EP4298023B1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: EP4298023B1
Application number: EP21709365.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paul Baeyens; Rudi RASKIN; Bert SCHURGERS; Simon Van Pottelbergh
Original assignee: Dw Reusables NV
Current assignee: Dw Reusables NV
Priority date: 2021-02-26
Filing date: 2021-02-26
Publication date: 2024-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 2041-02-26
Also published as: EP4298023C0; WO2022179711A1; EP4298023A1

Description

Technical Field

The present invention discloses a multipurpose bottle crate. The corresponding technical field relates to containers for storage or transport of bottles, carton and/or plastic bottle packs, with sidewalls of substantial depth for enclosing content, preferably with moulded compartments or partitions. In addition, the present invention may be regarded as a container having body formed in one piece, with means for accommodating bottles of different sizes, where said means are pinnacles or pillars formed within the crate. The present invention is multipurpose in a way that the said pinnacles allow the crate to receive bottle packs and bottles.

Technical Problem

Bottle crates with pinnacles or pillars are well known in the art. The technical role of pinnacles, according to the invention, is to keep the bottles separated and preserve bottles from scraping and other forms of damage during the transport. The present invention solves several problems with the unique crate's pinnacle design.
The crate, according to the invention, is designed to receive simultaneously:

two or more different types of bottles, using the common diameter principle,
one or more plastic basket / carton bottle carriers, specifically designed for the same crate, to fit over the pinnacles formed within the crate, and
the combinations of everything mentioned above.

It will be shown that there are solutions in the prior art capable of performing the same tasks. However, the improved crate's pinnacle construction disclosed herein removes the complexity found in the prior art oriented to the same technical problem, i.e. flexible pinnacles construction.
The main technical problem, which is solved with the present invention, may be regarded as design of an elastic pinnacle, which is less complex, more efficient and easier to produce by the injection moulding production process. The disclosed crate's pinnacle has better elastic properties in comparison with the preexisting solutions in a way that each pinnacle side acts as a separate elastic means that compensates bottles' movements caused by loading and unloading of the bottles.
The second technical problem solved may be regarded as improvement made on the above said elastic pinnacles that helps to hold bottles of different sizes. More specifically, the ribs formed over pinnacles' elastic surfaces help bottles, that are substantially different from mostly cylindrically shaped bottles without specific curvatures at the bottom part, to be efficiently stored within the crate.
The third technical problem solved with the present invention may be regarded as a consequence of solving the first technical problem, e.g. where pinnacle's elasticity significantly improves loading and unloading the single bottles and grouped bottles packagings from the crate. The pinnacle, according to the invention, can be squeezed toward its symmetry centre without compromising its mechanical strength, where latter improves nesting within the carton bottle pack or similar grouped bottle packagings while elastic property still holds the packagingin situ. This interesting feature will be discussed in detail later.

