EP0619796B2 - Transport pallet made of plastics - Google Patents

Abstract

On a shipping pallet made of plastic, with two parallel surfaces forming its upper side and its underside respectively, whereby each surface is the outside of the base of two basic components permanently connected to one another, the bases of which are located at some distance from one another, the base of each basic component is a closed plate. The space between the bases of the basic components is bridged by a pair of strips parallel to one another and enclosing a groove between them. On both ends of each pair of strips the groove is closed by a cross member connecting the two bases to form a chamber. The space between the bases along the circumference of the pallet is closed by edge strips. The pallet is provided with feet projecting outward from a surface, and equipped with skids if necessary, and the two basic components are tightly connected to one another in the vicinity of the strips and cross member.

Description

The invention relates to a made of plastic Transport pallet according to the preamble of the claim 1.

DE-A-26 55 593 (US 4,316,419) is already one Transport pallet known in which each basis for saving of plastic material has a lattice-like structure, so that the top and bottom are one Have a plurality of openings. Everyone The base body is arranged in the manner of pallet feet Provide blocks that over the from the grid-forming Elements taken up in elements Jump towards the other body and that to form the pallet with each other permanently are connected. Remains between the two bases thus a free space for the engagement of the fork a forklift. The grid-forming Elements are rib-like and their distance is less than the width of a fork link of the forklift kept from entering the fork the area of these ribs and a possible one Damage is prevented.

Run between the blocks of a body Reinforcement strips with open grooves are in the removable, rigid Reinforcing members used and preferably in it locked or fixed. Despite the savings high load capacity of the plastic material Range can be achieved.

This well-known palette has a very complex one Shaping through which effective cleaning is severely disabled. The overall height of the pallet is considerable and does not correspond to the wish for as much as possible flat, space-saving pallets. Also are the reinforcing members of the possible action corrosive Exposed to fabrics so that their lifespan is limited unless specifically high quality material, such as Stainless steel.

US-A-3,938,448 describes a generic transport pallet, which is made of two basic bodies. Everyone The base body has an essentially square base plate with rounded corners, which have an outer surface and a Has inside surface. From the inner surface of the base plate each Base body are each vertical beams with the same height from. There are two beams with parallel opposite one another Edges of the base plate arranged in alignment throughout. Between the two edge supports is parallel to it central carrier provided. Each carrier is made up of two to each other parallel strips formed by a front Edge web are connected. On the inside of the base plate are reinforcement ribs in the area of the beams and between the beams educated. Every body is in one Piece of thermoplastic resin through a highly effective Molding processes such as injection molding. The connection the two basic bodies are along the two Basic bodies each with the same height and Edge webs by melting and melting these areas pressed against each other. The palette thus obtained has cavities within the carrier and two between the carriers parallel open channels for the engagement of the forks one Stacker.

US-A-4,397,247 describes one-piece rotation molding made of fast curing resin material Plastic pallet. The palette is rectangular and has one Top, one underside, two longitudinal edges and two transverse edges. Parallel to the longitudinal edges are in the pallet to each other parallel hollow channels formed, two of which with go through rectangular cross section and the inclusion of the Enable a truck. The rest parallel to it Hollow channels are either open or in the area of the transverse sides completed by foam injected into the hollow channels. There are stiffening recesses in the top and bottom of the pallet embossed in a connecting bridge leak that connects the hollow channels. In the hollow channels which are adjacent to the long sides of the integrally molded Pallet, reinforcement beams are arranged, previously positioned in the injection mold accordingly are.

WO -A- 87/05581 (EP 0 298 973 B1) shows a pallet that is used as a load-bearing Element has a honeycomb structure, the through on one or both sides with the honeycomb Structure by gluing, welding or the like. tightly connected plates is covered, being in the Cells of the honeycomb structure shock-absorbing and - absorbent air cushions are included. Between the honeycomb structure becomes the plate edges closed off from the outside by a peripheral edge. With one of the plates are protruding outwards Feet connected.

This construction shows apart from the palette crossing water drainage channels and to these leading recessed channels on the outer surface of the top plate already a relatively smooth surface. The However, honeycomb structure precludes the possibility that Pallet made of elastic plastic if required Rigid inlays, especially made of metal, keep their shape to design or increase the load capacity.

