DE202005021789U1 - Shipping containers - Google Patents

Abstract

Transport container with a pallet base, which has a support edge, wherein the support edge and the pallet base are made in a Twinsheet process of a thermoformable plastic material and bivalves of an inner skin and an outer skin, characterized in that in the pallet base (2) a reinforcing frame ( 14) is integrated, which extends into corner regions of the pallet base (2), and the foot parts (6) are fastened to the corner regions of the pallet base (2) which are dimensioned such that they correspond at least to a partial area of their base area Overstretch reinforcing frame (14).

Description

The The invention relates to a transport container with a pallet base and with a Faltwandungsring, wherein the Faltwandungsring in erect Condition detachable on a support edge of the pallet floor can be placed.

such Transport containers are known in practice. Such a transport container has a pallet floor, as a double-shell plastic component produced in a twinsheet process. The pallet floor points a circumferential support edge, which from a bottom surface protrudes from approximately at right angles to the top and so for the pallet floor achieved a trough or box-like receiving surface. The transport container also has a Faltwandungsring, the is provided with four substantially planar side walls, the at their flush closing longitudinal edges integrally connected in the manner of film hinges are. If necessary, further film hinges be provided. In the erected state is the Faltwandungsring provided with a quadrangular hollow cross-section. The dimensions the Faltwandungsringes are dimensioned so that the Faltwandungsring can be placed on the pallet base, wherein the Faltwandungsring itself with its lower end edge inside of the support edge supported on the pallet floor. Also the folding wall ring is manufactured as a plastic component in a twinsheet process. One such, known from practice transport container can also have a pallet lid on an upper edge area the Faltwandungsringes placed in its erected state is.

Similar transport containers are from the US 5,862,917 or the US 5,722,328 known. These transport containers also have a pallet base, a pallet lid and a wall ring, which is arranged between the pallet base and the pallet lid. The wall rings, however, are not designed foldable.

The known transport container serve in the assembled state for the storage of goods to be transported within the respective transport container. For a return transport of the empty transport container the wall rings removed and the respective pallet cover directly placed on the respective pallet floor, allowing for the return transport of the empty transport container a reduced loading volume is needed. For the transport containers with the folding wall rings The Faltwandungsringe folded in a simple manner and be placed in the pallet floor so that the entire transport container including Faltwandungsring be transported back to save space can.

Problematic in the transport containers known from practice, it is that the Faltwandungsringe in the erected state, a base limit, which is smaller than a required footprint for standardized metal mesh boxes.

task The invention is therefore a transport container of the beginning to create a species that is designed to be of his own Dimensions can replace standardized lattice boxes.

This object is achieved in that the Faltwandungsring has a longitudinal section seen in the vertical direction, which has a substantially rectilinear inner contour and a stepped outer contour, wherein a step-like shoulder of the outer contour in a transition between a lower, thin-walled plug-in area and an attaching above the plug-in area, thick walled wall area is formed. Characterized in that the Faltwandungsring is designed to be thin-walled in its lower part, this plug-in area is at least largely inserted flat into the circumferential support edge of the pallet base, so that almost no space is consumed for the interior of the pallet base. The plug-in region preferably has planar plug-wall wall surfaces which lie parallel and flat against corresponding inner walls of the support rim. The volume of the pallet base is thus reduced only by the wall thickness of the plug-in area of the Faltwandungsringes, as soon as this Faltwandungsring is inserted in the erected state in the support edge of the pallet base. The support edge protrudes at a right angle from a bottom surface of the pallet bottom upwards. The mating wall surfaces of the Faltwandungsringes correspond in height to the height of the support edge and are preferably substantially flush over its entire length and flat against the corresponding inner wall of the support edge. The support edge is rectangular. The Faltwandungsring is also rectangular - seen in cross section - executed. The fact that the Faltwandungsring has a rectilinear inner contour in its seen in the vertical direction longitudinal section, the limited by the Faltwandung cross section remains the same over the entire height of the Faltwandungsringes. Since this free cross-section or receiving cross section for cargo thus almost does not differ from the limited by the support edge base, it is possible to limit with the solution according to the invention by the Faltwandungsring and the pallet base a transport volume that corresponds to a metal mesh box, without the outer dimensions of the pallet floor must be increased. The transport container according to the invention can therefore with respect to its available Transportvolu mens and with respect to its external dimensions known standard metal mesh boxes replace. This is advantageous because an existing plastic transport container, as provided for in the invention, is much lighter than a metal grid box. In addition, it is possible to transport the transport container folded when empty by the Faltwandungsring is inserted in a simple manner in the support edge of the pallet base, so that, for example, in a transport on a truck, a ship or a train significantly more empty transport containers can be transported as empty grid boxes whose volume can not be reduced.