State of the Art

Few prior-art solutions deserve to be discussed in more detail. An example of a single document that discloses crate with pinnacles, capable of holding different kind of bottles and a group of bottles as well, is the European patent published asEP2530024B1 for the invention LOAD CARRIER, which is filed in the name of Logipack Partner Company GmbH & Co KG. The cited prior art is suitable for transporting bottles and/or bottle carriers containing bottles of the same and/or different formats. The invention described in document '024 is oriented to store mostly cylindrically shaped bottles, such as series of standard beer bottles already mentioned in the description. Document '024 remains silent regarding the elastic properties of the used pinnacles.
German patent application published as DE4226452A1 for the invention TRAY HOLDER FOR LARGE AND SMALL DRINKS CANS ..., filed in the name of Schoeller Plast AG, teaches about a tray holder for holding the cans of various volumes, i.e. 0.5 litre cans as well as the 0.33 litre cans, by using the common diameter property of the mentioned cans. Document '452 discloses the star-shaped pinnacles without elastic property, that separate and secure said cans within the tray holder.
European patent published asEP1772393B1, for the invention CONTAINER CARRIER, filed in the name of A & R Carton Bremen GmbH teaches about a carton (bottle) packaging capable to be received by crate equipped with compartments having pinnacles. Document '393 is selected because of specific pinnacles used, i.e., pinnacles which have star shaped cross-sections, and which are capable of receiving specifically designed carton packages thereto. Document `393 is silent regarding any elastic pinnacle properties and is oriented to describe carton bottle packaging.
It seems that the pinnacle, or pinnacle like element, which is formed to have elastic properties is discussed in the following documents.
The internationalPCT patent application published as WO2009/043038A1 for the invention BOTTLE CRATE, filed in the name of Norseman Plastics Ltd., teaches about a bottle crate for holding a plurality of bottles, and more particularly of the bottle crate including a plurality of elastically arranged fingers for accommodating one or more bottles that have a variable diameter, holding said bottles securely in an upright orientation. The elastic ribs disclosed in document '038 are oriented parallel to the bottles' rotational symmetry line. Such elastically arranged fingers, as a part of pinnacles, seem to be very rigid but capable to bend sufficiently towards the pinnacle centre and accommodate itself to a variable bottle diameter, within the set tolerances, holding the bottles securely. In '038 specification it is explicitly written that each of the fingers may be formed by making cut-outs on the respective wall sections or by forming the fingers with a material with elastic characteristics. It is possible to deduce that the invention disclosed in document `038 is suitable for receiving bottles which are substantially different from mostly cylindrically shaped bottles. However, the pinnacles with elastic ribs disclosed in document `038 are hardly capable to receive the carton or plastic multiple bottle carrier due to their geometry. The used cross-section of said elements / pinnacles consumes a lot of crate area and is inadequate to be nested among the bottles within the bottle pack. Therefore, document `038 is completely silent regarding such possibility.
German patent application published asDE102004023044A1, for the invention PLASTIC PLATE FOR E.G. GLASS BOTTLES HAS UPRIGHT COLUMNS WITH OUTER SPRINGS EACH FILLING THE VOID BETWEEN BOTTLES, filed in the name of Linpac Materials Handling Germany GmbH seems to be the closest prior art to the present invention. Document `044 teaches about a bottle crate with star-shaped pinnacles equipped with the specifically formed elastic side means. Said elastic side means, formed as longitudinal ribs on each side of the star-shaped pinnacle, lean on the bottle surface and exert adequate pressure to hold the bottle tight within the crate. However, document `044 remains silent regarding use with grouped bottles packagings as well as the use of the cited crate with bottles of different sizes, in particular bottles that are substantially different from mostly cylindrically shaped bottles.
Finally, it seems thatPCT patent application WO9640566A1, for the invention CASE WITH INTEGRAL SIDEWALL LOGO, filed in the name of REHRIG PACIFIC CO., US. represents the closest prior art for the said invention. It discloses the solution for the same technical problem, but with the provision that the rib is not horizontally positioned in order to receive or accommodate bottles of different shapes.
The solution of the present invention seems not to be obvious with respect to the cited prior art to solve all technical problems cited before.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention disclosed in the appended claims relates to a multipurpose bottle crate for accommodating bottles of different sizes and substantially different from mostly cylindrically shaped bottles. In addition, the multipurpose bottle crate is suitable to accommodate grouped bottles packagings as well.
The disclosed crate consists of two oppositely situated longer sidewalls, which are connected by two oppositely situated shorter sidewalls, where all sidewalls extend upward from a rectangular bottom mesh.
The crate's interior is optionally equipped with one or more dividers, where each longer divider is parallel to longer sidewalls and connects shorter sidewalls. Similarly, each shorter divider is parallel to shorter sidewalls and connects longer sidewalls. Said dividers emerge from the bottom mesh, intersect at a right angle, and divide the crate's interior into compartments for receiving bottles or bottles packagings. In absence of dividers, the said crate's interior forms one big compartment.
Each crate's compartment is further equipped with at least one pinnacle, extending upward from the bottom mesh up to a predetermined height. Each pinnacle has a star-like horizontal cross section and interacts with the stored bottles or bottle packagings. One or more pinnacles are distributed equidistantly one from another and from compartment's walls made from dividers, or from one or more sidewalls.
The present crate is specific in the inner pinnacle's design. Each pinnacle has four elastic curved surfaces extending upward from the bottom mesh, with the slits formed between adjacent surfaces. The horizontal cross section over all of the said surfaces is star-like. Each slit extends from the reinforcing bottom connector, placed between each two elastic surfaces, to the merging edge where all four surfaces merge into the pinnacle cap. Said slits allow the surfaces to be independently elastically bent inwardly towards the pinnacle symmetry centre. Each elastic surface is further equipped with at least one horizontally formed rib, in the height where at least two bottles of different shapes, once inserted into the said crate, exhibit the common diameter properties.
In the preferred embodiment, each pinnacle has a tapered part formed approximately in the last quarter of its heights, starting from curvature changing region up to the merging edge below the pinnacle cap.
In yet another embodiment, the number of ribs per elastic pinnacle's surface is set to one and the number of pinnacles per compartment is one or two.
The multipurpose bottle crate is preferably designed in a way that the grouped bottles packaging is a carton pack with the geometry compatible to be inserted into the compartment with the pinnacles which easily nest among the bottles.
In yet another variant, the grouped bottles packaging is a plastic basket bottle carrier with one or two nests designed to receive pinnacles situated within the said crate's compartment.
In yet another variant, the crate is made without dividers and with pinnacles distributed equidistantly one from another and from the sidewalls.
In the preferred embodiment, a multipurpose bottle crate is formed partially or entirely by injection moulding process.

