Patent Description:
Conventionally, meat or sausages are transported in a so-called E2 box. The E2 box is produced using a plastic material and has a base and four fixed sidewalls. The sidewalls are preferably closed. This principle enables a reusability and a hygienic level since the closed container is washable and has a flat surface. However, when stacking the E2 boxes the volume consumption is high even if the container is empty. Therefore, there is the need for an improved approach.

E2 boxes are standardized with regard to its size so that the entire meat industry has optimized their handling facilities like the roller convoy, means for labeling the containers or the scanners. Typically a bar code level is used attached to the outside of the fixed sidewall. Due to the closed sidewall shape it is possible to attach the label at a position next to the base, i.e., in the lower third of the container. Consequently, the used barcode scanners are positioned so as to be directed to the label position.

Document <CIT> discloses a meat container which is provided with a label surface and a label attached to said surface. Document <CIT> shows a method for parcel marking and three-dimensional labelling. Document <CIT> discloses a collapsible container having a base and four side walls which are moveably connected to the base.

Using conventional foldable crates have the drawback that the sidewalls are partially formed by the base including the hinge for enabling the foldability. Furthermore, the typical sidewalls of a foldable container have ribs and openings where the label could not be attached.

Therefore, it is an objective to provide a concept for a container enabling reduced volume consumption, especially in the empty state, while being applicable to conventional logistic processes, e.g., as used in meat industries.

The objective is solved by the subject matter of the independent claim <NUM>.

The present invention provides a container, especially a meat container, comprising a base and four side walls, wherein the base comprises one or more foot portions extending substantially perpendicular to the base. Preferably there are two foot portions opposite to each other.

The four sidewalls are movably connected to the base, e.g. using a hinge to allow the container to form an erected configuration (when the four sidewalls are upright) and a folded down configuration when the four sidewalls are folded down. At least one of the four sidewalls (preferably two) is/are movable connected to the base via the one or more foot portions. The one or two of the four sidewalls being movably connected via the one or more foot portions of the base form together with the foot portions(s) a first plane and a second plane, wherein the second plane comprises a surface for a labelling. Here, the surface for the labeling comprises a separation line separating the foot portions from the one of the four sidewalls.

According to embodiments, the first and the second plane are parallel planes. According to further embodiments, the second plane is set back in relation to the first plane. For example, the first plane may be formed by the ribs of the foot portion and of the sidewall. The second plane may be formed by a closed surface at which the label is / can be attached. Said surface of the second plane may have an L-shape, where said geometry is defined by edges / ribs of the sidewall and the foot portion.

Regarding the separation line it should be noted that the first plane in the area around the separation line is divided by the separation line into two parts of the surface, namely a lower part belonging to the base/foot portions of the base and to the upper part belonging to the sidewall. Coming back to the embodiment of the L-shaped surface: In this case, the longer leg of the L is formed by the sidewall, wherein the shorter leg extends into the foot portion.

According to embodiments, the sidewalls extend substantially perpendicular to the base, analogously to the surface for the labeling. Note the two parts form together the surface for the labeling (just) in the erected state. In the folded down configuration, the two part may be separated by the separation line and do not for the common surface / plane.

Embodiments of the present invention are based on the finding that a foot portions of a base, which is typical for a foldable container, can form together with a part of the sidewall a surface so that the labeling can be attached to the surface. Since the labeling is typically larger than the part of the surface belonging to the base, the labeling extends over both (lower and upper) parts of the surface. Consequently, the surface for the labeling is divided by the separation line. According to embodiments, the two parts of the surface form a common surface in the erected state. According to embodiments, the two parts of the surface are separated/dimensionally separated by the separation line in the folded down state. For example, the two parts of the surface may be angled with respect to each other, e.g., by <NUM>°. It is advantageous to use such a special surface for the labeling so that a conventional labeling machine or conventional label scanner can continuously be used even for foldable crates. Due to the movability of the four sidewalls with respect to the base, the container can be folded down so as to save volume consumption.

As mentioned above, the first plane and the second plane are preferably parallel to each other. According to embodiments, the second plane is set back in relation to the first plane. This has the advantage that the label provided on the first plane is arranged in a kind of recess protecting the label.

