EP0298382B1 - Container for storage and transportation of especially bulk material, such as rubble, garbage, industrial waste and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

The container (1) has outwardly inclined walls (3, 4) for the purpose of stacking one inside the other and slide elements (14, 15) for supporting sliding on upper longitudinal edges (7), serving as longitudinal guides, of the next lower container in the stack. <??>Slide elements (14, 15), provided for the purpose of additionally being able to stack the containers, especially filled containers, one above the other, are arranged adjustably on the container in such a way that they are situated in an adjusting end position in the lower region of the container above the respectively assigned longitudinal edge of the next lower container in the stack. <??>Each slide element (14, 15) is arranged on an adjusting member (12, 13) which is held on the container so as to be movable in an adjusting manner by means of a holding member (8, 9) situated on the container. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a container for receiving and transporting, in particular, bulk goods, such as building rubble, garbage, industrial waste and the like, which, for the purpose of stacking one another, outwardly inclined walls and sliding elements for supporting sliding on upper longitudinal edges of the container which are next lower in the stack and serve as longitudinal guides having.

Containers of the aforementioned type are described in EP-A-66683 and DE-A-2507481. It is customary to set up such containers at the location where the corresponding bulk material is obtained. The bulk material is collected in the containers, and once the container is filled, it can be transported by suitable vehicles. Usually, trucks are used to transport the containers, which are equipped with devices which are also known under the name of "skip truck". The known containers, as described in DE-A-2507481, have the advantage that they can be stacked one inside the other and loaded in stacks with the aid of such conventional slip-off tippers. The stackability of the empty containers provides economic advantages during storage empty container and above all when transporting the empty container to the respective installation site.

So that the known containers can be stacked one inside the other, they have outwardly inclined walls. As a result, the bottom area of a container is smaller than the area delimited by the upper edges of the container. However, these containers can no longer be stacked once they are filled. The economic advantages that would result from stacking for storage and transportation can therefore no longer be achieved with filled containers. Each filled container must be transported individually and requires the space it occupies during storage until it is finally transported away.

The invention has for its object to design containers of the type specified in DE-A-2507481 so that they can be stacked even when filled.

This object is achieved in that provided for the purpose of additional stackability sliding elements are arranged on the container so that they are in a final position in the lower region of the container above the respectively assigned longitudinal edge of the next lower container in the stack.

There are industrially usable containers known (DE-A-3124360), which are stackable one inside the other and, in order to be stacked on top of one another in a filled state, have foldable and fold-out support feet in the bottom area with which they are located on the upper edge of a container underneath can support. These containers are not designed to slide against one another, in particular when stacking one inside the other.

The sliding elements provided for the purpose of additional stacking can be mounted on the container and are then folded out, pushed out, swiveled or the like into the final position required for stacking. The adjustable sliding elements can be additional sliding elements located in the lower region of the container, that is to say they are flat for the purpose of being stackable if available, so that empty containers can still be stacked one inside the other and can also be stacked on top of each other by placing the corresponding sliding elements in the appropriate final position.

The additional sliding elements for the purpose of stacking on top of one another can also be detachably connected to the containers and are only inserted into corresponding receiving parts when the filled containers are to be stacked on top of one another.

However, it is also possible, and this is also provided in the embodiment of the container according to the invention, to design the sliding elements already present on the container for the purpose of stacking one another in such a way that they can be transferred into the lower end position mentioned for the purpose of additional stackability.

For safe stacking of the filled containers, two sliding elements, one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, are provided for support on each longitudinal edge.

The sliding elements can be solid sliding shoes or the like. To reduce the sliding friction, however, each sliding element is advantageously a rotatably mounted roller. The sliding elements or the rollers enable a movement of the container both when stacking and when unstacking on the side edges of the next lower container in the stack.

