EP1773693B1 - Ready-to-mount, modular container or same-type equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

A structure includes a plurality of ready-to-mount panels forming a base and lateral walls. Each panel defines a plurality of edges each defining a length, each edge having a male profile or a female profile. The male form of a profile is configured to fit into the female form of another profile. Each profile holds a moveable member, each moveable member configured to move longitudinally along the edge. The structure further includes a plurality of longitudinal members each passing through the moveable member of a male profile of a first panel and the moveable member of a female profile of a second panel, to hold the first and second panels in fitted position.

Description

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of containers, containers, skips or other equipment of the same type and in particular adaptations for their realization and their use in the best conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The applicant has found that the containers and buckets of the prior art have the drawbacks of occupying a large volume which costs the cost when their transport or storage is necessary and to present a configuration, a profile which, dedicated to a function or application, do not allow them to be exploited effectively for other applications.

To solve these drawbacks, there exists in the field of containers such as that described by international document no. WO 03/018438 which proposes a foldable transport container with a substantially parallelepiped-shaped outer structure, comprising a bottom, a cover substantially parallel to the bottom, two substantially parallel sides and two substantially parallel end faces, where the container can be placed in an empty transport position in which its transport volume is reduced. The container comprises four support elements which are respectively positioned at the corners of the parallelepiped and which bind the bottom to the lid. When said container is in transport mode, the support elements to which the end faces are connected are perpendicular to the bottom and when the container is in empty transport mode, the support elements are parallel to the bottom.

This technological solution, although offering a solution to the volume problem, has the disadvantage of to be applicable only to the containers, to require the presence of the four support elements and to present no modularity for example to adapt its volume to its transport function.

Still in the field of containers, there exists in the prior art, the container described and represented in the European document no. EP 1 182 149 which proposes a modular dismountable container whose bottom frame has on its corners, four uprights which extend in a T-shape to allow the assembly of poles which engage on said uprights, the front and rear sides of the container being connected to said posts, the cover and the side walls being fixed thereafter. This technological solution, although offering a solution to the volume problem, has the disadvantage of being applicable only to containers, of requiring the presence of the four support elements or columns and of having no modularity, for example to adapt its volume to its function. transport. Indeed, the modularity proposed in this document only concerns the multiplication of the number of containers that can be associated together.

In general, the devices of the prior art from the moment they are removable, offer corner posts or angle fasteners which does not allow the modularity or the extension of the capabilities of the containing beyond the volume defined by the angle fixings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

What is clear, the plaintiff has conducted research to obviate the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a container, a skip or other such equipment such as a shelter, etc ... may take less space in his transport or his storage and to present a modular structure and volume according to the function likely to be adopted by the container.

This research led to the design of a container, skips or other equipment of the same type as a construction shelter such as that described in the document DE2123882 which is constituted by a plurality of ready-to-assemble panels forming at least the bottom and some side walls, the flanges of each panel being provided with profiles fitting into each other so as to cooperate with the flanges provided with profiles. panels with which it comes into contact facilitating the positioning and maintenance in the position to which it was attached by assembly or assembly of mechanically welded panels which, by modularity, allow to assemble any type of material, the profile adopting a convex male shape and / or a concave female shape, the male shape of a first profile being adapted to fit into the female shape of a second profile.

According to the invention, said profiles are held in the nested position of one panel relative to the other by means of screws passing at least partially through said profiles and cooperating with flanges,
said profile is hollow and receives in its internal volume at least one so-called internal flange and which is able to move inside said profile,
the female form of the profile receives at least one so-called external flange which is capable of moving in said female form, and
the flanges are pierced with a hole whose internal flange is tapped, the attachment of two sections, which are perforated for this purpose, being made by screwing between the two sections by setting the same level of the internal flange moving to the inside of a first section with the outer flange moving on a second section, a threaded rod to bind them and therefore coming to bind the two profiles together.

The assembly is therefore advantageously achieved by means of profiles associated with means for holding in position by screwing which avoid any welding operation. The assembly of the panels is made by special flanges, movable and recessed in the profiles.

Thus, the profiles of the invention are elements reported with respect to the panels and may in their orientation serve to attach to panels in the same plane as those they come to associate to enlarge the volume of the container. These profiles are not corner pieces or fixing fixed angles associated for example perpendicular to a wall and to which are fixed the panels. The panels of the invention are not preformed to adopt a profile but are equipped with reported profiles.