According to SE-B-463 761, the one described in WO-A-87/05581 Pallet consist of an upper part and a lower part, whose honeycomb structures are heated to such an extent that when pressed against each other, with each other connect, with the connection plane in the thick middle of the plate so formed or somewhere between the covering ones Plates can lie.

The FR-A-2 206 248 shows a pallet made up of two Compression molding or other preformed plates Synthetic resin is made by the edge and on intermediate surfaces Plasticization of these sites are interconnected. The Preforming is carried out in such a way that protruding and open feet are formed on the other side, the outside can be equipped with sliding shoes. Between Feet become reinforcing parallel hollow channels and on the circumference adjacent to a circumferential connecting web Hollow channel through appropriate preforming of the plates educated. The plate has no smooth surfaces. you The edge web stands outwards from the wall of the circumferential hollow channel from.

US-A-4 879 956 shows one of the range of FR-A-2 206 248 very similar palette, whose plates between each other related hollow channels on the end faces of circular indentations connected in each plate are in which a through channel are provided can.

In a pallet similar to US-A-4 879 956 according to US-A-5 117 762 in the feet aligned with each other Indentations provided in which a hollow plastic profile can be used on the plate webs resting on the footrest are integrally formed. In the plastic hollow profile a hollow metal profile is included. The connection between the feet and the plastic hollow profile is made by Rivets that also go through the hollow metal profiles. This results in a reinforcement of the pallet in the foot area, the top and bottom of which are no continuous levels Have surfaces and their peripheral edge as a web laterally protrudes.

EP -A- 0 277 033 describes a transport pallet described, which - except for on the underside of support feet Skids to be attached - including the support feet is made in one piece from plastic. This Pallet has a flat plate as the upper limit, from which molded reinforcing ribs, themselves mutually often at different intervals crossing, jutting down. This makes a variety formed by downwardly open chambers. The introduction of continuous, rigid stiffeners can not. Located in the area of the support feet closed below, for technical reasons chambers open upwards, in the center for inserting the connecting pins formed on the runners vertical, closed at the top and open hollow chambers are arranged below.

Apart from that this pallet construction not suitable for the arrangement of rigid stiffening inserts, it has and is diverse open cavities Especially structured on its underside, that one that meets today's regulations Cleaning at a reasonable cost is hardly possible.

Because food is increasing on Pallets are transported, there is a requirement Pallets through effective yet relatively simple To keep cleaning as germ-free as possible, what simple and smooth surfaces required to on the one hand, the deposition of contamination to keep as low as possible and on the other hand the immediate No exposure to cleaning agents hinder.

For general economic reasons Pallet can also be produced as inexpensively as possible be a high load-bearing capacity and a long service life, as low as possible, which in particular for the return transport of Empty pallets is significant.

It is therefore the object of the invention, a To design a pallet of the type mentioned at the beginning that it is as stiff and stable as possible, a high one Life expectancy and therefore free as possible of corrosion-prone components is that they are inexpensive Made in large quantities, environmentally friendly disposed of and in particular by a simple design with largely smooth and closed surfaces effectively cleaned can be.

This object is achieved with the features specified in claim 1 solved.

The transport pallet according to the invention has smooth, easy to clean surfaces, and exhibits because of their internal structure and the

Reinforcement inserts despite a relatively small Material requirements have a high load-bearing capacity.

The transport range can be kept relatively flat overall and thus enables a low overall height. Because the transport pallet runs along its circumference is closed, it cannot be caused by incorrect intervention the fork of a forklift may be damaged.

The transport range can be inexpensively made of plasticized Plastic waste, especially unsorted Household plastic waste. This Material is, also due to its polyethylene content, particularly tough, tough, inelastic and unbreakable, and may be included due to Mend body or because Fluctuations in the composition and thereby conditional changing melting points only in the pressing process are processed.

