DE20000971U1 - Seat for beverage crates - Google Patents

Description

Seat for beverage crates

The invention describes a seat for drinks crates. The preferred crate shapes are listed below, but the invention is not limited to these shapes. Seats can be produced for any drinks crates using the principle of the invention.

Commercially available drinks crates are designed in such a way that the top and bottom surfaces of two crates lock into one another, making the crates easy to stack. For this purpose, stackable drinks crates have a plastic ring on the bottom that is approx. 10 mm high, continuous or open or only partially made, with rounded edges, which runs around the bottom of the crate at a lateral distance of approx. 12 mm, hereinafter referred to as the "stacking ring". The preferred material for these drinks crates is polyethylene or recycled plastic, quality according to STLB.

Since beverage crates are standardized, only a few crate shapes are in use, which are divided into families in the following example list (heights without stacking ring):

1) Beer Crate Family (Nominal Size: 400mm * 300mm):

a) Beer crate for 20 bottles of 0.5 l content

Length: 396 mm, width: 298 mm, height: 279 mm

Upper inner dimension: 370 mm * 277 mm

Dimensions of the stacking ring: Length: 368 mm; Width: 273 mm

b) Beer crate, divisible for 20 bottles of 0.5 1 content

Length: 398 mm, width: 298 mm, height: 279 mm

Upper inner dimensions: 369 mm * 279 mm

Dimensions of the stacking ring: Length: 363 mm; Width: 270 mm

c) Cola crate for 11 bottles of 1.5 l each

Length: 398 mm; Width: 298 mm; Height: 359 mm

Upper inner dimensions: 366 mm * 265 mm

Dimensions of the stacking ring: Length: 363 mm; Width: 263 mm

d) Cola crate for 12 bottles of 1 1 content

Length: 398 mm; Width: 298 mm; Height: 318 mm Upper inner dimensions: 368 mm * 266 mm Dimensions of the stacking ring: Length: 362 mm; Width: 262 mm

e) Cola crate for 20 bottles of 0.5 l content

Length: 404 mm; Width: 302 mm; Height: 303 mm Upper inner dimensions: 376 mm * 281 mm Dimensions of the stacking ring: Length: 367 mm; Width: 273 mm

■■■ »

f) Lemonade box for 12 PET bottles of 1 1 each (Frischa)

Length: 400 mm; Width: 299 mm; Height: 300 mm Upper inner dimensions: 366 mm * 273 mm Dimensions of the stacking ring: Length: 361 mm; Width: 269 mm

g) Lemonade crate for 12 PET bottles of 1 1 each (Bizzl)

Length: 398 mm; Width: 299 mm; Height: 289 mm Upper inner dimensions: 364 mm * 274 mm Dimensions of the stacking ring: Length: 360 mm; Width: 265 mm (corners); 269 mm (middle)

2) Juice milk box family (nominal size: 300mm * 200mm):

a) Fresh milk box for 6 bottles of 1 1 content

Length: 298 mm; Width: 199 mm; Height: 292 mm Upper inner dimensions: 285 mm * 181 mm Dimensions of the stacking ring: Length: 279 mm; Width: 181 mm

b) Fruit juice box (VDF) for 6 bottles of 0.7 1 content

Length: 299 mm; Width: 199 mm; Height: 245 mm Upper inner dimensions: 283 mm * 185 mm Dimensions of the stacking ring: Length: 280 mm; Width: 181 mm

c) Fruit juice box (VDF) for 6 bottles of 1 1 content

Length: 297 mm; Width: 198 mm; Height: 307 mm

··■

Upper inner dimensions: 281 mm * 187 mm Dimensions of the stacking ring: Length: 277 mm; Width: 178 mm

d) Fruit juice box (VDF) for 6 bottles of 1 1 content

Length: 297 mm; Width: 198 mm; Height: 330 mm Upper inner dimensions: 281 mm * 187 mm Dimensions of the stacking ring: Length: 277 mm; Width: 178 mm

