DE102014002832A1 - Plastic pallet for transport and storage of goods - Google Patents

Abstract

In a plastic pallet for transporting and storing goods, which is provided with a cover plate and support feet, the support feet on clip-on or attachable protective sleeves in the form of sleeves on.

Description

The invention relates to a pallet according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a sleeve for use on such a pallet.

Pallets are widely used for the transport and storage of various goods and goods. In most cases, such pallets are standardized in size. There are pallets of different materials, but the invention is concerned with pallets made of plastic. Such pallets have a cover plate with a supporting surface, which is intended for receiving the goods or goods to be transported or stored on the pallet. Below the cover plate such pallets are equipped with support feet which extend downwards and are arranged in particular in the corner regions of the pallet. Depending on the size of the pallet intermediate support feet are arranged between the corner feet. The support legs of the pallet are also usually provided at their lower ends with support skids that connect the support legs together. The pallets usually have on each side two adjacent openings, which are intended for engagement of the forks of a forklift. These openings are bounded above and below by the cover plate or runners and laterally by the corner feet or the intermediate support feet.

Pallets made of plastic, in particular those in which the lower ends of the support legs are connected by support skids, manufacturing reasons are usually made in several parts, in particular two parts of an upper part, which has the cover plate, and a lower part, which has the support skids. Upper part and lower part are in this case provided with downwardly or upwardly directed Stützfußabschnitten, along which the upper part and the lower part is connected to each other and indeed by locking / connectors, gluing, heat sealing, or the like. Such pallets are known so that they need not be described in detail herein also in terms of size, shape and choice of material.

Naturally, the pallets are subjected to heavy loads in particular when transferring from the warehouse to a truck or other means of transport and during transport corresponding loads, in particular impact loads, which can lead to damage to the pallet. Particularly vulnerable here are the corner areas of the pallets, which are particularly vulnerable to impact. Therefore, it often comes to damage the corner areas with the result that then new pallets must be used, which is of course disadvantageous in the not inconsiderable manufacturing costs of such pallets.

To remedy this situation, edge protectors are already known, such as DE 20 2011 102 226 U1 , in the form of cardboard angle profiles. These angle profiles are primarily mounted on the package, but can also be used as a butt edge for the support foot in the corner of the range. This edge protection has horizontal lines of weakness, so that the longitudinal profile can be dimensioned according to the dimensions of the edge of the stacked Verpackungskartonagen or the support foot of the pallet to be protected. These angle profiles are formed from cardboard material, in particular cardboard, and are usually fixed and fastened on the pallet or the boxes arranged thereon via separate packaging tapes. However, such edge protection devices are complicated to handle, difficult and expensive in the attachment and in practice also not suitable to effectively protect the edge region of pallets, especially the corner areas from damage in the long term.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a plastic pallet for the transport of goods or goods, in which mainly the circumferentially arranged support feet, in particular arranged in the corner support legs are effectively protected from damage in a simple and robust manner.

This object is achieved by a protective sleeve with the features contained in the characterizing part of claim 1, wherein expedient developments of the invention are characterized by the features contained in the subclaims. The inventions further relate to a suitably armored sleeve as protection for use in such pallets.

According to the invention, an edge protection is integrated into the pallet, specifically in the form of protective sleeves, which can be clipped onto the support feet, preferably the corner feet, or can be clipped on from the outside. The support legs are in this case at least partially enclosed by the protective sleeve in the form of a sleeve and in this case the protective sleeve can extend in height over a section of the pallet, but in particular over the entire pallet height. The sleeve is hereby preferably also made of plastic, in particular by injection molding or extrusion and chambers the support legs outwardly, so that these damages, especially impact-related damage are effectively protected.

In an alternative embodiment, the protective sleeve extends from the lower end of the support leg or arranged thereon Support skids up to the lower part of the cover plate, although it is also preferred that the protective sleeve over the entire pallet height and thus extends to the support surface of the cover plate of the pallet. Overall, it is expedient that any support foot that is at risk of shock, as such, at least outwardly surrounded by a protective sleeve.