Of the trained in the pallet according to the invention, chambers sealed off from the outside Depending on the expected load, several or all with one reinforcement insert each be provided before the two base bodies together, preferably by vibration or mirror welding, be connected to each other. Because the Reinforcement inserts tightly enclosed in the chambers are and also during the welding process Moisture in the chambers is reduced for Reinforcement inserts made of metal no risk of corrosion, so that inexpensive alloys are used can be. It is related to use one inexpensive on the one hand and yet therefore very resistant plastic material also the ability to use relatively aggressive cleaning agents to use.

Preferably the length of the reinforcement insert considering thermal Length changes of the pallet on the one hand and the reinforcement insert on the other hand dimensioned so that also at the maximum expected limit temperatures no disturbing effects are to be feared.

Since the height of the ledges, Cross bars and side strips of one body approximately the distance between the two the element forming basic body, while the height the strips, crossbars and, if necessary, edge strips of the other basic body to the height of Welding approaches may be limited before connection of the two base bodies the reinforcement inserts completely into those formed between the pairs of strips Grooves are embedded.

For the strength of the pallet, it turns out to be favorable if according to a preferred embodiment which the strips, crossbars and edge strips with the Height about the base distance of the base body Basic body is provided with the feet.

Another useful embodiment exists in that the element two groups of pairs has parallel strips, the The direction of the ledges of one group the direction of the Strips of the other group cuts and in the cutting area of each pair of strips of the one group with a pair of strips from the other group are interrupted in such a way that that of all pairs of strips included grooves in connection stand.

In this case, preference is given to highly loadable ones Pallets a grid-like, rigid reinforcement insert in the interconnected grooves inserted.

The feet are preferably designed as hollow bodies and in one that is kept free by the pairs of strips Area arranged, their cross section in Towards their free end steadily tapered and that of surface of the pallet facing away from everyone one of the feet opposite to insert one Has suitable opening, whereby the cavity enclosed by the feet towards on this opening opens and the Area between the opening and the foot load-bearing basic body with one close to both bases subsequent wall is enclosed, the Inner wall surface aligned with the inner wall surface of the foot.

The feet are conveniently on them molded on adjacent base body.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the free ends of the feet and on each by one Skids matched to bridge two feet Skids with associated fasteners provided that the pallet below of the feet with at least two parallel to each other Skids is predictable.

According to a first variant, the runners can be detached be connected to the feet, but is preferred a variant in which the pallet and runners are inseparable Form unity.

According to an advantageous embodiment the runners from a foot-connected open, tub - like top and one covering its opening and with it tightly connected to form a hollow body Lower part. Preferably, the top is on its Feet facing longitudinal edges beveled to to facilitate the insertion of forklift forks.

A particularly useful embodiment is that the runners are formed by on the upper part Longitudinal ribs are divided into chambers, whereby at least one of the chambers has a rigid reinforcing insert may contain through the tight connection corrosion-protected on the upper and lower part of the runner is trapped in the chamber.

According to an advantageous embodiment, this is Bottom part designed as a flat lid, the edges of the upper part and possibly its longitudinal ribs has associated welding approaches.

To design the pallet and skids as an inseparable unit, there is an appropriate design in that the feet act as a downward open frame are molded onto the underside of the pallet frames shaped according to the runners are assigned, and that the associated Frame at the bottom and on the runners with formation each of a dense cavity welded together are.

Fig. 1

einen Querschnitt durch eine Transportpalette nach der Linie I-I in Fig. 2,

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt nach der Linie II-II in Fig. 1, wobei die rechte und die linke Seite zwei unterunterschiedliche Ausführungsformen des Randbereichs zeigen,

Fig. 3

einen der Fig. 1 entsprechenden Querschnitt in einem mit einem Fuß versehenen Randbereich der Palette,

Fig. 4

einen Querschnitt ähnlich Fig. 3 durch eine andere Ausführungsform der Palette mit fest angebrachten Kufen,

Fig. 5

einen Querschnitt nach der Linie V-V in Fig. 4 und

Fig. 6

einen Querschnitt durch eine Kufe ähnlich Fig. 5 bei einer Variante mit spreizdübelartiger Kufenbefestigung.

