Container carrier, arrangement comprising such a container carrier and several containers and arrangement comprising at least two such container carriers or arrangements

Abstract

Container carrier for receiving a plurality of containers (11) at receiving positions of the container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) provided for this purpose, characterized in that the container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) has a receiving plate (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) with a plurality of container receiving openings (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4) which are adapted to the containers to be received in terms of their outline geometry and their size and are spaced apart from one another, that the container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) has standing and stacking means on two sides opposite to the receiving plate (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3), wherein as standing means in each case two mutually spaced spaced apart, in the transverse direction to the planar extension of the receiving plate (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) projecting from this standing legs (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5) and as stacking means in each case at least one in the opposite direction to the standing legs (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5) aligned guide legs (5, 5.1, 5.2) are provided, the width of which fits between two standing legs (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5) of a second container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4), and that the container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) further has holding means on its sides facing the standing and stacking means for fixing two container carriers (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) stacked on top of one another in the transverse direction to the stacking direction.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a container carrier for receiving a plurality of containers at designated receiving positions of a container carrier. Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement comprising such a container carrier and several containers inserted into or to be inserted into the receiving positions, as well as an arrangement with at least two such container carriers or such arrangements.

[0002] Containers of this type are used, for example, in hospitals as baby bottle holders. These containers are made of wire and consist of compartments. Inside the basket, wire supports provide dividers, with each compartment designed to hold one baby bottle. The compartments have a square shape. These baby bottle holders are needed in hospitals because the bottles are prepared in a milk kitchen and then transported to the respective wards for distribution. Using such a bottle holder, several baby bottles can be handled and transported as a single unit. These bottle holders are typically carried manually, or several are placed on a cart and wheeled to their destinations. These bottle holders are not stackable.These are basically constructed like the container carrier previously known from GB 974 593 A.

[0003] Container carriers of the type mentioned above are also known from other applications, for example, for holding test tubes, as described in US 2003 / 034317 A1. These container carriers have a box-like body with recesses for holding the test tubes. These recesses provide the holding positions in a grid pattern. Side panels with an upward-projecting handle are attached to the narrow sides of the rectangular body. The handle serves for handling such a container carrier and also for stacking two containers on top of each other, with the underside of the upper container carrier being spaced apart from the body of the lower container carrier. Similarly constructed stackable container carriers for liquid containers are also known, for example, from US 2019 / 382151 A1 or US 11,325,738 B1.These previously known container carriers are to be distinguished from those in which stacking is provided directly on the upper terminations, typically the container closures of the containers, as shown, for example, in US 3,240,385 A.

[0004] Based on this prior art, the invention aims to propose a container carrier that is not only suitable for different uses, but which, regardless of whether containers are arranged in it or not, can be stacked with other similar container carriers for transport purposes, sufficiently secured together, and which also allows for simple, and in particular intuitive, handling.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by a container carrier of the aforementioned type, in which the container carrier has a receiving plate with a plurality of container receiving openings adapted to the containers to be received with respect to their outline geometry and their size and spaced apart from one another, in which the container carrier has standing and stacking means on two sides opposite the receiving plate, wherein as standing means each are two spaced apart from one another, projecting from the receiving plate in the transverse direction to the planar extent of the receiving plate, and as stacking means each are at least one oriented in the opposite direction to the standing legs,a guide leg is provided that fits between two support legs of a second container carrier in terms of its width, and in which the container carrier furthermore has holding means on its sides facing the support and stacking means for fixing two stacked container carriers in a transverse direction to the stacking direction.

[0006] This container support features a mounting plate with multiple holding positions. These positions are provided by several spaced-apart openings. These openings are typically adapted to the geometry and size of the containers to be held, ensuring that a container can be easily inserted into and removed from a holding position and is securely held against tipping. The spacing of the holding openings, and thus the holding positions, facilitates the handling of containers being inserted and removed. This also prevents the containers from contacting each other.Furthermore, this provides sufficient space to allow a container to be grasped from the outside and removed from the container carrier, or conversely, inserted into it, even if the adjacent holding positions are already occupied. Typically, the container holding openings are arranged in a grid pattern in the mounting plate. The design of the container holding openings can be the same for all openings. It is also possible for the mounting plate to have one or more groups of container holding openings with different designs. Typically, an outline geometry and a grid arrangement will be provided, allowing container carriers to be arranged side by side with little or no unused space between them.

[0007] A typical outline geometry for the mounting plate is rectangular. Of course, it can also have a different outline geometry.