e) Pepsi crate for 6 PET bottles of 1.5 l each

Length: 299 mm; Width: 199 mm; Height: 365 mm Upper inner dimensions: 285 mm * 185 mm with 2 notches each at 174 mm Dimensions of the stacking ring: Length: 280 mm; Width: 181 mm

f) Table water box for 6 PET bottles of 1.5 l each

Length: 298 mm; Width: 198 mm; Height: 353 mm Upper inner dimensions: 283 mm * 186 mm Dimensions of the stacking ring: Length: 281 mm; Width: 183 mm

g) Table water box for 6 PET bottles of 1.5 l each

Length: 297 mm; Width: 199 mm; Height: 342 mm Upper inner dimensions: 282 mm * 187 mm Dimensions of the stacking ring: Length: 280 mm; Width: 183 mm

3) Mineral water crate family:

a) Lemonade crate for 12 bottles of 0.7 l each

Length: 354 mm; Width: 272 mm; Height: 330 mm Upper inner dimensions: 327 mm * 244 mm Dimensions of the stacking ring: Length: 322 mm; Width: 239 mm

b) Mineral water box for 12 bottles of 0.7 l each

Length: 357 mm; Width: 271 mm; Height: 332 mm Upper inner dimensions: 330 mm * 243 mm Dimensions of the stacking ring: Length: 323 mm; Width: 244 mm

·

c) Juice box for 12 bottles of 0.7 l content

Length: 354 mm; Width: 270 mm; Height: 305 mm

Upper inner dimension: 329 mm * 243 mm

Dimensions of the stacking ring: Length: 324 mm; Width: 244 mm

4) Others:

a) Cola crate for 24 bottles of 0.33 l each

Length: 442 mm; Width: 311 mm; Height: 263 mm

Upper inner dimensions: (noses): 411 mm * 273 mm

Dimensions of the stacking ring: Length: 404 mm; Width: 267 mm

The measurement of various real drinks crates showed that the deviations from the standard dimensions (length and width of the crates) are in the range of +/- 1%. This can lead to, for example, crate Ie) being difficult to stack on crate la). The dimensions of the stacking rings show even greater variations (up to +/- 3%).

The invention describes a seat for drinks crates. The preferred and most common crate shapes are mentioned above, without the invention being restricted to these shapes. Seats can be produced for any drinks crates using the principle of the invention.

The size of the seat preferably corresponds to the size of the box type for which it is used. The above-mentioned deviations from the standard dimensions are taken into account when dimensioning the seat according to the invention.

The seats have the following preferred dimensions:

a) Beer crate family: 300mm*400mm

b) Juice milk box family: 200 mm * 300 mm

c) Mineral water crate family: 355 mm * 270 mm.

When the seats according to the invention are dimensioned in the above-mentioned dimensions, the weight of the person sitting is optimally distributed over the upper edge and thus over the entire drinks crate when used as intended.

The shape of the seats according to the invention is preferably rectangular, but they can also be, within the minimum and maximum dimensions given below

- have rounded corners and/or

- have a square or diamond-shaped or round or oval or irregular shape.

If the dimensions are too small, the seats will be inside the crates. If the dimensions are too large, the seats can tip out of the crates, especially if the seats are not centrally positioned, so the following minimum and maximum sizes are preferred:

a) for seats of the beer crate family: length: 350 mm to 800 mm; width: 250 mm to 700 mm

b) for seats of the juice milk crate family Length: 270 mm to 700 mm, width: 170 mm to 400 mm

c) Seats for mineral water crate family: length: 300 mm to 800 mm; width: 210 mm to 700 mm.