Figures Description

Figure 1 shows one of the preferred embodiments, i.e. multipurpose crate in perspective view.Figure 2 represents the top view andfigure 3 the bottom view of the same crate.Figure 4 depicts the cross-section made across crate's longer divider in perspective view andfigure 5 shows the same cross-section side view.
Figure 6 depicts the perspective view of the pinnacle which emerges from the bottom mesh.Figure 7 shows the side view,figure 8 the bottom view andfigure 9 the top view of the pinnacle used in the present invention.
Figure 10A represents Coca-Cola^® 20 cl bottle side view,figure 10B represents Coca-Cola^® 33 cl bottle side view andfigure 10C represents Fanta^® 33 cl bottle side view, all capable to be inserted in the crate according to the invention.Figure 11 shows the common diameter "d" property of two above cited bottles in the side view, i.e. Coca-Cola^® 20 cl bottle and Coca-Cola^® 33 cl bottle.
Figure 12 depicts the space among two pinnacles in the side view.
Figure 13 shows the side view of Fanta^® 33 cl bottle inserted in the crate and its accommodation among two above cited pinnacles.Figure 14 shows the side view of Coca-Cola^® 33 cl bottle inserted in the crate and its accommodation among the same two pinnacles.Figure 15 shows the side view of Coca-Cola^® 20 cl bottle inserted in the crate and its accommodation among the same two pinnacles.
Figures 16A, 16B and 16C show the pinnacles elastic deformation during the Coca-Cola^® 33 cl bottle insertion process, all phases are depicted in the same side view.Figure 17 shows the side view of a grouped bottles packaging insertion into the crate.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The Crate