In Embodiment of the invention is the Faltwandungsring in cross section multi-layered. In a further embodiment of the invention the Faltwandungsring zweischalig from an inner and an outer skin built up. Preferably, the Faltwandungsring is in a twinsheet method made of a suitable plastic. Twin Sheet process for producing double-shell plastic components are general known. This two plastic plates are simultaneously in one common tool, but opposite to each other deep-drawn and at their abutting connection surfaces with each other welded. This is done in a common manufacturing process. Further details of the twinsheet process are well known State of the art removable.

In Another embodiment of the invention, a pallet lid is provided on a support edge of the pallet floor or on a upper edge region of Faltwandungsringes is placed, wherein the upper edge region of the Faltwandungsringes for placing the pallet cover is provided with a thin-walled edge profiling, the in their course and their dimensions at least largely an upper one Edge profiling of the support edge of the pallet base corresponds. This makes it possible to use the pallet cover either in the erect condition on the fold wall ring or at a remote location Faltwandungsring directly on the support edge of the pallet base sit up. The Faltwandungsring can for this case housed folded inside the pallet floor. Of the upper edge area is in the same way by means of a recessed Stufenabsatzes of the thick-walled wall region of the Faltwandungsringes discontinued, as is the case in the lower plug-in area. Because of it it is ensured that the pallet cover with its outer contour is not over the outer contour of the Faltwandungsringes and the support edge of the pallet floor protrudes, leaving an equivalent replacement of metal mesh boxes is possible.

In Another embodiment of the invention, the pallet floor is double-shelled made of plastic in a twinsheet process and the support edge is by on side edges of the pallet floor by means of film hinges molded side parts formed, forming the support edge swung up and at their adjacent edge areas are firmly connected. Preferably, the side parts at their edge areas over the entire height of the Sützrandes welded together. It is but also possible, the side panels in swung Condition in a different way at their edges against each other to fix. However, the edge regions are particularly preferred welded together flush.

In Another embodiment of the invention is in the pallet floor Reinforcement frame integrated. This will make the floor area of the pallet floor further reinforced.

In Another embodiment of the invention is the reinforcing frame constructed as a composite of dimensionally stable hollow profiles. The hollow profiles are preferably made of metal or fiber-reinforced plastic. The hollow profiles can by plugging, by releasable or permanent fasteners or by cohesive Connecting means are joined together to form the composite.

In Further embodiment of the invention consist of the hollow profiles Steel and are welded together to the reinforcing frame. This is a particularly stable and durable embodiment.

In Another embodiment of the invention are in a bottom of the Pallet bottom channel or groove-like recesses provided, the in their course and in their dimensions so on a contour of Reinforcement frame are matched to that of the reinforcing frame embedded flush in the wells when mounted is. As a result, the reinforcing frame is form-fitting integrated into the pallet floor, so that is a particularly advantageous Stiffening of the pallet base results without the reinforcing frame over an outer contour of the pallet floor protrudes.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the pallet base releasable foot parts, which are positioned relative to the recesses so that they secure the embedded reinforcing frame form-fitting in the assembled state. As a result, separate securing or fastening means for the reinforcing frame are avoided. Preferably, the foot parts engage over the reinforcement frame at its corner regions. The detachable arrangement of the foot parts advantageously allows easy replacement of damaged foot parts These foot parts, without the entire pallet floor must be replaced. The feature of providing the pallet base with detachable foot parts is therefore also advantageous in the case of a pallet base which is not provided with a reinforcing frame.