The seat has a seating surface on its top. Its underside is designed in such a way that it is coupled to the top of a drinks crate in a non-slip manner, i.e. it locks securely in place like another drinks crate of the same type. For this purpose, there is preferably a stacking ring on the underside of the seat, like the one on the corresponding drinks crates, which is preferably perforated. The dimensions of the stacking ring for seats of the above-mentioned crate families are preferably chosen so that it is suitable for all crates in the respective family.

Instead of the stacking ring, in another embodiment, corresponding devices, such as strips, blocks or knobs, are located on the corners and/or the side surfaces, which fulfill the function of the stacking ring.

In addition to the stacking ring or instead of the stacking ring, a non-slip coupling can also be created by an external frame that surrounds the drinks crate and can be solid or open. This frame preferably has a height of 50

mm to 100 mm. The seat can also, less preferably, be attached to the drinks crate using clamps or tensioning devices, e.g. metal brackets or straps.

In a less preferred embodiment, the size of the seat is smaller than the standard dimensions of the respective box families, preferably the size corresponds to the upper internal dimensions of the box. The disadvantage of this embodiment, however, is the poor weight distribution. When used as intended, the weight of the person sitting exerts pressure on the side surface of the box. Furthermore, the seat can become jammed in such a way that it is difficult to remove from the box after use.

To compensate for tolerances within a crate family, non-slip materials such as rubber can be attached to the underside of the seat. Furthermore, the frame surrounding the drinks crate and/or the stacking ring and/or the devices replacing the stacking ring, such as strips, blocks or studs, can be provided with flexible rubber profiles.

In this way, drinks crates become comfortable and stable seating with the help of the seat according to the invention. They are extremely resistant to tipping over, especially outdoors, a significant advantage over many conventional garden seating items. Both slight unevenness in the ground and a slope of the terrain of up to approx. 15° allow the seat according to the invention to be used easily and safely.

The height of the seating can be varied by stacking crates. A satisfactory seat height is generally achieved by stacking two crates or with a crate and a seat that contains a crate (see also example 1).

Due to their dimensions, seats for crates of the juice-milk family are particularly suitable for children.

The preferred material from which the seat is made is polyethylene or recycled plastic, which is also used to make the drinks crates. The seat can also be made of wood. Less preferred materials include metal, other plastics and composite materials. The seat can also be made of several materials.

Various designs are possible for the design of the seat, preferably those listed below:

1) The seat is closed, i.e. it consists of one surface. This surface is preferably flat, but it can also be concave or convex. The seat can be used as an advertising medium by printing on it. The disadvantage of the concave, closed seat is that water can collect on it when it rains. With a convex design, liquids largely run off, but the seating comfort is less.

2) The seat has a grid structure or a frame covering. Water can drain off, and printing is hardly possible with this design.

3) The seat according to embodiments 1 and 2 is additionally provided with a seat cushion. The seat cushion preferably has a filling made of soft material and is preferably provided with a cover.

The cover is preferably made of UV-resistant, waterproof and/or water-repellent material, e.g. plastic. The cover is particularly suitable for applying a print (e.g. drinks brands, manufacturers or other text and/or image prints).

The cover can also be made of non-water-repellent materials, e.g. fabric. However, this embodiment is less preferred.

The cover can be attached to the underside of the seat by welding (plastic) or by stapling or nailing (wood).

The seat cushion and the underside of the seat can also be manufactured in separate steps and subsequently attached to one another, e.g. by gluing or welding or with Velcro. The advantages of a detachable connection between the seat cushion and the underside of the seat, e.g. using Velcro, are that the cushion can be cleaned, washed, replaced and also transported separately.

The filling of the seat cushion is preferably made of foam, as flakes or moldings or from synthetic fibers. Less preferred filling materials include cotton, down, fabric, seaweed and other upholstery materials.

The shape of the top of the seat cushion is preferably convex and rounded, with its highest point preferably in the middle. This shape ensures that liquids can drain off and the seat dries quickly.

In a preferred embodiment, the seat for beverage crates is designed in such a way

that he has additional suitable resources and/or subjects that

Drinks bottles and/or glasses and/or plates and/or cups and/or auxiliary equipment such as bottle openers, cutlery etc.

