Transport Container for Food

This application is a continuation of international application PCT/EP 2023/087841 filed on Dec. 27, 2023, claiming priority from German patent application DE 10 2023 100 070.5, filed on Jan. 3, 2023, both of which are incorporated in their entirety by this reference.

The invention relates to a transport container for food. The invention also relates to a system of transport containers for food.

Generic transport containers can be used for manually transporting prepared and unprepared food products, for transporting these food products by a delivery service or a courier service. Transport containers of this generic type are available in a multitude of configurations.

Generic transport containers are known in the art. EP 3 415 043 A1 shows a table ware system including a placemat and a transport container. The placemat includes an essentially flat base that can be placed on a support surface and that at least partially adheres to the support surface by a vacuum. Additionally, the placemat includes a first connection device that is arranged at a top side of a cover element of the placemat. Additionally, the transport container includes a surface connection device at the base, wherein the surface connection device is configured complementary to the connection device of the placemat. This way, the base connection device and the connection device of the placemat can be reversibly connected or disconnected by positive form locking. The positive form locking is provided by a bayonet closure.

The transport container additionally includes a cover part. The cover part also includes a connection device at its top side configured as a cover connection device. The cover connection device is configured to cooperate with the base connection device by positive form locking through a bayonet closure. This way, the cover connection device of the cover part of a transport container can cooperate with the base connection device of a base part of another transport container. This way, plural transport containers are stackable on top of one another and connectible to form a container pack.

A pack of the known transport containers is difficult to transport by hand.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a transport container that is transportable in a simple manner.

The object is achieved by a transport container, configured to manually transport prepared or unprepared food products, the transport container including a housing, defining an interior space, wherein the housing includes a base part and a cover part, wherein the base part and the cover part are connected with each other in a force-transferring manner when the housing is in a closed condition so that the interior space is closed and not accessible by hand, wherein the cover part is moveable relative to the base part in order to transfer the housing from the closed condition into an open condition, so that the interior space is releasable for access by hand, wherein the base part includes a base connector arranged at a bottom side of the base part, and oriented away from the interior space, and configured to provide a positive form locking connection of the base part with a complementary connection device, wherein the cover part includes a cover connection device arranged at a top side of the cover part and oriented away from the interior space and configured to provide a positive form locking connection of the cover part with a complementary connection device, wherein, the base connector and the cover connector are configured complementary so that the base connector of the base part of the transport container is able to cooperate with a cover connector of a cover part of another transport container through positive form locking; a carry handle, centrally arranged at a top side of the cover part and attached at the cover part, wherein the cover part includes a gripping recess in an area of the carry handle, wherein the gripping recess envelops the carry handle at a side oriented towards the cover part, so that the carry handle is positioned clear for manual gripping envelopment.

Advantageous embodiments can be derived from the dependent claims and the detailed description.

The transport container includes a housing, including a base part and a cover part and defining an interior space. Put differently, the interior space is jointly defined by the base part and the cover part. The base part and/or the cover part can be advantageously configured as dish-shaped, so that they are particularly well suited to receive food products. When the housing is in a closed position, the base part and the cover part are connected in a force-transferring manner so that the interior space is closed and not accessible by hand. Advantageously, this closure can be provided watertight and airtight as well. The cover part is movable relative to the base part in order to transfer the housing from a closed condition into an open condition. Thus, the interior space can be made available for hand access. The movement of the cover part relative to the base part can be implemented by pivoting about a pivot axis. Other embodiments are also conceivable.

The base part additionally includes a base connection device arranged at a bottom side oriented away from the interior and configured to provide a form-locking connection of the base part with a complementary connection device. The base connection device can be configured, in particular, to form a positive form-locking connection, wherein the base connection device and the associated connection device are interlockable with each other. The connection can be advantageously established without using tools and can be disengaged without damaging any components.

Additionally, the cover part includes a cover connection device arranged at a top side oriented away from the interior and configured to connect the cover part with a complementary connection device by positive form-locking.

Advantageously, the base connection device and the cover connection device are configured complementary, so that the base connection device of a base part of a transport container can cooperate with a cover connection device of a cover part of another transport container by positive form-locking. This embodiment allows arranging plural advantageously identical transport containers on top of one another so that the cover connection device of a lower transport container cooperates with the base connection device of a transport container arranged there above by positive form-locking so that the transport containers respectively stacked on top of one another are connected with each other. This allows combining plural transport containers to form a container pack, which simplifies transporting and storing plural transport containers significantly compared to transporting the transport containers individually.