Further Advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the claims as well as from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated by the drawings.

1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a transport container according to the invention,

2 the transport container 1 in vertical longitudinal section,

3 in an enlarged view of the section III of the transport container after 2 .

4 in an enlarged, perspective view of a pallet floor of the transport container after 1 , seen from below,

5 the pallet bottom of the transport container after the 1 to 4 omitting the support feet,

6 in an enlarged view the section VI of the pallet floor after 5 .

7 in a perspective view of the pallet floor 5 .

8th in perspective the transport container after

1 omitting the Faltwandungsringes,

9 a sectional view of the transport container after 8th .

10 similar in a sectional view 2 the Faltwandungsring for the transport container after 2 .

11 in an enlarged view of the cutout XI of Faltwandungsringes after 10 and

12 in perspective view the Faltwandungsring after 10 in an upright functional condition.

A transport container 1 after the 1 to 12 has a pallet floor 2 , a folding wall ring 3 and a pallet lid 4 on. All three components are made of thermoformable plastic materials in so-called twinsheet process and are thus each clamshell executed by an inner skin and by an outer skin. The inner skin and the outer skin are welded together at suitable areas, so that the corresponding dimensionally stable sections, film hinges, stiffening ribs, Aus- and indentations and the like arise. The folding wall ring 3 and the pallet lid 4 are each designed as one-piece components. The pallet floor 2 is designed in several parts, as will be explained in more detail below.

The pallet floor 2 on the one hand four support feet also made of corresponding plastic materials by the twinsheet method 6 on, which are fastened by means of releasable fastening means such as in particular screw with a bottom of the pallet base to corresponding preformed receiving portions of the corner regions of the pallet base.

The pallet floor 2 has a substantially planar base plate on all sides of a perpendicular to a base surface of the base plate projecting upstanding support edge 8th is surrounded. The base plate has a rectangular shape in the illustrated embodiment. On all longitudinal sides of the base plate, a support edge portion is provided as the side part, which extends over the entire length of the respective longitudinal side. Each support edge portion is by means of a film hinge 16 ( 5 and 6 ) in one piece on the respective longitudinal edge of the base plate of the pallet base 2 formed. The preparation of the support edge portions together with the base plate in a corresponding twinsheet method by means of a tool in which the support edge portions are aligned with a surface of the base plate horizontally outward. The upright to the base plate erecting the support edge portions is carried out after completion of the pallet base, in which the support edge portions are pivoted about the hinge formed by the respective hinge hinge up until the mutually adjacent side edges of each support edge portion are aligned adjacent to each other. By positive, non-positive or material-locking fastening means, which according to the present embodiment ( 7 ) as fastening screws 15 are executed, the support edge portions are connected together in the region of their adjacent side edges, so that the circumferential support edge 8th results.

In a particularly preferred, but not shown in detail embodiment, the support edge portions of the support edge 8th in the area of their adjacent side edges welded together, so over the entire height of the support edge 8th in the respective corner regions, at which the support edge portions abut each other, results in a continuous cohesive connection. As a result, a particularly good rigidity of the support edge is achieved by the permanent and continuous connection of the support edge 8th with the base plate through the film hinges 16 Overall, a high rigidity of the pallet base 2 leads.

As based on the 4 is visible in a bottom of the pallet floor 2 a reinforcing frame 14 integrated. These are in the bottom of the pallet floor 2 , Namely, in the bottom of the base plate, groove-like recesses are provided, which are dimensioned such that the reinforcing frame 14 can be inserted flush in the groove-like depressions. The reinforcement frame 14 consists of metal profiles, preferably of steel profiles, which are connected to the frame construction in particular by welding together. The reinforcement frame 14 extends into the corner areas of the pallet floor 2 , The reinforcement frame 14 gets through the support feet 6 positively in the groove-like depressions of the bottom of the pallet base 2 held. These are the detachable support feet 6 dimensioned such that they at least with a portion of its base corner portions of the reinforcing frame 14 as shown 4 spread. The support feet 6 are detachable with fixing screws to the pallet bottom 2 connected. Preferably, corresponding threaded nuts made of metal are integrated between the inner and outer shell of the pallet base, so that a secure attachment of the support legs 6 is guaranteed and in particular a tearing of the internal thread in the range of the pallet base 2 reliably prevented.

