DE102018110442A1 - Box and module frame for bin stacks - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a box (1) for a container stack with storage and removal from below, as well as a module frame (30) for use with a container stack of corresponding boxes (1).
The box (1) comprises a bottom (3) and circumferential side walls (2), wherein on the outside of at least one side wall (2) in the region of an edge extending parallel to the bottom (3) a hook element (10) and on the hook element (10) a remote edge of the side wall (2) in a displacement direction (90) parallel to the bottom (3) between an open and closed position sliding latch element (20) with a latch (22) for selectively engaging in a hook element (10) of a on the box (1) stacked further box (1) is provided to selectively produce a positive connection between two stacked boxes (1) can.
The module frame (30) has actuating elements (40) with which the locking elements (20) of a box (1) can be moved during storage or during removal into the open or closed position.

Description

The invention relates to a box for a stack of containers with storage and removal from below, and a module frame for use with a container stack of corresponding boxes with storage and removal from below.

In the prior art storage systems for container stacks with storage and removal from below are known. In corresponding storage systems, container stacks formed by a plurality of containers stacked in the vertical direction are held at a distance from the ground by holding devices such that a loading device, eg a transport vehicle, moves underneath the container stacks and store individual containers in a container stack or remove them from a container stack can.

For storage of a container in a stack of containers, the container is usually moved by the loading device from below to the container stack and pushed up that the container stack - with the einzulagernden container now as the lowest container - is moved vertically upwards until the einzulagernde or . Lowest container is held by the holding device. The feeder is then free again.

To remove a container, the feeding device is moved up to the container stack, whose lowest container is to be removed. Subsequently, the holding device is released for a certain period of time and the feeding device lowers the entire container stack until the second container from below and thus also the overlying containers are held by the - at this time no longer dissolved - holding device. The container to be removed is then free and can then be removed by the feeder.

If another than the lowermost container of a container stack is to be removed, a successive removal and transferring of the respectively lowest container of the container stack into other container stacks is required.

In a system in which the boxes of the container stack are not performed separately, the allowable height of the individual container stack is limited by their tilting safety. As a result, it is certainly possible to prevent a container stack from tilting, in particular during a storage or removal process, but the permissible height of the container stack is often unsatisfactory.

It is therefore basically conceivable to guide a container stack through laterally mounted guides over its entire height so that tilting of the container stack can be ruled out. Although in this case the allowable height of the container stack can be chosen almost arbitrarily, a corresponding guide requires a high design effort and is therefore costly.

Object of the present invention is to provide an improvement for a stack of containers with storage and removal from below, in which the disadvantages of the prior art no longer or at least occur only to a lesser extent.

This object is achieved by a box according to the main claim, and a module frame according to claim 6. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

• - im Bereich einer sich parallel zum Boden erstreckenden Kante ein Hakenelement vorgesehen ist, wobei sich das freie Ende des Hakens im Wesentlichen parallel zur Seitenwand und zum Boden erstreckt, und
• - an der vom Hakenelement entfernten Kante der Seitenwand ein in eine Richtung parallel zum Boden zwischen einer offenen und geschlossenen Stellung verschiebbares Riegelelement mit einem Riegel zum wahlweisen Eingreifen in ein Hakenelement einer auf der Kiste gestapelten weiteren Kiste vorgesehen ist, wobei in einer Projektion auf eine Ebene parallel zum Boden der Riegel in der geschlossenen Stellung des Riegelelementes sich mit dem Haken des Hakenelementes derselben Kiste überschneidet und in der offenen Stellung des Riegelelementes der Riegel und der Haken überschneidungsfrei sind.

Accordingly, the invention relates to a box for a stack of containers with storage and removal from below, comprising a bottom and peripheral side walls, wherein on the outside of at least one side wall

• - In the region of a parallel to the ground extending edge a hook member is provided, wherein the free end of the hook extends substantially parallel to the side wall and the bottom, and
• - Is provided on the edge remote from the hook element of the side wall a displaceable in a direction parallel to the ground between an open and closed position locking element with a latch for selectively engaging in a hook element of a box stacked on the other box, wherein in a projection on a plane parallel to the bottom of the bolt in the closed position of the locking element overlaps with the hook of the hook element of the same box and in the open position of the locking element of the bolt and the hook are non-overlapping.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a module frame for use with a box according to the invention, wherein the module frame is formed when aligned perpendicular to the axis of a container stack of boxes for lateral guidance of the bottom box of the container stack during storage or removal from below, and the module frame at least one actuating element for actuating the locking element comprises a box comprised of the module frame, wherein the at least one actuating element or the locking elements moved during storage in the closed position and during removal in the open position.