The present invention discloses a multipurpose bottle crate capable of efficiently solving all technical problems mentioned above, by introducing innovative pinnacle design with elastic surfaces. The multipurpose crate (10), according to the invention, will be described in detail referring tofigures 1-17 where one of preferred designs is revealed. The skilled person in the art will effortlessly modify the present design according to their needs for carrying bottles and grouped bottle packagings.
Figure 1 reveals one of the preferred crate's design. The said crate (10) consists of two oppositely situated longer sidewalls (11, 12), which are connected by two oppositely situated shorter sidewalls (13, 14), where all sidewalls (11, 12, 13, 14) extend upward from a rectangular bottom mesh (19). All sidewalls (11, 12, 13, 14) are optionally provided with one or more recesses that serve as carrying handles, in a manner that is well-known in the art.
In practice, the crate's interior, depicted infigures 1 and2, is equipped with at least one longer divider (15). Each longer divider (15) is formed parallel to longer sidewalls (11, 12) and connects shorter sidewalls (13, 14). Likewise, the crate interior has at least one shorter divider (16) which is parallel to shorter sidewalls (13, 14) and connects longer sidewalls (11, 12). Said dividers (15, 16) intersect at a right angle. Sidewalls (11, 12, 13, 14) together with the said intersected dividers (15, 16), which emerge from the bottom mesh (19), divide the crate's interior into at least four crate's compartments for receiving bottles (30) or bottles packagings (40). In practice, the dividers (15, 16) are made more thinner than surrounding sidewalls (11, 12, 13, 14), which are formed in practice as hollow bodies.
The number of formed compartments is arbitrary and depends on bottles geometry or grouped bottle packagings to be used with the crate (10). If the crate (10) is formed without dividers (15, 16) than the crate's interior forms one big compartment capable to receive bottles or grouped packagings.
Each crate's compartment is further equipped with at least one pinnacle (20) that is core of the invention. All pinnacles (20) extend upward from the bottom mesh (19) up to a predetermined height that is in practice from one half to three quarter of the crate's height, but other variants are also possible. Each pinnacle (20) has a star-like horizontal cross section and interacts with the stored bottles (30) or bottles packagings (40). The person skilled in the art will immediately comprehend fromfigure 2 that all bottles (30), once inserted into the crate, are surrounded by at least one pinnacle (20) in a preferred design. Namely, if the bottle (30) is situated in the crate's corner or compartment's corner, then two walls - selected from the group of sidewalls (11, 12, 13, 14) or dividers (15, 16) - and one pinnacle (20) are holding the said bottle (30). If the bottle (30) is situated in a way to touch one wall selected from the group of sidewalls (11, 12, 13, 14) or dividers (15, 16) - than two pinnacles (20) and the said wall are holding the bottle (30) secured within the crate (20). The sidewalls (11, 12, 13, 14) spacings and the dividers (15, 16) thickness is selected to match with the selected bottles' geometry.
Finally, it is possible that the bottle (30) is surrounded only by the pinnacles (20) in case of compartment having at least nine bottles' places, arranged as 3x3 grid. This situation is real, but it is not depicted by any of the figures, and in that case four pinnacles (20) secure the central bottle (30). Furthermore, it is possible to manufacture a crate (10) without dividers (15, 16) and with pinnacles (20) distributed equidistantly one from another and from sidewalls (11, 12, 13, 14). In that case, all bottles (30) are surrounded by four pinnacles (20), except those situated close to the sidewalls (11, 12, 13, 14).
It is essential to note that pinnacles (20) are distributed equidistantly one from another and from compartment's walls made from dividers (15, 16) or one or more sidewalls (11, 12, 13, 14) to match the bottle's geometry. That fact is depicted infigure 3, where said pinnacles (20) are observed from the bottom perspective. In addition, the crate's cross-section, shown infigures 4 and 5, allows the best overview how the pinnacles (20) are nested within compartments.
Figures 3 and4 depict the bottom mesh (19) geometry, together with the hollow inner structures of sidewalls (11, 12, 13, 14) as well as the pinnacles (20) interior. The crate's design, depicted infigures 1-3, is relatively simple to obtain via moulds used in injection moulding process without, so called, "negative angles" which would prevent the shaped product from releasing from the mould. Similar solutions are cited in the prior art section.
The crate, according the said invention, can be made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and/or polypropylene (PP) and/or polyethylene (PE) by any known injection moulding process. If necessary, foamed plastic can also be used / added for forming comfortable handles on sidewalls' recesses.

