EP0982233A1 - Récipient gerbable et emboítable - Google Patents

Récipient gerbable et emboítable Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0982233A1
EP0982233A1 EP99202721A EP99202721A EP0982233A1 EP 0982233 A1 EP0982233 A1 EP 0982233A1 EP 99202721 A EP99202721 A EP 99202721A EP 99202721 A EP99202721 A EP 99202721A EP 0982233 A1 EP0982233 A1 EP 0982233A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
shelves
shelf
transport means
stacking
stacking members
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99202721A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Pieter Laban
Bob De Jong
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tic Development BV
Original Assignee
Tic Development BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tic Development BV filed Critical Tic Development BV
Publication of EP0982233A1 publication Critical patent/EP0982233A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/04—Open-ended containers shaped to be nested when empty and to be superposed when full
    • B65D21/043—Identical stackable containers specially adapted for nesting after rotation around a vertical axis
    • B65D21/045—Identical stackable containers specially adapted for nesting after rotation around a vertical axis about 180° only

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a transport means for individual products comprising a series of at least substantially identical shelves placed one above another so as to receive the products thereon, which shelves are mutually coupled and herein maintain a mutual pitch.
  • a transport means of the type stated in the preamble is applied on large scale in storehouses, warehouses and at auctions and the like where individual and sometimes vulnerable products have to be transported from one place to another, either in-house or to a location elsewhere.
  • the most usual transport means for this purpose at the moment is the so-called Danish trolley.
  • This trolley comprises a mobile, rectangular chassis from which extends a tubular frame in the form of four posts at the corner points.
  • the posts are provided with a regular pattern of openings into which can snap corresponding protrusions on the corner points of the shelves.
  • the shelves each comprise a metal framework having therein a wooden or wood-like panel and can thus be fixed between the posts at the desired height.
  • a drawback of the known Danish trolley is however the great weight thereof, whereby the use thereof in practice has ergonomic disadvantages and is sometimes also time-consuming.
  • the assembly and disassembly of a Danish trolley is also time-consuming.
  • the existing trolley still takes up a considerable volume even when empty. While the above described placing together of the shelves of different trolleys does result in a volume reduction, the empty volume is still about a third of the original, which results in substantial return freight costs. Furthermore, the empty trolleys thereby take up considerable storehouse space, thus resulting in substantial storage costs.
  • the present invention has for its object to provide a transport means of the type stated in the preamble which obviates one or more of these drawbacks.
  • a transport means of the type stated in the preamble has the feature according to the invention that the shelves are provided with stacking members which each comprise a hollow body open on at least one side and extend at least practically perpendicularly from the shelf, which body opens at least on a side directed to the shelf and is able to receive therein at least practically the greater part of a similar body of a further shelf, that the shelves comprise support zones which are intended to allow the stacking members of a following shelf to support at that position, and that on each of the shelves each stacking member and a support zone associated therewith lie rotated at least practically 180° relative to each other round an imaginary central normal line of the shelf.
  • the transport means according to the invention assumes separate elements which can be stacked on top of one another.
  • the stacking members of a first shelf herein support on the support zones of a second shelf, and so on.
  • the mutual pitch of the shelves is thus determined by the length of the stacking members.
  • a preferred embodiment of the transport means according to the invention has the feature that the support zones each comprise a recess for receiving therein an outer end of a stacking member, which recess extends over at least a part of a thickness of the shelf.
  • the recess brings about a practically automatic alignment between the stacking members and the support zones, whereby it is particularly simple to stack the separate elements straight above each other.
  • the recess can herein be a sunk portion of the shelf, but can also form a continuous opening.
  • a further embodiment of the transport means has the feature according to the invention that the stacking members support on the support zones of a shelf placed thereabove. This has the advantage that the bottom shelf in the stack will thus support with a substantially flat side on a ground and can thereby generally bear a heavier load. The mechanical strength of the shelves must thus be adapted to the maximum load of the bottom shelf but one and can thus be lighter.
  • a further embodiment of the transport means has the feature according to the invention that the stacking members narrow both internally and externally over at least a part of their length. Such narrowing stacking members can be embodied internally and externally such that the members of separate shelves will fall into each other in virtually fining manner so that an extremely compact stacking of empty shelves can be achieved.
  • a preferred embodiment of the transport means according to the invention has the feature herein that the stacking member of the shelf is received fittingly in the cavity of the stacking member of the first shelf, and that releasing means are provided in said cavity to maintain a certain clearance between both bodies.
  • Such releasing means comprise for instance one or more protrusions or a shoulder in the cavity of the body, on which the outer end of a stacking member can support, therein maintaining a certain clearance between both stacking members.
  • the clearance thus defined by the releasing means avoids the forming of vacuums between the stacked-together stacking members, which would otherwise impede the taking apart of empty shelves.
  • the stacking members are provided in a preferred embodiment with at least one opening for respectively supplying and discharging air to and respectively from the stacking members.
  • a further embodiment of the transport means has the feature according to the invention that the cavities in the bodies forming the stacking members also open on a side directed toward each other.
  • Such cavities in the bodies which are also open on a side surface of the body not only enhance their mutual release when the empty shelves have be taken apart but also enlarge the useful loading surface area of the shelf, which thus also extends partially into the cavities.
  • the transport means has the feature according to the invention that the series of shelves is arranged on a chassis.
  • the chassis can herein be provided with wheels or be otherwise mobile, but it is also possible for the chassis to comprise a pallet base whereby the transport means can be picked up and displaced with usual lifting and displacing means.
  • Use is preferably made as such of a so-called Euro-pallet base with standardized dimensions of 120x80 centimetres. Not only is such a pallet base compatible with most standard lifting means, but the internal dimension of a common truck is also adapted to this size such that both in the length and particularly also in the width a whole plurality is placeable therein without appreciable loss of space.
  • This in contrast to the Danish trolley which in practice, with dimensions of about 134x56 centimetres, generally does not fit as a plurality in the width of a truck without leaving considerable space.