The box according to the invention is designed to be able to produce in a container stack with corresponding boxes either a positive connection between each adjacent boxes. Is there a corresponding positive fit, the allowable height against a container stack not form-fitting connected boxes can be significantly increased. At the same time eliminates the design effort of a lateral guidance of the container stack. Since the positive connection between adjacent box can also be selectively released again, a removal of a box from a stack of containers from below continues to be possible, as well as a corresponding storage.

The optional positive connection with adjacent boxes in a container stack of identical and thus inventively designed boxes is achieved via a provided on the box, slidable between an open and a closed position locking element which can engage in the closed position in a hook element of an adjacent box. The box also has such a hook element, which in turn can engage a locking element of an adjacent box.

The hook element is provided on the outside of a side wall of the box in the region of a parallel to the ground extending edge, that extends the free end of the hook substantially parallel to the side wall and the bottom.

On the same side wall is provided at the edge remote from the hook element in a direction parallel to the ground, the already mentioned locking element which can be moved between an open and closed position. The bolt of the locking element is provided for selectively engaging in a hook element of a box stacked on the other box. By the bolt in a projection on a plane parallel to the ground in the closed position of the locking element overlaps with the hook of the hook element of the same box and in the open position of the locking element, the bolt and the hook are non-overlapping, the optional positive locking with an adjacent and identical box made sure.

It is preferred that the locking element is guided in a guide element such that it projects beyond the guide element at least apart from the first and the second position in the displacement direction. About the over the guide member protruding parts, the locking element can be easily moved between the open and the closed position. It can be provided that the locking element protrudes in the open and closed position in the direction of displacement only to one side over the guide member, while it protrudes in all positions therebetween to both sides in the direction of displacement over the guide member.

The regions of the locking element that project temporarily over the guide element in the direction of displacement preferably have at least one actuating surface arranged at an angle to the direction of displacement. About this actuating surface (s), the locking element can in principle also be adjusted by the action of force perpendicular to the direction of displacement.

It is preferred if the hook element is arranged in the region of the bottom of the box, with which then the locking element is arranged in the region of the opening of the box. A corresponding arrangement has proved to be advantageous for the storage and removal in container stack from below.

It is preferred if in each case at least two hook members and at least one locking element are provided on at least two opposite side walls, preferably on four side walls of the box. By providing hook and bolt elements on more than one side wall, the anti-tilting security can be effectively increased in all directions of a container stack. If the box has a rectangular shape, for example, with which it can ultimately only be stacked on another box in two orientations, it may be sufficient if hook and locking elements are provided on two opposite side walls. If the box can still be stacked in other orientations, for example because the box is square, it is advantageous if hook and bolt elements are provided on all four side walls of the box. This ensures that the desired positive connection between the boxes of a container stack can be achieved regardless of the respective orientation of the box.

The module frame according to the invention is provided for automated actuation of the locking elements according to the invention boxes when removing or storing in a container stack from below. For this purpose, the module frame, which encompasses the container stack substantially in a horizontal direction, an actuating element for actuating the locking element of a box covered by the module frame, wherein the at least one actuating element or the locking elements during storage in the closed position and when removed in the open position moves. To the locking element - depending on the arrangement of the Locking element in the region of the bottom or the opening - the box to be stored or to be removed, or to operate before storage or after removal of a box bottom box of the container stack, the module frame in the use state in the bottom box of the container stack is to order and can there also serve to guide this box, as well as a possibly einzulagernden box. The guidance also ensures that the locking element is guided past the actuating element in the position required for the actuation.