[0008] On two sides opposite each other with respect to the surface area of ​​the mounting plate, the container carrier has standing and stacking means. The standing means serve to place the container carrier on a surface, such as a tabletop. The stacking means serve to stack two container carriers, with each stacking means also including a retaining element to fix two stacked container carriers against displacement in the transverse direction to the stacking direction. As standing means, the container carrier has two spaced-apart support legs on opposite sides, which, in the case of a rectangular mounting plate, are typically the narrow sides. These extend transversely from the mounting plate and typically form an angle of 90° with it. The support legs can simultaneously function as both a stacking and a retaining element.This is provided in a preferred embodiment, but is not strictly necessary. At least one guide leg, oriented in the opposite direction to the extension of the support legs and thus projecting upwards from the flat surface of the receiving plate, serves as an additional stacking element. The guide leg is designed with a width sufficient to fit between two support legs of a second such container carrier.

[0009] Furthermore, the container carrier has holding means to fix two stacked container carriers to each other at least in one, but preferably in both transverse directions to the stacking direction, so that they are positively engaged in this plane. A first fixing means is typically provided in this container carrier by a stop assigned to each side on which the standing and stacking means are arranged. When two container carriers are stacked on top of each other, this stop interacts with the guide leg of a container carrier arranged below it to achieve the desired positive locking in the direction of the standing and stacking means.To provide a positive locking action acting transversely to this direction, a guide leg, whose width fits into the distance between the two support legs of a lower container support, can be used. When two container supports are stacked on top of each other, this guide leg engages between the two support legs of the lower container support. This engagement does not need to be free of play. Alternatively or additionally, a positive locking action acting in this direction between two stacked container supports can also be provided in another way, for example, by having a functional projection on the side of such a container support that carries the support and stacking elements, and a functional recess in the guide leg at the corresponding position.The functional recesses and functional projections are designed and arranged in such a way that the functional projections of an upper container carrier engage in the functional recesses of the container carrier arranged below it in the stacking arrangement.

[0010] Such a container carrier not only has a simple design, making it inexpensive to manufacture, but the design of the support and stacking elements with oppositely projecting legs also allows for secure placement of the container carrier, even on uneven surfaces, and, above all, simple, functional, and intuitive handling. The spaced support legs and the oppositely projecting guide legs ensure the intended stacking of two container carriers. Intuitively, one would align the spaced support legs of an upper container carrier with the guide legs of a lower container carrier for stacking, thus achieving the intended stacking. The upwardly projecting guide legs also serve as handles for handling the container.These are intuitively grasped when handling such a container carrier manually. When handling the container carrier in this way, the containers it holds, which are primarily liquid storage containers, are in a suspended position and are therefore handled more safely compared to handling a container carrier in a tablet-like manner. This is especially true if the container carrier contains open-topped, liquid-filled containers.

[0011] To improve ergonomics and enable use as a handle, the guide arms can have angled end sections. These are typically angled outwards, away from the mounting plate. This design of the guide arms, which does not impede the stacking of two container carriers, also allows the container carrier to be suspended from two appropriately spaced support rails of a support structure using these hook-shaped guide arms. When suspended from such rails, these container carriers can thus be moved in a way that allows them to oscillate and compensate for movement, significantly reducing the risk of liquid spillage from open containers containing liquid.The end sections of the guide legs, angled away from the receiving plate and engaging between the two support legs of a container carrier below in a stacked arrangement of two container carriers, also serve as holding means in conjunction with the spaced-apart support legs of a container carrier stacked on this container carrier.

[0012] When the container support is designed with guide legs that have an end section angled outwards and away from the receiving plate, these end sections can also serve as retaining elements. For this purpose, the width of these end sections is greater than the overall width of the guide legs, so that the end section projects beyond the guide leg section molded onto the receiving plate on at least one side of each guide leg. Typically, however, the end sections are designed so that they project beyond the guide leg on both sides in the y-direction (the direction of the distance between the support legs). This projection creates stops that act towards the receiving plate. With this type of container support design, the extension of the end sections in the y-direction is greater than the distance between two support legs of a second container support to be stacked on this container support.In a stacked arrangement of two such container supports, these stops then interact with the outer surfaces of the support legs of the upper container support as retaining elements to secure the stacked container supports in the x-direction. If such a container support is manufactured as a stamped and bent part, the wider, angled end sections in the y-direction can be provided by a correspondingly reduced design of the support legs in their lower section.