  • a further embodiment of the transport means has the feature according to the invention that at least the lowermost shelf is provided over at least a part of its periphery with an edge which depends therefrom.
  • the depending edge herein engages round an edge of the chassis whereby a shear-free placing is possible.
  • a further embodiment of the transport means has the feature according to the invention that the shelves comprise an injection moulded plastic and have an open structure. Not only does such an embodiment result in a significantly lower weight of the individual shelves, the cost price per shelf can also be reduced considerably owing to the omission of assembly operations.
  • the open structure herein not only results in material-saving and weight loss but also enhances an efficient flow of the injection moulding material during the manufacturing process.
  • a further embodiment of the transport means has the feature according to the invention that the shelves are provided with a removable cover sheet.
  • the removable cover sheets can be adapted to the type of product which has to be transported.
  • a closed cover sheet can thus be chosen for transport of for instance plants so as to avoid soil falling onto the plants of underlying shelves or, conversely, a perforated cover sheet to allow a product to breathe optimally.
  • a smooth cover sheet can for instance be chosen for relatively heavy products, which can thereby be shifted easily to their position, and, conversely, a cover sheet with an anti-slip surface if it is necessary to prevent the products shifting during transport.
  • a further specific embodiment of the transport means is characterized according to the invention in that the shelves are provided with handgrips on at least two opposite sides. The shelves can herein be grasped easily on the handgrips.
  • Shown in perspective in figure 1 is an embodiment of the transport means according to the invention which in this case comprises four at least practically identical shelves 10,20,30,40.
  • Shelves 10,20,30,40 are substantially rectangular in shape and measure about 120x80 centimetres, in accordance with the size of so-called Euro-pallets which can be used as chassis.
  • the shelves are manufactured integrally from a suitable plastic such as HD polypropylene or polyethylene by means of injection moulding, whereby the manufacturing costs can be limited.
  • the shelves have an open structure. Such a structure not only decreases the net weight of a shelf, it also simplifies the manufacturing process which can thereby be carried out more cheaply.
  • the thus open shelf can be covered with a separate cover sheet which is provided with a suitable surface structure adapted to the specific application of the transport means.
  • a cover sheet is for instance formed by a foil with a thickness from several tenths of millimetres to several millimetres and made of an appropriate material and is integrally supported by the basic structure of the shelf. For the sake of clarity these cover sheets are not further shown in the figures.
  • the shelves each comprise four stacking members 51,52,53,54 which are placed close to the corner points. These stacking members each comprise a hollow body which is open on at least the side 70 directed toward the associated shelf.
  • the cavities and stacking members both narrow and are therein dimensioned such that similar stacking members of separate shelves can be placed into one another.
  • the shelves 10,20,30,40 can thus be stacked on top of each other extremely compactly and to any desired height, as shown in figure 4.
  • the diverse shelves 10,20,30,40 have the same orientation.
  • Releasing means in the form of an internal shoulder 72 ensure that the stacking members of the individual shelves maintain a mutual clearance 73, which prevents the forming of vacuums and possible mutually clamping of stacking members in other manner.
  • Each stacking member 51-54 has on a shelf a support zone 61-64 associated therewith, at the position of which it can support on another shelf.
  • the stacking members 51-54 and support zones 61-64 associated therewith lie rotated relative to each other about 180° round an imaginary central normal line A-A. This implies that the first stacking members 51 and support zone 61 associated therewith lie rotated 180° relative to each other, as do the other stacking members 52,53,54 and support zones 62,63 respectively 64 associated therewith.
  • the shelves will fall into each other with the same mutual orientation as shown in figure 4.
  • the stacking members of a shelf will then support on the support zones associated therewith of a following shelf so that a stacking is obtained between the shelves at a pitch which is substantially determined by the length of the stacking members. Because the support zones each comprise a recess 60 over a part of their thickness for receiving therein of an outer end of a stacking member, see in particular figures 3 and 4, an exact positioning of the shelves one on top of another is achieved virtually automatically, which results in a straight, orderly and robust stacking. In this situation products can be loaded onto the shelves for transport with the transport means.
  • the bottom shelf 10 is herein preferably placed on a suitable chassis, such as in this case for instance a Euro-pallet, whereby the stack can be picked up integrally making use of standard lifting and displacing means.
  • a suitable chassis such as in this case for instance a Euro-pallet
  • the shelves are each provided on the corners with an edge 80 which depends therefrom and engages round the chassis (not drawn).
  • the cavities 71 in the stacking members are also open on a side 75 directed toward each other, see figure 1.
  • the loading surface area hereby extends into the relevant cavities of the stacking members, whereby as the case arises more products can be accommodated on the shelves.
  • the shelves of the stack are taken apart and placed together with the same mutual orientation in the manner indicated in figure 4. In this situation the shelves take up less than an eighth part of the original volume, which results in a radical reduction of transport and storage costs. Furthermore, the empty shelves can in principle be stacked to any required height, which results in a further reduction of the floor area occupied thereby. In order to facilitate handling of the shelves, these are each provided on either sides with handgrips 85 with which they can be easily picked up.
  • a pallet base is used as chassis.
  • the stack can however also be arranged on a movable chassis or even be applied without chassis.
  • the position of the stacking members can also be varied, wherein however a support zone associated with the shelf and on which the stacking member can support on a further shelf will always be found through a rotation of 180° round the central normal line of the shelf.
  • An example of such a different positioning of the stacking members is placing of the stacking members on a short side of a shelf on the outer corner points and placing of the stacking members on the opposite short side of the shelf at a distance from the corner points.
  • the length of the stacking members can also be varied as desired to adapt this optimally to the nature of the products for transporting, wherein shelves with mutually differing stacking member lengths can also be used interchangeably.
  • the invention generally provides a transport means constructed from separate elements which can be stacked on each other at a certain pitch and which can be stacked together in extremely compact manner, wherein the mutual orientation determines the manner of stacking.
  • the invention provides many advantages compared to the currently substantially usual Danish trolley.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Pallets (AREA)
  • Stackable Containers (AREA)
EP99202721A 1998-08-21 1999-08-23 Récipient gerbable et emboítable Withdrawn EP0982233A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL1009922A NL1009922C2 (nl) 1998-08-21 1998-08-21 Transportmiddel voor losse producten.
NL1009922 1998-08-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0982233A1 true EP0982233A1 (fr) 2000-03-01

