CH702005A1 - Device for transporting large flexible intermediate bulk containers. - Google Patents

Abstract

Bag transport device adapted and dimensioned for transporting large flexible bulk containers (FIBCs, big bags), and comprising: a base (11, 13) with dimensions corresponding to those of the base of a container according to the ISO668 or ISO1496 standard; an upper longitudinal beam (17) arranged horizontally above the base; at least three vertical uprights (16) connecting the base with the longitudinal cross member (17) as well as stiffeners mounted diagonally; several horizontal forks (18) bound and held only by the longitudinal cross member (17) and extending cantilevered on each side of this longitudinal crossbar (17), the spacing between each fork respectively pair of forks being greater to 100 cm, so as to allow the insertion of two FIBCs on two forks, respectively pairs of forks, adjacent.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of transport of bulk goods in large flexible bags.

[0002] In the prior art, large flexible bags are known for storing and transporting bulk goods, for example building materials, sand, fertilizers, powders and granules, waste materials and the like. construction, or other dry goods. The section of these bags is typically square (sometimes round) and between 90X90, 100X100 and 110X110 cm. The height typically varies between 50 and 300 cm depending on the embodiments and the materials to be transported. These bags allow for example to transport and lift loads of 500 to 3000 liters, and 2500 Kg or more depending on the executions. They are typically made of polypropylene and their inner face can be coated with a polyethylene sheet to protect the contents of moisture.

These bags of standardized design are known under different names, for example under the English names big bag, bigbag, FIBC (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container), or French GRVS (large container for flexible bulk). They are made in different variants for different markets or customized for different applications, depending for example on the density of the content, industrial demands, loading and unloading needs, etc. In the rest of the text and claims, we will use the name GRVS to designate generically this type of large flexible containers. Different standards define the dimensions and materials of these containers, including ISO 21898.

[0004] The transport of FIBCs is generally carried out on wooden pallets. The Europalette standard pallets according to DIN EN 13698, however, have a section of 120x80 cm different from the standard section of the FIBC; this results in a loss of space when many FIBCs are stored or transported side by side. Furthermore, the individual handling of each pallet, for example if it is to fill a whole car or even a cargo ship, requires considerable time and significant handling costs.

FIBCs are equipped with suspension straps, or handles, for example one or four handles, which can lift with the forks of a forklift or with the hook of a crane. Again, each FIBC must be transported and handled individually.

There is therefore a need in the prior art for devices or methods for facilitating the handling of large flexible bulk containers, especially when multiple FIBCs must be stored and transported. In particular, there is a need to improve the transport, storage and handling of standardized IBCs.

Although FIBCs have been manufactured and used in millions of copies since the 1960s, no satisfactory solution to this need has been made.

[0008] There is also a need for devices making it easier to load, store, transport and / or unload FIBCs on or in a vehicle, on a storage site, as well as for the transhipment of goods. one mode of transport to another (rail-road-maritime-fluvial-air).

According to the invention, these objects are achieved in particular by means of a device comprising the features of the main claim, preferred variants being indicated in the dependent claims.

These aims are achieved in particular by means of a bag transport device adapted and dimensioned for the transport of large flexible bulk containers GRVS, and comprising: a base with dimensions corresponding to those of the base of a container according to ISO668 or ISO1496; an upper longitudinal beam disposed horizontally in a plane above said base; at least two vertical uprights connecting the base with the longitudinal beam; several horizontal forks bound and held only by the longitudinal beam and extending cantilevered on each side of this longitudinal beam, the spacing between each fork respectively pair of forks being greater than 100 cm, so as to allow insertion of two FIBCs on two forks, respectively pairs of forks, adjacent.

This device thus makes it possible to transport several FIBCs on a single device for transporting flexible containers whose dimensions correspond to those of an ISO container. The container carrier can be transported in the same way as a container of 20 or 40 feet by road, train, boat, plane, container carrier or barge for example.

[0012] Two dimensions of frequent containers have been standardized: the so-called containers of 20 feet (exactly, 606 centimeters long, 244 centimeters wide and 259 centimeters high), and the 40 feet containers that have the same width, the same height but are about twice as long (1219 centimeters exactly).

The FIBC transport device of the invention can be realized in two main modes of execution. In a first embodiment, the external dimensions of the loaded device are compatible with the external dimensions of a container of 20 or 40 feet. This first type of device is therefore intended to be transported and handled exactly as an existing container; it can also be stacked according to the maritime standards in force.