[0013] The legs extending in opposite directions from the receiving plate – the support leg and the guide leg – on two opposite sides of the receiving plate allow for very precise automated detection of such a container carrier, which facilitates automated handling of such a container carrier, for example with a handling device such as a robot arm.

[0014] Due to its described design, such a container support can be easily manufactured, for example, as a stamped and bent part from a metal blank, typically a stainless steel sheet. It is understood that the shape of the blank prior to its forming (bending process) does not necessarily have to be achieved through stamping in the strict sense. Rather, any contour forming process, such as laser cutting, can be used.

[0015] If the containers to be held in such a container support are to stand upright on their bases, the container support also has a base plate positioned vertically below the receiving plate. The base plate extends between the support legs located on opposite sides and connects them. Such a base plate is typically attached to the support legs. The base plate attached to the support legs then connects the two support legs. In this design, the side section of the base plate that bridges the gap between the two support legs typically serves as a retaining element, which, when stacked with a second container support, acts against the inside of a guide leg of the lower container support.In such a design, the support legs and at least one guide leg are located in a common plane on each side of the mounting plate that carries the standing and stacking elements. Naturally, such a design is also possible with a container support without a base plate. In this case, the guide leg of a lower container support, which engages between the support legs of an upper container support, acts as a retaining element for fixing the two container supports transversely to the fixing effected by the base plate.

[0016] If such a container carrier, lined with a base plate, is designed to hold translucent or transparent containers, the base plate can have one or more light sources in some, typically all, receiving positions. Light is coupled through the base of such a container into its interior via these light sources. In this way, the typically liquid contents of such a container can be inspected, for example, by visual inspection or automated testing. Light sources in the aforementioned sense include both light sources in the narrower sense and the free ends of optical fibers. In the latter case, a single light source can couple light into multiple optical fibers, which then emit it at the designated receiving positions.

[0017] For container carriers where the containers to be held or already held are not intended to come into direct contact with the carrier material, at least the edges of the openings for holding the containers are coated accordingly, typically with a flexible material, such as rubber. It goes without saying that the entire container carrier can, of course, be coated in this way. Other non-flexible coatings are also possible.

[0018] The outline geometry of the container receiving openings preferably corresponds to the outline geometry of the containers to be received therein. Typically, these are circular, but can also have any other outline geometry, for example, square, rectangular, polygonal, or the like.

[0019] A container support with a base plate offers the advantage of allowing it to accommodate containers in a suspended arrangement, where they do not rest on the base plate, or in an arrangement where their base rests on the base plate. For a suspended arrangement, the containers typically have a support ledge that rests on the top of the support plate when the container is inserted. This ledge can be achieved through the container's shape or by a lid. In the latter case, the lid's diameter extends beyond the diameter of the container itself.

[0020] Typically, the support and stacking elements are directly attached to the receiving plate. In another embodiment, the container carrier has a frame whose outline corresponds to the geometry of the receiving plate, to which the support and stacking elements are attached on opposite sides. The appropriate receiving plate, corresponding to the size and geometry of the containers to be held, is then placed on the frame. To prevent the receiving plate from slipping relative to the frame, it has, for example, retaining legs on its sides that do not support the support and stacking elements, extending beyond the frame. The stop against the guide legs projecting upwards from the frame prevents such a receiving plate from sliding relative to the frame in the direction of the support and stacking elements.In this way, a container carrier can easily be adapted to different geometries of different containers to be held.

[0021] The invention is described below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. 1: A perspective view of a container carrier according to the invention, Fig. 2: the container carrier of the Fig. 1 stacked with a second identical container carrier, Fig. 3: A side view of the narrow side of the stacking arrangement of the two container carriers of the Fig. 2, Fig. 4: A side view of the stack arrangement of the Fig. 2 with exemplary containers included in the lower container carrier, Fig. 5: a further container carrier according to the invention and Fig. 6: yet another container carrier according to the invention in a stacking arrangement with a second container carrier.

[0022] A container carrier 1 serves to hold containers, in the illustrated embodiment of which baby bottles are used. The container carrier 1 is used for holding, and thus for storing and transporting, such containers. The container carrier 1 has a receiving plate 2 into which container receiving openings 3 are provided according to a grid. In the illustrated embodiment, the container receiving openings 3 are circular. Their diameter is adapted to the containers to be held in them. Each container receiving opening 3 defines a receiving position for a container to be held by the container carrier 1. The receiving plate 2 is rectangular. Standing and stacking elements are attached to the narrow sides of the receiving plate 2. The standing and stacking elements on both narrow sides of the container carrier 1 are identical in design.The following are those of the in . Fig. The front narrow side is explained in more detail below. These explanations apply equally to the standing and stacking devices on the other narrow side.

