FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a container, such as for example a box or suchlike, to contain average to small sized objects, such as bottles, tins, ornaments, stationery goods, spectacles or others, typically packaged and transported in container boxes. In particular the container according to the present invention has a first packaging configuration in which its function is to contain and transport the objects safely, and a second display configuration in which its function is to position the objects in an orderly manner and on display.

Here and in the following description, as a non-restrictive example, specific reference will be made to containers intended for the packaging and display of bottles, or other similar food containers, but it is not excluded that the present invention can equally be applied to any other type of objects. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers are known, such as boxes for example, to contain and transport average to small sized objects, such as bottles, spectacles or other similar objects.

Known boxes are normally rigid, made of plastic, wood, metal or other, and have a substantially polyhedral shape, mainly parallelepiped, to be easily stacked and positioned tidily with respect to each other. Known boxes consist of a plurality of walls disposed with respect to each other so as to define a containing compartment.

Boxes are also known with a non-regular shape, but which however have the sole function of containing and transport. It is also known that, having carried out their containing and transport function, the boxes lose their primary function and are disposed of, with the consequent costs and problems of disposal.

The disposal of known boxes can also cause problems of environmental pollution, in particular if the boxes are made of plastic material or have been chemically treated on the surface with varnishes, emulsions or other.

The problems concerning the disposal of the boxes are particularly manifest when the box is intended for the packaging of food products or products for consumption wherein, once the product originally contained in the box has been finished or consumed, the box is no longer of any use and has to be disposed of.

Moreover, known boxes have relatively high production costs, in that, as well as making the walls of the box proper, a cover also has to be made, for example of the pivoting type, with relative walls and hardware elements, to allow the selective closing of the compartment.

A further disadvantage of known boxes is the fact that when the boxes contain no object, they are relatively bulky to transport, causing an increase in the marketing costs.

Containers which can be coupled together in a position adjacent to each other are also known, for example from the English patent GB-A-2436603. These containers are open, that is they provide a through container compartment which is not autonomously suitable for the safe containment of objects. These ^y containers, or a coupled composition of them, need a panel, or an auxiliary closing wall, to close the compartment on at least one side. Moreover, their possible disposition coupled head- wise, that is axial between two compartments, in any case defines a through compartment, so that the container when made up is not safe for the transport of objects such as bottles or other.

Purpose of the present invention is to make a container for objects that is simple and economic to make, which overcomes the disadvantages of the state of the art, which guarantees the safe and efficient packaging and transport of objects, and which can be used effectively even after the function of safe packaging and transport of the objects has been completed, without necessarily having to be disposed of. The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purpose, a container for objects according to the present invention comprises a first body provided with a plurality of first lateral walls and at least a bottom wall, relatively connected with each other so as to define a first blind compartment, and a second body provided with a plurality of second lateral walls and at least a bottom wall, relatively connected with each other so as to define a second blind compartment. The first body and the second body can be reciprocally coupled with each other to define at least a first packaging configuration of the objects, in which the first blind compartment and the second blind compartment define a single compartment, completely closed and protected to safely contain one or more objects. According to a characteristic feature of the present invention, the container comprises first attachment means made on at least one lateral and/or bottom wall of one of either the first body or the second body.

Moreover, the present invention provides second attachment means conformed in a coordinated manner with the first attachment means and selectively associated or associable with one of either the first body or the second body, and able to be coupled with the first attachment means in a removable manner.

The selective coupling of the first attachment means and the second attachment means determines the reciprocal constraint of the first and the second body in a second display configuration, different from the first packaging configuration, in which the first body and the second body are disposed with respect to each other so as to define a stable structure, in which the first blind compartment and the second blind compartment are separated from each other and accessible from outside in an independent manner.

In this way, thanks to the coupling of the first and the second attachment means, each body of the container can be selectively combined with the other body, in a substantially modular manner, so as to define different stable structures in the second display condition.

In this second condition, in which the two compartments are separated from each other and accessible from outside, it is possible to house respective objects, even different from those originally contained in the package, inside the two compartments, in a separate and orderly manner as desired.

Moreover, since the compartments of each element are blind, in that they are closed on one side by the respective bottom walls, these can contain the objects in a distinctly autonomous manner, that is without the need to use auxiliary closing elements, as happens in the state of the art.

This advantage allows greater possibilities of disposing and combining the containers in their second display configuration, for example to constitute a dividing wall which completely separates two areas of the same environment.