The actuating element may comprise a projection with at least one sliding surface for actuating a locking element. In particular, when the locking element has an actuating surface, a displacement of the locking element in the direction of displacement can be achieved by a movement of the locking element on the actuating element in a direction perpendicular to the direction of displacement in a suitable embodiment by interaction of the uniform surface and the actuating surface. The direction perpendicular to the direction of displacement basically corresponds to the direction in which boxes are stored from below in a container stack or removed from it, so that this movement can be used to actuate the locking element,

It is particularly preferred if the at least one actuating element has two projections spaced apart in the direction of the axis of the container stack, each having two opposing sliding surfaces, wherein the lower projection for moving the locking element into the open position and the independent position regardless of the direction of movement of a einzulagernden or to be removed box upper projection for moving the locking element is formed in the closed position. By a corresponding configuration, the production of the positive connection during storage and the release of the positive connection when removing a box of a container stack can be automated from below without requiring additional process steps for storage or removal, or active elements would be required. Rather, only the vertical movement of the box or of the container stack which necessarily occurs during removal or storage is used to actuate the locking element.

The module frame may have holding elements for holding the container stack. Corresponding holding elements are, for example, in the European patent EP 2 982 624 B1 or in the German patent application DE 10 2013 009 340 A1 described.

• 1: eine Detailansicht eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Kiste;
• 2: eine Detailansicht eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Modulrahmens; und
• 3a-e: eine beispielhafte Darstellung einer Einlagerung einer Kiste gemäß 1 in einen Behälterstapel von unten unter Zuhilfenahme eines Modulrahmens gemäß 2.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• 1 a detail view of a first embodiment of a box according to the invention;
• 2 : a detailed view of a first embodiment of a module frame according to the invention; and
• 3a-e : an exemplary representation of a storage of a box according to 1 in a container stack from below with the help of a module frame according to 2 ,

In 1 is a part of a sidewall 2 the box 1 , in the 3a shown completely, which, as usual, a floor 3 and surrounding sidewalls 2 having.

In the area of the soil 3 is at the edge of the side wall running there 2 a hook element 10 with a hook 11 intended. The free end of the hook 11 extends substantially parallel to both the side wall 2 as well as to the ground 3 ,

At the opposite edge of the side wall 2 is a locking element 20 intended. The locking element 20 is so movable in a guide element 21 that it is in by the arrow 90 indicated direction parallel to the ground 3 the box 2 between two end positions - namely a closed position and an open position - can be moved. The locking element 20 includes a latch 22 for selectively engaging the hook element 20 one on the illustrated box 1 attached, identically designed box 1 is trained.

In the in 1 illustrated closed position of the locking element 20 is its bar 22 arranged so that it is in a projection on a plane parallel to the ground 3 the box with the hook 11 of the hook element 10 overlaps. The same is due to the dashed lines in 1 indicated.

In the open position of the locking element 20 (see. 3c ) there is this overlap between bars 22 and hooks 11 Not.

The guide element 21 is designed so that the locking element 20 in the closed and the open position to one side, in all intermediate positions on both sides via the guide element 21 protrudes. The temporary over the guide element 21 in the direction of displacement 90 protruding portions of the locking element 20 have actuating surfaces 23 on, at an angle to the direction of displacement 90 run. By appropriate force on this operating surfaces 23 can the locking element 20 moving from the closed position to the open position and vice versa.

Even if in 1 only one side wall 2 the box 1 is shown, has the sidewall shown 2 opposite side wall 2 also an arrangement of hook and latch element 10 . 20 , as described on.

In 2 is a part of a module frame 30 , as he eg. in 3a shown is shown. The module frame 30 is basically perpendicular to the axis of a stack of containers of several boxes when used 1 and thus basically horizontally aligned, and includes side guides 31 for the boxes 1 the container stack also holding elements 32 with which the container stack can be held. The holding elements 32 are designed according to the prior art and require no further explanation at this point.

On the module frame 30 are two trained as projections actuators 40 provided with which latch elements 20 of boxes 1 let operate. The actuators 40 are spaced apart in the vertical direction and each have two sliding surfaces 41 on that with the actuating surfaces 23 a bolt element passed by it 20 cooperate such that the locking element 20 is moved to the open or closed position. That against the container stack lower actuator 40 is doing to move a locking element 20 formed in the open position while the upper locking element 40 moving a locking element 20 used in the closed position.

Based on 3a-e Now the interaction of the box 1 and the module frame 40 according to 1 and 2 explained.