In another embodiment, the bag transport device has external dimensions compatible with the internal dimensions of a container open up (called "Open Top" container) of 20 or 40 feet. It is therefore possible to transport a single container holder in a standard container of equivalent size; the clearance between the external dimensions of the device and the internal dimensions of the container is preferably limited, for example less than 10 centimeters, so as to allow easy insertion even in a container which deviates slightly from the standard, while limiting the risk of boating or sloshing of the container carrier inside the container.

The weight of the empty container is also comparable to or less than the weight of a conventional container, so as to allow identical handling with the same gear.

This bag transport device thus makes it possible to make the connection between the flexible bags of bulk transport and the requirements of the transport of goods that is often in standardized containers and that fits poorly with these flexible bags, in particular when stuffing and unloading after transport.

The base of the device is advantageously provided with four corner pieces according to ISO 668. These corner pieces, identical to those present on conventional containers, allow to manipulate and stack the device as a container. The spacing between these corners advantageously corresponds to the standardized spacing of the corners on a conventional container.

Identical corner pieces can also be arranged at the top four corners of the device, in order to lift it with a crane and to stack other similar devices or other containers over the device.

A vertical frame is advantageously mounted on each longitudinal end of the base. Each vertical frame comprises two vertical tubes above said base and a horizontal cross member connecting the upper end of the vertical tubes. This frame makes it possible to support the aforementioned upper corner pieces, and its mechanical strength is advantageously calculated so as to make it possible to stack five empty or laden containers, and / or five bag transport devices loaded one above the other. other, in accordance with maritime standards. The height of this vertical frame determines the height of the container carrier, which is preferably equal to that of a standardized container.

As the FIBC exist in different embodiments of variable height, it is also possible to design a device in which the vertical tubes are telescopic, and can thus adapt to FIBCs of height and variable volume. It is also possible to make different FIBCs with different fixed heights, in order to adapt to different modes of transport or to the specific weight of the materials transported.

In a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal beam forming the vertebral column of the transport device extends in a plane below the plane of the upper horizontal crosspieces of the two vertical frames. The longitudinal beam is not directly attached to these vertical frames. Thus, the forces on the longitudinal beam caused by the weight of the FIBCs are independent of the possible forces caused by the weight of the containers possibly stacked above the device. In another variant, the longitudinal beam may however be welded or fixed under the vertical frames, and / or linked to these frames by reinforcing plates.

In an advantageous embodiment, elements or retaining tubes intended to limit the sway of suspended FIBCs are provided for example on the two vertical end frames, and / or between each pair of suspended FIBCs.

The invention will be better understood on reading the exemplary embodiments illustrated by the appended figures in which: <tb> Fig. 1 <sep> is a perspective view of an example of a bag transport device according to a first embodiment of the invention. <tb> Fig. 2 <sep> is a top view of an example of a bag carrying device according to the first embodiment of the invention, only six FIBCs (out of a maximum of ten) being suspended in this example. In this example, the device is provided with rollers and a handle <tb> Fig. 3 <sep> is a view from a short side of an exemplary bag carrying device according to the first embodiment of the invention. <tb> Fig. 4 <sep> is a view from a long side of an exemplary bag carrying device according to the first embodiment of the invention, only three of the five possible IBCs being suspended in this example. <tb> Fig. <Sep> is a detail view from a short side of a removable crutches and a sideboard that may be mounted as accessories on the bag carrying device according to any one of the embodiments. <tb> Fig. 6 <sep> is a detail view from a large side of another variant of a folding stand and a side wall that can be mounted as accessories on the bag carrying device according to any of the embodiments. <tb> Fig. 7 <sep> is a view from a short side of an example of a bag transport and storage device according to a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the height of the device is adjustable according to the height of the FIBC to be transported. <tb> Fig. 8 <sep> is a view from a short side of an example of a bag transport device according to a third embodiment of the invention, intended to be transported in an Open Top container of 20 feet or 40 feet existing.