In this way, once its function to contain and transport the objects is over, the container has not exhausted its function, because it can be taken to its second configuration, different from the first, in which it can assume the function of positioning and displaying the objects tidily. With the present invention the container does not necessarily have to be disposed of at the end of its use as a container and transporter, but is reconfigured to assume a different function.

Therefore, the costs and disadvantages due to the disposal of the container are substantially avoided. Furthermore, with the present invention, the container is opened simply by temporarily separating the two bodies from their first packaging configuration.

In this way, no lids or similar mobile elements are necessary to allow the opening and closing of the container, which gives advantages in terms of cost and simplicity of production of the container. To give an example, in one possible form of embodiment, where the container in its first configuration is conformed for the normal packaging of a bottle, for example a wine bottle, once the first and the second attachment means have been coupled, a stable structure is defined by the two bodies in which a relative bottle is housed in each blind compartment. In this solution, the original container is functionally reconfigured as desired, so as to be used as a bottle rack, to display and conserve the bottles.

It is clear that each body of a container according to the invention can be associated with one or more bodies of a similar container, to define, in the second display configuration, a more complex stable structure, allowing to embody a furnishing element, for example a shelf, an equipped wall or other, or also a structural element, for example a dividing wall, a cupboard under a staircase or other.

According to a variant, the first attachment means are made on all the walls of each body, whereas the second attachment means are a separate element that is selectively coupled both with the first attachment means of one wall of the first body, and also with the first attachment means of one wall of the second body, so as to define a plurality of stable coupling conditions of the two bodies. According to another variant, both the first attachment means and the second attachment means are made on the walls of the first body and of the second body.

With these variant solutions, it is possible to define the greatest number of combinations of stable constraint possible of the two bodies in their second display configuration, so as to define a corresponding plurality of stable structures with a different conformation.

According to a variant, for each wall the first attachment means comprise at least a female element, such as for example a seating, a hole, a plane groove, dove tail or other.

According to another variant, the second attachment means comprise a male element, whether it is made as a separate element, for example a pin, a shaped strip or suchlike, or whether it is made directly on the wall, for example a ridge, a protuberance, or suchlike.

According to another variant, the first body comprises a first connection edge that defines on the perimeter the opening toward the outside of the first compartment, whereas the second body comprises a second connection edge that defines on the perimeter the opening toward the outside of the second compartment.

The first connection edge and the second connection edge are reciprocally conformed so as to fit together in their first packaging configuration. According to some variants, the two connection edges are reciprocally conformed in a linear manner, inclined, shaped, undulated or other.

According to a variant, closing means are provided, of the releasable type, and conformed to cooperate both with the first body and also with the second body, in the first packaging configuration, so as to stabilize the configuration and prevent, or at least limit, the separation thereof.

According to another variant, the closing means comprise at least a male element having a shape coordinated with the first attachment means, so as to cooperate with the latter, so as to define the stabilization of the first packaging configuration. '

Therefore, in this variant, the same attachment means that define the second display configuration are also used for stabilizing the first packaging configuration. According to another variant, the closing means are reciprocally conformed on the respective connection edges of the first body and the second body.

According to another variant, the first walls of the first body and the second walls of the second body are reciprocally conformed so as to be able to be selectively assembled and dis-assembled to/from each other in a univocal manner.

In this variant, each body comprises a first assembled condition of use, in which they define the relative first or second compartment, and a second disassembled condition for transport, in which the relative first or second walls are packed up so as to define a limited bulk, for transport. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a container according to the present invention in a packaging configuration;

- fig. 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the container in fig. 1 in a first intermediate configuration;

- fig. 3 shows a three-dimensional view of the container in fig. 1 in a display configuration; - fig. 4 shows a first variant of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 5 shows a second variant of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 6 shows a section from VI to VI of the container in fig. 3, in a second intermediate configuration;

- fig. 7 shows an exploded view of a body of the container in fig. 1 ; - fig. 8 shows the body in fig. 7 in a dis-assembled condition for transport;

- fig. 9 shows a three-dimensional view of a first variant of a detail of the container according to the present invention;

- fig. 10 shows a three-dimensional view of a second variant of a detail of the container according to the present invention;

- fig. 11 shows a three-dimensional view of a third variant of a detail of the container according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERENTIAL FORM OF EMBODIMENT

With reference to the attached drawings, the reference number 10 denotes in its entirety a container, in this case a box, for containing objects, in this case bottles.