The surface, where the label should be attached, is divided by the separation line. As discussed above, the surface exists in the erected state of the sidewall, wherein, when folding down the one surface is separated into the two parts along the separation line. This has the advantage that the label is removed from at least one part of the surface when folded down the side wall. According to embodiments the surface or the lower part or the upper part of the surface can be designed so that the adherence of the label-surface can influence, for example reduced at one part or both parts, in order to enable an easy removal of the label. According to embodiments, removing of the label may be done or supported by a water jet. For example, after folding down the sidewall, the waterjet (e.g. used for washing the crate) may be directed underneath the label to remove same. Vice versa, the adherence can be increased so that the label is destroyed when folding down the crate. For example, the surface may have one or more burlings or form a raw surface structure.

According to embodiments, the container comprises a label attached to the surface. Here, the label may be attached partially to a first part of the surface formed by the foot portions (lower part of surface) and to a second part of the surface formed by the sidewall. For example, the area of the first part of the surface amounts to <NUM>% to <NUM>% or <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the label, wherein the area of the second part of the surface amounts to <NUM>% to <NUM>% or <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the label. In general, this means that, according to embodiments, the label is attached partially to a first part of the surface formed by the foot portions and the second part of the surface formed by the sidewall. The first part and the second part are separated by the separation line. As discussed above, the separation line is configured to remove or destroy the label, wherein the container is transferred from the erected configuration of the container to fill a down configuration of the container. Note, according to embodiments, the position of the label is in a lower third of the container so that the position is maintained, wherein compared to prior art E2 containers. Consequently, the logistic systems for handling the containers can remain unchanged.

According to embodiments, the container may have a conventional E2 container size of, for example, 600x400 millimeter. This means that, according to embodiments, the container has two of the four sidewalls which are longitudinal sidewalls and two other of the four sidewalls which are so-called end walls. The longitudinal sidewalls are longer than the end walls. For example, the longitudinal sidewalls have the length equal or longer to a length of the end walls. According to embodiments, the two longitudinal sidewalls are arranged opposite to each other, wherein the end walls are also arranged opposite to each other. According to embodiments, the base comprises two foot portions being arranged on opposite sides of the base and forming a movable connection to two opposite sidewalls, for example, to the two opposite longitudinal sidewalls. According to embodiments, the movable connection between the sidewalls and the (two) foot portions are realized by a movable connection axis. This moveable connection axis of the two opposite sidewalls may be offset with respect to the moveable connection axis of the two other sidewalls. This has the purpose that the two sidewalls, e.g., the longitudinal sidewalls, are foldable above the two other sidewalls, e.g., the end sidewalls, in the folded down configuration. This has the purpose that respective sidewalls can be folded across each other and enabling a compact folding down structure.

According to embodiments, the base comprises one or more holes or wherein the base comprises one or more holes which are arranged within said surface or within the one or more foot portions. This is beneficial since then some fluid inside the container can flow out through the holes.

According to further embodiments, the four sidewalls are moveably connected to the base wire hinges. These hinges form the movably connection axis as mentioned above. Furthermore, according to embodiments, the sidewalls may comprise a locking mechanism connecting the sidewalls to each other, especially in the erected state.

Below, embodiments of the present invention will subsequently be discussed referring to the enclosed figures, wherein.

<FIG> show enlarged views of an area forming the surface for the label.

Below, embodiments of the present invention will subsequently be discussed referring to the enclosed figures, wherein identical reference numerals are provided to objects having identical or similar functions so that the description thereof is interchangeable and mutually applicable.

<FIG> shows a container <NUM> having four sidewalls 12a, 12b, 14a and 14b. The container <NUM> is illustrated in the erected state, so that the four sidewalls 12a, 12b, 14a and 14b are substantially perpendicular (<NUM>°-<NUM>°) to a base <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The sidewalls 12a and 12b are the longitudinal sidewalls, wherein the sidewalls 14a and 14b are the end sidewalls. The sidewalls 12a and 12b are opposite to each other. the sidewalls 14a and 14b are opposite each other as well. All sidewalls form a square and with its foot portions are connected to a base <NUM>. According to embodiments, the connection between the sidewalls 12a, 12b, 14a and 14b to the base may be realized by a hinge, so that each sidewall 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b is movable connected to the base <NUM>. The hinge is exemplarily marked by the reference numeral <NUM> for the sidewalls 12a and 12b and <NUM> for the sidewalls 14a and 14b.

