Transport box provided with a discharge opening surrounded by a protective wall

Abstract

The invention relates to a box (1) configured to transport a foodstuff, the box comprising a bottom (3) extended by a side face (2), wherein the bottom (3) and the side face (2) are arranged so as to define an inner region, the bottom (3) comprising at least one discharge opening (5) configured to allow a liquid to be discharged from the inner region, characterised in that the at least one discharge opening (5) is at least partially surrounded by a protective wall (6), wherein at least one discharge channel (41, 42) passes through the protective wall (6), and wherein a top portion of the protective wall (6) extends in the direction of the inner region at a first distance from the bottom (3), the first distance being strictly greater than zero.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Transport box with an evacuation opening surrounded by a protective wall

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The invention relates to the field of crates for transporting a foodstuff, for example a foodstuff such as fish.

[0005] State of the prior art

[0006] Some commodities, particularly food, may release liquid during transport. For example, when transporting fish in a crate, some of the ice used to keep the fish at the right temperature melts and forms an exudate.

[0007] It may be desirable, for health and presentation reasons, to drain this liquid during transport.

[0008] There is a box for transporting a food product, the bottom of which is equipped with an evacuation hole.

[0009] The disadvantage of this box is that some food, such as small fish, fish fillets or molluscs, can get stuck in the drain hole and block it. This prevents the liquid from draining and accumulates in the box.

[0010] There is therefore a need for a box allowing the evacuation of a liquid regardless of the goods being transported.

[0011] Statement of the invention

[0012] One embodiment relates to a box configured for transporting a foodstuff, comprising a bottom extended by a lateral face, the bottom and the lateral face being arranged to define an interior zone, the bottom comprising at least one discharge orifice configured to allow discharge of a liquid from the interior zone, characterized in that the at least one discharge orifice is at least partially surrounded by a protective wall, said protective wall being crossed by at least one discharge channel, and a top of said protective wall extending towards the interior zone at a first distance from the bottom, the first distance being strictly greater than zero.

[0013] The commodity may be a perishable food.

[0014] The bottom of the crate is the wall on which the goods rest during transport. In other words, when the crate is in use, the bottom is the lower wall of the crate. The side wall surrounds the bottom to define the interior area of ​​the crate. The side wall may include handling handles for moving the crate.

[0015] The drain port is configured to drain liquid present in the interior area to the outside of the box.

[0016] The discharge opening is at least partially surrounded by the protective wall.

[0017] The drain hole is circular.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the protective wall surrounds at least 75% of the discharge orifice, preferably at least 80% or 95%.

[0019] The protective wall extends from the bottom to the interior area. In other words, the protective wall protrudes from the bottom of the box. The first distance corresponds to the height of the protective wall from the bottom.

[0020] In addition, the protective wall is crossed by at least one drainage channel.

[0021] By "feed-through" we mean that the protective wall can be pierced by the drainage channel. In this case, a piece of the protective wall is positioned above the drainage channel. The drainage channel forms an opening in the protective wall.

[0022] "Crossing" also means that the protective wall can be cut by the drainage channel. The protective wall is then present on each side of the drainage channel. The protective wall is interrupted by the drainage channel.

[0023] This prevents the drain opening from becoming blocked by food during transport. The ingenious design of the protective wall and the drain channel ensures that liquid flows from the inside of the box to the outside.

[0024] The subject matter of this disclosure may also exhibit one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0025] In some embodiments, the box comprises a plurality of orifices at least partially surrounded by a protective wall, for example four.

[0026] In some embodiments, the first distance is between 0 and 10mm, preferably between 1mm and 5mm, for example 3.5mm.

[0027] In some embodiments, the at least one discharge channel is formed from at least one rectilinear segment.

[0028] In some embodiments, the protective wall comprises at least a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion being separated by a first and a second exhaust channel.

[0029] In some embodiments, the at least one first and at least one second discharge channel comprises an end arriving at the discharge orifice. Thus, two discharge channels pass through the protective wall in two positions so as to separate the protective wall into a first part and a second part, the first part being independent of the second part. In other words, the first part is not in contact with the second part.

[0030] In certain embodiments, the first discharge channel forms with the second discharge channel a third angle of between 90° and 180°, preferably between 130° and 180°, and in particular 180°.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first portion extends toward the interior area at the first distance from the bottom, the second portion extends toward the interior area at a second distance from the bottom, the first distance from the bottom and the second distance from the bottom being different.

[0032] Each part of the protective wall being independent of the other, they can have a different height.

[0033] This makes it even more difficult for food to block the drain hole.

[0034] In some embodiments, the protective wall extends from the bottom with a first angle of inclination, said first angle of inclination being between 90° and 180°, preferably 100° and 150°.