• Les conteneurs et les bennes peuvent être transportés entièrement démontés en éléments prêts à monter quel que soit le volume final. Par exemple, un plateau de semi remorque transporte classiquement deux bennes de trente mètres cubes alors qu'il est susceptible de transporter une dizaine de bennes prêtes à monter de même volume,
• L'utilisation de profilés, l'absence de liaison par soudage et la réalisation préalable sur chaque panneau des opérations de finition (peinture, etc...) permet d'envisager un temps d'assemblage équivalent à une heure,
• L'utilisation de profilés de fixation non permanente servant d'interface standardisée entre les différents éléments préfabriqués donne la possibilité de moduler, de transformer, d'adapter le conteneur, la benne au moyen d'éléments optionnels tels les capots coulissants ou hydrauliques, des volets rabattables, des portes étanches, etc...
• L'utilisation d'éléments séparables facilite la réparation de la benne ou du conteneur par simple remplacement de l'élément endommagé.

The advantages of the invention are numerous, among these:

• Containers and skips can be transported completely disassembled as ready-to-fit items regardless of the final volume. For example, a semi-trailer tray conventionally transports two buckets of thirty cubic meters while it is likely to carry a dozen buckets ready to mount the same volume,
• The use of profiles, the absence of welding connection and the prior completion on each panel finishing operations (painting, etc ...) allows to consider an assembly time equivalent to one hour,
• The use of non-permanent mounting profiles as a standardized interface between the different prefabricated elements gives the possibility to modulate, transform, adapt the container, the bucket by means of optional elements such as sliding or hydraulic covers, folding flaps, watertight doors, etc ...
• The use of separable elements makes it easier to repair the bucket or container simply by replacing the damaged element.

The invention thus offers a simple assembly / disassembly of the panels, great possibilities for transforming volumes, shapes in length, width or height without special adaptation parts and corner pieces.

The fundamental concepts of the invention having been exposed above in their most basic form, other details and characteristics will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows and with reference to the accompanying drawings, giving by way of non-limiting example, several embodiments of a container / bucket according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• The figure 1 is a drawing of a perspective view of an embodiment of the constituent elements ready to be assembled with a ready-to-assemble body according to the invention,
• The figure 2 is a drawing of a perspective view of the bucket of the figure 1 once mounted,
• The figure 3 is a detail view in perspective of an embodiment of two sections coming together,
• The figure 4 is a detailed perspective view of the profiles of the figure 3 assembled,
• The figure 5 is a drawing of a perspective view of an embodiment of the container equipped with pivoting means for the side panels,
• The figure 6 is a front view illustrating the container of the figure 5 in the folded position,
• The FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d are drawings of views respectively in perspective, from below, from front and from right.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

• un panneau formant plate-forme 100,
• deux panneaux longitudinaux verticaux formant les côtés 200 et 300,
• un panneau transversal vertical avant formant la paroi avant 400,
• un panneau transversal vertical arrière formant la paroi arrière ici une porte 500.

As illustrated on the drawing of the figure 1 , the container adopting the configuration of a bucket which, referenced as a whole B, is constituted by the assembly of a plurality of panels namely:

• a platform panel 100,
• two vertical longitudinal panels forming the sides 200 and 300,
• a vertical front transverse panel forming the front wall 400,
• a rear vertical transverse panel forming the rear wall here a door 500.

According to the illustrated embodiment, each panel for example, the panel 300 is mechanically welded and has plane surfaces 310 associated with ribs or reinforcing elements 320.

According to the invention, each panel is equipped on its sides or edges, assembly means allowing its attachment to the other panels forming the bucket B. These assembly means are advantageously constituted by profiles P whose forms recessed and protruding are likely to match to fit and allow the positioning and fixing panels between them. According to the nonlimiting embodiment illustrated, the P profiles are inserts themselves welded to the edges of the panels. Depending on their orientation, they offer fixing possibilities in the extension of the plane formed by the panel to which they are associated or perpendicular to said plane.

