DE29602470U1 - Modular system - Google Patents

Description

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Lippeit Stachow, Schmidt

& Partners ¹² · February 1996

Patent attorneys
Frankenforster Strasse 135-137

D-51427 Bergisch Gladbach

Herbert Weiss
57271 Hilchenbach

Modular system

The invention relates to a modular system for storing and transporting, in particular, valuable rubble or stacked goods such as circulating coins in closed containers.

For the transport of coin blanks or circulating coins, for example from coin machines to a payment or sorting system, but also from the mints to the banks or vice versa, sewn textile bags are preferably used according to the state of the art.

It is obvious that such containers are only very inadequately secured, so that thefts often occur when storing and transporting coins in such containers, and these are usually difficult to prove. In this context, German vending machine operators complain of annual losses running into the tens of millions.

Lockable metal containers were therefore used to store and transport the circulating coins, which could be locked using a key-lock system.

Although the risk of theft has been reduced with these coin containers, the usual transport of the containers with forklifts, cranes and the like means that they are relatively easily damaged and deformed, so that they can no longer be used in an automated packaging line, for example.

could be stacked on top of each other or opening the lockable loading and unloading flaps was problematic.

The invention is based on the object of creating a device that can be assembled in the manner of a modular system with which circulation coins can be safely stored and transported, whereby the containers for the coins are protected against damage during transport and handling.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the containers are designed as containers with a rectangular cross-section, which can be set individually or in a number of even numbers in stackable frame racks with a square cross-section, whereby the frame parts which run vertically in the position of use of the frame racks are designed as angle profiles connected to one another by horizontal struts and the frame racks have a perforated base arranged at a distance from the lower end of the angle profiles and that the containers have at least one upper loading flap which can be pivoted upwards about a horizontal axis and which can be locked or closed when closed.

The stackable frame proposed for transporting or storing containers, whose vertical frame parts consist of relatively thick-walled angle profiles, creates a robust transport body that protects the containers placed in it, which are relatively thin-walled for weight reasons, from damage. To stack the frames, they can have the well-known, welded stacking feet at the top of the angle profiles.

The angle profiles of the frame structures are connected to each other in the upper and lower areas via horizontal struts, e.g. in the form of flat sheets, and thus obtain the required stability.

In addition, a preferably perforated floor is provided at a distance from the lower end of the angle profiles, which consists, for example, of square tubes and serves to accommodate the lower container(s).
5

The containers have at least one upper loading flap that can be opened upwards for loading coins.

In an advantageous embodiment, the containers have at least one lower removal flap for emptying, the openings in the bottom preferably being designed in such a way that this flap can be opened downwards through the openings.

The flaps can be closed using the known locking or closing mechanisms, although it is advantageous if electronically controlled mechanisms are used instead of the usual lock-key systems. The containers can also have microprocessors that, for example, only allow electric motor unlocking if a corresponding code has been entered beforehand.

For this purpose, microprocessors are preferably used which, by recognizing a secret identification code (PIN), release the unlocking device equipped with a power connection.

This makes it almost impossible for an unauthorized person to open the locked containers without destroying them.

The individual containers can also contain externally visible barcodes that contain all the necessary information about the contents, sender and recipient, etc. in encrypted form. These barcodes also enable problem-free, automated incoming goods inspection and accounting by banks, mints, cash-in-transit companies, and sorting and counting facilities.

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The microprocessors arranged on or in the containers can also contain transmitters that emit certain electromagnetic waves that can be detected and reported by tracking satellites, for example. This even makes it possible to check the transport routes or the respective location of the containers without any gaps.

In order to keep the containers securely in the frame during transport or to prevent individual containers from being removed from the frame, they should preferably be secured to one another or to the frame. This can be done using appropriate additional locking devices, which can also be unlocked using the code if necessary.

In order to be able to transport the containers using a crane or a corresponding transport device, undercuts or wall surfaces forming an upper, rectangular frame are preferably provided on their upper face, which run vertically inwards or downwards. In this way, the containers can be removed from the frame and transported using, for example, a spreading pliers.

At the same time, the containers can have a corresponding rectangular frame running vertically downwards on their lower front surface, which fits into the upper frame of a container located below it. This allows the containers to be stacked on top of each other and is secured against slipping.

The containers or the frame are preferably made of steel or stainless steel so that they have a sufficiently high level of stability and abrasion resistance. This prevents contamination inside the container, especially since the lower removal flap is preferably hinged in such a way that the containers are completely emptied when the lower flap is opened.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the drawing and is explained in detail below using the drawing. They show:

Fig. 1 a frame with a square base and two coin containers placed one above the other in a side view and a top view,

Fig. 2 the frame according to Fig. 1 with two coin containers placed next to each other in a side view and

a top view,

Fig. 3 the frame according to Fig. 1 and 2 with eight coin containers placed next to each other and one above the other in a side view and a top view and

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of two coin containers arranged next to each other.