[0035] Thus the protective wall forms a slope between the bottom of the box and the drain hole. In other words, the protective wall has the shape of a cone with one apex being the drain hole.

[0036] In some embodiments, the at least one discharge channel has a groove shape extending across the bottom of the box.

[0037] The discharge channel therefore corresponds to a notch in the bottom of the body, the notch comprising a bottom. The bottom of the discharge channel extends in a direction opposite to the direction of the interior area. In other words, the bottom of the discharge channel is "under" the bottom of the body in use.

[0038] The purpose of the discharge channel is to guide the liquid to be discharged towards the discharge opening.

[0039] In some embodiments, at least one bypass channel at least partially surrounds the discharge port.

[0040] The bypass channel extends between the first and second discharge channels, bypassing the discharge port.

[0041] Thus, the liquid to be evacuated is not blocked by the protective wall and is directed towards the first and second evacuation channels before being evacuated through the evacuation orifice.

[0042] In certain embodiments, a bottom of the at least one discharge channel forms with the bottom of the box a second angle of inclination, said second angle of inclination being between 0° and 20°, preferably 1° and 5°, and in particular 2° or 3°. Thus the liquid flows by gravity to the discharge orifice.

[0043] In certain embodiments, the bottom of the box has an inclination relative to a support plane, when the box is normally placed on said support plane in use, said inclination being oriented towards the discharge orifice.

[0044] The liquid thus flows by gravity to the drain hole.

[0045] In certain embodiments, the box has a substantially parallelepiped shape, the discharge orifice being positioned in a corner of said parallelepiped.

[0046] In some embodiments, the box includes an exhaust orifice in each corner of said parallelepiped.

[0047] In some embodiments, said box is an insulated box comprising an inner wall and an outer wall enclosing between them a static gas layer so as to create an insulating layer.

[0048] In some embodiments, a pressure of the gas between the inner wall and the outer wall is different from the pressure outside the volume enclosed between the inner wall and the outer wall.

[0049] In some embodiments, the inner wall and / or the outer wall is obtained by plastic injection.

[0050] In certain embodiments, the box comprises a cover also formed by an inner wall and an outer wall, obtained by plastic injection, and enclosing between them a layer of static gas under pressure.

[0051] This protects the food from heat and releases less liquid.

[0052] According to one aspect, the invention relates to an insulated box comprising an inner wall and an outer wall enclosing between them a static gas layer so as to create an insulating layer, a pressure of the gas between the inner wall and the outer wall being different from the pressure outside the volume enclosed between the inner wall and the outer wall, the inner wall comprising a bottom extended and surrounded by a side face, the bottom and the side face being arranged to define an interior zone, the bottom comprising no orifice.

[0053] Preferably, the inner wall and / or the outer wall is obtained by plastic injection. Preferably, the box comprises a cover also formed by an inner wall and an outer wall, obtained by plastic injection, and enclosing between them a layer of static gas under pressure.

[0054] Brief description of the drawings The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to an embodiment according to the present invention, given by way of non-limiting example and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0055] [FIG. 1] is a perspective view of a box according to the invention;

[0056] [FIG. 2] is a first enlargement of the box according to figure 1;

[0057] [FIG.3] is a second enlargement of the box according to figure 1;

[0058] [FIG. 4] is a third enlargement of the box according to figure 1.

[0059] Description of the embodiments

[0060] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading of the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another.

[0061] The invention as shown in Figures 1 to 4 relates to a box 1 configured for transporting a foodstuff, and more particularly a perishable foodstuff.

[0062] According to the invention, the box 1 is an insulated box comprising an inner wall and an outer wall enclosing between them a static gas layer so as to create an insulating layer. Preferably, the inner wall and / or the outer wall is obtained by plastic injection. Preferably, the box 1 comprises a cover obtained by plastic injection. The cover may be formed by an inner wall and an outer wall enclosing between them a static gas layer.

[0063] In figures 1 to 4, the body 1 has a substantially parallelepiped shape,

[0064] The outer wall more specifically comprises a support wall configured to be in contact with a support plane when the box is normally placed on said support plane in a usage situation.

[0065] The inner wall comprises a bottom 3 extended and surrounded by a side face 2, the bottom 3 and the side face 2 being arranged to define an inner zone.

[0066] The bottom 3 of the crate 1 corresponds to the wall on which the goods rest during transport. In other words, when the crate 1 is in use, the bottom 3 is the lower interior wall of the crate 1.

[0067] The bottom 3 extends opposite, in other words opposite, the installation wall.