Each sliding element is arranged on an actuator which is held on the container so as to be movable by means of a holding member located on the container. Holding organs for the actuators can be arranged on the outside of the container, in corresponding areas from which the sliding elements move into the desired position when the actuator is adjusted, which enables the described stacking. The actuators can also be releasably connected to the holding members, so that the sliding elements located on the actuators can be moved to the desired position by simply moving the actuators. The actuators can be swivel arms, folding arms, plug-in arms or the like connected to the holding members. Each holding member is preferably a receptacle arranged on the container, the actuator being a rod part that is movable relative to the receptacle. In this case, a hollow profile can advantageously be provided as the receptacle, the rod part being a profiled rod accommodated in the hollow profile. The profile bar, at the free end of which the sliding element or the roller is arranged, can, for example, simply be inserted or pushed into the hollow profile serving as the receptacle. In a preferred embodiment, the rod part consisting of a profile rod is, however, guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner in the hollow profile serving as a receptacle. In this embodiment, each receptacle in the upper container area is approximately vertically aligned on the outside of the walls, with the particular advantage that the sliding elements can be brought into two end positions by simply pushing the rod parts serving as actuators in and out. When the actuator is fully inserted, each sliding element is located in the upper area of the container, which makes stacking possible, as described in German Patent 2507481. By pulling the actuators serving as rod parts out of the receptacles, the sliding elements reach the lower area of the container. You are there in an approximately end position corresponding to the level of the container bottom, so that with this advantageous embodiment, the containers can also be stacked on top of one another in the filled state.

Of course, it is also possible to place each receptacle approximately horizontally under the bottom of the container. In such an embodiment, the container is equipped with sliding elements located in the upper area, as described in patent 2507481, but also has additional sliding elements located in the bottom area, which serve to stack the filled containers on top of one another and, relative to the approximately horizontally aligned ones, below the receptacle set receptacles are movable. The sliding elements are in turn held on rod parts which are rotatably or extendably held in the receptacles placed under the bottom of the container. This arrangement of additional sliding elements is particularly suitable for retrofitting containers already in use with the measures according to the invention, so that filled containers can be stacked on top of one another. The rod parts located in the receptacles located under the container bottom preferably have an offset in their end regions facing the sliding elements, through which various advantages can be achieved. The bend can e.g. Specify different final positions of the sliding elements by simply repositioning them. The offset can also make it easier to guide the containers to be stacked.

Of course, locking elements are provided for fixing at least one of the end positions of the sliding elements. These can be, for example, simple mutually coordinated bores in the rod part and in the receptacle, a plug pin being able to be inserted through the bores in order to fix the final position. Of course, other latching elements are also conceivable, for example spring-loaded pawls or the like, which are particularly suitable for use in the sliding guidance of the actuators equipped with the sliding elements.

However, the use of simple plug bolts has the advantage that the actuators with the sliding elements can also be removable from the containers. With the lower sliding elements removed, only the receptacles remain on the containers. If hollow profiles are provided as receptacles, they can be used to insert additional parts. In the preferred embodiment with receptacles oriented approximately vertically in the upper container area and attached to the outside of the walls, e.g. consist of simple hollow profiles, then additional fittings, clamping devices, e.g. to secure the containers on means of transport such as railroad cars, watercraft and the like, or also covers, e.g. hatch-like parts, which serve to close the otherwise open container at the top.

Locking elements are also provided as a transport lock for stacked containers. The locking members comprise projections protruding from the longitudinal edges into the sliding path of the sliding elements, against which the sliding elements supported thereon abut in the final stacking position, and at least one actuatable locking bolt. The projections set containers stacked on top of one another to such an extent that an unintentional movement of the container on the side edges of the next lower container in the stack is prevented during the transport of a container stack. The stacked containers can also be connected to one another with the clamping bolts. The clamps can pull the stacked containers against each other.

Stacked containers are therefore sufficiently firmly connected to each other by the locking members.

