EP1954578B1 - Storage, transporting, stacking and order-picking container - Google Patents

Abstract

For a storage, transport, stacking, and order-picking box (1) having a floor (2) and four walls (3a and 3b; 4a and 4b), of which at least one wall (4b) is designed as a movable element and in such a way that it can be latched to the adjacent walls (3a and 3b), wherein after being unlatched the one wall (4b) can be moved away to open up a large unloading opening (18) into the box interior, the movable box wall (4b) on at least one of its two outer edges has latching and unlatching means (9; 119) that are integrated into the wall structure, are freely accessible from the front, can be pivoted in a vertical plane in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, and can be latched to the respective associated adjacent wall (3a and 3b).

Description

The invention relates to a storage, transport, stacking and picking container with a bottom and four side walls, of which at least one container wall is designed as a movable element and with a one-hand actuator for locking and unlocking with the adjacent walls, wherein the container wall is moved away after unlocking and releases a large discharge opening to the container interior.

By the AU-A-54941/80 a shipping container with the aforementioned features has become known. A wall of the container is designed as a door which is pivotable about hinges arranged near the floor and can be locked and unlocked via a one-hand lever element with the adjacent side walls. For shipping, two of these containers are facing each other with their doors connected by screws and thus invited as a container unit in the ship.

From the WO 2005/102852 a collapsible container is known, in which two opposite walls for locking with the other two walls each have two latchable locking levers, which are provided in the region of the upper wall ends left and right.

In order to store large contents, stackable transport containers are still offered with correspondingly large dimensions in the prior art, in which a rotatable about a horizontal axis flap is provided in the side walls, which should allow loading and unloading of contents. The rotary flap is rotatably connected to an insert part, which in a corresponding Incision is fixed in the side wall. Such a container is from the EP-A-0 876 963 known.

However, a loading and unloading of contents is impossible, especially in large-scale contents in these containers, d. H. The containers must be removed from the shelves and the contents must be taken from above. This is very cumbersome, time consuming and costly. In addition, these containers are not hochregal- in particular by their large volume, primarily rectangular dimensions and suitable for roller conveyors. Furthermore, the known containers are equipped with straight, vertical side walls and therefore can not be transported as a space-saving empties. For this conical stacking containers are recommended.

However, generally known is the fact that nestable or partially nestable, i. nested in one another or stackable stackable containers in the cross-bandage according to the stack principle, so what applies for stackable conical container, as an inclination of the side wall clears the actual wall thickness of this side wall when nesting against the vertical, otherwise a clamping effect would arise ,

However, the conicity of the side walls does not allow large-sized profiles or wall thicknesses, so that there is no sufficient stabilization of the container walls. This is a serious disadvantage, especially with heavy contents and correspondingly high load. The rotary stacking principle, with staggered surfaces, results in a spar-like or profiled profile, which achieves sufficient rigidity against buckling of the walls at compression pressure or load. However, in order to obtain a maximum load and discharge opening, this static structure is destroyed as a whole again and can not withstand the requirements in the case of load.

Among other things, the containers must be able to accommodate large-volume contents (eg cable harnesses, cable ducts, etc.). Furthermore, the containers must be stored with contents in high-bay warehouse etc. and can be outsourced again after a production-synchronous retrieval.

After removal from storage, it must be possible for the containers to be relocated directly to the production site or installation site of the contents in transport trolleys or on open shelves. B. manually or with a handling device that docks on the trolley or shelf and pulls the contents of a transport plate or the like. In addition, the greatest possible volume reduction is sought for the empty transport, which allow conical container in particular from the contour.

In order to eliminate these disadvantages and to provide a volume reducible storage, transport, stacking and picking container with high Auflastfähigkeit, in particular also has a maximum size and provided with no interference edges, closable removal opening, according to an earlier application of the Applicant a container in one Design proposed that allows a composite wall. In this case, in a rectangular box on the one hand preferably at least one of the end walls movable, for example hinged on the bottom side or removable as a whole, so that after folding away or removing the movable container wall a large or completely freely accessible opening to the container interior is released. By Stapeleldübertragübertragungs- and nest contours (Eckausnehmungen, wells or the like.) Of the container is readily suitable for stacking on the rotary and cross-stack principle. The compact, sturdy composite wall, after being locked to the longitudinal walls, is able to accommodate a very large stacking pressure, whether it is a container with conical or vertical walls. It is thus possible to transport the containers stacked several times or stacked them, by the conicity or the Stacking edge on the containers to save space when empty or return transport. For locking and unlocking, however, a latch accessible from above has to be raised or lowered here and swiveled around pins laterally outwards or for locking from outside to inside.

The invention has for its object to improve a generic container so that it allows a handling-safe, easy to use and easy locking and unlocking of the movable container wall.