[0068] In certain embodiments, the bottom 3 of the box 1, that is to say the bottom of the inner wall, has an inclination relative to the support plane, when the box 1 is normally placed on said support plane in a usage situation. In other words, the bottom 3 of the box 1 forms an angle with the placement wall. Indeed, when the box 1 is placed on the support plane, the placement wall is in contact and parallel to the support plane, the bottom 3 of the box 1 therefore forms an angle with the placement wall and the support plane. The bottom 3 comprises at least one discharge orifice 5 configured to allow discharge of a liquid from the inner zone.

[0069] Preferably, the box 1 comprises an evacuation orifice 5 in each corner of said parallelepiped. The box 1 therefore comprises four evacuation orifices 5.

[0070] As illustrated, each discharge orifice 5 is positioned in a corner of said parallelepiped. In the remainder of the description, reference will be made to only one discharge orifice 5, the others being similar.

[0071] The drain hole 5 is circular.

[0072] The inclination of the bottom 3 is oriented towards the discharge opening 5.

[0073] The discharge orifice 5 extends over the bottom 3 of the box 1 and passes through the inner wall and the outer wall so as to create a hole between the inner area of ​​the box 1 and an outer area.

[0074] The discharge opening 5 is at least partially surrounded by a protective wall 6.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the protective wall 6 surrounds at least 75% of the discharge orifice 5, preferably at least 80% or 95%.

[0076] The protective wall 6 extends from the bottom 3 towards the interior area. In other words, the protective wall 6 projects from the bottom 3 of the body 1.

[0077] In some embodiments, the protective wall 6 extends from the bottom 3 with a first angle of inclination, said first angle of inclination being between 90° and 180°, preferably 100° and 150°.

[0078] Thus the protective wall 6 forms a slope between the bottom 3 of the box 1 and the evacuation orifice 5. In other words, the protective wall 6 has the shape of a cone, one apex of which is the evacuation orifice 5.

[0079] A top of said protective wall 6 extends towards the inner zone at a first distance from the bottom 3, the first distance being strictly greater than zero. The first distance corresponds to a height of the protective wall 6 relative to the bottom 3.

[0080] In some embodiments, the first distance is between 0 and 10mm, preferably between 1mm and 5mm, for example 3.5mm.

[0081] The bottom 3 of the box 1 also comprises at least one evacuation channel 41, 42.

[0082] In some embodiments, the at least one discharge channel 41, 42 has a groove shape extending over the bottom 3 of the box 1.

[0083] The discharge channel 41, 42 therefore corresponds to a notch in the bottom 3 of the box 1, the notch comprising a bottom 45. The bottom 45 of the discharge channel 41, 42 is positioned in a direction opposite to the direction of the interior zone. In other words, the bottom 45 of the discharge channel 41, 42 is “under” the bottom 3 of the box 1 in the usage situation. The bottom of the discharge channel 41, 42 is positioned in the direction of the exterior wall. The purpose of the discharge channel 41, 42 is to guide the liquid to be discharged towards the discharge orifice 5.

[0084] In certain embodiments, a bottom 45 of the at least one discharge channel 41, 42 forms with the bottom 3 of the body 1 a second angle of inclination, said second angle of inclination being between 0° and 20°, preferably 1° and 5°, and in particular 2° or 3°.

[0085] The liquid thus flows by gravity to the drain hole.

[0086] In some embodiments, the at least one discharge channel 41, 42 is formed of at least one rectilinear segment.

[0087] The protective wall 6 is crossed by at least one evacuation channel 41, 42.

[0088] By "crossing" is also meant that the protective wall 6 can be cut by the discharge channel 41, 42, as illustrated in the figures. The protective wall 6 is then present on each side of the discharge channel 41, 42. In other words, the protective wall 6 is interrupted by the discharge channel 41, 42.

[0089] As illustrated, the protective wall 6 comprises at least a first part 61 and a second part 62, the first part 61 and the second part 62 being separated by a first 41 and a second 42 evacuation channel.

[0090] In some embodiments, the first portion 61 extends toward the inner area at the first distance from the bottom 3, the second portion 62 extends toward the inner area at a second distance from the bottom 3, the first distance from the bottom 3 and the second distance from the bottom 3 being different.

[0091] Each part 61, 62 of the protective wall 6 being independent of the other, they can have a different height.

[0092] In some embodiments, the at least one first 41 and the at least one second 42 discharge channel comprises an end arriving at the discharge orifice 5.

[0093] Thus, two evacuation channels 41, 42 pass through the protective wall 6 in two positions so as to separate the protective wall 6 into a first part 61 and a second part 62, the first part 61 being independent of the second part 62. In other words, the first part 61 is not in contact with the second part 62.

[0094] The at least one first 41 and the at least one second 42 discharge channel comprise at least one rectilinear segment.

[0095] The at least one first 41 and the at least one second 42 discharge channel extend parallel to the lateral face, for example at a distance therefrom of between 0 and 10 mm, preferably between 1 and 5 mm.