In a particularly expedient manner, the protective sleeve is accommodated in the pallet, in particular in the area of the support foot and / or the cover plate and / or the support skids, so that the collar does not protrude beyond the side surfaces of the pallet, rather flush or substantially flush with the side surfaces of the pallet Pallet is. This can be achieved in a particularly simple manner in that the support foot and / or the cover plate are provided with a recess inwardly or a shoulder to form a receiving chamber for the sleeve. This results in spite of such a protective measure a total smooth-walled appearance of a plastic pallet that does not differ from the design and appearance provided without appropriate protective measure range.

In particular, the protective measure for multi-part pallets is applicable and in particular for pallets, which is formed from an upper part with the cover plate and a lower part with the support skids. The composite of such two-piece pallets takes place here usually via Stützfußabschnitte which are formed on the lower part of the cover plate and the lower part and are then connected to each other through the upper part and lower part either by latching / connectors on the Stützfußabschnitte or gluing and / or welding in the area of the support foot sections. The Stützfußabschnitte then form each other with the support feet. In this context, it is expedient that in each case the lower Stützfußabschnitte are reset in the region of the upper part of the support skids to form the sleeve receptacle and the associated upper Stützfußabschnitte below the cover plate to form the sleeve receptacle inwardly by a recess or a shoulder, so that a receiving chamber is formed for the sleeve, which extends at least over a partial circumference, but preferably over the entire circumference of the support foot and allows a projection-free sleeve receptacle.

In a particularly expedient distance guide of the invention, the sleeves are formed with an upper and / or lower wall projection, so that the sleeves are preferably guided flush into the corner region of the cover plate or the skid region and thus the entire corner edge of the range from wing to underside runners protected by the protective sleeve.

The cuff is suitably formed as a concentric sleeve which is open at both ends so that it can be plugged onto the Stützfußabschnitte during assembly of the pallet. This sleeve then surrounds the corresponding support foot circumferentially completely. Alternatively, however, the cuff can also be formed as a partial cuff, in particular so-called ¾-cuff, wherein the partial cuff is slotted, d. H. has a separation gap, so that it is designed as a clip-on cuff. Conveniently, the separating gap is provided in a corner region of the sleeve. This results in an advantageous Klipseffekt when attaching the partial cuff, since when attaching to the support leg or Stützfußabschnitte the adjacent walls of the cuff bent outwards and restoring forces are built up so that after attachment of the cuff, the flared walls spring back and the cuff with a clamping fit fixed, but if necessary, also disassembled seated on the support foot. In this embodiment, it is easily possible to easily replace damaged sleeves with other sleeves.

The cuffs can be formed single-walled or double-walled. For stabilization but also for the composite, in particular during heat fusion, the sleeves can be provided on the inner and / or outer periphery with ribs, which can extend horizontally, vertically and / or diagonally. Conveniently, the sleeves can be provided with a plastic material which differs from the pallet, for example a softer or, if necessary, harder set plastic. It is also useful to provide the cuffs with a different color than the palette, so that the cuff can be equipped, for example with a signal color and thus the pallet is handled with greater care during transport. For the attachment of the cuff are various measures to the measures described to bid, such as undercuts, in which the sleeve can engage, hook and / or pin connections, bonding or welding.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings in a purely schematic representation. Show in it

1 a perspective view of a transport pallet made of plastic with arranged in the corner protective sleeves on the support legs of the pallet

2 a view of the in the 1 displayed palette in a dissolved representation

3 an enlarged view of a corner of the range after 2

4 a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the invention in the form of a plastic pallet

5 a view of in 4 displayed palette in a dissolved representation

6 a partial view of a corner of the palette after 5 in an enlarged view

7 a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the invention, again in a purely schematic representation

8th a perspective view of the pallet 7 in resolved representation

9 a partial view of the corner of the palette after 8th in resolved representation as well

10 a partial view of the corner of the range after the 7 to 9 again in perspective.