Based on the following description of the embodiments of the invention shown in the drawing, this will be explained in more detail.
It shows:

Fig. 1

3 shows a cross section through a transport pallet along the line II in FIG. 2,

Fig. 2

2 shows a section along the line II-II in FIG. 1, the right and left sides showing two different embodiments of the edge region,

Fig. 3

1 in a cross section corresponding to FIG. 1 in an edge region of the pallet provided with a foot,

Fig. 4

3 shows a cross section similar to FIG. 3 through another embodiment of the pallet with fixed runners,

Fig. 5

a cross section along the line VV in Fig. 4 and

Fig. 6

a cross section through a runner similar to FIG. 5 in a variant with expansion plug-like runner attachment.

The pallet shown, designated in total by 10 consists essentially of two in the pressing process plasticized household plastic waste generated Basic bodies 12 and 14, the permanent, preferably are connected to each other by mirror welding.

The base body 12 consists of a rectangular, plate-shaped base 15, one side 16 a Forms outside of the element 10. On the of the Page 16 facing away from page 18 extends at right angles to the plate level along the circumference of the plate an edge strip 20. Between two opposite one another Sections of the edge strip 20 run parallel strips 22 assigned to one another in pairs and 24, each including a groove 26 between them. The one shown in the left half of FIG. 2 For example, all strips 22 and 24 run parallel to one another two parallel side edges of the base 15. In this Fall can by according to the width of the grooves 26 the edge strips parallel to the strips 22 and 24 20 adjacent strips 24 and 22 also 15 grooves 26 directly in the edge region of the base to be ordered. This is also an option if, according to the in the right half of Fig. 2nd Variant of the first group of strips 22 shown and 24 added a second group of strips 22 'and 24' that is perpendicular to the strips 22 and 24 of the first group. In this case, the Last 22 and 24 or 22 'and 24' in the cutting area of the two groin groups so interrupted that the grooves 26 and 26 'in communication stand.

Instead of parallel to the edges of the base 15 the ribs 22 and 24 or 22 'and 24' also at an angle the edges and if necessary also in a pointed one Angle to each other, so that the grooves 26 and 26 'form a diamond-shaped pattern.

Where the grooves 26 and 26 'on the edge strips 20th meet, forms the groove 26 and 26 'each crossing Section of the edge strips 20 a web 28 or 28 ', which closes each groove 26 or 26'.

The base body 14 also consists of a rectangular, plate-shaped base 17, with a Outer surface of the pallet 10 forming side 16a and one side 18a facing side 18 of base 15, which is congruent to page 18, i.e. With the edge strips 20 and the strips 22 and 24 or 22 ' and 24 'corresponding profiles 20a, 22a, 24a, 22'a and 24'a is provided, but their amount because their function as a welding approach is relatively low, while the height of the edge strips 20 and the strips 22, 24, 22 'and 24' almost the distance that in the finished Pallet 10 opposite sides 18 and 18a corresponds.

Before the pray body 12 and 14 together can be connected to pallet 10, for reinforcement the pallet 10 depending on the desired Stability and load capacity in one or more or all of the grooves 26 and / or 26 'metallic reinforcing inserts 30 can be inserted. If two groups of grooves 26 and 26 'are present as Reinforcement insert also one of the overall system Grooves 26 and 26 'adapted grid-like construction be introduced.

By carefully welding the base body 12 and 14 the grooves should be too moisture-proof outside closed chambers are closed, in which the reinforcing inserts 30 against corrosion are protected.

In an arrangement common to pallets three rows of three feet 40 are provided, these feet are formed on the lower base body 12 and themselves rejuvenate towards their free end. The feet 40 are hollow trained and are frustoconical or truncated pyramid-shaped jacket 42 with a inner wall surface 44 formed at its free End of a floor 46 is completed. Of the Sheath 42 is connected to the base 15 of the base body 12, the ribs 22 and 24 so on the Base 15 are distributed so that the areas are free of ribs on which the feet 40 are arranged, thus in the manner described below Possibility is created, especially empty pallets stackable to save space.