As based on the 2 and 3 is recognizable, the Faltwandungsring 3 in the raised support edge 8th of the pallet floor 2 used. When inserted, the Faltwandungsring 3 with the help of locking devices 11 in his in the pallet floor 2 secured state inserted. The locking devices 11 have manually operable slide, which in corresponding receiving slots of a lower edge 7 of the folding wall ring 3 intervention. The receiving slots are shown in the figures, but not specified.

The folding wall ring 3 is also bivalve produced in a Twinsheetverfahren of a plastic skin and a plastic outer skin, wherein the Faltwandungsring 3 is produced in a corresponding twinsheet tool not in an annular state, but rather in quasi unwound, flat state. In the production of corresponding corner regions of the Faltwandungsringes 3 Created film hinges along which the individual wall sections of the Faltwandungsringes 3 can be kinked. The open end faces that are open after production are overlapped with one another when the ring is set up in its rectangular cross-sectional contour and in the overlapping region over the entire height of the folding wall ring 3 firmly connected. Based on 1 it can be seen that the connection in the overlapping area is made by riveting. But it is also possible to weld the overlapping faces over their height together or to connect in a different way. The folding wall ring 3 has film hinges not only in its corner areas, but also in intermediate areas, around a folding of the Faltwandungsringes 3 to allow for a flat folding component, that within the through the support edge 8th bounded receiving volume of the pallet base 2 can be accommodated. In addition, in the Faltwandungsring 3 provided corresponding free cuts to create flap or door sections, which also in the erected functional state of the Faltwandungsringes 3 an accessibility to the interior of the transport container 1 enable. The corresponding flap or door sections 5 are preferably on a vertical or horizontal longitudinal side by means of a corresponding film hinge with the remaining Faltwandungsring 3 connected.

The transport container 1 is also with a pallet lid 4 provided, which is also designed clam shell by an inner skin and an outer skin, which are joined together in a two-sheet method of suitably deep-drawing plastic materials to the one-piece component cohesively. The pallet lid 4 is in the erected functional state of the folding wall ring 3 from above on this attachable, as based on the 2 is recognizable. The pallet lid 4 is provided with a peripheral edge on an upper edge profiling 10 of the folding wall ring 3 can be placed flush. Also in the upper edge area 10 of the folding wall ring 3 are corresponding receiving slots provided for a positive securing the pallet cover 4 on the folding wall ring 3 serve. These are also in the pallet cover 4 corresponding locking devices 11 provided, which is analogous to the locking devices 11 of the pallet floor 2 are designed as manually operable locking slide. The locking slides are in corresponding recesses of the pallet cover 4 inserted and displaceable in the pallet lid 4 stored.