With particular advantage, a rear projection of the locking members is designed as a clip finger projecting from the longitudinal edge, which laterally and from above comprises a rear sliding element supported on the longitudinal edge in a hook-like manner. In the hook-mouth-like opening of the clamp fingers, the sliding elements, e.g. retract the sliding elements on an imaginary common axis during stacking, so that the clamp fingers also specify the end positions of the movement of the container during stacking on a next lower container. The functions of the clamp fingers can of course also take over corresponding receiving pockets or the like. Likewise, the sliding element does not necessarily have to engage in the hook-mouth-like opening of a clip finger or a receiving pocket, but it can also be the axis on which a roller serving as a sliding element is mounted, or the corresponding actuator on which the sliding element is located, for example as an Profiled rod-shaped rod part, to be gripped by the clip finger in order to bring about the mutual locking of the containers within a stack.

A front projection comprises two blocks arranged one behind the other, a sliding element between them, which have inclined rising and falling flanks on the sides facing away from one another. When a stack is formed, the sliding elements move on the longitudinal edges and reach the final position in the stack during this movement, when the sliding elements run up a rising flank and fall between the two blocks of the projection, after which they are prevented from moving further are. It is also possible to releasably connect at least one of the blocks to the longitudinal edge, and the blocks can then be inserted into the longitudinal edges in order to prevent front sliding elements of a stacked container from moving further on the longitudinal edge of the container which is next lower in the stack.

Since the stacked containers are locked by the clamp fingers in the rear area, i.e. in the end position of a travel movement necessary for stack formation, the front projections, which consist of two blocks, do not prevent the front sliding elements from being lifted from the longitudinal edges of the container next to the stack can - at least one actuatable clamping bolt is provided in the front region of the container. This actuatable clamping bolt is designed in an advantageous embodiment in the manner of a toggle lever tensioner and comprises a clamping lever articulated on the container and a clamping pawl articulated on the tensioning lever, which is connected to a counter element, e.g. a bolt, bracket or other suitable fitting, can be brought into engagement on the container adjacent to the respective container stack.

For stacking the containers on one another, the sliding elements which can be placed on the containers according to the invention are brought into a final position in which they are located approximately in the area of the level of the bottom of the container, in such a way that when stacking over the respectively assigned longitudinal edge of the next lower one in the stack Container would stand. The container is picked up with a mounting and depositing device known per se and can be pushed over a filled container already standing on the floor, the sliding elements executing a travel movement on the upper longitudinal edges of the filled container standing on the floor, for example, until the sliding elements engage in the projecting rear projections of the locking members which are designed as clip fingers. The front sliding elements can be prevented from further movement by the front projections, which are designed as blocks. The container moved so far has reached its end position in the stack, and the two containers stacked one on top of the other can finally be connected relatively firmly to one another by inserting the tensioning pawl of the locking bolt on the lower container into the counter-organ of the stacked container and then turning the clamping lever.

Fig. 1

zwei aufeinandergestapelte Behälter in einer schematischen Seitenansicht,

Fig. 2

die aufeinandergestapelten Behälter gemäß Fig.1 in einem schematischen Querschnitt und

Fig. 3

zwei aufeinandergestapelte Behälter gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform im schematischen Querschnitt.

Embodiments of the invention, from which further inventive features result, are shown in the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

two stacked containers in a schematic side view,

Fig. 2

the stacked containers according to Figure 1 in a schematic cross section and

Fig. 3

two stacked containers according to a second embodiment in schematic cross section.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of two similar containers 1 and 1 ', which are stacked on top of each other ready for transport. Each container 1 and 1 'has the shape of an open-topped tub with a rectangular outline. Each container has a flat bottom 2 or 2 ', walls 3 and 3' and front walls 4 and 4 'and rear walls 5 and 5'. Each container is provided with runners 6 and 6 ', which extend over almost the entire floor 2 and 2'.