The base <NUM> comprises a so-called foot portions 17a. Here, two foot portions 17a and 17b are arranged on opposite sides of the base <NUM>. Here, the foot portions 17a and 17b are arranged on the sides at which the lower two sidewalls 12a and 12b are connected to the base <NUM>. In detail, the hinge <NUM> for the respective sidewalls 12a and 12b is formed between the respective sidewalls <NUM> and 12b and the corresponding foot portions 17a and 17b. Due to this, the connection axis as marked by the hashed line going through the hinge <NUM> is offset with respect to the connection axis as marked by the hashed line and going through the hinge <NUM>. This has an advantage with respect to the folding down configuration which will be discussed in detail with respect to <FIG>.

The sidewall 12b forms together with a portion of the base 17b different surfaces, namely a first surface <NUM> and a second surface <NUM>. The second surface <NUM> consists of two parts 22a and 22b. The first surface <NUM> is by the cubature of the container <NUM> (the outside of the volume of the erected container <NUM>), wherein the surface <NUM> may be set back with respect to the surface <NUM>. For example, the surface <NUM> may have an L-shape having a longer and shorter "leg". The longer leg of the L is formed by the sidewall 12b, wherein the shorter leg extends into the foot portion 17b. According to preferred embodiments, the portions 22a and 22b of the surface <NUM> are arranged in a kind of a recess (L-shaped recess). The portions 22a and 22b are separated from each other by a separation line <NUM>. The separation line <NUM> extends along the edge of the foot portions 17b/upper edge of the foot portion 17b/edge facing to the sidewall 12b.

In this embodiment, the surface <NUM> has an L-shape, wherein in the shorter leg the label <NUM> is arranged. The separation line <NUM> may go through the shorter edge. This area for the label <NUM> is surrounded by a "curb" forming the recess with respect to the surface <NUM>. This enables that the protrusions of the surface <NUM> with respect to the surface <NUM> protect the label <NUM> arranged on the surface <NUM>. It should be noted that the surface <NUM> may comprise ribs, wherein the surface is defined by the pop points/lines of the ribs. According to embodiments, the surface <NUM> is flat or substantially flat or at least within the portion for the label <NUM> (substantially) flat. This enables that the label <NUM> can be attached to this surface/ flat portion. As illustrated, the surface <NUM> may be substantially larger than the label <NUM>.

The fact that the part 22a extends the surface <NUM> to the foot portion of the base leads to a situation that the label <NUM> can be arranged in the lower third of the container (low means at the side of the base <NUM>, i.e., opposite to the side to which the sidewalls 12a, 12b 14a and 14b extend in the erected state). Expressed in other words, this means that the foot portions 17b comprises the setback portion 22a which forms together with the portion 22b a common/surface.

Although in the above discussion the setback surface <NUM> has been discussed as belonging to the foot portions 17b and the longitudinal side <NUM>, it should be mentioned that alternatively or additionally the surface <NUM> for the label <NUM> can be provided to the foot portion 17a and the side wall 12a or the surface of the end walls 14a or 14b instead of arranging same at the longitudinal surface. This holds true especially when the foot portions is provided to the shorter sides of the base instead of to the longitudinal sides of the base <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the purpose for the foot portions 17a and 17b of the container <NUM>. Here, the container <NUM> of <FIG> (erected configuration) is shown in the folded down configuration. The two foot portions 17a and 17b extend substantially perpendicular with respect to the extension direction of the base <NUM>. The hinge between the sidewall 12a and the foot portions 17a is marked by <NUM>. Analogously, the hinge <NUM> between the sidewall 12b and the foot portions 12b may be implemented. Due to the foot portions 17a and 17b, the hinge <NUM> and, thus, the rotation axis for the movable sidewalls 12a and 12b is offset with respect to the hinge 14a, so that the two sidewalls 12a and 12b can be folded above the folded down sidewalls 14a and 14b.

The part 22a of the surface is formed within the foot portions 17b as can be seen especially within the enlarged view of <FIG>. In the folded down configuration the portion 22b of the surface is not in the same plane of the surface 22a, i.e., folded back. Consequently, the label <NUM> is not attached anymore to the entire surface <NUM>, for example just to the surface 22b. According to embodiments, the label <NUM> is destroyed or at least removed from the part 22b as shown by <FIG>. Alternatively, the label <NUM> can remain at the part 22a but removed from the portion 22b as illustrated by <FIG>.