To prevent by inserting the Faltwandungsringes 3 in the support rim 8th the usable internal volume of the transport container 1 is appreciably affected, is the Faltwandungsring 3 in a lower plug-in area 7 opposite to its other wall areas 9 thin-walled. The wall thickness of the lower plug-in area 7 is slightly less than half the wall thickness of the thick-walled wall area 9 ( 3 ), in each case in the section of Faltwandungsringes 3 seen. An inner contour of the Faltwandungsringes 3 is from a lower edge of the plug-in area 7 up to an upper edge of the Faltwandungsringes 3 designed in a straight line, so that the usable internal volume of the Faltwandungsringes 3 in its erected and in the support edge 8th inserted state does not change over its entire height. The transition of the thin-walled plug-in area 7 to the thick-walled wall area 9 via a stepped shoulder 13 that of the inner contour of the Faltwandungsringes 3 is directed away to the outside and extends at least substantially rechtwink lig outward. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided, the stepped shoulder 13 relative to the mating area 7 to be oriented at an acute angle, which is preferably slightly smaller than 90 °. As a result, a Zentrierungsmöglichkeit the Faltwandungsringes 3 relative to the support rim 8th of the pallet floor 2 achieved. The support edge 8th has at its upper edge region a thin-walled, web-like edge profiling 12 on top of that through the stepped heel 13 formed inner edge can dip at least slightly and so the centering and securing the Faltwandungsringes 3 relative to the support rim 8th allows. The edge profiling 12 the support edge 8th is also chosen so that as an alternative to the placement of the Faltwandungsringes 3 also the pallet lid 4 with its corresponding peripheral edge directly on this edge profiling 12 can be put on. This makes it possible to the pallet cover 4 omitting the Faltwandungsringes 3 directly on the pallet floor 2 sit up. This variant is advantageous if the transport container 1 must be transported in an empty state to save space. For this purpose, the Faltwandungsring in a simple manner 3 folded and inside the support edge 8th be filed. By placing the pallet cover 4 becomes the support edge 8th covered and the folded folding wall ring 3 inside the pallet floor 2 secured.

The edge profiling 12 jumps from the wall section 9 in the same way by means of a stepped paragraph back, as in the lower plug-in area 7 the Faltwandungsringes is the case. As a result, the pallet cover with its outer contour flush and in alignment with the upper edge region of the Faltwandungsringes 3 be aufgegesezt without the pallet cover 7 beyond the outer contour of the Faltwandungsringes protrudes to the outside. The same applies to placing the pallet cover 4 on the support rim 8th of the pallet floor 2 ,

The pallet lid 4 is provided with pile profiling on its top to ensure safe stacking of another pallet base 2 to enable. Also the edge profiling 12 the support edge 8th can be provided with receiving slots to the positive securing the pallet cover 4 directly on the support rim 8th of the pallet floor 2 by means of appropriate locking devices 11 to enable.

Also the folding wall ring 3 has in the region of its upper edge a circumferential, thin-walled edge profiling 10 which is dimensioned such that they with respect to their outer dimensions and outer contour of the edge profiling 12 the support edge 8th equivalent. This allows the pallet lid 4 alternatively to the placement on the support edge 8th also in the erected state of the Faltwandungsringes 3 on the Faltwandungsring 3 be put on. The peripheral edge of the pallet lid 4 is with the reference numeral 17 Mistake.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 5862917 [0003]
• US 5722328 [0003]

Claims (6)

Transport container with a pallet base, which has a support edge, wherein the support edge and the pallet base are made in a Twinsheet process of a thermoformable plastic material and two-shell of an inner skin and an outer skin, characterized in that in the pallet floor ( 2 ) a reinforcing frame ( 14 ), which extends into corner areas of the pallet floor ( 2 ), and the foot parts ( 6 ) at the corners of the pallet floor ( 2 ) are fixed, which are dimensioned such that they at least with a portion of its base corresponding corner regions of the reinforcing frame ( 14 ). Transport container according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcing frame ( 14 ) is constructed as a composite of dimensionally stable hollow profiles. Transport container according to claim 2, characterized in that the hollow profiles are made of steel and to the reinforcing frame ( 14 ) are welded together. Transport container according to claim 1, characterized in that in an underside of the pallet base ( 2 ) groove-like or depressions are provided, which in their course and their dimensions in such a manner to a contour of the reinforcing frame ( 14 ) that the reinforcing frame ( 14 ) is embedded flush in the recesses in the assembled state Transport container according to claim 4, characterized in that the pallet bottom ( 2 ) detachable foot parts ( 6 ) having. Transport container according to claim 5, characterized in that the foot parts ( 6 ) are positioned relative to the recesses in such a way that, when assembled, they enclose the embedded reinforcement frame (FIG. 14 ) secure in a form-fitting manner.