The in the 1 to 3 pallet shown is made of plastic and is described as an exemplary application for pallets of a general nature, which are generally constructed at least from a cover plate with support legs arranged underneath. In the 1 shown and intended for the transport of goods of various kinds range is made of plastic and includes a with 1 designated cover plate with a wing 2 for receiving goods and the like. Furthermore, the range comprises below, ie at the bottom of the cover plate 2 arranged support feet and although arranged on the corner support legs 4 , also referred to below as Eckfüße, as well as interposed support feet 6 , which at the lower end by support skids 8th connected to each other. Between the corner feet 4 and the support legs interposed therebetween 6 are openings 10 trained, the top through the cover plate 2 and below by one skid each 8th are limited. Each pallet side has two openings 10 provided side by side and serve for the intervention of means of transport, especially forks of a forklift.

The pallet after the 1 to 3 here has a total of nine support legs 4 . 6 on, four arranged in the corner regions of the rectangular pallet support legs 4 as well as four each between the corner feet 4 arranged intermediate support feet 6 and a central support leg, made from the illustration in 1 not recognizable, but out 2 and 3 is apparent. The eight support feet are arranged at the edge of the pallet along the circumference at intervals. All support feet 4 . 6 are by skids 8th connected, thus provided on the one hand circumferentially at the edge of the pallet and formed in a crosswise arrangement in the interior of the pallet, as seen from 2 clearly shows. Of course, depending on the design and size of the range, more or fewer support feet may be provided.

2 further shows that the pallet consists of a top 12 with the cover plate 2 and a lower part 14 with the skids 8th is formed. Here are at the bottom of the cover plate 2 for the formation of the support feet 4 . 6 Stützfußabschnitte 4a and 6a and at the bottom 14 Stützfußabschnitte 4b and 6b provided, each one to a support foot 4 . 6 complete, so the two parts 12 . 14 connected to each other. This is the top part 12 with its wing 2 set up on the lower part, wherein the corresponding Stützfußabschnitte 4a . 4b respectively. 6a . 6b aligned with each other. The assembly or attachment of the upper part and lower part via the Stützfußabschnitte, wherein the compound may be formed as a plug connection but also as an adhesive bond or heat seal and / or snap-in connection. Since the invention does not deal with this connection of the upper part and the lower part, this connection is already state of the art in the various embodiments, this composite of upper part and lower part needs 12 . 14 will not be described in detail.

To protect the corner-side support legs 4 , each formed from the upper and lower Stützfußabschnitt 4a . 4b are protective sleeves described in more detail below 16 intended. In the illustrated embodiment, only the corner feet with appropriate protective sleeves 16 provided, however, if necessary, the other support legs, in particular arranged on the peripheral edge support feet 6 formed by each of the Stützfußabschnitte 6a and 6b also with appropriate protective sleeves 16 be equipped. Preferably, however, the protective equipment is provided only around corner edge portion of the pallet.

The protective cuffs 16 to 2 are by circumferentially closed-walled sleeves 18 formed, which are open on both sides. The cross section of the sleeves 18 corresponds to the cross section of the upper and lower Eckfußabschnitte 4a and 4b , so that after mounting the upper part on the lower part of the upper Stützfußabschnitte 4a from above and the lower support leg sections 4b engage in the sleeve from below. In dargstellten embodiment corresponds to the height of the sleeve 18 the distance between the cover plate 2 and the runners 8th , so that a substantially gap-free transition of cover plate 2 over the cuff 16 to the lower part 14 Guaranteed is how to look best 1 results. The inner cross section of the sleeve 18 is closely related to the outer contour of the Stützfußabschnitte 4a . 4b adjusted so that a tight fit of the cuff is achieved in the mounted position of the pallet. In this case, in addition to the illustrated composite also an adhesive, snap and / or a hot melt bond between the cuff and support leg can be realized. The sleeve 18 This can be configured single-walled or double-walled. To increase the stability and improve the bond, the sleeve 18 also be provided with ribs, which are not shown in the figures, however. These then inwardly projecting ribs may be directed vertically or horizontally or diagonally. If desired, ribs may also or instead of the inner ribs on the outer walls of the sleeve 18 be provided.