[0096] In some embodiments, the first discharge channel 41 forms with the second discharge channel 42 a third angle of between 90° and 180°, preferably between 130° and 180°, and in particular 180°. In some embodiments, an edge between the discharge channel 41, 42, and the side face is positioned in a direction opposite to the direction of the interior zone. Said edge extends substantially parallel to the bottom 3 of the box 1.

[0097] In certain embodiments, the bottom 3 comprises at least one bypass channel 43 which at least partially surrounds the discharge orifice 5 and therefore the protective wall 6. More precisely, the bypass channel 43 surrounds the second part 62 of the protective wall 6.

[0098] The bypass channel 43 has a groove shape extending over the bottom 3 of the body 1.

[0099] The bypass channel 43 therefore corresponds to a notch in the bottom 3 of the body 1, the notch comprising a bottom. The bottom of the bypass channel 43 is positioned in a direction opposite to the direction of the interior zone. In other words, the bottom of the bypass channel 43 is “under” the bottom 3 of the body 1 in the usage situation. The bottom of the bypass channel 43 is positioned in the direction of the exterior wall.

[0100] The bypass channel 43 extends between the first 41 and the second 42 discharge channel, bypassing the discharge orifice 5.

[0101] Thus, the discharge opening 5 cannot be blocked by a foodstuff during transport. Indeed, the ingenious configuration of the protective wall 6 and the discharge channel 41, 42, 43 makes it possible to guarantee a flow of the liquid from the interior zone of the box 1 to the outside.

[0102] According to another aspect, the invention relates to an insulated box 1 comprising an inner wall and an outer wall enclosing between them a static gas layer so as to create an insulating layer, a pressure of the gas between the inner wall and the outer wall being different from the pressure outside the volume enclosed between the inner wall and the outer wall, the inner wall comprising a bottom 3 extended and surrounded by a lateral face 2, the bottom 3 and the lateral face 2 being arranged to define an interior zone, the bottom 3 not comprising any orifice.

[0103] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is obvious that modifications and changes may be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, individual features of the various illustrated / mentioned embodiments may be combined in additional embodiments. Therefore, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

[0104] It is also obvious that all the characteristics described with reference to a device are transposable, alone or in combination, to a process.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Box (1) configured for transporting a foodstuff, comprising a bottom (3) extended by a lateral face (2), the bottom (3) and the lateral face (2) being arranged to define an interior zone, the bottom (3) comprising at least one discharge orifice (5) configured to allow discharge of a liquid from the interior zone, characterized in that the at least one discharge orifice (5) is at least partially surrounded by a protective wall (6), said protective wall (6) being crossed by at least one discharge channel (41, 42), and a top of said protective wall (6) extending towards the interior zone at a first distance from the bottom (3), the first distance being strictly greater than zero.

2. Box (1) according to claim 1, wherein the protective wall (6) comprises at least a first part (61) and a second part (62), the first part (61) and the second part (62) being separated by a first (41) and a second (42) evacuation channel.

3. Box (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first part (61) extends towards the inner area at the first distance from the bottom (3), the second part (62) extends towards the inner area at a second distance from the bottom (3), the first distance from the bottom (3) and the second distance from the bottom (3) being different.

4. Box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protective wall (6) extends from the bottom (3) with a first angle of inclination, said first angle of inclination being between 90° and 180°, preferably 100° and 150°.

5. Box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one discharge channel (41, 42) has a groove shape extending over the bottom (3) of the box (1).

6. Box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one bypass channel (43) at least partially surrounds the discharge orifice (5).

7. Box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a bottom (45) of the at least one discharge channel (41, 42) forms with the bottom (3) of the box (1) a second angle of inclination, said second angle of inclination being between 0° and 20°, preferably 1° and 5°, and in particular 2° or 3°.

8. Box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the bottom (3) of the box (1) has an inclination relative to a support plane, when the box (1) is normally placed on said support plane in use, said inclination being oriented in the direction of the discharge orifice (5).

9. Box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, having a substantially parallelepiped shape, the discharge orifice (5) being positioned in a corner of said parallelepiped.

10. Box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, said box (1) being an isothermal box comprising an inner wall and an outer wall enclosing between them a layer of static gas so as to create an insulating layer.

11. Insulated box (1) comprising an inner wall and an outer wall enclosing between them a static gas layer so as to create an insulating layer, a gas pressure between the inner wall and the outer wall being different from the pressure outside the volume enclosed between the inner wall and the outer wall, the inner wall comprising a bottom (3) extended and surrounded by a lateral face (2), the bottom and the lateral face being arranged to define an interior zone, the bottom not comprising any orifice.

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