In 3a is shown an initial situation in which a first box 1 on the holding elements 32 of the module frame 30 rest and another box 1 to be stored. This is the box to be stored 1 from below to the module frame 30 moved up and moved up until they themselves on the holding elements 32 can be stored. This is a container stack of the two boxes 1 educated.

Will the box to be stored 1 on the module frame 30 moved up, the locking elements 20 the box to be stored 1 first at each lower actuators 40 of the module frame 30 passed by, whereupon they by interaction of actuating and sliding surfaces 23 . 41 regardless of their starting position in each case in the open position are moved (see. 3b ).

Are the locking elements 20 in the open position, the box to be stored 1 to the already stored box 1 be moved up without the locking elements 20 the box to be stored 1 with the hook elements 10 the stored box 1 collide (cf. 3c ).

Be the two boxes 1 then pushed further up, the locking elements 20 the lower box 1 each at upper actuators 40 of the module frame 30 past. It will be due to the sliding surfaces 41 the actuators 40 that with the corresponding actuating surfaces 23 the locking elements 20 interact, the locking elements 20 moved to the closed position. In doing so, the bolts hook 21 the locking elements 20 the lower box 1 in the hook 11 the hook elements 10 at the top box 1 a, creating a positive connection between the two boxes 1 is achieved (cf. 3d ).

Subsequently, the container stack of two boxes 1 go up to the bottom of the box 1 the container stack on the holding elements 32 of the module frame can be stored (see. 3e ).

Comparable to this are when removing the bottom box 1 the container stack, the first locking elements located in the closed position 20 the lowest box 1 through the lower actuators 40 moved to the open position, whereby the positive connection is lifted and the lowest box 1 the container stack can be removed down.

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

• EP 2982624 B1 [0023]
• DE 102013009340 A1 [0023]

Claims (9)

Box (1) for a container stack with storage and removal from below, comprising a bottom (3) and circumferential side walls (2), characterized in that on the outside of at least one side wall (2) - in the region of a parallel to the bottom (3 ) extending edge, a hook element (10) is provided, wherein the free end of the hook (11) extends substantially parallel to the side wall (2) and the bottom (3), and - at the edge of the side wall remote from the hook element (10) (2) a latch member (20) slidable in a direction of translation (90) parallel to the floor (3) between an open and closed position and having a latch (22) for selectively engaging a hook member (10) of one stacked on the box (1) in a projection onto a plane parallel to the bottom (3) of the bolt (22) in the closed position of the locking element (20) with the hook (11) of the hook element (10) of the same box ( 1) ü overlapped and in the open position of the locking element (20) of the bolt (22) and the hook (11) are overlapping free. Crate after Claim 1 , characterized in that the locking element (20) is guided in a guide element (21) such that it projects beyond the guide element at least apart from the open and the closed position in the displacement direction (90). Crate after Claim 2 , characterized in that the temporarily over the guide element (21) in the direction of displacement (90) protruding portions of the locking element (20) at least one at an angle to the displacement direction (90) arranged actuating surface (23). Box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hook element (10) in the region of the bottom (3) of the box (1) is provided. Crate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two opposite side walls (2), preferably on four side walls (2) of the box (1) each have at least one hook element (10) and at least one locking element (20) are provided. Module frame (30) for use with a box (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the module frame (30) aligned with the axis of a container stack of boxes (1) for laterally guiding the bottom box (1) of the container stack during storage or the removal is formed from below, characterized in that the module frame (30) has at least one actuating element (40) for actuating the locking element (20) of a box (1) enclosed by the module frame (30), wherein the at least one actuating element (40 ) moves the latch or the elements (20) during storage in the closed position and in the removal in the open position. Module frame after Claim 6 , characterized in that the at least one actuating element (40) comprises at least one projection with at least one sliding surface (41) for actuating a locking element (20), preferably via its actuating surface (23). Module frame after Claim 7 , characterized in that the at least one actuating element (40) has two projections spaced apart in the direction of the axis of the container stack, each with two opposing sliding surfaces (41), the lower projection (40) moving independently of the direction of movement of a box to be loaded or unloaded a locking element (20) in the open position and the upper projection (40) for moving a locking element (20) is formed in the closed position. Module frame according to one of Claims 6 to 8th , characterized in that the module frame (30) has holding elements (32) for holding the container stack.

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