Thus, as illustrated, one of the longitudinal profiles P of the platform 100 cooperates with the low longitudinal profile P of the side 300 so as to position and fix the vertical panel 300 on the platform 100. It is the same with the other vertical panel 200.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated, the panel forming the bottom wall, that is to say the platform 100 has on its four sides horizontal profiles P and vertical portions of profiles P 'at its four corners. These profile portions P 'extend the lower end of the vertical P profiles of longitudinal vertical panels 200 and 300 when they are placed on the platform 100.

The profiles P of the transverse vertical panels 400 and 500 are then positioned and attached to the horizontal P profiles fitted to the platform 100 and to the profile resulting from the combination of the vertical P profiles of the longitudinal vertical panels 200 and 300 with the portions P 'of the corners of the platform 100.

The result of the assembly is illustrated in figure 2 ,

As illustrated, the bucket B has no roof. However, according to the invention, a roof or other equipment can be fixed by means of P profiles present on the upper edges of the vertical panels 200, 300, 400 constituting the body B.

To meet the objectives of modularity of the invention, the profiles allow the attachment of vertical panels of different height and equipped at their side of the profile required. Thus, the panels 300 and 400 may be replaced depending on the application by panels of smaller or larger dimensions. Similarly, the panel 500 consisting of a double leaf door can be replaced by a solid and fixed panel of different height or not be replaced.

The profiles P which ensure the positioning and the position of the panels while allowing the modularity of the content have been the subject of special research by the applicant. Indeed, according to a particularly advantageous feature of the invention, the fixing of the panels together is performed by screwing. This characteristic respects the principle ready to mount applied by the container of the invention, allows to consider a total modularity and avoids the need for special know-how to perform assembly or disassembly.

To implement it, according to the invention and according to the embodiment illustrated by the figures 3 and 4 , the profile adopts a convex male shape and / or concave female shape, the male shape of a first section being adapted to fit into the female shape of a second section.

More precisely, the profile p can adopt two profile shapes 600 and 700 according to its situation and according to the panel that supports it.

The first profile 600 adopts a convex male shape 610 and concave female shape 620 disposed on opposite sides of the profiles. The male form 610 of a first profile adopting this first profile is adapted to fit into the female shape 620 of a second profile also adopting this first profile. The profile is preformed so that each male form 610 or female 620 is associated with bearing surfaces 611, 612 and 621, 622 on which bear the bearing surfaces of the profiles P coming into contact with it. profile.

The second profile 700 is semi-open and adopts a recessed female shape 710 in which the male shape 610 of the first profile 300 can fit. As illustrated, the recessed volume 710 is associated with bearing surfaces 711 and 712. .

An example of screw fixing is illustrated by the two figures 3 and 4 .

According to the invention, said profile is hollow and receives in its internal volume at least one so-called internal flange flange capable of moving within the profile. It is the same with the two profiles 600 and 700 adopted by the profiles P which are hollow and which are likely to receive in their internal volume at least one so-called internal flange referenced Bi capable of moving longitudinally within said profiles .

In addition, the female form 620 of the profiles that is here of the profile 600 receives at least one flange referred to as the external flange referenced Be that is capable of moving in said female form 620.

According to the illustrated embodiment, said internal flange Bi comprises a means for holding in position inside the profile P which is constituted by a headless pressure screw whose slotted end is accessible through the opening formed by the female form 710 arranged in the profile 700.

The flanges Bi and Be are pierced with a hole of which that of the internal flange Bi is tapped, the fixing of two sections, which are perforated for this purpose, being made by screwing between the two profiles P here 600 and 700 by setting same level of the inner flange Bi moving inside a first section with the external flange Be moving on a second section P, a threaded rod T coming to bind them and therefore to bind the two sections P between them.

• il s'agit d'une fixation par vis autorisant en conséquence le démontage et le principe prêt à monter,
• les vis s'associent à des formes emboîtées ainsi qu'à des surfaces d'appui qui reçoivent la majorité des contraintes et efforts exercés sur les panneaux auxquels ils sont liés,
• les brides sont susceptibles d'être déplacées sur la longueur des profilés laissant un grand choix dans leur positionnement pour leur permettre de s'adapter à tout type de hauteur ou de longueur de profilé à accueillir,
• les orifices et les volumes autorisant la traversée de la vis d'un profilé à l'autre sont situés sur le centre des profilés et sont donc refermés lorsque les surfaces d'appui d'un profilé coopèrent avec celles du profilé auquel il se lie,
• etc...