The box 10 comprises two bodies, respectively, a first 1 1 and second 12. In this case, the first body 11 comprises four lateral walls 13 and a bottom wall 15, reciprocally connected with each other and able to define inside them a first blind compartment 16.

The first compartment 16 is open toward the outside on one side, and the conformation of the aperture is defined by four connection edges 17 of each of the lateral walls 13.

In this case, the connection edges 17 are substantially linear and at least two opposite edges 17 are inclined by about 45° with respect to a hypothetical horizontal plane.

The second body 12 in this case is conformed substantially specular to the first body 11 and also comprises four lateral walls 19 and a bottom wall 20, reciprocally connected with each other and able to define inside them a second blind compartment 21.

The second compartment 21 is open toward the outside on one side, and the conformation of the aperture is defined by four connection edges 22 of each of the lateral walls 19.

The connection edges 22 are conformed in coordination with the connection edges 17 of the first body 11 and therefore are also linear, and at least two edges 22 are inclined by about 45° with respect to a hypothetical horizontal plane.

In this case, on each of the lateral walls 13 and 19 and on the bottom walls 15 and 20, relative grooves 23 are made on the outside, having a dove tail section.

In particular, on each of the lateral walls 13 and 19 the grooves 23 are made longitudinally through, in correspondence with a median zone of the relative lateral wall 13, 19. On the bottom surfaces 15 and 20, the relative grooves 23 are made in a cross, so as to connect the relative grooves 23 of two opposite lateral walls 13, 19 with each other.

It comes within the field of the invention to provide a plurality of closing strips or slats 25 having a cross section coordinated with the conformation of the dove tail defined by the grooves 23. In this way the closing strips 25 can be inserted inside the grooves 23, as will be explained in more detail hereafter.

The invention also comprises at least an attachment strip 26, which has a cross section shaped as a double dove tail, so as to be able to be inserted simultaneously into two facing grooves 23, each made on a relative one of the two bodies 11 and 12. In this way, the attachment strip 26 allows to constrain the two bodies 11 and 12 stably, as will be explained in more detail hereafter.

The box 10 according to the invention as described heretofore can be configured in a first packaging configuration (fig. 1), in which its function is to contain and transport the object or objects provided.

In the first configuration, the connection edges 17 and 22 of the two bodies 11 and 12 are disposed so as to fit together with each other, defining a position of reciprocal extension of the two bodies 11 and 12, and conferring a substantially parallelepiped form to the box 10. It is clear that, according to the number and conformation of the lateral walls 13 and 19, and of the bottom walls 15 and 20, the box 10 in the first configuration can assume any polyhedral or solid form.

In this same configuration, the two compartments 16 and 21, being blind, define a single closed internal compartment, suitable for the protected containment of the object or objects provided, whereas the grooves 23 of the lateral walls 13, 19 are disposed in reciprocal extension.

In this first configuration, the closing strips 25 are disposed inside the grooves 23 of the lateral walls 13, 19, so as to define a substantial structural continuity between the first body 11 and the second body 12, consolidating the reciprocal positioning thereof.

In order to remove the objects contained therein, the box 10 is opened by means of the reciprocal separation of the two bodies 1 1 and 12. The two bodies 1 1 and 12 are separated by moving one of the two bodies 1 1, 12 longitudinally with respect to the other, so as to cause the relative sliding of the closing strips 25 in the grooves 23 (fig. 2).

The box 10 is also able to be configured selectively in a second display configuration (figs. 3, 4 and 5), in which its function is to position the objects orderly and on display.

In the second configuration, the first body 1 1 is disposed with one lateral wall 13 and/or its bottom wall 15 adjacent to a relative lateral wall 19 and/or the bottom wall 20 of the second body 12.

In particular, as shown in fig. 3, the two bodies 11 and 12 are disposed one above the other with relative lateral walls 13, 19 disposed adjacent to each other.

In this variant, the relative compartments 16 and 21 are separate from each other and open in the same direction, whereas on the opposite side they are both closed by the relative bottom walls 15, 20

In the variant shown in fig. 4, instead, the two bodies 11 and 12 are disposed in line with each other, with the relative bottom walls 15, 20 disposed adjacent. In this variant, the relative compartments 16 and 21 are separate from each other and open in opposite directions.