[0023] The container support 1 is provided by support legs 4, 4.1. These legs are spaced apart and angled at 90° to the flat surface of the mounting plate 2. The lower free end of the support legs 4, 4.1 forms the base of the container support 1. This base also serves as a stacking element. When the container support 1 is stacked on top of a second container support, the feet 4, 4.1 rest with their undersides on the top surface of the mounting plate of the second container support or at the transition to its support legs. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacing between the support legs 4, 4.1 also serves as a stacking element. A guide leg 5 serves as a further stacking means, which is angled in the opposite direction to the support legs 4, 4.1 relative to the planar extension of the receiving plate 2.In the illustrated embodiment, the support legs 4, 4.1 and the guide leg 5 are located in a common plane. The width of the guide leg 5 is designed such that it fits between the support legs of a second container carrier stacked on the container carrier 1. A functional recess 6 is provided in the guide leg 5 at its upward-facing end, through which two stops acting in the y-direction are provided. Furthermore, the end section 7 of the guide leg 5 is angled outwards away from the receiving plate 2. The functional recess 6 also extends over the end section 7, which is therefore forked.

[0024] The in Fig. The container support 1 shown in Figure 1 has, in addition to its mounting plate 2, a base plate 8. This base plate is positioned vertically below the mounting plate 2 and connects the support legs 4, 4.1 on the two narrow sides of the container support 1. Thus, the base plate 8, with its side facing the support legs 4, 4.1, bridges the gap between them. A functional projection 9 is formed on this side of the base plate 8, the extent of which in the direction of the gap between the support legs 4, 4.1 corresponds to the width of the functional recess 6. The functional projection 9, like the functional recess 6, serves as a stacking element. Furthermore, these two elements also function as a retaining element when two container supports are stacked on top of each other. Then the functional projection 9 of the base plate 8 engages in a functional recess of a second container support located below the container support 1.This engagement occurs with minimal play. Due to this engagement position, two stacked container supports are positively engaged with each other in the direction of the extension of their narrow sides (in the y-direction). Furthermore, the functional projection 9 can rest on the base 10 of a functional recess 6. In this case, these elements also form stacking elements. With such a configuration, it is not strictly necessary to support a first container support 1 with the contact surfaces of its feet 4, 4.1 on a container support located below it.

[0025] The container carrier 1 shown is a stamped and bent part, made from stainless steel sheets.

[0026] The outwardly projecting end sections 7, 7.1 of the guide legs 5, 5.1 form a handle for intuitively grasping the container carrier 1. If the container carrier 1 is grasped and lifted at the end sections 7, 7.1 of its guide legs 5, 5.1, stacking this container carrier 1 with a second identical container carrier is also intuitive, since every user strives to place the spaced-apart support legs 4, 4.1 onto the guide legs of a container carrier below or to insert its guide legs into the space between the two support legs 4, 4.1 of the container carrier 1.

[0027] Fig. Figure 2 shows container carrier 1, onto which a second container carrier 1.1 is stacked. Container carrier 1.1 is constructed identically to container carrier 1 and differs from it only in the design of its container receiving openings 3.1 in its receiving plate 2.1. In this stacked arrangement of the two container carriers 1, 1.1, the support feet 4.2, 4.3 of container carrier 1.1 are supported on the upper surface of the receiving plate 2 of container carrier 1. Simultaneously, the functional projections 9.1, 9.2 of container carrier 1.1 engage in the functional recesses 6, 6.1 of container carrier 1. In this stacked arrangement, the two container carriers 1, 1.1 are positively engaged with each other in the xy-plane. This is achieved by the guide leg 5 of the container carrier 1 engaging in the distance between the two support feet 4.2, 4.3 of the container carrier 1, as well as by the engagement of the functional projections 9.1, 9.2 of the container carrier 1.1 into the functional recesses 6, 6.1 of the container carrier 1. The design of the container carriers 1, 1.1 with their standing, stacking and holding means allows stacking of several container carriers on top of each other.

[0028] In an embodiment not shown in the figures, in such a stacking arrangement, the functional projections of an upper container carrier engage with the functional recesses of a lower container carrier, providing a positive locking mechanism acting in the vertical direction (z-direction), for example by means of a detent or by a latch engaging under the angled end section of the guide leg. Then, several stacked container carriers can be handled together by grasping the guide legs of the uppermost container carrier.