The Pinnacles

The pinnacle (20) construction forms a core of the invention.Figure 6 reveals the pinnacle (20) in perspective view. Each pinnacle (20) has four elastic curved surfaces (21) extending upward from the bottom mesh (19). Four slits (23) are formed between all adjacent surfaces (21), which are best visible infigures 6,7 and 9. The horizontal cross section over all of the said surfaces (21) is star-like as shown infigures 8 and 9. Figure 7, that reveals pinnacle's (20) side view, shows the slit (23) position within the adjacent surfaces (21). Each slit (23) extends from the reinforcing bottom connector (22), which is placed between each two surfaces (21), up to the merging edge (27). Each reinforcing bottom connector (22) connects adjacent surfaces (21) and adds the necessary mechanical strength to the lower pinnacle (20) part, situated close to the bottom mesh (19).Figure 7 and figure 9 depict said reinforcing bottom connector (22).
Similarly, on the top part, the merging edge (27) is the edge where all four surfaces (21) merge into the pinnacle cap (24),figure 9. The cap (24) gives necessary mechanical strength to the upper pinnacle (20) part. Without the cap (24), the surfaces (21) would be susceptible to being bent over the elastic limits that would certainly cause plastic deformation and permanent pinnacle surfaces (21) cracking or damage, if fixed to bottom connectors (22) only. The cap (24) also ensures that the whole pinnacle (20) maintains a proper overall shape and an upright posture, where all elastic surfaces (21) help in maintaining the shape of pinnacle (20). Also, the surface (21) thickness depends on projected bottle types, pinnacle's height and can even change across the same surface (21). Slits (23) formation within adjacent surfaces (21), accompanied with the small thickness of the said surfaces (21), allows the surfaces (21) to be independently elastically bent inwardly towards the pinnacle symmetry centre. As obvious fromfigures 6,8 and 9; a major part of the surface (21) is equally circularly bent to follow the bottle (30) curvature. The person skilled in the art will recognize that such pinnacle (20) design allows to each curved elastic surface (21), that is firmly connected only to the bottom connector (22) on one side and the cap (24) on the opposite side, to be bent easily towards the pinnacle (20) centre of symmetry. Curvature of elastic surface (21) prevents the surface (21) to be bent out from the pinnacle (20) and plastically deform the pinnacle (20). Each pinnacle (20) is easily squeezed in the middle towards its centre, but difficult to be bent in any other direction, keeping the pinnacle centre in the same position, ensuring a good fit between the pinnacles and the bottle's packagings. Each entire elastic surface (21) acts as an independent elastic member built in the pinnacle (20), which is less complex and more efficient that the solutions cited hereby in the prior art section.
In the preferred embodiment, each pinnacle (20) has tapered part formed approximately in last quarter of its height, starting from curvature changing region (26) up to the merging edge (27) below the pinnacle cap (24). This tapered part has its own technical role when the crate (20) is used with one or more group packagings (40) and will be later elaborated in more detail.
The first intention of the said multipurpose crate (10) is to be used with different bottles, specifically with the bottles that are substantially different from mostly cylindrically shaped bottles, i.e. cans or standard beer bottles. Such bottles have specific curvatures at their bottom, as well as over their central part where they differ from standard cylinder shape. Few good examples of such bottles are given infigures 10A and 10B, representing Coca-Cola^® 20 cl bottle (30) and Coca-Cola^® 20 cl bottle (30'). On the other hand,figure 10C represents standard cylindrically shaped bottle (30"), i.e. Fanta^® 33 cl bottle, which clearly exhibits difference in the bottom part geometry that resembles an almost perfect cylinder.Figure 11 shows the common diameter "d" property of two above cited bottles in the side view, i.e., Coca-Cola^® 20 cl bottle and Coca-Cola^® 33 cl bottle. Common bottles diameter property is used with this invention to securely hold the bottles (30, 30', 30") of different geometry with the same pinnacles (20) and their distribution within the crate's compartments. Namely, each elastic surface (21) is equipped with at least one horizontally formed rib (25),figure 7, in the height where at least two bottles (30, 30') of different shapes, once inserted into the crate (10), exhibit the common diameter properties, such as depicted infigure 11.
Figure 12 depicts the space among two pinnacles in the side view, without any bottle inserted.Figure 13 shows the side view of Fanta^® 33 cl bottle inserted in the crate and its accommodation among two above cited pinnacles.Figure 14 shows the side view of Coca-Cola^® 33 cl bottle inserted in the crate and its accommodation among the same two pinnacles.Figure 15 shows the side view of Coca-Cola^® 20 cl bottle inserted in the crate and its accommodation among the same two pinnacles.
In all examples above another pair of pinnacles (20), or one sidewall (11, 12, 13, 14) / divider (15, 16) holds the bottle part oriented toward the reader. The depicted examples use one rib (25) per surface, but the average person skilled in the art will immediately recognise the potential of multiple ribs (25) usage.
Multiple ribs (25) usage will allow storage of different bottles (30, 20', 30", ...) even if the common diameter is displaced over two or more bottles heights, where each rib (25) can be dedicated for another bottle type. Of course, there is a limit imposed by the pinnacle elastic surfaces (21) bending tolerances.
In the preferred embodiment the number of ribs (25) is one and the number of pinnacles (20) per compartment is one or two, meaning that compartments are designed to receive 4-6 bottles and equivalent grouped bottles packaging (40).