These devices can be integrated into the seat. However, it is also possible to attach devices to the seat to which the above-mentioned aids are only attached when intended for use.

A particularly useful aid is a container in the form of a tube with a diameter of 9 cm and a height of 15 cm. It is suitable for safely holding almost all commercially available types of bottles with a capacity of 0.33 litres to 1 litres, drinking cups and glasses. It can be attached to plastic seats during manufacture, for example.

In a special embodiment, the seat is designed in such a way that it has multifunctional properties. In this embodiment, the seat, with the same properties of the underside and seat as described above, is designed in the shape of a box, which increases the seat height preferably to a comfortable 45 cm. This box has a height of 17 cm, for example, when placed on a beer crate (20 * 0.5 1).
This box can also be used for transport and storage. For this purpose, the box has a drawer and/or the seat is designed so that it can be opened and/or removed. In addition, the seat can also have one or more transport handles. The interior of the box can also be thermally insulated and thus be used to keep food and drinks warm or cool.

Examples of the seats for beverage crates according to the invention are shown below. However, the invention is not limited to these examples.

Examples: Example 1: Seat for crate of the beer crate family

The seat is constructed as follows: A rectangular plastic plate with a thickness of 10 mm, a width of 300 mm and a length of 400 mm has a 10 mm high, 2 mm thick stacking ring on the underside, which runs around the underside of the plastic plate and whose corners are rounded.

In a further embodiment, the stacking ring is perforated and only partially formed.

The opposing distances of the stacking ring are 260 mm and 360 mm respectively. On the top of the plastic plate there is a rounded seat cushion with the dimensions of the plastic plate, which is made of molded foam and covered with UV-resistant and water-repellent plastic fabric. The plastic plate and seat cushion are manufactured in separate production steps and attached to each other by gluing.

In the middle of one of the broad sides, a tube with a diameter of 90 mm and a height of 150 mm, closed at the bottom, is attached to the outside of the plastic plate in such a way that the upper open end of the tube is flush with the plastic plate.

In a special design, there are 17 cm high side panels between the bottom and the seat, which form a box between the lower plastic plate and the seat. The top of this box, on which the seat cushion is located, can be folded down.

Example 2: Seat for crate of the mineral water crate family

The seat is constructed as follows: A rectangular wooden board 10 mm thick, 280 mm wide and 360 mm long has four 10 mm high and 20 mm wide wooden strips on the underside. Two strips each have a length of 300 mm and 220 mm. The strips are attached to the underside with 15 mm long nails and glue in such a way that the outer edges of the opposing 300 mm long strips are 240 mm apart and the outer edges of the opposing 220 mm long strips are 315 mm apart. The strips are attached symmetrically.
A suspension device is attached to the middle of one of the broad sides. If required, a tube closed on one side can be inserted into this suspension device, which

&iacgr; ·

Diameter of 90 mm and a height of 150 mm and consists of a metal grid.

In a variant of this design, a Velcro strip is attached to the seat, which serves to attach a seat cushion, which also has a Velcro strip.

Example 3: Seat for crate of the mineral water crate family

The seat is constructed as follows: A rectangular wooden board with a thickness of 20 mm, a width of 280 mm and a length of 360 mm. The wooden board has an opening inside measuring 240 mm * 340 mm. The inner cavity is covered with wickerwork. It has four wooden strips on the underside, each 10 mm high and 20 mm wide. Two strips each have a length of 300 mm and 220 mm. The strips are attached to the underside with 15 mm long nails and glue in such a way that the outer edges of the opposing 300 mm long strips are 240 mm apart and the outer edges of the opposing 220 mm long strips are 315 mm apart. The strips are attached symmetrically.

For additional stability, the seat is set in a 100 mm wide wooden frame that encloses the mineral water family box. Two carrying handles are attached centrally to this wooden frame on the long sides of the seat.