[0029] The engagement of the guide leg 5 of the container carrier 1 in the space between the two support legs 4.1, 4.3 of the container carrier 1.1 is also shown in the side view of the Fig. 3 removable. The guide leg 5 of the lower container carrier 1 engages with play in the y-direction between the two support legs 4.2, 4.3 of the upper container carrier 1.1. In the illustrated embodiment, this spacing is due to the cut, in order to provide the support legs, which can be bent in one direction, and the guide leg, which can be bent in the other direction, from a single sheet. It can also be seen from this figure that the functional projection 9.1 of the container carrier 1.1 engages without play in the y-direction in the functional recess 6 of the container carrier 1.

[0030] The spacing of the base plate 8 from the mounting plate 2 is adapted to the height of the containers to be supported by the container carrier 1. Likewise, the length of the sections of the support feet 4 located below the base plate 8 is adapted to the height of the containers to be supported. In the side view of the Fig. In Figure 4 of the stacking arrangement of the container carriers 1, 1.1, two containers 11 are shown in the container carrier 1 as an example. The distance between the base plate 8 and the support plate 2 must be sufficiently large so that the section of the containers 11 located above the support plate 8 does not come into contact with the underside of the base plate 8.1 of the container carrier 1.1 stacked on top of it. The same applies to the length of the support legs in the section running below the respective base plate 8 or 8.1.

[0031] Fig. Figure 5 shows another container carrier 1.2, which is constructed in the same way as container carrier 1. Container carrier 1.2 differs from the latter only in the design of its container receiving openings 3.2. These are rectangular in container carrier 1.2 and thus designed to receive different containers. Therefore, the preceding statements regarding container carrier 1 and 1.1 apply equally to container carrier 1.2.

[0032] Fig.Figure 6 shows two container supports 1.3 and 1.4 in a stacked arrangement, with container support 1.4 being the uppermost container support in the stack. The two container supports 1.3 and 1.4 are identically designed. Their receiving plates 2.2 and 2.3 are arranged according to a grid pattern, with some of the container receiving openings 3.3 and 3.4 extending over the entire length of the respective receiving plate 2.2 and 2.3. Container support 1.3 – the same applies equally to container support 1.4 – unlike the container supports described in the preceding figures, it does not have a base plate. The guide legs 5.2, which project from the plane of the receiving plate 2.2 at their narrow sides, each have an end section 7.2 that is bent away from the receiving plate 2.2. The extension of the end sections 7.2 in the y-direction is greater than the remaining section of the guide legs 5.2.Thus, the end sections 7.2 protrude in the y-direction relative to the remaining section of the guide leg 5.2. This provides stops 12 acting in the x-direction, specifically towards the receiving plate 2.2. In the stacking arrangement shown, these stops work together with the support legs 4.4, 4.5 of the container carrier 1.4 stacked on the container support 1.3, fixing it in the x-direction. In this embodiment as well, the support legs and the guide legs are located in a common plane on each side of the container carrier 1.3, 1.4. Therefore, the stop arrangement described above between the support legs 4.4, 4.5 of the container carrier 1.4 and the stops 12 of the container carrier 1.3 simultaneously secures or fixes the upper container carrier 1.4 relative to the lower container carrier 1.3 in the y-direction.

[0033] The invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments. Without departing from the scope of protection described by the applicable claims, numerous further embodiments of the inventive concept would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, without these needing to be explained in more detail within the scope of these explanations. Reference symbol list 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 Container carrier 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 Mounting plate 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 Container penetration 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 Standing leg 5, 5.1, 5.2 Guide leg 6, 6.1 Functional recess 7, 7.1, 7.2 Final section 8, 8.1 Base plate 9, 9.1, 9.2 Functional recess 10 Floor 11 Container 12 stops QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] GB 974 593 A

[0002] US 2003 / 034317 A1

[0003] US 2019 / 382151 A1

[0003] US 11,325,738 B1

[0003] US 3,240,385 A

[0003]