Bottle insertion and securing process

Figures 16A, 16B and 16C show the pinnacles elastic deformation during the Coca-Cola^® 33 cl bottle insertion process. As mentioned before, each pinnacle's elastic surface (21) has ability to be independently elastically bent inwardly towards the pinnacle symmetry centre. Now, it is interesting to look at slits (23) deformations while the bottle (30') is inserted. The critical moment is depicted in thefigure 16B, which is the moment when the maximum bottle (30') diameter reaches ribs (25). Each rib (25) presses the corresponding elastic surface (21) inwards their pinnacle (20) allowing the smooth passage of the maximum bottle (30') diameter through the narrowest part between pinnacles (20). After, as depicted infigure 16C, the elastic surfaces (21) and the corresponding ribs (25) accommodate themselves according to the bottle (30') shape and hold it securely, as depicted infigure 14. Elastic surfaces (21) equipped with one or more ribs (25) therefore prevent the bottle (30, 30', 30", ...) to freely move within the crate's compartments bottle seat.
The pinnacle's tapered part, formed approximately in last quarter of its height, has its own technical role in loading and unloading bottles in carton packs (40) stored within the crate (10) and for ordinary bottles (30) as well. The pinnacle's cap (24) and the corresponding tapered part, formed beneath the cap (24), allow easy loading and unloading since bottles cannot find a grip on these tapered surfaces when the bottles in carton packs are extracted from the crate. During this handling, the bottles are squeezed together by the deformation of the carton at the top surface, it pinches the bottles together, causing the available space between the bottles to shrink. Also, it is well known in practice that users frequently drop empty bottles into a crate from distances that are about up to 0.25 bottle's height and where tapered pinnacles' parts serve as guides for such bottles towards the bottom mesh (19). Each pinnacle's elastic surface (21) absorbs part of the bottle's kinetic energy during such rough insertion, while the pinnacle's tapered part channelise the bottle into its seat.

A grouped bottles packaging insertion process

Figure 17 shows the side view of grouped bottles packaging insertion into the crate (10), where the grouped bottles packaging is a six-bottle carton pack that should be nested over two pinnacles (20). It is obvious that the grouped bottles packaging has to be dimensioned according to the crate's compartments geometry or vice versa. In case of carton packs, the pinnacles (20) have to protrude the carton pack (40) from the bottom and to nests themselves among the bottles within the pack (40). It is mentioned before that the present pinnacle (20) design allows the pinnacle (20) to be squeezed toward its symmetry centre without compromising its mechanical strength. The person skilled in the art will immediately recognize the potential of, rather laterally soft pinnacles (20), but longitudinally firm enough to penetrate across the carton packaging (40). Furthermore, the pinnacles (20) according to the present invention, will gently accommodate their geometry among the bottles present within the carton group packaging (40) and preserve said packaging (40) from damage. While unloading, pinnacle's (20) ability to be squeezed laterally will further preserve the carton group packaging (40). In addition, that will allow smooth operation enabling multiple loading-unloading of the carton group packaging (40). The present invention works equally well with 4 or 6 bottle carton packs, according to the user's needs.
In another variant, the group bottle packaging (40) can be a basket bottle carrier with nests designed to receive pinnacles (20) situated within the crate's compartment. Everything said for the carton bottle package can be repeated hereby. A rather laterally soft pinnacle (20), but pinnacle (20) which is longitudinally firm enables easy loading and unloading of the basket bottle carriers and quick accommodation of the said pinnacles (20) within dedicated nests.