This type of attachment has several advantages, among them:

• it is a fastening by screw allowing disassembly and the principle ready to mount,
• the screws are associated with nested shapes as well as bearing surfaces that receive the majority of the stresses and stresses exerted on the panels to which they are connected,
• the flanges are likely to be displaced along the length of the profiles leaving a large choice in their positioning to enable them to adapt to any type of height or length of profile to accommodate,
• the orifices and the volumes allowing the screw to pass from one profile to the other are located on the center of the profiles and are thus closed when the bearing surfaces of a profile cooperate with those of the profile to which it is joined,
• etc ...

An alternative to simply dismantling to solve the problem of congestion containers to store or move is illustrated by the figures 5 , 6 , 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d .

According to the embodiment illustrated and in accordance with the invention, the panel 100 forming the bottom wall constituting the container or the bucket B comprises pivoting elements 800 of the vertical panels with which it cooperates to move from a vertical position to a horizontal position on the platform 100 illustrated by the figures 5 and 6 .

As illustrated on the drawing of FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d said pivoting elements 800 are constituted by a hinge whose two parts 810 and 820 adopt the same profile but of smaller dimensions than those of the P or P 'sections fitted to the panels so as to be inserted and fixed thereto .

It is understood that the container, which has just been described above and shown, has been for a disclosure rather than a limitation. Of course, various arrangements, modifications and improvements may be made to the example above, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Thus, for example, the profile or shape of the profiles can change from the moment it allows a nesting of the profiles and consequently panels between them.

In addition, the mechanically welded panels described in the embodiment may be associated with, or replaced by, isothermal panels, insulating panels, double wall panels, etc.

Of course, the dimensions and combinations described above are not limiting, the modularity of the different panels allowing the variation of all the lengths of the container.

Claims (5)

1. Bin-type container (B), enclosure, shed or equipment of the same type, constituted by a plurality of ready-to-mount panels (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) forming at least the base (100) and certain lateral walls (200 and 300), the edges of each panel (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) being equipped with profiles (P) fitting with one another so as to be capable of cooperating with the edges equipped with profiles (P) of the panels (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) with which they come into contact,
   the profile (P) adopting a convex male form (610) and/or a concave female form (620, 721), the male form (610) of a first profile (P) being capable of fitting into the female form (620, 710) of a second profile, characterised in that
   the profiles (P) are held in the fitted position of one panel (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) with respect to the other by means of a screw (T) passing through said profiles (P) and cooperating with flanges (Be, Bi),
   said profile (P) is hollow and receives, in its internal volume, at least one so-called internal flange (Bi) and which is capable of moving inside said profile (P),
   the female form (620, 710) of the profile (P) receives at least one so-called external flange (Be), which is capable of moving in said female form (620, 710), and the flanges (Bi, Be) are pierced with a hole, that of the internal flange (Bi) being tapped, the attachment of the two profiles (P), which are pierced to this end, being performed by screwing between the two profiles (P) by placing them at the same level of the internal flange (Bi) moving inside a first profile (P) with the external flange (Be) moving on a second profile (P), a threaded rod (T) connecting them and consequently connecting the two profiles (P) together.
2. Container (B) according to claim 1, characterised in that the profile (P) is preformed so that each male form (610) or female form (620, 710) is associated with bearing surfaces (611, 612, 621, 622, 711, 712) on which the bearing surfaces (611, 612, 621, 622, 711, 712) of the profiles (P) coming into contact with this profile (P) are supported.
3. Container (B) according to claim 1, characterised in that the panel (100) forming the base wall constituting the container (B) includes pivoting elements (800) of the vertical panels (200 and 300) with which it cooperates so as to cause them to move from a vertical position to a horizontal position on the base wall (100).
4. Container (B) according to claim 3, characterised in that said pivoting elements (800) are constituted by a hinge including two parts (810 and 820) that adopt the same profile, but of smaller size than that of the profiles (P) provided on the panels (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) so as to introduce and attach it.
5. Container (B) according to claim 1, characterised in that the panel (100) forming the base wall comprises, on its four sides, horizontal profiles (P) and vertical profile portions (P') at its four corners.

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