The upper longitudinal edges of the walls 3 and 3 'of the container are designated 7 and 7'. Each container 1, 1 'has in the upper container area outside of the walls 3rd and 3 'attached approximately perpendicular holding members 8 and 9 or 8' and 9 '. The opposite, not visible walls of the container are also equipped with similar holding members. Each holding member is a receptacle 10, 11 or 10 ', 11' formed from a hollow profile and holds actuators 12, 13 or 12 ', 13' received therein, the free ends of which protrude downward from the holding members with sliding elements 14, 15 or 14 ', 15' are equipped. Each actuator 12, 13 or 12 ', 13' is a relative to the respective receptacle 10 and 11 or 10 ', 11' adjustable rod part 16, 17 or 16 ', 17'. In one embodiment of the receptacle 10 and 11 or 10 ', 11' as a hollow profile, the rod part 16, 17 or 16 ', 17' designed actuator 12, 13 or 12 ', 13' a longitudinally displaceable in the receptacle profile bar be. The in the stack, which is formed from the containers 1 and 1 ', the container below is shown with sliding elements 14, 15 which are in a retracted position. This position of the sliding elements corresponds to an end position which enables the containers to be stacked one inside the other.

In the container 1 ', the actuators 12' and 13 'from the receptacles 10' and 11 'formed holding members 8' and 9 'so far that the sliding elements 14', 15 'in the lower region of the container 1' above each assigned longitudinal edge 7 of the container 1 lying below in the stack. In this position, the sliding elements 14 ', 15' support the upper container 1 ', so that stacking filled containers is possible.

For a transport lock stacked container 1 and 1 'serve locking members. These include from the longitudinal edges in the sliding path of the sliding elements 14 ', 15' protruding projections, to the sliding elements 14 ', 15' supported thereon in the final stacking position strike, as well as at least one actuatable locking bolt 18 or 18 '.

In this embodiment, a rear projection of the locking members as a from the longitudinal edge 7 or 7 'projecting clip fingers 19 or 19' is formed, which includes a supported on the respective longitudinal edge 7 rear sliding element 15, 15 'hook-like from the side and from above. A front projection of the locking members comprises two one behind the other on the longitudinal edge 7 and 7 'arranged, a sliding element 14' between receiving blocks 20 and 21 or 20 'and 21', which have oblique flanks on the opposite sides, as it is Fig. 1 can be seen.

Each clamping bolt 18 or 18 'is designed in the manner of a toggle lever clamp and comprises a clamping lever 22 or 22' articulated on the respective container 1 or 1 'and a clamping pawl 23 articulated on the respective clamping lever, which is adjacent to a counter-organ 24 on the respective container stack Container 1 'can be brought into engagement. The counter organ can be a welded bracket, bolt or appropriately designed fitting part.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross section of the stack formed from the containers 1 and 1 'in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows that the container for the purpose of stacking outwardly inclined walls 3, 3 ', which normally prevent stacked filled containers. Since, as previously described, the sliding elements 14 'and 15' of the container 1 'are held so adjustable on the container 1' that they are in a final position in the lower region of the container 1 'above the associated longitudinal edge 7 of the next lower container in the stack 1 are located, such containers can also be stacked when filled, because the Sliding elements, as is already known when stacking one inside the other, can in turn be supported on the longitudinal edges of the next lower container. The same components are labeled with the same reference numbers.

In Fig. 3, a stack formed from two containers 1 and 1 'is shown in a Fig. 2 corresponding view. In this embodiment, the holding members 8 and 8 'are formed as approximately horizontally aligned under the container bottom 2 or 2' set hollow profiles. The sliding elements 14 'are in turn at the free ends of rod parts 16' mounted rollers. As shown, the rod parts have an offset and are inserted into the holding members with their ends facing away from the sliding elements. The same components are again identified by the same reference numbers.