The base 15 is of the molded on it Jacket 42 in the region of an opening formed in it 48 penetrated, the jacket 42 then continues to the inside 18 of the base 15 and in determined by the height of the ribs 20, 22 and 24 Level ends. While maintaining that for the inside Wall surface 44 of the shell 42 selected tip angle this wall surface 44 thus sits inside the high pallet 10 continues. On the upper base body 14 is the base 17 on its inside 18a with a Free end of the jacket 42 assigned to the base body 12 Welding approach 42a provided that designed is that he's one after welding the two Base body 12 and 14 with the inner wall surface 44 has aligned inner wall surface 50 which in a Opening 52 opens out in the base 17. After welding the two base bodies 12 and 14 has the pallet 10 on its upper side 16 of the Openings 52 formed openings to which one limited by the wall surfaces 44 and 50 Cavity 54 connects to receive the corresponding Foot 40 one stacked over the pallet 10 Pallet of the same type is suitable. The one for the Inclusion of the reinforcement inserts 30 provided The area within the hollow pallet 10 is closely opposite the cavity 54 completed.

In order to move the pallets 10, there is the opportunity to share them with the To provide feet 40 arranged skids 60. if it is desired, the pallet 10 optionally with or without Being able to use skids can be a detachable connection the runners are provided with the pallet as it can be seen from FIG. 3 or FIG. 6. Preferably however, the runners are permanently connected to the pallet, as shown in FIG. 4.

3, like the pallet 10, are in the pressing process manufactured skids 60 shown, the feet 40th associated locking pin 62 with a longitudinal section have convexly arched cross-sectional shape, so that by pressing the locking pin 62 into openings 64 the runners 60 on the bottom 46 of each foot 40 permanently connected to a row of three feet 40 each can be.

A skid shape, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the runner 61 as a hollow body is designed. This hollow body consists of a Upper part 70, approximately in the form of an open downward Tub, with the top facing the pallet 10 Longitudinal edges 72 of the upper part 70 are chamfered to to make it easier to insert a fork. The Upper part 70 is used in the longitudinal direction of e.g. two longitudinal ribs 74 crossed. To a closed hollow body to form is the opening of the top preferably by mirror welding with a flat Cover 76 closed, on the edges of the Upper part 70 and the ribs 74 associated welding approaches 78 are integrally formed, so that just as with the Production of the pallet 10 a moisture-proof hollow body arises, which is divided into several chambers, in the possibly also before welding metallic reinforcement inserts are introduced can.

The runner 61 can also be releasably connected to the pallet 10 become. A suitable embodiment for this shows Fig. 6. The upper part 70 is on his Top 82 provided with openings 84 that the mouth cylindrical, on the inside of the top 70 molded guide sleeves 86, which 76 lugs 88 and passage openings on the cover 90 are assigned. At the bottom of the cover 76 are concentric with the passage openings 90 depressions 92 are formed, which are suitable a recessed arrangement of the heads 94 of e.g. expansion dowel-like To allow connecting bolts 96 with which the runners 61 are connected to the feet 40 can.

According to a preferred embodiment however, the runners 61 are firmly welded to the pallets 10, why 12 frame-like on the lower body Foot stubs 41 are formed, which on the Top 82 of the upper parts 70 of the runners 61 corresponding Counterparts 43 are assigned, which are preferably by mirror welding to one closed, a connecting foot between the Pallet 10 and the skid 61 forming hollow body can be.

Claims (13)

1. Transport pallet (10) produced of synthetic material with two parallel surfaces respectively forming its upper side (16a) and its underside (16), wherein

   each surface (16, 16a) is the outward side of the base (15, 17) of a respective one of two base bodies (12, 14), which are durably connected together and the bases (15, 17) of which are arranged at a spacing one from the other,

   the base (15, 17) of each base body (12, 14) is a closed plate,

   the intermediate space between the bases (15, 17) of the base bodies (12, 14) is bridged over by at least one group of pairs of strips (20, 22; 22, 24; 24, 20) including a groove (26) between them, all strips being arranged one parallelly to the other,

   the groove (26) is closed at each of both ends of each pair of strips (20, 22; 22, 24; 24, 20) by a respective transverse web (28) connecting both the bases (15, 17) into a closed chamber extending over the entire width of the pallet,

   the strips (20, 22; 22, 24; 24, 20) and the transverse webs (28) are integrally moulded on at both bases (15, 17), and

   both the base bodies (12, 14) are tightly welded together in the region of the strips (20, 22, 24) and the transverse webs (28),
   characterized thereby,