The complementary embodiment of the base connection device of a transport container with the cover connection device of another transport container necessitates in an individual transport container that the base connection device and the cover connection device are configured complementary. This means they will be suitable for positive form locking engagement. It is appreciated that the base connection device and the cover connection device of the same transport container do not engage by positive form-locking, but are configured to form a container pack with connection devices of other advantageously identical transport containers. Additionally, an external connection device that is not part of the transport container itself can be configured at other components, e.g. at a table or a diner car. In these cases, the external connection devices are advantageously configured analogous to the cover connection device of the transport container so that they are configured to provide form locking engagement with the base connection device of the transport container.

The transport container advantageously includes a carry handle centrally arranged at a top side of the cover part. The cover part includes a handle recess in the area of the carry handle, wherein the handle recess envelops the handle at a side oriented towards the cover part so that a hand can reach around the handle. Advantageously, the gripping recess is closed towards the interior of the transport container so that an access to the interior space of the transport container is not possible below the carry handle. This allows food products in the interior of the container to be separated from the ambient.

The transport container according to the invention has many advantages. In particular, the transport container can be held relatively easily so that an individual transport container as well as a container pack formed by a plurality of transport containers can be held and transported in a particularly simple manner. In spite of having the carrier handle accessible for a hand to reach around the carrier handle, the cover part includes the cover connection device so that the ability to stack plural transport containers on top of each other and connect them by positive form-locking is not impaired by the carry handle. In particular, plural identical transport containers can form a system of transport containers that are connectible to form container packs of at least two transport containers when base connection devices and cover connection devices of respective transport containers cooperate. A container pack can thus be held and carried at the carrier handle of the transport container that is arranged on top of the container pack. Since the carrier handle is centrally arranged at the top side, the transport container is particularly well balanced when the transport container is substantially filled evenly. Since a user is able to place his hand at least partially below the top side of the cover part due to the gripping recess, namely partially within the gripping recess, the hand is arranged particularly close to the center of gravity of the transport container. This has the advantage that the transporting can be performed in a particularly convenient and easy manner which makes it comfortable.

Advantageously, the carrier handle terminates flush with a top side of the cover part so that the carrier handle advantageously does not protrude upward beyond the top side of the cover part. Due to the gripping recess that forms a depression below the carry handle, the carry handle can be gripped particularly easily due to this embodiment. Thus, a user can place his hand into the gripping recess and then envelop the carry handle with his hand and thus hold and transport the transport container. The carry handle terminating substantially flush with the top side of the cover part yields the advantage that the carry handle does not protrude into a space above the cover part, which would impair a connection of the cover connection device of the cover part with a complementary base connection device of a transport container positioned there above.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the cover connection device is arranged further outside than the carry handle at the top side of the cover part along the vertical axis of the transport container. This arrangement is particularly well-suited to form the cover connection device as well as the carry handle at the top side of the cover part. The carry handle cannot be arranged this way at known containers since the top side of the cover part is completely covered with the cover connection device. Arranging the carry handle on the cover connection device is not possible, either, since connecting with a complementary base connection device would not be possible anymore. The advantageous embodiment with carry handle in a center and cover connection device off center, advantageously facilitates both, namely comfortable carrying of the transport container and connecting the transport container with one or plural additional transport containers. Advantageously, the cover connection device can envelop the carry handle in a ring shape. This is conceivable, e.g., when forming the cover connection device and the base connection device as complementary pieces of a bayonet closure.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the transport container, the carry handle is formed as an advantageously cambered bar, respectively supported at opposite ends in a force-transferring manner at the cover part. This shape has the advantage that the carrier handle can be easily enveloped by a hand of the operator. This means that the carry handle can be reached around by hand in a particularly simple manner. Put differently, the carry handle, according to this embodiment, is particularly ergonomic so that the transport container can be used in a particularly convenient and comfortable manner. As a consequence, the carry handle does not cut into the hand of the user even when the transport container has a high weight when heavily loaded. From a static point of view, supporting the carry handle at both ends is particularly advantageous.