Just in the erected state as it is illustrated by <FIG>, the label <NUM> can completely attach to the surface <NUM> so that the separation line <NUM> is at least partially covered by the label <NUM>. This configuration is advantageous since it provides two positive technical effects. The first technical effect is that the label <NUM> can be positioned with respect to its height position quite low so that the label <NUM> can still be read by conventional scanners. Furthermore, the label <NUM> can easily be removed when folding down the respective sidewall so that the label <NUM> is partially removed as illustrated by <FIG> and <FIG>.

As illustrated by <FIG> the surface <NUM> is set back with respect to the ribs of the sidewall 12b or the ribs of the foot portions <NUM>. The ribs are marked by the reference numerals 12r and 17r, respectively. Due to this setting back the label <NUM> is protected in the recess. According to embodiments, the surface <NUM> is limited in the longitudinal direction by a frame structure 12f2/12f3 forming the connection to the abutting sidewalls 14a and 14b (cf. At the top side the surface <NUM> may be limited by a frame structure 12f1 forming opening of the container <NUM>. At the lower side the surface <NUM> may be limited by two frame structures, namely one 12f4 belonging to the sidewall 12b next to the hinge <NUM> (or directly by the edge of the foot portion 17b) and one 17f belonging to the foot portion 17b. For this the foot portion 17b comprises the recess 22r. The recess 22r (cf. <FIG>) of the foot portion 17b has a thin rib 17f at the bottom, substantially smaller than the other portion <NUM> of 17b. According to embodiments, the recess 22r is asymmetrically arranged next to one end wall, here the end wall 14a.

According to embodiments, the sidewalls 12a, 12b, 14a and 14b are connected to each other using locking mechanisms. The locking mechanism is, exemplarily, illustrated by <FIG> and marked by the reference numeral <NUM> between the sidewall 12b and 14a. it should be noted that different types of locking mechanisms are known and can be applied to this crate.

According to embodiments, each sidewall 12a, 12b, 14a and 14c or at least two opposite sidewalls 14a plus 14b or 12a plus 14b may comprise a handle opening <NUM> as illustrated by <FIG>.

According to embodiments, the crate may comprise some holes <NUM>. For example, the holes may be arranged within the portion 22a or somewhere else in the foot portions 17a/17b. Alternatively or additionally, the holes may be arranged somewhere else in the base <NUM>. Additionally, the sidewalls 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b may also comprise holes.

According to embodiments, the surface of the area 22a and/or 22b or of the entire area <NUM> may have a special/structured surface so as to increase or reduce the adherence between the label <NUM> and surface <NUM>. This has the purpose that the label can be removed entirely or at least at one part 22a or 22b. For example, small protrusions like burlings <NUM> may be provided.

According to further embodiments, a wall structure increasing or reducing the adherence may be used.

Furthermore, it should be noted that for the hinge different implementations may be possible. For example, the hinge may be designed as interaction between the sidewall 12a/12b/14a/14b and the respective portion of the base <NUM>. Preferably, the hinge is designed such that the single sidewalls 12a/12b/14a/14b can be exchanged.

Claim 1:
A container (<NUM>), especially a meat container (<NUM>) comprising:
a base (<NUM>) having one or more foot portions (17a, 17b) extending substantially perpendicular to the base (<NUM>);
four sidewalls (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b);
wherein the four sidewalls (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) are moveably connected to the base (<NUM>) to allow the container (<NUM>) to form an erected configuration when the four sidewalls (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) are upright and a folded down configuration when the four sidewalls (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) are folded down;
wherein at least one of the four sidewalls (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) is moveably connected to the base (<NUM>) via the one or more foot portions (17a, 17b):
wherein in the one of the four sidewalls (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b) being moveably connected via the one or more foot portions (17a, 17b) forms together with the foot portion (17a, 17b) a first plane (<NUM>) and a second plane (<NUM>), the second plane (<NUM>) comprising a surface for a label (<NUM>);
wherein the surface for the label (<NUM>) comprises a separation line (<NUM>) separating the foot portion (17a, 17b) from the one of the four sidewalls (12a, 12b, 14a, 14b);
wherein the container (<NUM>) comprises a label (<NUM>) attached to said surface.