The bag transport device shown in particular in the example of Figs. 1 to 4 comprises a rectangular base formed of longitudinal tubes 11 and lateral tubes 12. Crosspieces 24, for example 7 crosspieces, are advantageously provided for reinforcing the base. A corner piece 14 ("corner fitting") according to ISO 688 is preferably mounted under each corner of the base, in order to elevate the tubes forming this base relative to the ground and thus to lift it with a forklift for example. The four corner pieces 14 of the base are preferably spaced in the same manner as the four corner pieces of the base of a conventional standardized 20 'or 40' container; it is thus possible for example to superpose the transport device of the invention over a standardized 20 or 40 feet container. Open tubes 50 (FIG 4) welded under the tubes 11 and extending from one edge to the other of the base make it possible to lift the device by means of a forklift truck whose forks are inserted into the tubes. It is also possible to use much shorter tubes to reduce weight. The center distance between the tubes 50 of each pair is preferably 900 mm, the width of each tube between 300 and 310 mm, and the height between 95 and 110 mm to facilitate the insertion of the forks.

A vertical frame also visible in FIG. 2 rises above each longitudinal end of the base; this frame is formed of uprights 15 above each corner piece 14 and an upper horizontal cross member 13 interconnecting the end of the two vertical uprights 15 of each end. Upper corner pieces 14 are mounted at the four corners defined by the intersections between the uprights 15 and the tubes 13, and spaced apart like the four upper corner pieces of a standardized container.

An additional vertical upright 16 also rises vertically from the center of each lateral tube 12. One or more intermediate vertical uprights 16 can also be raised from a median longitudinal horizontal tube 22. Optional diagonal reinforcements 19 make it possible to connect the upper end of each of the uprights 16 vertical uprights 15 of the frame described above. The rigidity of the vertical frame 15, 13 can also be reinforced by diagonal bars 19 connecting the uprights 15 to the respective tube 12 on each side of the base.

The two uprights 16 on each side of the base 12 are interconnected by an upper longitudinal beam 17 which extends longitudinally from one end to the other of the device, in a horizontal plane below the plane. defined by the tubes 13. This beam, for example a closed tube, is in a way the backbone of the container transport device. It can be welded to the tubes 13 for maximum stiffness, or spaced from these tubes in order to distribute the forces due to the weight of the FIBCs suspended efforts caused by possible stacked containers on the upper corner pieces 14.

Optional reinforcement plates 170 triangular or trapezoidal may be welded under the horizontal cross members and on the longitudinal beam 17 to enhance the stability; the length of these plates in the longitudinal direction is preferably sufficiently limited not to hinder the introduction of the first FIBC over the fork.

Diagonal reinforcements 171 may also be provided between the uprights 16 and the underside of the longitudinal cross member 17; these ties remain between the two rows of FIBC which they do not interfere with the introduction.

Container forks 18 extend horizontally cantilevered on each side of the upper longitudinal beam 17. In the example illustrated, the forks are grouped into pairs of forks, each pair of fork being intended to wear a FIBC; the two forks of each pair are for example spaced apart from 60 to 90 cm. However, it is also possible to distribute the forks differently and to use for example more than two forks, or a single fork to carry each FIBC even if in this case the risk of swaying is greater.

The spacing between each pair (or group of N) forks is greater than 100 cm, which allows to place a FIBC on each fork or pair / group of forks. In a preferred embodiment, the spacing of the FIBCs is selected to suspend two filled FIBCs side by side to avoid swinging; however, it is possible to easily load a FIBC between two full FIBCs. FIBCs are preferably filled after being suspended.

In a container 20 feet, it is thus possible to suspend 5 FIBC 20 in two rows of each of the two sides of the upper longitudinal beam 17. The reference 21 indicates the handles of the FIBCs, which are in this example arranged across The device of the invention can also be used with FIBCs provided with different handles, for example with a single handle.

The forks 18 are preferably made of U-shaped tubes. The ends of the forks 18 can be thinned in the direction of the height in order to facilitate the insertion of the handles of FIBCs.

All tubes, uprights, beams and sleepers above is preferably made of steel, for example Corten steel for good resistance to corrosion, or aluminum to reduce the tare during the transport of products to very low density. It is possible to use closed tubes of I-tubes, etc .; perforated tubes can also be used to reduce weight.

FIG. 5 illustrates in particular an insertion tube 51 for inserting a removable stand 40 to elevate the device and discharge it, empty or loaded, without crane. This tube is mounted under the base 11-12, in the plane of the tubes 50 for the forks of the forklift. The bent crutch 40 has a telescopic vertical portion whose length can be adjusted; holes allow the fixed height to be adjusted by means of a pin inserted into the chosen pair of holes of each telescopic element. A crutch 40 may be provided at each corner of the base 11-12.