In the variant shown in fig. 5, there is a combination of two boxes 10, in the second configuration. Each box 10 is disposed resting on its bottom wall 15, 20 and its respective lateral walls 13, 19 are wider and are disposed adjacent to each other.

In all the variants described here, and in other possible variants, the reciprocal disposition of the two bodies 1 1 and 12 is stabilized by the attachment strip 26, which is inserted simultaneously in both grooves 23 of the adjacent lateral walls 13, 19 or bottom walls 15, 20 (fig. 6).

In fact, when the two lateral walls 13, 19 or the bottom walls 15, 20 are disposed adjacent to each other, the relative grooves 23 are facing each other, allowing to insert the attachment strip 26 into both of them.

As shown in figs. 7 and 8, the lateral walls 13, 19 and the bottom walls 15, 20 are able to be selectively dismantled and re-assembled univocally, so as to define an assembled condition for use and a dis-assembled condition for transport.

In the assembled condition for use, the lateral walls 13, 19 and the bottom walls 15, 20 define the relative blind compartments 16, 21, whereas in the dis- assembled condition they can be packed together (fig. 7) to define the smallest possible bulk.

This solution allows to transport the box 10 in a dis-assembled condition, to reduce to a minimum the bulk and costs of transport and dispatch. Fig. 9 shows an attachment strip 126, similar to the attachment strip 26 described previously: this second type of strip 126 of the box 10 according to the present invention provides at least an expansion seating 27 made longitudinally for a segment of the strip 126 and open laterally by means of two slits 29.

In this way, by disposing the strip 126 ,in the same way as the strip 26, between two grooves 23, and inserting a screw or other similar element inside the expansion seating, this determines an expansion in size of the strip 126 inside the two grooves 23, so as to define a clamping through interference.

In the solution shown in fig. 10, the attachment strip is denoted generally by the reference number 226 and comprises, in a single body, two dove-tailed lateral sections 30, conformed to be disposed inside two grooves 23 of two adjacent bodies 11 and 12, and a wedge-shaped central section 31 that defines a desired reciprocal inclination of the two lateral sections 30.

In this way, by disposing the strip 226 between two grooves 23, it determines a reciprocal inclination of the two bodies 11 and 12 with respect to a substantially horizontal plane, so that a combination of different bodies 11 and 12 in succession between them defines a substantially arc-shaped structure.

In the solution shown in fig. 11, the attachment strip is denoted by the reference number 326 and comprises, apart from the two dove-tailed lateral sections 30, a triangular portion 32, which determines a tapered condition of the two lateral sections 30.

In this way, by disposing the strip 326 between two grooves 23, it determines a reciprocal inclination of the two bodies 11 and 12 with respect to a substantially vertical plane, so that a combination of different bodies 11 and 12 in succession between them defines a substantially curved structure. In this case, the strip 326 also comprises at the head and tail end two expansion seatings 27 with relative slits 29, to allow an expansion clamping.

It is clear, however, that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the box 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

For example, it comes within the field of the present invention to provide that instead of the grooves 23, one or more blind holes may be provided on the lateral walls 13 and 19, and on the bottom walls 15 and 20, in corresponding positions, and that instead of the attachment strip 26 relative attachment pins may be provided, positionable inside the blind holes.

According to a variant, the grooves 23 are made on the lateral walls 13, and on the bottom wall 15 of the first body 11, whereas ribs or suchlike are made on the lateral walls 19 and on the bottom wall 20 of the second body 12, having a shape correlated to the shape of the grooves so as to define the stable constraint of the two bodies 11 and 12 in their second configuration.

According to another variant, instead of the grooves 23, the attachment strip 26 or the ribs, a bayonet type attachment system is provided, or snap-in, or same- shape coupling, or other removable type system suitable to define a stable constraint of the two bodies 11 and 12.

According to another variant, the lateral walls 13, 19 and/or the bottom walls 15, 20 comprise attachment and/or abutment elements, for example the seatings indicated by the reference number 27 in figs. 6 and 7, to facilitate the operations to univocally assemble and dis-assemble the box 10. It also comes within the field of the present invention to provide that on the connection edges 17 and 22 grooves and ribs are reciprocally made which, with the connection edges 17 and 22 disposed fitting together, are suitable to consolidate the first configuration.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of container for objects with a variable configuration, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.