, also designated 12, provided on one of the walls 3.

[0036] In the following, only one of the receptacles 12, the one provided in the wall 5, will be described in more detail, since they are essentially identical and the only difference is their different longitudinal extension.

[0037] Each receptacle 12 is designed in the form of a channel-shaped recess which extends in the longitudinal direction with a constant and preferably C-shaped cross-section.

[0038] The receptacle 12 extends in the corresponding wall 5 over the majority of the longitudinal extent of the wall and runs parallel to the edge 9 formed between the base 3 and the wall 5. At its opposite longitudinal ends, the receptacle 12 is laterally closed. The receptacle 12 further extends toward the interior of the volume of the container, which is the volume formed by the base and the walls of the container, without projecting beyond the outer alignment line of the wall 5 on which the receptacle is provided.

[0039] Each receptacle 12 is configured to be engaged by a first plate-shaped portion 15 of a mounting bracket 16. The bracket 16 is further provided with a second plate-shaped portion 17 carrying connecting means for fixing the bracket to the surface 10, the connecting means comprising a pair of through-openings 18 in the form of an elongated hole configured to engage corresponding screw fastening members (not shown).

[0040] The bracket 16 preferably has a Z-shaped configuration and includes a central web 19, to whose opposite ends the respective first and second sections 15, 17 are connected. The sections 15, 17 extend in opposite directions from the respective and opposite ends of the web 19, thus giving the mounting bracket 16 the aforementioned Z-shaped configuration.

[0041] The receptacle 12 extends continuously longitudinally in the corresponding side wall of the container and has a longitudinal extension which is significantly greater than the corresponding extension of the first support portion 15 which is intended to engage in the cavity of the receptacle, so that the support can be mounted in a variety of positions relative to the container.

[0042] As in Fig. 1, one or more fastening brackets can be mounted in the holder 12 and each bracket can be positioned optionally at any point along the length of the holder.

[0043] Thanks to this particular feature of the invention, the number of anchorages can thus vary, for example based on specific installation requirements such as obstacles, dimensions of the container and / or other requirements.

[0044] The anchorages may also be positioned anywhere on the hook-on support, also to facilitate fastening in the presence of any obstacles, obstructions or interfering parts, dimensions of the container and / or on the basis of various requirements, for example technical ones.

[0045] The flexibility and versatility of this fastening system also facilitates the removal of the tank for routine and extraordinary maintenance work, for changes to the water connections, or for any complete tank replacement and / or maintenance work.

[0046] The presence of receptacles 12 provided on adjacent side walls of the container can further facilitate the anchoring of the container to the support surface by enabling the container to be secured against movement in different directions. To improve the securing effect, the first section 15 in each holder 12 extends from the web 19 in an undercut manner, for example, by making the angle between the first holder section 15 and the web 19 a value of just under 90°, as can be seen from Fig. 6 clearly shows.

[0047] To further improve the securing effect, the fastening bracket 16 is provided with an elastomer coating 20. This coating is provided on the surfaces of the first support portion 15, the web 19, and the second support portion 17 intended to come into contact with the cavity of the housing, the side wall of the container, and the support surface, respectively, when the bracket is attached to the container. The provision of an elastomer, or in any case a softer rubber pad, improves the damping function and clamps the areas of relative contact more securely and effectively, thus improving the fastening effect of the container to the support surface.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the elastomer coating 20 is applied to the mounting bracket 16 by injection molding.

[0049] In one embodiment, the mounting bracket 12 is made of plastic and the elastomer or rubber coating is injection-molded onto the plastic.

[0050] In one embodiment, the receptacles 12 are formed integrally with the main body 2 of the container, for example using the rotational molding technique.

[0051] The container 1 is preferably also made of a plastic material, and in the case where it is intended to be filled with fresh water, as in the example described here, the plastic is selected from among food-grade plastics, with a preferred choice being food-grade polyethylene, for example. Advantageously, both the container and the mounting brackets are made of recyclable materials.

[0052] The invention thus solves the problems posed and achieves the advantages mentioned over the known solutions. In summary, it can be stated that:

[0053] Disclosed is a container, in particular for liquids, comprising a container main body with a base side and one or more walls projecting from the base side, and a fastening system of the container to fix the main body to a support surface of the container, wherein the fastening system comprises at least one receptacle provided on one or more walls and designed to be gripped by a first portion of a fastening bracket, wherein the fastening bracket carries a second portion provided with connecting means to connect the bracket to the support surface, so that the container is held fixed to the support surface after the bracket has been connected to the support surface, wherein the at least one receptacle has a predominantly longitudinal extension that is greater than the corresponding extension of the first bracket portion, which is intendedto engage in the at least one receptacle so that the holder can be attached to the container in a variety of positions relative to the container.

Claims

[1] A container, in particular for liquids, comprising a container main body having a base and one or more walls projecting from the base, and a fastening system for the container to fix the main body to a support surface of the container with which the base of the container can come into contact, the fastening system comprising at least one receptacle provided on one or more walls and designed to be gripped by a first portion of a fastening bracket, the fastening bracket carrying a second portion provided with connecting means for connecting the bracket to the support surface, so that the container is held fixed to the support surface after the bracket has been connected to the support surface, the at least one receptacle having a predominantly longitudinal extension that is greater than the corresponding extension of the first support portion,which is intended to engage in the at least one receptacle so that the holder can be attached to the container in a variety of positions relative to the container. [2] Container according to claim 1, wherein the at least one receptacle comprises a channel-shaped recess extending continuously along the corresponding wall of the container. [3] Container according to claim 2, wherein the channel-shaped recess extends with a uniform cross-section. [4] Container according to claim 3, wherein the cross section is C-shaped. [5] Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one receptacle extends inside the volume of the container formed by its walls, without projecting outwardly beyond the alignment line of the wall in which the receptacle is provided. [6] Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body of the container has a cuboid shape and the at least one receptacle extends longitudinally parallel to a horizontal longitudinal edge formed between the base and the vertical wall supporting the receptacle. [7] A container according to claim 6, wherein at least two adjacent vertical walls of the container are each provided with a respective receptacle, each receptacle being configured to engage one or more fastening brackets. [8] A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening bracket attachable to the container has a Z-shaped configuration. [9] Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one receptacle is designed for attaching one or more of the fastening brackets which can be attached at any point of the receptacle along its longitudinal extent. [10] A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the mounting bracket are connected to a web of the bracket and extend in opposite directions from the respective ends of the web. [11] Container according to claim 10, wherein the first support portion extends from the web in an undercut manner, the angle between the first portion and the web being less than 90°. [12] A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting bracket comprises an elastomer coating provided on at least one surface of the first portion of the bracket intended for contact with the at least one receptacle when the mounting bracket is attached to the container. [13] A container according to claim 12, wherein the elastomer coating is further provided on a respective surface of the second support portion intended for contact with the support surface of the container. [14] A container according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the elastomer coating is applied to the mounting bracket by injection molding. [15] Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening bracket is made of plastic. [16] Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one receptacle is formed integrally with the container using the rotational molding technique. [17] Container according to one of the preceding claims, which is made of plastic. [18] A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting means provided on the second portion of the fastening bracket comprise one or more through openings designed to engage respective screw fastening members.

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