Transport box for goods

Abstract

Transport box for goods, with a base and with side walls that can be folded towards the base, characterized in that the base (1) has the design of a tub with raised tub edges (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a transport box for goods with a base and with side walls that can be folded towards the base.

[0002] Transport boxes of this type are used every day for transporting various goods. However, in the meat industry, plastic transport boxes with non-folding walls are used. These are called E2 boxes and are standardized in size and design. These transport boxes, made from a single piece of plastic, are used millions of times. Their side walls are non-folding, but these boxes are stackable and leak-proof.

[0003] Since transport boxes with non-folding side walls require a larger volume, even when transported empty, the so-called folding box has already been proposed in the prior art. This transport box is similar in size and design to the one-piece transport box, but features folding side walls. The side walls can be folded toward the floor against a resistance; spring-loaded release sections are also possible to convert the side walls from a vertical arrangement on the floor to a folded, flat arrangement resting on the floor. With such transport boxes with side walls that fold toward the floor, the transport volume is reduced.

[0004] However, it has been shown that such transport boxes with folding side walls pose a fluid leakage problem. Especially when transporting meat or meat products, fluid can leak out of the transport box near the hinges. This results in contamination and potential hygiene problems.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of providing a transport box of the type mentioned at the outset in which the leakage of liquid quantities is reduced.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention in that the bottom of the transport box has the shape of a tub with raised tub edges.

[0007] In the transport box according to the invention, the base is not designed as a flat surface element; rather, the invention provides for a tub-like design. A tub is characterized by raised, all-round side edges; the invention also provides raised, all-round tub edges.

[0008] The bottom of the transport box thus forms a tray for absorbing liquids. These liquids remain within the transport box and do not spill over the edges, as the volume of liquids involved in transporting meat is small.

[0009] Preferably, the raised tub edges have a height of ≥ 1.5 cm. With this height, the tub can have a volume of ≥ 2.5 liters, so that the corresponding volume of escaping liquid can be absorbed.

[0010] Because the tub-like base has raised edges, the side walls rest on the raised edges of the floor. The side walls can also be folded onto these raised edges, allowing the overall height of the transport box to be reduced when empty.

[0011] If the transport box according to the invention has a height when the side walls are folded up that is equal to the height of a standard transport box with fixed, non-folding side walls, its height when the side walls are folded can be approximately 1 / 5 of the height of a standard transport box with non-folding side walls. Thus, five folded transport boxes according to the invention can be stacked on top of each other to achieve the height of a standard transport box with non-folding side walls.

[0012] As before, the transport box according to the invention can also be made of plastic, in particular food-safe plastic. The foldable transport box according to the invention is designed like a standard transport box with non-folding side walls. This applies in particular to the E2 box, which is used in the meat industry. Automated washing systems are provided for this box, and the transport box according to the invention can also be cleaned in these washing systems.

[0013] The transport box according to the invention can also have a design identical to that of the E2 box. Handles, side openings, and collar geometry are the same as those of the E2 box.

[0014] A recess can be provided in the bottom of the transport box according to the invention to prevent a vacuum from forming. The transport box can be lifted without overcoming the force of a vacuum.

[0015] Furthermore, it is planned to have markings on all four side walls that are legible when the side walls are upright. When the side walls are folded down to reduce the volume, identification is possible through additional markings on the tub edge or through electronic identification devices such as RFID.

[0016] When the side walls are upright, the transport box according to the invention is cross-compatible.

[0017] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing. It shows: Fig. 1: a perspective view of a transport box according to the invention, Fig. 2: a side view of the transport box according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3: a top view of the transport box according to Fig. 1.

[0018] The transport box in Fig. 1 has a base 1 and side walls 2, 3 standing on the base 1. The side walls 2, 3 are pivotally connected to the base 1 via hinges 4 so that the side walls 2, 3 can be folded into a flat orientation towards the base 1, wherein in the flat orientation they are aligned approximately parallel to the base 1.

[0019] Fig. Figure 2 shows that the side wall 3 rests on the base 1 on hinges and on a raised tub edge 5. According to the invention, the base 1 of this transport box is designed as a tub, and for this purpose, it has the raised tub edges 5.

[0020] Fig. Figure 3 shows that the transport box is shaped like a cuboid with an open top. The side walls 2 and 3 are arranged at right angles to each other.

Claims

[1] Transport box for goods, with a base and with side walls that can be folded towards the base, characterized by that the base (1) has the shape of a tub with raised tub edges (5). [2] Transport box according to claim 1, characterized by that the raised tub edges (5) have a height ≥ 1.5 cm. [3] Transport box according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the formed tub has a volume of ≥ 2.5 liters. [4] Transport box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the side walls (2, 3) rest on hinges for folding the side walls (2,3) and on the raised tub edges (5) of the base (1). [5] Transport box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that its height is equal to the height of a standard transport box with fixed, non-folding side walls, in particular equal to the height of the E2 box. [6] Transport box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that its height when the side walls (2, 3) are folded is approximately 1 / 5 of the height of a standard transport box with non-folding side walls. [7] Transport box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it is made of plastic. [8] Transport box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it is compatible with the automatic treatment of a standard transport box, in particular the E2 box. [9] Transport box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that its design is the same as a standard transport box, in particular the E2 box.

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