   that the space between the bases (15, 17) along the periphery of the pallet (10) is closed by rim strips (20),

   that the pallet is provided with feet (40) projecting outwardly beyond one surface, wherein the closed plates can display apertures in the region of the feet in order to enable an interengaging stacking of several pallets,

   that a rigid re-inforcing insert (30) is laid into at least one groove (26),

   that the strips (22, 24; 22a, 24a), transverse webs (28; 28a) and rim strips (20; 20a), which are moulded on at both the base bodies (12, 14) of the pallet (10), are mutually congruently associated,

   wherein the height of the strips (22, 24), the transverse webs (28) and the rim strips (20) of the one base body (12) corresponds approximately with the spacing of the bases (15, 17) of both the base bodies (12, 14) forming the pallet (10),

   whilst the height of the strips (22a, 24a), the transverse webs (28a) and the rim strips (20a) of the other base body (14) is restricted to the height of weld projections.
2. Pallet according to claim 1, characterised thereby, that the base body (12), which carries the strips (22a, 24a), the transverse webs (28a) and the rim strips (20a) with the height of about the base spacing of the base bodies (12, 14), is provided with the feet (40).
3. Pallet according to claim 1 or 2, characterised thereby, that it comprises two groups of pairs of mutually parallel strips, wherein the direction of the strips (22, 24) of the one group intersects the direction of the strips (22', 24') of the other group, and that the strips are interrupted in the region of intersection of each pair of strips of the one group with a pair of strips of the other group in such a manner that the grooves (26; 26'), which are included by all pairs of strips, stand in communication one with the other.
4. Pallet according to claim 3, characterised thereby, that a grating-like, rigid re-inforcing insert is laid into the grooves.
5. Pallet according to claim 3 or 4, characterised thereby, that the strips of at least one group extend parallelly to a rim of the pallet (10).
6. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterised thereby, that the feet (40) are formed as hollow bodies and arranged in a region kept clear of the pair of strips (22, 24; 22', 24'), that their cross-section steadily narrows in the direction of their free ends, that that surface (16a) of the pallet (10), which is remote from the feet, opposite each of the feet (40) displays an aperture (52) suitable for the insertion of a foot (40), that the cavity (54) enclosed by the feet opens in the direction of this aperture (52) and that the region between the aperture (52) and the base body (12) carrying the foot (40) is surrounded by a wall, which closely adjoins both the bases (15, 17) and the inward wall surface (50) of which passes over in alignment into the inward wall surface (44) of the foot (40).
7. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterised thereby, that the free ends (46) of the feet (40) and skids (60, 61), which are matched to the spacing of two feet (40) to be bridged over by a respective skid, are provided with connecting elements (64, 62), which are associated one with the other, in such a manner that the pallet (10) can be provided underneath the feet (40) with at least two mutually parallel skids (60, 61).
8. Pallet according to claim 7, characterised thereby, that the skids (61) consist of a downwardly open, trough-like upper part (70) connected with the feet (40) and a lower part (76), which covers the opening thereof and is tightly connected therewith for the formation of a hollow body.
9. Pallet according to claim 8, characterised thereby, that the upper part (70) is chamfered at its longitudinal edges (72) facing the feet (40).
10. Pallet according to one of the claims 8 or 9, characterised thereby, that the skids (61) are subdivided into chambers by longitudinal ribs (74) formed at the upper part (70).
11. Pallet according to one of the claims 8 to 10, characterised thereby, that the lower part (76) is constructed as a flat lid which displays weld projections (70, 80) associated with the rims of the upper part (70) and, in a given case, with the longitudinal ribs (74) thereof.
12. Pallet according to one of the claims 10 or 11, characterised thereby, that at least one of the skid chambers contains a rigid reinforcing insert.
13. Pallet according to one of the claims 8 to 12, characterised thereby, that the feet (40) are moulded on as downwardly open frames (41) at the underside (16) of the pallet (10), which are associated with frames (43) shaped correspondingly each time at the skids (60), and that the mutually associated frames at the underside (16) and at the skids (61) are welded together with the formation each time of a respective closed hollow space.

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