FIG. 5 also shows a side wall 30 mounted in this example on each longitudinal side of the device, and preferably placed inside so as not to increase the authorized width of the device. Each side wall 30 is articulated by means of hinges 31. The height of the hinges can be chosen freely.

FIG. 6 illustrates a view from a large longitudinal side of the device; in this variant, it is also equipped with a hinge 30 articulated by means of hinges 31 and closed by means of a closure 300 making it possible to lock the drop-side on each of the vertical tubes 15.

The embodiment of FIG. 6comporte furthermore another view of the pivoting stand 35 under the base 11-12. This stand can be locked by means of a blocking element 352. Its length can be adjusted by means of a telescopic extension 350 which can be locked, like the stand 40 above, by means of a not shown pin inserted in a chosen pair of holes.

It is also possible to equip the device of the invention with cylinders, for example pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, to lift it according to the height of the bags GRVS. A telescopic stand at each corner of the device may for example be extendable by means of two cylinders with a stroke of 600 millimeters, or a single cylinder with a stroke of 1200 millimeters, or a cylinder with double piston.

The reference 351 in Figure 6représente a removable support plate of the stand 35 on the ground. This plate can be removed from the stand 35 when the stand is folded under the tube 11 by means of the hinge 354, and stored in a storage tube 353 welded or mounted under the longitudinal tube 11.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the device of the invention, wherein the set of vertical uprights 15, 16 is made in the form of telescopic tubes. It is thus possible to adjust the height of the device and to adapt the height of the upper longitudinal beam 17 as a function of the height of the FIBCs 17. Again, the height of adjustment can be adjusted by means of pins inserted into two holes of each tube forming each telescopic upright and providing mechanical safety. Hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders can also be used to extend the uprights.

Other means for adjusting and fixing the height of telescopic uprights, in particular shaped uprights as known struts in the field of construction, can be used.

It is also possible to provide the front of the device with a bracket or lifting handle to lift and pull the device with a hook 72 (visible only in Figure 2), and the back of rollers 70 to pull the device and roll it like a sled or wheelbarrow. Longitudinal reinforcements 71 are advantageously provided under the base between the handle and the rollers.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a FIBC transport device according to the invention, whose reduced dimensions allow it to be inserted inside an Open Top 60 container of 20 or 40 feet conventional respectively. The construction of this device is, apart from this decrease in length, height and width, identical to the construction described above in relation to FIGS. 1 to 7. In one embodiment, the width of the device is 210 to 235 cm, which also allows it to be loaded onto a narrower vehicle or aircraft, without reducing the number of FIBCs that can be hung.

A retaining frame comprising for example a diagonal bar 46 and / or a substantially rectangular frame 46 may be disposed at the longitudinal ends of the device to prevent or reduce the sway of the FIBCs. FIBCs are preferably closely spaced and touch each other when full; However, it is also possible to provide an anti-sway element between each FIBC, which allows in particular to avoid sway if the device of the invention is not fully loaded.

An identical frame, or another anti-sway element, can also be used in connection with all the embodiments above. The reference 62 designates a cover for closing the roof of the container 60 in order to protect the device from the elements. The elements 61 are the corner pieces of the container.

In a variant not shown, the device comprises longitudinal ends at least partially closed by means of plates or plates that increase the mechanical strength and on which advertisements or logos can be displayed.

Some FIBCs in synthetic materials can be charged in static electricity, depending on the contents of the bags and the friction of these materials on the inner wall of the bags. The device of the invention may advantageously include non-earthed connection cables making it possible to electrically connect each FIBC to the structure of the device, and thus to discharge it. The grounding cables may for example have an end welded or screwed to one of the uprights or rails of the device, and a free end provided with a clamp, for example a crocodile clip, to establish an electrical connection with the bag. An additional grounding cable may further be provided to connect the frame of the device of the invention with the bridge of a truck or other vehicle.