Claims

[1] Container carrier for receiving a plurality of containers (11) at designated receiving positions of the container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4), characterized by, that the container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) has a receiving plate (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) with a plurality of container receiving openings (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4) adapted to the containers to be received with respect to their outline geometry and size and spaced apart from one another, that the container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) has standing and stacking means on two sides opposite the receiving plate (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3), wherein as standing means each are two spaced-apart legs (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3) projecting from the receiving plate (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) in the transverse direction to the planar extent of the receiving plate (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3), 4.4, 4.5) and as a stacking means at least one guide leg (5, 5.1, 5.5) oriented in the opposite direction to the support legs (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5), the width of which fits between two support legs (4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5) of a second container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4).2) are provided and that the container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) has on its sides facing the standing and stacking means furthermore holding means for fixing two stacked container carriers (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) in a transverse direction to the stacking direction. [2] Container carrier according to claim 1, characterized by , that the holding means comprise a stop cooperating with the guide leg (5, 5.1, 5.2) of a second container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4). [3] Container carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the guide legs (5, 5.1) are equipped at their ends with an upwardly open functional recess (6, 6.1) and the container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2) has on its sides facing the standing and stacking means a functional projection (9, 9.1, 9.2) which fits into such a functional recess (6) of a second container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2), preferably without play, and which is arranged so that, when two container carriers (1, 1.1, 1.2) are stacked on top of each other, the functional projections (9, 9.1) of the upper container carrier (1.1) engage in the functional recesses (6) of the lower container carrier (1). [4] Container carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the guide legs (5, 5.1) carry at their free end an end section (7, 7.1) angled relative to their longitudinal extension. [5] Container carrier according to claim 4, characterized by, that the end sections (7, 7.1) are angled away from the receiving plate (2, 2.1). [6] Container carrier according to claim 4 or 5 in their reference to claim 3, characterized by , that the functional recess (6, 6.1) in the guide legs (5, 5.1) extends to the free end of the angled end sections (7, 7.1). [7] Container carrier according to claim 5, characterized by , that the angled end sections (7.2) of the guide legs (5.2) project on both sides with respect to the width of the remaining portion of the guide leg (5.2) forming a stop (12) acting in the direction of the end sections, which stops (12) are arranged so that they act as holding means for a second container carrier (1.4) stacked on a first container carrier (1.3) and cooperate with the support legs (4.4, 4.5) of the upper container carrier (1.4). [8] Container carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by, that the container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2) has a base plate (8, 8.1) arranged below the receiving plate (2, 2.1) at a vertical distance from it, connecting the support means arranged on both sides of the receiving plate (2, 2.1). [9] Container carrier according to claim 8, characterized by that the base plate in the recording positions has at least one light source for coupling light through the bottom of a transparent or translucent container located in the recording position. [10] Container carrier according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by , that the sides of the base plate (8, 8.1) facing the sides supporting the support means provide the stop for interaction with a guide leg (5, 5.1) of a second container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2) stacked with the first container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2). [11] Container carrier according to claim 10 in its reference directly or indirectly to claim 3, characterized by , that the sides of the base plate (8, 8.1) facing the supporting means bear the functional projection(s) (6, 6.1) for engaging in a functional recess (9, 9.1, 9.2) of a guide leg (5, 5.1) of a second container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2) stacked with the first container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2). [12] Container carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by , that the container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) is designed as a stamped and bent part made from a sheet of stainless steel. [13] Container carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by , that the edges of the container receiving openings (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4) that are in contact with a received container are coated, for example rubberized. [14] Container carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by , that the container openings (3, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4) are circular. [15] Arrangement comprising a container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) according to one of claims 1 to 14 and several containers, each inserted into or to be inserted into a receiving position, characterized by , that the containers received or intended for receipt have a lower insertion section that fits into and extends through a container receiving opening (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4) and a support shoulder that rests on the top of the receiving plate (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) when the container is inserted, so that the containers are held suspended in the container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4). [16] Arrangement according to claim 15, characterized by , that the support surface of the containers is provided by the underside edge of a lid closing a container. [17] Arrangement comprising a container carrier (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) according to claim 8 or one of claims 9 to 14 in direct or indirect reference to claim 7 and several containers (11) inserted into or to be inserted into a receiving position, characterized by , that the containers (11) rest with their bottoms on the base plate (8, 8.1). [18] Arrangement comprising at least two container carriers (1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 or at least two arrangements according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized by, that these two container carriers (1. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4) or these two arrangements are stacked on top of each other, wherein the guide legs (5, 5.1, 5.2) of a lower container carrier (1, 1.3) or a lower arrangement engage in a form-fitting manner between two support legs (4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5) of the container carrier (1.1, 1.4) or the arrangement stacked on top of it in a transverse direction to the spacing direction of the support legs (4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5).

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