Small load carriers for food containers

Abstract

Small load carrier open on 2 sides, stackable to Euronorm boxes in the format 600x400mm, characterized by the fact that support rails for Gastronorm containers are located on the walls of the inside and can accommodate one or more Gastronorm containers, either stacked on top of each other.

Description

[0001] Standard Euronorm containers (600x400mm), also known as "baker's or butcher's crates" – hereinafter referred to as EN crates – are frequently used for transporting food in Gastronorm containers (according to DIN EN631) – hereinafter referred to as GN containers. This requires removal from the top (vertically). Due to the remaining narrow gap around the perimeter, this is not ergonomically feasible and also poses a risk of injury.

[0002] When stacking several opaque EN boxes containing GN containers, the contents are not visible and to remove a GN container from a lower layer, "restacking" is necessary.

[0003] In food processing plants, the use of GN containers on the one hand and EN boxes on the other requires different transport trolleys and storage equipment.

[0004] When transporting mixed GN containers and EN boxes, the containers are not secured to each other by centering aids when stacked, such as the stacking edges in the case of pure EN boxes.

[0005] Shelf trolleys according to DIN18867-2 cannot be washed in standard, commercial single-tank dishwashers (except for special constructions or trolley washing systems) due to their size.

[0006] Claim 1 of the invention addresses the problem of creating a small load carrier that is compatible with the widely used EN box and allows GN containers to be stacked on top of each other in a clear, ergonomic and easily accessible manner.

[0007] By including the GN containers in the small load carrier in the basic format of the EN box, GN containers and EN boxes can be mixed together in any way, stacked and transported.

[0008] The problem is solved with the following listed features.

[0009] The small load carrier in the format of the EN box 600x400mm – hereinafter referred to as “EN2rax” – has two open sides, thus allowing visibility (protection claim 2) and accessibility (protective coating 1) with and without stacking at any level. Enabling horizontal removal (protection claim 1) of GN containers improves ergonomics and reduces the risk of injury.

[0010] The EN2rax allows for standardization to the EN dimension of 600x400mm (protection requirement 3) and reduces the number of different transport and storage devices (carts, shelves, stacking devices, etc.). Stacks of GN containers can also be safely stacked in EN2rax and other EN boxes (protective coating 4).

[0011] When a stack of EN2rax boxes is combined with or without conventional EN crates, the stack can be connected on a rolling frame using a tension lock (protection claim 5) and fulfill the function of a shelf trolley according to DIN 18867-2. Furthermore, the individual elements of the resulting shelf trolley can be easily and hygienically cleaned in a suitable commercial single-tank dishwasher (protection claim 6).

Claims

[1] Small load carrier open on 2 sides, stackable to form Euronorm boxes in the format 600x400mm characterized by that support rails for gastronorm containers are located on the inner walls and can accommodate one or more gastronorm containers, either stacked on top of each other. [2] Visibility according to claim 1 characterized by that when stacking several small load carriers, all levels are visible and accessible from the open side [3] Standardization of logistics containers according to one of the preceding claims characterized by , that mixed containers (Gastronorm containers and Euronorm boxes) can be created in a simple way without having to use different transport and storage equipment for Gastronorm containers and Euronorm containers (trolleys, shelves, stacking devices, etc.) [4] Safe stacking according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that mixed stacks can be safely stacked and stored [5] Connection to a trolley according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that a stack of load carriers on a rolling rack fitted with a tension lock becomes a shelf trolley for gastronorm containers [6] Simple disassembly of a mobile load carrier stack in the function of a shelf trolley into small units according to one of the preceding claims characterized by , that unlike a shelf trolley, simple and hygienically safe cleaning is possible in a standard commercial dishwasher.