In an advantageous embodiment, the cover connection device and the base connection device cooperate like a bayonet closure, wherein advantageously the cover connection device as well as the base connection device include connection elements forming a partial circle. A bayonet closure is operable by the user in a particularly intuitive and simple manner. The required installation space is particularly small since the relative movement of the form locking partner merely includes a rotation about a vertical axis so that no relative linear movements need to be performed. Therefore, the connection can be established and disengaged in a very small space.

The connection of a respective base connection device of an upper transport container with a cover connection device of a lower transport container arranged thereunder can be performed in this embodiment in a particularly simple manner using a rotating movement. The user can apply a base of the upper transport container to the cover part of the lower transport container and then rotate both transport containers relative to each other about their respective vertical axes. This establishes the desired form-locking connection like in a bayonet closure so that the two transport containers now form a container pack, wherein the entire container pack can be carried by hand at the carry handle of the upper transport container.

In an advantageous embodiment of the positive form-locking connection, the cover connection device and the base connection device can be configured so that a transport container is attached at another transport container through a linear movement. This can be accomplished by a cover connection device including at least one rail, advantageously plural rails, arranged parallel with one another, whereas the base connection device includes respective complementary pins. In order to establish the form locking connection, the cover connection device of a first transport container and the base connection device of a second transport container can be configured to form a dovetail connection which is particularly well suited to transfer forces along a vertical axis of the transport container.

In an advantageous embodiment, the cover connection device and the base connection device jointly form an interlocking mechanism which provides a clear manual feedback to the user through a defined interlocking of one transport container at the other transport container when a connection has been successfully established. This interlocking mechanism can also be used to avoid an unintentional disengagement of the form-locking connection of two transport containers. The interlocking mechanism of a connection device including rails, can be formed e.g. at an end of the rail at the cover part of the lower transport container which interlocks with the base connection device of the upper transport container when its pins are inserted towards an end of the rails.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the base part and the cover part are connected with one another by a film hinge so that the cover part is pivotable relative to the base part about a pivot axis defined by the film hinge, so that the transport container is transferrable between a closed condition and an open condition. Thus, the transport container is provided integrally in one piece and thus joined together which provides particularly simple handling. Advantageously, the film hinge is configured to open far enough so that the base part and the cover part can be arranged in a plane adjacent to one another. Put differently, the film hinge has an opening angle of about 180 degrees, in this case in a folded-out condition. This way, the base part and the cover part can be used as tableware so that the user can distribute food products arranged in the transport container so that the food products can be consumed from the base part as well as from the cover part. This renders the transport container usable in a particularly versatile manner. Additionally, empty transport containers that still need to be filled can be stacked into one another in the open condition in a simple manner and thus can be stored in a space-saving manner.

As an alternative to a single piece embodiment of the transport container, where the cover part and the base part are connected with one another by a film hinge, it is also possible to configure the transport container in two parts, wherein the first part is formed by the base part and the second part is formed by the cover part. This configuration can be useful in particular for transport containers with a larger volume, e.g. greater than five liters, in order to simplify access to the base part and in order to store base parts and cover parts separately.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the container includes a closure configured to connect the cover part and the base part through positive form-locking with one another when the transport container is in the closed position. This has the advantage that the closure can transfer forces between the cover part and the base part. When the transport container is in the closed position, it is possible in a particularly simple manner when the closure is closed, to grip and lift the carry handle in order to carry the transport container. Since the closure is closed, forces can be transferred from the cover part to the base part through the closure and through a hinge that connects the cover part and the base part. As recited supra, the hinge can be configured, in particular, as a film hinge. When the cover part and the base part are connected with one another by the film hinge, it is particularly advantageous when the closure is configured at an edge arranged opposite to the film hinge. Additionally, the closure can be advantageously configured to make the transport container tightly closeable. This also makes it possible to transport liquid food products without having a risk of the food products running out of the transport container due to leakage. Advantageously, the transport container is thus usable in a particularly safe and reliable manner.