As the material for the protective sleeves, the same plastic material as for the upper part and the lower part can be selected, but it is also possible and within the scope of the invention also makes sense that the protective sleeves 16 be made of a different material and possibly also with different colors to the pallet. As a result, a material can be used as material for the protective sleeves, which is characterized by good damping properties and absorption properties, ie a plastic which is softer compared to the plastic for the upper part and / or lower part. But it is also possible, if necessary just form the protective sleeve even more impact-resistant, so to use a corresponding plastic material. Due to the different color you have the advantage that the impact-prone areas are identifiable from the outside.

As 2 shows are the protective cuffs 16 integrated into the pallet so that they do not project beyond the side surfaces of the pallet to the outside, but are flush with the side surfaces of the pallet or reset.

This is achieved, for example, accordingly 3 in that the upper and lower Stützfußabschnitte 4a . 4b about a return 20 are offset inwardly, which is also formed circumferentially due to the inclusion of the circumferentially closed sleeve and in the transition region between runners 8th or the lower part of the cover plate 2 and the support leg sections. As a result, the Stützfußabschnitte 4a and 4b offset in particular on the outer circumference inwards and form quasi a receiving chamber for the patch protective sleeve 18 , which can be easily flush with the side surfaces of the pallet, as clearly 1 shows. Because of the circumferential return 20 in the area of the runners and in the area of the lower part of the cover plate 2 is formed, advantageously covers the protective sleeve 16 the entire support foot 4 and preferably extends from the lower part of the cover plate 2 to the top of the skids 8th ,

For mounting on the from the 2 apparent lower part 14 the four protective cuffs 16 on the lower support leg sections 4b and finally it becomes the top part 12 put on it, with the upper support leg sections 4a in the sleeve 18 dive or engage or abut each other. Due to close fit of the inner circumference of the sleeve 18 to the outer contour of the Stützfußabschnitte 4a . 4b sitting advantageously the sleeve 18 with corresponding plug-in seat and thus wobble-free and vibration-free on the support feet. As stated above, shell can 12 and lower part 14 be plugged into each other via the Stützfußabschnitte or even flush with each other, wherein, if necessary, a bond or hot melt connection or other fastening, such as locking connection and the like can be accomplished.

Overall results accordingly 1 a protection of the pallet 1 in the four shock-prone corner edge regions with flush arrangement, ie without over the circumference of the pallet projecting protective measures, so that a compact design of the range is guaranteed.

When using the 4 to 6 illustrated second preferred embodiment of the invention, the same reference numerals are used for simplicity for the same components. This embodiment differs from the previously described embodiment substantially only by the different design of the protective sleeve as a side-clipped cuff 16 with correspondingly slightly differently shaped contour of the Stützfußabschnitte 4a and 4b , As is clear 6 yields, is the cuff 16 only as a partial sleeve 18 formed, so does not extend closed-walled over the entire circumference, but remains a continuous gap 22 and how, how 5 points towards the inside of the transport pallet. As a result of this separation gap 22 can the protective cuff 16 from the outside on the support feet, formed by the Stützfußabschnitte 4a and 4b , be clipped on and then sits firmly on the support legs due to Klipsverbund.