Reference numbers used in the figures <tb> 10 <sep> FIBC transport device - container size 20 feet <tb> 10 <sep> FIBC transport device - to be inserted in an Open Top container <tb> 11 <sep> Longitudinal tubes of the lower frame <tb> 12 <sep> Lower frame side tubes <tb> 13 <sep> Upper side tubes <tb> 14 <sep> Corner Fittings in steel or aluminum <tb> 15 <sep> Vertical corner amounts <tb> 150 <sep> Telescopic extension tube 15 <tb> 16 <sep> Intermediate vertical amounts <tb> 160 <sep> Telescopic extension on upright 16 <tb> 17 <sep> Upper longitudinal girder <tb> 170 <sep> Reinforcement plate <tb> 171 <sep> Diagonal reinforcement tube under the beam <tb> 18 <sep> Container forks <tb> 19 <sep> Reinforcement tubes <Tb> 20 <September> FIBC <tb> 21 <sep> FIBC Handle (suspension strap) <tb> 22 <sep> Longitudinal intermediate tube of the lower frame <tb> 24 <sep> Base Frame Reinforcement Tubes <Tb> 30 <September> Ridelle <tb> 300 <sep> Dropside closing handle <Tb> 31 <September> Hinge <tb> 35 <sep> Folding stand (folding) and telescopic <tb> 350 <sep> Telescopic stand extension <tb> 351 <sep> Removable plate under the kickstand <tb> 352 <sep> Articulation (safety bar of the kickstand) <tb> 353 <sep> Storage for plate 351 <tb> 354 <sep> Articulation or hinge of the crutch 35 <tb> 40 <sep> Removable corner kickstand <tb> 400 <sep> Extension for removable stand 40 <tb> 45 <sep> GRVS Diagonal Retention Bar <tb> 46 <sep> GRVS anti-swaying frame <tb> 50 <sep> forklift forklift tube <tb> 51 <sep> Knee insertion tube 40 <tb> 60 <sep> Container Open Top 20 or 40 feet <tb> 61 <sep> Open Top container corner <tb> 62 <sep> Open Top Container Tarpaulin <Tb> 70 <September> Rollers <tb> 71 <sep> Pull handle (stem) <tb> 72 <sep> Horizontal reinforcement tubes

Claims (14)

A bag transport device adapted and dimensioned for the transport of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC), and comprising: a base (11, 12) with dimensions corresponding to those 5 of the base of a container according to IS0668 or ISO1496; an upper longitudinal crossbar (17) disposed horizontally above the base; at least two vertical uprights (16) connecting the base with the longitudinal cross member (17); several horizontal forks (18) bound and held only by the longitudinal cross member (17) and extending cantilevered on each side of this longitudinal cross member (17), the spacing between each fork respectively pair of forks being greater than 100 cm, so as to allow insertion of two FIBCs on two forks, respectively pairs of forks, adjacent. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said dimensions of the base (11, 12) correspond to the external dimensions of a container 20 feet or 40 feet standardized. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said D dimensions of the base (11, 12) are smaller than the internal dimensions of a container, so as to allow the insertion of a device into a container, the game between the base of the device and the container being less than 10 centimeters. 4. The device of one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the S base (11, 12) is provided with four corner pieces (14) according to ISO 668. 5. The device of one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a vertical frame (13, 15) is mounted on each longitudinal end of the base (11, 12), each of the two vertical frames having two uprights) ( 15) above the base (12) and a horizontal cross member (13) connecting the upper end of the vertical tubes (15), the longitudinal cross member (17) being in a plane below the plane of the horizontal crosspieces (13). ), the longitudinal cross member (17) not being directly attached to the vertical frame. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the two upper ends of each of the two vertical frames (13, 15) are each equipped with corner pieces (14) according to ISO668. 7. The device of one of claims 1 to 6, comprising telescopic amounts (15, 16, 150, 160) for adjusting the height of the device. 8. The device of one of claims 1 to 6, comprising hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders to adjust the height of the device. 9. The device of one of claims 1 to 8, comprising removable legs (40) inserted into the tubes of the base. 10. The device of one of claims 1 to 8, comprising foldable legs (35) under the base (11, 12). 11. The device of one of claims 1 to 8, comprising hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders under the base. 12. The device of one of claims 1 to 11, comprising side walls (30). 13. The device of one of claims 1 to 12, comprising elements (45, 46) for limiting the sway of suspended FIBCs. 14. The device of one of claims 1 to 13, comprising tubes (50) under the base (11, 12) for transporting the device with a forklift.