Advantageously, the closure is formed by a closure clip formed at the cover part or the base part. Thus, the closure is not disengagable from the transport container in this embodiment, so that it cannot get lost. Closure clips are well known to users, so that the transport container can be used in a particularly simple manner. Advantageously, the closure clip is always correctly aligned with the cover part and the base part so that is can be operated in a particularly simple manner.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the cover part is provided at least in two pieces, advantageously exactly in two pieces and includes a base element and a recess element, wherein the carry handle is attached at the base element. Thus, the recess element is configured shell-shaped and arranged at the base element so that the recess element forms the gripping recess of the cover part. This way, the recess element can be replaced. Additionally, the two-piece configuration of the cover part is advantageous for producing the transport container by injection molding. Additionally, it is conceivable that several sizes of recess elements are provided which can be adapted to hands of users of different sizes. Overall, the transport container can be used in a particularly adaptable and individual manner. In order to form the cover part, the recess part can be connected with the base element by positive form-locking or by bonding.

When the cover part is provided in several pieces as described supra, the base element of the cover part, the carry handle and the base part can be provided integrally in one piece, advantageously produced by injection-molding. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for mass production as well as for simple handling of the transport container. In an advantageous embodiment the transport container does not have any joining edges between the individual components. This yields a particularly smooth surface.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the cover part as well as the base part have a rectangular or circular shape with circumferential upward protruding edges so that the cover part as well as the base part have the shape of a rectangular dish or of a pot. A total volume of the inner space of the transport container in the closed position is formed by a sum of individual dish volumes of the cover part and of the base part. This embodiment yields an essentially cuboid or cylinder-shaped transport container. These shapes have proven particularly useful in practical applications since they match typically cuboid shelf systems, drawers, or similar. This has the advantage that the transport container is combinable with other systems with rather low complexity and thus usable in many simple ways. Additionally, this embodiment provides sufficient storage volume for food products, wherein the cover part as well as the base part can be used for storing the food products when the transport container is in an open condition, e.g. for consuming the food products.

According to another particularly advantageous embodiment, the dish volume of the cover part and of the base part is essentially identical. Put differently, the cover part and the base part area advantageously approximately the same size, wherein a horizontal separation plane where the cover part and the base part connect to each other when the housing is in its closed condition divides the housing at least essentially centrally into two parts of equal size, the base part and the cover part. This is advantageous for example when food products shall be moved from the cover part into the base part and vice versa.

Advantageously, the cover part can be provided with at least one ventilation slot or advantageously with a plurally of ventilation slots. This can be advantageous in order to prevent a buildup of water vapor within the storage container when the housing is in the closed condition. When this ventilation slot is provided, the container may not be suitable for moving the food products into the cover part.

According to another advantageous embodiment, at least the base part includes an internal divider, configured e.g. as a divider wall which divides the volume of the base part into two partial volumes. This divider wall can be advantageous to be able to store different food products separated from each other in the base part without them mixing during transportation of the transport container. This embodiment will be described infra.

The object is also achieved with the system of features in claim. This system includes a plurality of transport containers which are respectively configured according to the invention or according to one of its advantageous embodiments. According to the invention, the base connection device of a first transport container of the system is connected with the cover connection device of a second transport container of the system. This way, both transport containers form a container pack. Advantageously, the transport containers of the system are all configured identical.

shows a schematic perspective view of a transport containerat a slant angle from above. The transport containeris configured for manually transporting prepared foods and includes a housingdefining an interior space. The interior spacehas a volume of 1.5 liters. The housingincludes a base partand a cover part. The base partand the cover partare formed from polypropylene. The base partand the cover partare advantageously configured dish shaped respectively.

As evident from, the cover partand the base partrespectively have a rectangular basic shape with circumferential upward extending rims, so that the base partand the cover partrespectively have the form of a rectangular disc. Put differently, the base partand the cover partare at least essential cuboid. Additionally, the dish volumes of the cover partand of the base partare at least essentially identical.

As evident from, a dividerdivides the base partinto two portions. This way, different foods can be stored in the respective portion so that they do not mix during transport.

As evident from, the cover partincludes a cover connection deviceat a top sideoriented away from the interior space. As evident from, the base partincludes a base connectorat a bottom side oriented away from the interior space. The cover connectorand the base connectorare configured complementary so that the cover connectorof a first transport containeris connectable by positive form locking with the base connectorof a second transport containerthat is advantageously configured identical to the first transport container. Accordingly, the base connectorand the cover connectorof a transport containerare configured complementary though the cover connectorand the base connectorof the same transport containerare not connected with each other but base connectorsand cover connectorsof different transport containersare connected with each other.