This boot is also called 3/4 cuff. However, the gap can be chosen arbitrarily in its width, so that a simple clipping and a firm bond of the protective sleeve is ensured on the support legs. As the 5 and 6 clearly show is to form the plug gap 22 essentially the inner corner of the sleeve 18 to 2 removed so that the outer walls 18a and 18b remain closed-walled, in the illustrated embodiment, the edge region corresponding to the rounding of the corner region of the cover plate 2 is rounded and remain, moreover, with respect to the other two side walls inwardly projecting wall stub 18c and 18d , This has the consequence that, viewed from the outside, the arrangement of a sleeve provided for protection is not readily apparent.

For the flush mounting of the protective sleeve 16 also in the area of the gap 22 can on the two support leg sections 4a and 4b opposite recesses 24a and 24b be provided over the height extent of these Stützfußabschnitte, so that in the gap area 22 the sleeve 18 or the protective sleeve 16 flush in the inner sidewalls 26a and 26b the support leg sections 4a and 4b passes. This ensures a flush and vault-free integration of the integrated protective sleeve into the structure of the pallet.

This embodiment according to the 4 to 6 has the advantage that damaged protective sleeves are readily interchangeable, without the upper part must be separated from the lower part.

The in the 7 to 10 illustrated third embodiment is similar to the embodiment according to 2 ie the protective sleeve 16 is again designed as a clip-on protective sleeve, with the only difference compared to the embodiment of the 4 to 6 in that the protective sleeve is now flush up into the corner region of the cover plate 2 is preferred to the top. Again, the protective cuffs 16 preferably at the four corners of the cover plate 2 or the pallet arranged and the pallet is in turn subdivided into an upper part 12 and a lower part 14 , which are assembled or assembled analogously to the previous embodiment and form the pallet. The protective cuff 16 is again in the inner corner region of the sleeve with a corresponding separation gap 22 provided, as in particular from 9 results. Due to the analogy in the embodiment according to the 7 to 10 for the same components and the same reference numerals. Unlike the previous embodiment, only that in the area of the side walls 18a and 18b including the rounding in the edge region of the sleeve 18 is extended so far that when clipping on the protective sleeve 18 the upwardly projecting wall area 28 flush with the wing 2 the cover plate 1 completes as best of all 7 evident. For this purpose, appropriate recesses or shoulders 30a and 30b in the corner of the cover plate 1 provided and fitting to the side surfaces of the wall projection 28 the cuff 18 , All other measures are similar to the previous embodiment.

Analog or alternative to the upward wall projection 28 If necessary, also a corresponding downwardly directed wall projection 32 on the cuff 16 be provided with corresponding recesses or shoulders in the area of the support legs or runners, so that, as 7 shows, also the lower corner area in the amount of runners and the lower Stützfußendes effectively by the extent downwardly extended cuff 16 covered and protected. As 7 can be removed, fits the thus formed protective sleeve harmoniously and flush in the overall picture of the range, so that with these measures, a perfect design of such a transport pallet is ensured.

Obviously, the cuff can be easily replaced and mounted as a clipable cuff and is also an effective protection of the upper corner edge of the cover plate by the cuff 1 ensured by the wall projection 28 is covered.

The arrangement of the protective cuffs described here is by no means based on the 1 to 10 limited only exemplarily shown two-piece pallets, but the protective cuffs are also applicable to pallets with only a cover plate and the lower part of the cover plate downwardly projecting support legs with or without skids as well as for other multi-part embodiments of pallets, especially those pallets in which the lower part has a continuous bottom part instead of support skids.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 202011102226 U1 [0005]

Claims (16)

