Plastic box

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plastic box for storing and transporting fruit and vegetable products, the box comprising a horizontal base (1) and four vertical walls (2) that are joined to said base (1), wherein the side end of each wall is fixedly attached to a respective pillar (5), each wall comprising a ribbed structure (7). The box comprises a wall reinforcement element (8) in the form of a rectangular band.

Description

PLASTIC BOX DESCRIPTIVE MEMORY FIELD OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[0001] This utility model is focused on the packaging industry, particularly on improvements to stackable plastic containers for the storage and transportation of fruit and vegetable products. BACKGROUND OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[0002] For the transport and storage of agricultural products, different types of containers can be used, each made from different raw materials. In the case of plastic containers, rectangular boxes made in a single piece are commonly used. These boxes can be classified into two large groups. The first group consists of collapsible boxes, whose walls are foldable, meaning they fold down relative to the base of the box and include connecting means to connect the walls when erected vertically. Collapsible boxes are transported unassembled, which reduces the volume and height of the transported load. However, this means that these boxes must be assembled at the destination prior to use and filled with fruit and vegetable products.

[0003] To avoid this assembly operation at the destination, there is a second type of box whose walls are permanently connected to each other. This type of box is often referred to in the industry as monoblock or monobloc, and they tend to be more rigid than buildable boxes due to the permanent connection along the entire length of their walls.

[0004] Given the constant search for improvements in packaging products, particularly in reducing raw material usage, this utility model proposes an improvement for monobloc boxes that allows for such material reduction without affecting their ability to withstand stress. DESCRIPTION OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[0005] The present utility model consists of a plastic box for the storage and transport of fruit and vegetable products, comprising a horizontal base and four vertical walls attached to said base, wherein the lateral end of each wall is permanently attached to a respective pillar, each wall comprising a ribbed structure. The box comprises a wall reinforcement element in the form of a rectangular strip, which extends along each wall and rises vertically from the base to a height in the range of 4 to 20 mm. In addition, the wall reinforcement element is integrally connected to the ribbed structure of the walls.

[0006] Advantageously, the rectangular strip-shaped reinforcement element located at the bottom of each of the walls and connected at each of its ends to one of the box pillars, allows for increased resistance to shear stresses that occur horizontally on the box walls, for example, during transport or handling.

[0007] This increased strength advantageously allows for a reduction in the thickness of the ribbed structure of the walls or the number of ribs within it by 5.6%, which reduces the final weight of the box by 2.8% compared to state-of-the-art containers. To this end, the reinforcing element has a thickness ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 mm and a preferred height of 9 mm.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the base and / or one or more walls comprise reinforcing ribs. In this embodiment, the reinforcing element of each wall is attached to the back of the vertical reinforcing ribs.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the pillar comprises an upper insert at its upper end and a lower insert at its lower end. Preferably, the upper insert consists of a truncated-cone projection, while the lower insert consists of an opening.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the base and / or one or more walls comprises ventilation openings.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, both the base and the walls of the box are rectangular. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0012] As part of the application, the following representative figures of the invention are presented, which show preferred configurations thereof and, therefore, should not be considered as limiting the definition of the claimed subject matter. Figure 1 illustrates a state-of-the-art monoblock case. Figure 2 illustrates an overview of the proposed box. Figure 3 illustrates a detailed exterior view of the proposed box. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0013] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary monoblock box of the state of the art, which is made up of a horizontal base 1 and four vertical walls 2 that are erected from the perimeter of the base 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 1 has a rectangular shape such that two opposite walls have a length greater than the two remaining opposite walls, however, in an alternative embodiment the base may have a square shape, such that the walls have the same length.

[0014] In the illustrated embodiment, both the base and the walls comprise a ribbed structure 7 with ventilation openings 3 so that, through them, air enters the box and cools the fruit and vegetable products (not illustrated) stored inside it.

[0015] According to the illustrated embodiment, the walls comprise reinforcing ribs 4 that can extend either vertically or horizontally and whose function is to provide rigidity to the walls and prevent them from buckling. According to one embodiment, the base 1 can also include reinforcing ribs oriented in any direction.

[0016] According to the illustrated embodiment, the box comprises pillars 5 at its corners, joined to the lateral ends of each wall 2. The pillars 5 have a hollow elongated shape and each comprises at its upper end an upper insertion element 6 and at its lower end a lower insertion element (not illustrated).

[0017] According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the upper insert element 6 consists of a truncated conical projection, while the lower insert element consists of an opening whose diameter is slightly larger than the largest diameter of the projection, so that a projection of another box can be inserted into said opening in a stacked configuration. According to other embodiments, the upper and lower insert elements They can have any other complementary shape, such as any tongue and groove connection that ensures the interlocking of stacked boxes.

[0018] According to Figure 2, the box of the present utility model has on its walls a wall reinforcement element 8 in the form of a rectangular strip, which extends along each wall and rises vertically from the base 1 to a height in the range between 4 and 20 mm.

[0019] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the wall reinforcement element 8 is fully connected to the ribbed structure 7 of the walls and attached to the back of the vertical reinforcement ribs 4.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A plastic box for the storage and transport of fruit and vegetable products comprising a horizontal base (1) and four vertical walls (2) attached to said base (1), wherein the lateral end of each wall is fixedly attached to a respective pillar (5), each wall comprising a ribbed structure (7), CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises a wall reinforcement element (8) in the form of a rectangular strip, which extends along each wall (2) and rises vertically from the base (1) to a height comprised in the range between 4 and 20 mm; and in that the wall reinforcement element (8) is integrally connected to the ribbed structure (7) of the walls.

2. The box according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the base (1) and / or one or more walls (2) comprises reinforcing ribs (4).

3. The box according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the wall reinforcement element (8) is attached to the rear part of vertical reinforcement ribs (4).

4. The box according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that the pillar comprises an upper insertion element (6) at its upper end and comprises a lower insertion element at its lower end.

5. The box according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED in that the upper insertion element (6) consists of a truncated conical projection.

6. The box according to claim 4 or 5, CHARACTERIZED in that the lower insertion element consists of an opening.

7. The box according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that the base (1) and / or one or more walls (2) comprises ventilation openings (3).

8. The box according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that the base is rectangular.

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