In an advantageous embodiment, the cover connectoris arranged further outside than the carry handleat the top sideof the cover part. This is evident e.g. from. Therefore, the cover connectorat least partially envelops the carry handleso that the carry handlecan be used though the cover connectoris arranged at the cover part. By the same token, the base connectoris also arranged further outside at the bottom side of the base partas evident from. The base connectorand the cover connectorare advantageously configured as portions of circular rings.

The cover connectorand the base connectorare configured so that they are respectively connectable by form locking with a complementary closure. The complementary closure can be e.g. a table top that is connectible with the base connector. The complementary closure can also be configured at a diner car that is connectible with the base connectoror with the cover connector. Additionally, the cover connectorof a transport containercan be connected with the base connectorof another transport containerso that several transport containersare stackable on top of each other forming a container pack as already described supra.

As evident from, the cover connectorand the base connectorare configured in the illustrated embodiment to cooperate like a bayonet closure. Thus, the cover connectorand the base connectorform connectorsthat are shaped as segments of circular rings. This is evident from. Put differently, two transport containerscan be connected with one another in that a transport containeris placed with its bottom sideonto the top sideof another transport container, so that the connection elementsof the base connectorof one transport containerengage the connection elementof the cover connectorof the other transport container. Thus, a rotation of the upper transport containerrelative to the lower transport containerclockwise about a vertical axisestablishes a positive form-locking connection between the connection elementof the base connectorof the first transport containerand the connection elementof the cover connectorof the other transport container. Accordingly, rotating counterclockwise, this connection can be separated again and the transport containerscan be separated from each other again.

When the housingis in a closed condition, the base partand the cover partare connected in a force transmitting manner so that the interior spaceis closed and inaccessible by hand. Allshow the closed condition of the transport container.

Additionally, the cover partis moveable relative to the base partin order to transfer the housingfrom the closed condition into the open condition. Thus, the interior spaceis accessible by hand. The movement is a pivot movement in the illustrated embodiment that is performed by the base partand the cover partrelative to one another about a pivot axis, which is advantageously formed herein by a film hinge. As evident from, the transfer containerincludes a carry handle, centrally arranged at the top sideof the cover partand attached at the cover part. Thus, the cover partincludes a gripping recessin an area of the carry handlewherein the gripping recess envelops the carry handleat a side oriented towards the cover part, so that the carry handleis free for a hand to reach around.clearly shows in a schematic side view that the carry handledoes not substantially protrude upward but terminates at least essentially flush with the top side.

As evident from, the cover partis formed in the illustrated embodiment by a base elementand a dish shaped recess element. Thus, the carry handleis attached at the base element, wherein the recess elementis configured shell-shaped and arranged at the base element, so that the recess elementforms the gripping recessof the cover part. The recess elementis snap locked at the base elementin the illustrated embodiment by positive form locking. This is performed by the interlocking lugsthat are evident from. The recess elementextends from the top sideof the cover partdownward, this means into the interior of the transport container. Thus, the volume of the interior spaceis reduced by the recess element, compared to a configuration where the recess elementis not provided.

As evident from, the base partand the cover partare connected with one another forming a film hinge. In the illustrated embodiment, the base elementof the cover part, the carry handle, and the base partare integrally provided in one piece through a single injection-molding step. The film hingeis arranged at the base partand at the cover partso that the cover partis pivotable relative to the base partabout a pivot axisdefined by the film hinge, so that the transport containeris transferrable from a closed position to an open position and vice versa. The film hingeis configured so that it permits an opening angle of at least 180 degrees so that the base partand the cover partcan be essentially arranged in one plane adjacent to each other when provided in the open condition. This way, it is possible to arrange the base partand the cover partdirectly adjacent to one another in the open condition so that the base partas well as the cover partcan be used as tableware to receive food therein.

As evident fromin combination, the transport containeradditionally includes a closure device, configured on a side of the housingthat is oriented away from the film hinge. Thus, the cover partand the base partare connectible with each other by positive form-locking through the closure devicewhen the transport containeris in the closed condition. The closure deviceis formed by a closure clip, pivotably arranged at the cover partor at the base part.