Plastic pallet for transport and storage of goods, with a cover plate ( 1 ) with a wing ( 2 ) for receiving the goods and with below the cover plate ( 1 ) arranged support feet ( 4 ) 6 ), in particular at their lower ends by support skids ( 8th ), with support feet as corner feet ( 4 ) are arranged in the corner regions of the pallet and optionally supporting feet ( 6 ) as intermediate feet between the Eckfüßen ( 4 ), wherein the height of the pallet through the support feet and the cover plate ( 1 ) of the pallet is formed, characterized in that arranged on the circumference of the pallet supporting feet ( 4 ) 6 ), preferably the corner feet ( 4 ), with an attachable or clip-on protective sleeve ( 16 ) are provided, which the respective support foot ( 4 ) 6 ) in particular in the form of a sleeve ( 18 ), at least partially surrounds and extends at least over a portion of the pallet height. Pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective sleeve ( 16 ) each up to the lower part of the cover plate ( 1 ). Pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective sleeve ( 16 ) each up to the wing ( 2 ) extends the pallet and / or the lower part of the runners or support legs. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective sleeve ( 16 ) each over the length of the support leg ( 4 ) 6 ). Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective sleeve ( 16 ) in the support foot ( 4 ) 6 ) and / or the cover plate ( 1 ) is arranged so that it is flush with the or the respective side surfaces of the pallet. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that support foot ( 4 ) 6 ) and / or cover plate ( 1 ) with one of the wall thickness of the cuff ( 16 ) corresponding return ( 20 ; 30a . 30b ), such that the cuff ( 16 ) projection-free, in particular flush, is recorded with respect to the pallet side surfaces. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, with a cover plate ( 1 ) upper part ( 12 ) and a support skid ( 8th ) lower part ( 14 ), wherein the cover plate ( 1 ) downwardly projecting support sections ( 4a ) and / or the lower part upwardly projecting support sections ( 4b ), wherein to form the pallet the upper part ( 12 ) on the lower part ( 14 ) is arranged and fixed, so that preferably in each case two mutually opposite Stützfußabschnitte ( 4a ) 4b ); ( 6a ) 6b ) with each other a support foot ( 4 ) 6 ), characterized in that in each case the lower support foot section ( 4b ) 6b ) in the region of the upper part of the support skids ( 8th ) for forming the sleeve receptacle and / or the associated upper support leg section ( 4b ) below the cover plate ( 1 ) are reset to the sleeve receptacle in the manner of a at least over a partial circumference of the support leg ( 4 ) to form a receiving chamber. Pallet according to claim 7, characterized in that the cover plate ( 1 ) is reset in the corner area, in particular by recesses ( 30a . 30b ), so that one on the support foot ( 4 ) and with a wall projection ( 28 ) up to the wing ( 2 ) of the cover plate ( 1 ) extending cuff ( 60 ) flush with the wing ( 2 ) and the two each of the corner region delimiting side surfaces of the pallet is. Pallet according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that in the lower corner region of the support foot or runners ( 8th ) Recesses are provided, so that a received on the support leg and the outer periphery of the pallet down to the lower part of the runners extending wall projection of the sleeve is flush with the lower part of the runners and the two respective corner areas limiting side surfaces of the pallet. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cuff ( 16 ) as a closed-walled sleeve ( 18 ) is formed, the corresponding support foot ( 4 ) completely encloses the circumference. Pallet according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cuff ( 16 ) as a partial sleeve in the form of a continuous separating gap ( 22 ) provided sleeve ( 18 ) to form one on the corresponding support foot ( 4 ) clip-on cuff ( 16 ) is provided. Pallet according to claim 11, characterized in that the with a separating gap ( 22 ) provided partial cuff at a support leg having a substantially rectangular cross-section forms the three outer Stützfußkanten and the gap ( 22 ) of the received partial cuff is directed into the interior of the pallet. Pallet according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the support leg section ( 4a . 4b ) for the flush mounting of the partial cuff with recesses extending over the height of the supporting leg sections ( 24a . 24b ) is provided. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cuff ( 16 ) one or double-walled and / or the cuff ( 16 ) has ribs on the inner and / or outer periphery. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cuff ( 16 ) formed material and / or color different from the pallet and / or the cuff is connected by undercuts, hooks and / or pin connections and / or by gluing or welding to the pallet. Cuff for use in a pallet according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed in accordance with the features of the cuff according to one of the preceding claims.

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