Industrial Applicability

The industrial applicability in a wider sense is obvious. The present invention discloses a multipurpose bottle crate (10) for accommodating bottles of different sizes and grouped bottles packaging. In the preferred embodiment, one or two pinnacles (20) are situated per compartment. Each pinnacle (20) has four elastic surfaces (21), extending upward from the bottom mesh (19), with the slits (23) formed between them. The horizontal cross section of the said pinnacles (21) is star-like. All four surfaces (21) merge into the pinnacle cap (24). The slits (23) allow the surfaces (21) to be independently elastically bent inwardly towards the pinnacle centre. The elastic surfaces (21) are equipped with at least one horizontally formed rib (25) in the position where at least two bottles of different sizes exhibit the common diameter properties. Elastic surfaces (21) accommodate to the bottles' geometry during insertions and keep them during the transport. Furthermore, rather laterally soft pinnacles (20), but longitudinally firm enough have advantage in use, i.e., while loading and unloading from the crate with carton packs or plastic basked bottle carriers.

Reference numbers

10: Crate
11, 12: Longer sidewalls
13, 14: Shorter sidewalls
15: Longer divider
16: Shorter divider
19: Bottom mesh
20: Pinnacle
21: Elastic surface
22: Bottom connector
23: Slit
24: Cap
25: Rib
26: Curvature changing region
27: Merging edge
30: Bottle, Coca-Cola^® 20 cl
30': Bottle, Coca-Cola^® 33 cl
30": Bottle, Fanta^® 33 cl
40: Grouped bottles packaging, i.e. the carton bottle pack

Claims

A multipurpose bottle crate (10) for accommodating:
- bottles (30) of different sizes and substantially different from mostly cylindrically shaped bottles, and grouped bottles packagings (40);
- where the said crate (10) consists of two oppositely situated longer sidewalls (11, 12), which are connected by two oppositely situated shorter sidewalls (13, 14), where all sidewalls (11, 12, 13, 14) extend upward from a rectangular bottom mesh (19);
- where the crate interior is optionally equipped with one or more dividers (15, 16), where each longer divider (15) is parallel to longer sidewalls (11, 12) and connects shorter sidewalls (13, 14) and where each shorter divider (16) is parallel to shorter sidewalls (13, 14) and connects longer sidewalls (11, 12); where said dividers (15, 16) emerge from the bottom mesh (19), intersect at a right angle, and divide the crate's interior into compartments for receiving bottles (30) or bottles packagings (40); where the said crate's interior forms one compartment in absence of the dividers (15, 16);
- wherein each crate's compartment is further equipped with at least one pinnacle (20), extending upward from the bottom mesh (19) up to a predetermined height, where each pinnacle (20) has a star-like horizontal cross section and interacts with the stored bottles (30) or bottle packagings (40);
- wherein one or more pinnacles (20) are distributed equidistantly one from another and from compartment's walls made from dividers (15, 16) or one or more sidewalls (11, 12, 13, 14);
characterized in that
- each pinnacle (20) has four elastic curved surfaces (21) extending upward from the bottom mesh (19) with slits (23) formed between adjacent surfaces (21), where the horizontal cross section over all of the said surfaces (21) is star-like;
- where each slit (23) extends from the reinforcing bottom connector (22) placed between each two surfaces (21), to the merging edge (27) where all four surfaces (21) merge into the pinnacle cap (24);
- where the said slits (23) allow the surfaces (21) to be independently elastically bent inwardly towards the pinnacle symmetry centre; and
- where each elastic surface (21) is equipped with at least one horizontally formed rib (25) positioned at a height from the bottom mesh (19) that matches the position where accommodated bottles (30) of different sizes have a common diameter.
The multipurpose bottle crate (10) according to claim 1,characterised in that each pinnacle (20) has a tapered part formed approximately in the last quarter of its height, starting from curvature changing region (26) up to the merging edge (27) below the pinnacle cap (24).
The multipurpose bottle crate (10) according to any of preceding claims,characterised in that the number of ribs (25) is one.
The multipurpose bottle crate (10) according to any of preceding claims,characterised in that the number of pinnacles (20) per compartment is one or two.
The multipurpose bottle crate (10) according to claims 1-3,characterised in that the crate (10) is made without dividers (15, 16) and with pinnacles (20) distributed equidistantly one from another and from the sidewalls (11, 12, 13, 14).
The multipurpose bottle crate (10) according to any of preceding claims,characterised in that it is formed partially or entirely by injection moulding process.