Example 4: Child seat for juice or milk crate

The seat is constructed as follows: An oval plastic plate with a thickness of 10 mm and a diameter of 250 mm * 350 mm has a 10 mm high, 2 mm thick rectangular stacking ring on the underside, which runs around the plastic plate and whose corners are rounded.

In a further embodiment, the stacking ring is perforated and only partially formed.

The opposing distances of the stacking ring are 280 mm and 180 mm respectively. On the top of the plastic plate there is a rounded seat cushion with the dimensions of the plastic plate, which is made of molded foam and covered with UV-resistant and water-repellent plastic fabric. The plastic plate and seat cushion are manufactured in separate production steps and attached to each other using Velcro.

Claims (16)

1. Seat for drinks crates, characterized in that the underside of the seat can be loosely connected to the top of a drinks crate by appropriate shaping and/or devices such that the seat and the drinks crate together form a piece of seating furniture. 2. Seat for drinks crates according to claim 1, characterized in that for coupling the seat and the drinks crate to - the underside of the seat has devices such as strips, blocks or studs attached to the corners or sides of the seat and/or - the underside of the seat has a closed or perforated stacking ring and/or - the seat has a frame that is suitable for enclosing the drinks crate and/or - the seat has clamps or straps for attaching to the drinks crate. 3. Seat for beverage crates according to claim 1, characterized in that the seat is equipped with crates of - Beer crate family (standard size: 300 mm . 400 mm) or - Juice milk box family (standard size: 300 mm . 200 mm) or - Mineral water crate family (dimensions approx.: 355 mm . 270 mm) can be coupled together in a non-slip manner. 4. Seat for beverage crates according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the seat consists of the plastics polyethylene and/or recycled plastic and/or metal and/or wood and/or other plastics and/or composite materials. 5. Seat for beverage crates according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the seat - is closed and/or - has a lattice structure and/or - has a covering and/or - has a seat cushion. 6. Seat for drinks crates according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the seat cushion has a cover made of UV-resistant and/or water-repellent and/or waterproof material. 7. Seat for drinks crates according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the seat cushion is filled with one or more of the materials foam, plastic fibers, down, cotton, fabric, seaweed. 8. Seat for drinks crates according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the upper side of the seat cushion has a convex-rounded shape. 9. Seat for drinks crates according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the seat cushion and underside are manufactured in separate steps and are connected to one another by gluing or welding or Velcro. 10. Seat for drinks crates according to claims 1 to 9, characterized in that text and/or image prints are applied to the closed seat surface or the upholstery cover according to claim 5. 11. Seat for drinks crates according to claim 1 to 10, characterized in that the minimum size of the seats for seats of the beer crate family is 350 mm . 250 mm - Seats of the milk-juice box family 270 mm . 170 mm - Seats of the mineral water crate family 300 mm . 210 mm. 12. Seat for beverage crates according to claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the maximum size of the seats for - Seats of the beer crate family 800 mm . 700 mm - Seats of the milk-juice box family 400 mm . 700 mm - Seats of the mineral water crate family 800 mm . 700 mm. 13. Seat for beverage crates according to claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the seat has a rectangular or square or diamond-shaped or round or oval or irregular shape and/or has rounded corners. 14. Seat for beverage crates according to claims 1 to 13, characterized in that - that the seat has devices to which aids for holding bottles and/or glasses and/or cups and/or plates can be attached and/or that aids for holding bottles and/or glasses and/or cups and/or plates are attached to the seat and/or - that the seat has compartments for storing auxiliary equipment such as bottle openers and cutlery. 15. Seat for beverage crates according to claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the seat has a box which increases the height of the seat and/or - can be used as storage space and/or transport container and/or - has insulation and/or - has a drawer and/or - has a hinged top. 16. Seat for beverage crates according to claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the seat has one or more carrying handles.