Family

ID=19767693

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99202721A Withdrawn EP0982233A1 (fr) 1998-08-21 1999-08-23 Récipient gerbable et emboítable

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0982233A1 (fr)
NL (1) NL1009922C2 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015166240A3 (fr) * 2014-04-29 2015-12-17 Meditech Endoscopy Ltd Kit et ensemble de stockage
WO2017131737A1 (fr) * 2016-01-29 2017-08-03 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Ensemble élément empilable
CN108974547A (zh) * 2018-04-21 2018-12-11 福建省新达保温材料有限公司 一种复合板用的存储装置

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL7606555A (nl) * 1976-06-17 1977-12-20 Curver Bv Houder voor kweekgoed.
GB1597813A (en) * 1978-05-08 1981-09-09 Mason D Pinder M Stackable containers
EP0056665A1 (fr) * 1981-01-10 1982-07-28 Curver B.V. Récipient empilable pour plants
US4579489A (en) * 1982-11-15 1986-04-01 Palcon Corporation Interlocking, stacking and nesting container system
DE4226125A1 (de) * 1992-08-07 1994-02-10 Transport & Lagertechnik Stapelkasten aus Kunststoff

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL7606555A (nl) * 1976-06-17 1977-12-20 Curver Bv Houder voor kweekgoed.
GB1597813A (en) * 1978-05-08 1981-09-09 Mason D Pinder M Stackable containers
EP0056665A1 (fr) * 1981-01-10 1982-07-28 Curver B.V. Récipient empilable pour plants
US4579489A (en) * 1982-11-15 1986-04-01 Palcon Corporation Interlocking, stacking and nesting container system
DE4226125A1 (de) * 1992-08-07 1994-02-10 Transport & Lagertechnik Stapelkasten aus Kunststoff

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015166240A3 (fr) * 2014-04-29 2015-12-17 Meditech Endoscopy Ltd Kit et ensemble de stockage
US20170056122A1 (en) * 2014-04-29 2017-03-02 Meditech Endoscopy Ltd Storage Kit and Assembly
US10405938B2 (en) * 2014-04-29 2019-09-10 Meditech Endoscopy Limited Storage kit and assembly
WO2017131737A1 (fr) * 2016-01-29 2017-08-03 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Ensemble élément empilable
US10571847B2 (en) 2016-01-29 2020-02-25 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Stackable component assembly
CN108974547A (zh) * 2018-04-21 2018-12-11 福建省新达保温材料有限公司 一种复合板用的存储装置

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Publication number Publication date
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