Claims (17)

1. Container for the storage and transportation particularly of bulk material such as rubble, refuse, industrial waste and the like which, to enable one to be stacked in another, has outwardly inclined walls and slide elements which are to slide in a supporting manner on the upper longitudinal edges of the container located immediately underneath in the stack, the upper longitudinal edges serving as longitudinal guides, characterised in that slide elements (14, 15; 14′, 15′), provided to enable containers also to be stacked one on top of another, are arranged on the container (1; 1′) so as to be adjustable, with the result that they are located in an adjustment end position in the lower region of the container (1; 1′) above the respective corresponding longitudinal edge (7; 7′) of the container (1) located immediately underneath in the stack.

2. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that two slide elements (14, 15; 14′, 15′), located one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, are in each case provided for support on a longitudinal edge (7; 7′).

3. Container according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that each slide element (14, 15; 14′, 15′) is a roller, mounted so as to be capable of rotation.

4. Container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that each slide element (14, 15; 14′, 15′) is arranged on an adjustment member (12, 13; 12′, 13′) which is held on the container (1; 1′) so as to be capable of adjustment movement by means of a holding component (8, 9; 8′, 9′) located on the container (1; 1′).

5. Container according to claim 4, characterised in that the holding component (8, 9; 8′, 9′) is a receiving element (10, 11; 10′, 11′) arranged on the container 1; 1′) and in that the adjustment member (12, 13; 12′, 13′) is a rod piece (16, 17; 16′, 17′) which is moveable relative to the receiving element (10, 11; 10′, 11′).

6. Container according to claim 5, characterised in that a hollow section is provided as the receiving element (10, 11; 10′, 11′) and in that the rod piece (16, 17; 16′, 17′) is a sectional bar accommodated in the hollow section.

7. Container according to one of claims 5 and 6, characterised in that each receiving element (10, 11; 10′, 11′) is attached in the upper region of the container to the outside of the walls (3; 3′) in an approximately perpendicular orientation.

8. Container according to one of claims 5 and 6, characterised in that each receiving element (10, 11; 10′, 11′) is positioned beneath the base (2; 2′) of the container (1; 1′) in an approximately horizontal orientation.

9. Container according to claim 8, characterised in that the rod piece (16, 17; 16′, 17′) held in the receiving element (10, 11; 10′, 11′) has an angle bend in its end region facing towards the slide element (14, 15; 14′, 15′).

10. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that releasable catch elements are provided to define at least one of the adjustment end positions of the slide elements (14, 15; 14′, 15′).

11. Container according to claim 10, characterised in that each catch element comprises bores, coordinated with one another, in the rod piece (16, 17; 16′, 17′) and the receiving element (10, 11; 10′, 11′) and a cotter pin which may be inserted into the bores.

12. Container according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that locking elements are provided which serve as a safety device for stacked containers (1; 1′) during transport.

13. Container according to claim 12, characterised in that the locking elements comprise projections which protrude from the longitudinal edges (7; 7′) into the slide path of the slide elements (14, 15; 14′, 15′), against which slide elements (14, 15; 14′, 15′), each supported thereon, come to rest in the final stacking position, and comprising also at least one operable tie rod (18; 18′).

14. Container according to claim 13, characterised in that a rear projection is designed as a clamp finger (19; 19′), protruding from the longitudinal edge (7, 7′), which encloses a rear slide element (15; 15′), supported on the particular longitudinal edge (7; 7′), from the side and from above in the manner of a hook.

15. Container according to claim 13, characterised in that a front projection comprises two blocks (20, 21; 20′, 21′) arranged one behind the other on the longitudinal edge (7; 7′) and accommodating a slide element (14; 14′) between them, said blocks having slanting surfaces on the sides facing away from one another.

16. Container acccording to claim 15, characterised in that at least one of the blocks (20, 21; 20′, 21′) is detachably connected to the longitudinal edge (7; 7′).

17. Container according to claim 13, characterised in that each operable tie rod (18; 18′) is designed in the manner of an elbow lever tightening means and comprises a clamping lever (22; 22′) hinged to the container (1; 1′) and a clamping pawl (23) hinged to the clamping lever which may be brought into engagement with a counter-element (24) on the particular container (1′) in the stack of containers adjoining it.

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