The frame 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 has a square cross-section and consists essentially of vertically running angle profiles 2, which are connected to one another by upper and lower, circumferential flat irons 3, 4. Stacking feet 5 are welded to the upper end of the angle profiles 2, in which holes 6 are provided, with the aid of which the frame 1 can be suspended from a crane or the like.

A perforated base 7 (not shown in detail) is provided at a distance from the lower end of the angle profiles 2, on which the containers 8 rest.

The size of the containers 8 that can be placed in the frame 1 are coordinated with one another in a modular manner, so that one, two, four or eight containers can be placed in the frame 1.

The containers 8 each have an upper loading

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flap 9, which can be pivoted about an upper horizontal axis 10 and can be opened upwards.

In addition, the containers have one or, as in the example according to Fig. 1, two lower removal flaps 11, which can be pivoted downwards about a lower, also horizontal axis 12 for emptying the container 8.

The locking mechanism for flaps 9 and 11 is not shown. Preferably, it can only be activated by entering a secret code to open it.

The bar codes 13 are also intended to symbolize that the containers 8 can be marked externally using these codes, so that all necessary data can be obtained using a corresponding reading device.

In the perspective view according to Fig. 4, two containers 8 placed one behind the other can be seen, each of which has a wall frame 15 running vertically downwards or inwards on its upper end faces 14.

By placing the jaws of a spreading pliers against the wall surfaces 16 of the frame 15, a frictional or force-locking contact can be established with the pliers jaws, so that the containers can be lifted and transported individually in this way.

The lower, outwardly projecting wall frame 17 is used for stacking containers 8 lying on top of each other and fits into the upper wall frame 15 of the container below (not shown).

Lippert, Stachow, Schmidt

& Partners ¹² · February 1996

Patent Attorneys Frankenforster Straße 135-137

D-51427 Berghausen Gladbach

Herbert Weiss 57271 Hilchenbach

Modular system List of reference symbols

I Frame 2 Angle profile

3 flat iron

4 flat iron

5 stacking foot

6 Hole
7 Floor

8 containers

9 Loading flap

10 upper axis

II Removal flap 5 12 lower axle

13 Barcode

14 upper front surface

15 wall frames

16 Wall surfaces 17 Wall frames

Claims (8)

j. ru. &igr; « &igr;. ■ ,j. So/kb Lippert, Stachow, Schmidt & Partner 12· February 1996 Patent Attorneys Frankenforster Straß© 135-137 &Ogr;61427 Bergisch Gladbach Herbert Weiss 57271 Hilchenbach Modular system Claims 1. Modular system for storing and transporting valuable rubble or stacked goods such as circulating coins in closed containers, thereby
characterized in that the containers are designed as containers (8) with a rectangular cross-section which can be adjusted individually or in a straight plurality into stackable frame racks (1) with a square cross-section, the frame parts which run vertically in the position of use of the frame racks (1) being designed as angle profiles (2) connected to one another by horizontal struts (3, 4), and the frame racks (1) having a perforated base (7) arranged at a distance from the lower end of the angle profiles (2), and in that the containers (8) have at least one upper loading flap (9) which can be pivoted upwards about a horizontal axis (10) and which can be locked or closed when closed. 2. Modular system according to claim 1, characterized in that the containers (8) have at least one removal flap (11) which can be pivoted downwards about a lower horizontal axis (12) and which can be locked or closed in the closed state. 3. Modular system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized ••••••"&ngr;·.·:.* :: ^: O characterized in that the locking or closing mechanism of the flaps (9, 11) can be unlocked by means of a machine-readable or manually entered code.
5 4. Modular system according to claim 3, characterized in that the code is a numerical code. 5. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the containers (8) can be secured to one another and/or to the frame (1). 6. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the containers (8) have undercuts in the region of their upper end face (14) and/or wall surfaces (16) that form an upper rectangular wall frame (15) and extend vertically inwards, which interact with the container (8) in a form-fitting or force-fitting manner by means of a spreading pliers in order to lift the container (8). 7. Modular system according to claim 6, characterized in that the lower end faces of the Containers have a lower, rectangular wall frame (17) which can be inserted into the upper wall frame (15) of a lower container for stacking the containers (8) on top of each other.
30 8. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the containers (8) and/or the frame parts (1) consist of steel or stainless steel.