This object is achieved in that the movable container wall has an integrated on both its outer sides in the wall body, freely accessible from the front, pivotable in the vertical direction in the counterclockwise and counterclockwise, left and right sides elongated parallel to the adjacent walls arranged locking lever , Wherein the locking levers are connected to each other in a motion-dependent manner via a common axis of rotation and can be unlocked and locked simultaneously with the associated, adjacent wall via the one-hand actuating element.

The locking and unlocking is thus protected on the one hand to the outside and laterally not projecting housed. On the other hand, it is still freely accessible from the front for actuation and can be individually unlocked or locked even when standing next to each other containers. This happens completely undisturbed because the locking and unlocking does not emerge from the boundary or top surface of the container.

An embodiment of the invention provides that the locking lever arranged spring-loaded under a head apron of the movable container wall and protrudes from the rear end of the lever with a bolt head from a top recessed corner portion of the head apron and snaps into an upper frame of the adjacent wall.

An advantageous embodiment provides that the axis of rotation consists of a central round pin section and from this starting to the right and left to the locking levers extending power transmission profiles. The round bolt section, which can preferably be formed with a centrally arranged one-hand actuating element, preferably a handle shell, alternatively a tab or the like, ensures the perfect rotational movement. The power transmission profiles reinforce the swivel unit (including the axis of rotation with the locking levers) and give great robustness.

By operating the central handle shell or the tab or the like, the locking levers are moved against the spring force in the Entraststellung, with the spring means above and / or below the locking lever can be provided, as a compression or tension spring.

The locking mechanism is thus completely encased in this construction in the cavity of the head apron or apron-like upper edge of the container, fully protected to the outside. Only the one-hand actuator (handle, tab) is protruding from the head apron, is exposed. In the four-locking position, the one-handed actuating element does not project forward from the boundary or contour of the container.

According to one proposal of the invention, the bolt head is formed with a backward, the adjacent wall facing obliquely sloping joining surface. When inserting or pivoting the container wall to close the removal opening of the bolt head slides when hitting the opposite end face of the adjacent wall automatically, the locking lever is pivoted against the force of the spring until the bolt head has overcome its abutment surface and then with opposite pivotal movement of the locking lever snaps into the locking position behind the stop surface.

It can be advantageous to form the adjacent wall facing end face of the movable container wall with a vertical engagement groove and the opposite end face of the adjacent wall with an inserted in the locked state in the engagement groove Vorkragsteg. The additional groove-and-tongue connection thus achieved with the bolt head lock, wherein the pre-breaking web represents the spring which can even penetrate through the engagement groove, further increases the security of the lock. Even with very heavy loads stacked containers that can lead to deformation of the or the lower container, the lock does not jump on undesirable automatically.

Further advantageous embodiments are contained in the remaining dependent claims. Here, in particular, the features according to claims 9 to 12 contribute to the fact that can achieve a positive, stable stack composite in the space-saving empty transport of nested conical containers through the insertable into the insertion channels of the respective lower container outer webs of the stacked upper container.

The container or end wall is preferably completely open to be able to store or remove heavy, bulky contents without lifting. It can advantageously be connected in the bottom area by a pivot axis, a hinge, which can optionally be provided for additional stabilization with a locking pin, or the like movable with the container. Alternatively, the front wall can be completely removed, d. H. form detachable from the adjacent sidewalls.

When opened by flap-like pivoting or removing the end wall state of the container side can be a maximum order picking or removal opening reach, from which the contents can be invited or removed in a simple manner and without restricting interference contours, in particular if the front wall is completely opened or removed with bulky contents.

Preferably, handle receivers and / or handle handles are incorporated for manual transport. Images for goods tags as well as for transponders guarantee a high reading distance even on high shelves.

The advantageous, contoured teeth on the respective sides or end edges of the container walls grip when closing in the manner of a zipper easily form-fit into each other and support a secure bond even when stacking the container with heavy contents.

In the fully open state is the container or end wall, which remains firmly anchored either by the introduced in the bottom area pivot axis, hinge or the like with the container, at least horizontally forward or is pivoted by more than 90 ° (see. Fig. 2 ) or it can be completely removed if it is formed with the adjacent container walls only latched or the like detachable. The contents can be easily removed or stored.

Fig. 1

in einer perspektivischen Gesamt-Draufsicht einen im Ausführungs- beispiel rechteckigen Behälter im geschlossenen Zustand, d.h. mit die Entnahm- bzw. Kommissionieröffnung verschließender, verriegel- ter Stirnwand;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Teilansicht des Behälters nach Fig. 1 mit voll- ständig geöffneter Stirnwand;

Fig. 3

eine Vorderansicht auf die geschlossene Stirnwand eines mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Einhand-Verriegelungsmechanik ausgebildeten Behälters;

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische, teilgeschnittene Draufsicht des Behälters nach Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

in perspektivischer Darstellung einen Schnitt entlang der Linie IX-IX von Fig. 4;

Fig. 6

die Stirnwand der Fig. 3 in einer schematischen Teil-Seitenansicht beim Öffnen des Behälters durch Verschwenken der Stirnwand; und

Fig. 7

die Stirnwand der Fig. 3 bzw. 6 in einer schematischen Teil- Seitenansicht beim Schließen des Behälters durch Verschwenken der Stirnwand.

Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description of exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. Here is in the Fig. 1 and 2 a container shown with a not belonging to the invention locking and unlocking mechanism. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a perspective overall plan view of a rectangular in the embodiment example container in the closed state, ie with the removal or order picking closing, locked end wall;

Fig. 2

a partial perspective view of the container after Fig. 1 with the front wall completely open;

Fig. 3

a front view of the closed end wall of a container formed with a single-handed locking mechanism according to the invention container;

Fig. 4

a perspective, partially cutaway plan view of the container Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 5

in a perspective view a section along the line IX-IX of Fig. 4 ;

Fig. 6

the front wall of the Fig. 3 in a schematic partial side view when opening the container by pivoting the end wall; and

Fig. 7

the front wall of the Fig. 3 or 6 in a schematic partial side view when closing the container by pivoting the end wall.

One in the Fig. 1 and 3 4, here rectangular and conical container 1 consists of a bottom 2 with four side walls, namely the two longitudinal walls 3 a, 3 b and the two end walls 4 a, 4 b, of which the left end wall 4 b via a rotation axis 5 is formed on the bottom 2 as a pivotable element. Alternatively, this wall element with the adjacent or adjacent longitudinal walls 3 a, 3 b could be locked in total only releasably and would thus be removable from the container. 1

The end wall 4 b is provided as a stable composite wall on the one hand on its outer side, conical from top to bottom, block-like outer wall webs. 6 a, 6 b, formed as outer spar profiles, and on the other hand provided on its inner side, inner webs 7 a, 7 b (see. Fig. 2 ), formed as inner spar profiles, as well as a middle block 8, of the inner webs 7 a, 7 b with the outer wall webs 6 a, 6 b complementary, conical insertion channels 9 a, 9 b is spaced, and resilient latching with the longitudinal walls 3 a , 3 b formed. When stacking empty containers 1 dive the outer wall webs 6 a, 6 b in the insertion channels 9 a, 9 b between the center block 8 and the inner webs 7 a, 7 b a.

When closed at the end container 1 (see. Fig. 1 and 3 to 5) is the end wall 4 b with formed on their side edges locking means 10 and opposite to the end edges of the longitudinal walls 3 a, 3 b formed, complex locking means 11 (see Fig. 2 and 5 ) via a type of gearing engagement 12, which consists of crescent-shaped or arcuate contoured, zipper-like interlocking small teeth, positively fixed in their erected position.

In order to absorb the high bearing forces even better when stacking loaded, heavy container 1, are on the apron 17, which simultaneously provides a handle or lower handle and flush with the skirt 17 of the longitudinal walls 3a, 3b, reinforced upper edge 16th formed both the pivotable or removable end wall 4 b and on the opposite end wall 4 a in the form of recesses several Stapeleldruckübertragungs- and nest contours 15. In the exemplary embodiment, these are at the pivotal end wall 4 b at the head end of the inner webs 7 a, 7 b and temporarily provided in an uninterrupted, continuous upper web of the upper edge 16, the incorporated partial contours of the Stapeleldruckübertragungs- and nest contours 15 has. The Stapeleldübertragübertragungs- and nest contours 15 also provide when nesting empty containers a position-securing positioning support and support.

The movable container wall or end wall 4b has, in addition to the toothed engagements 12 for locking with the longitudinal walls 3a, 3b, when the large picking or removal opening 18 (see FIG. Fig. 2 ) is closed again, integrated and chambered in the cavity of the skirt 17 locking and unlocking 119 (see. Fig. 3 and 4 ), in the embodiment on both outer sides of the end wall 4b provided Riegelhebei 21 a, 21 b, with a one-hand actuator 124 (see. Fig. 3 and 4 ) are formed.

The one-hand actuating element 124 consists of an over the entire width of the end wall 4b extending axis of rotation 122, which is formed in the middle with a round pin portion and thereon, and thus centrally arranged handle shell 30. Starting from the round bolt section extend to the right and to the left power transmission profiles 122a, 122b, via which the rotation axis 122 rotatably with latch levers 21 a, 21 b is connected. These are formed at their rear ends of the lever with a bolt head 23.

The bolt head 23 is provided with a rearwardly, the adjacent wall or longitudinal wall 3a, 3b obliquely sloping joining surface 25, which contributes to the fact that the locking lever 21 a, 21 b when hitting one of a Vorkragende 26 (see. Fig. 5 to 7 ) of the skirt 17 of the longitudinal walls 3a, 3b provided stop surface against the force of a below the latch lever 21 a, 21 b supportingly arranged compression spring 120 (see FIG. Fig. 6 ) pivoted downwards. Alternatively, above a tension spring could be used as a spring means. The protruding end 26 is complementary to a notch or recess into which projects the bolt head 23, the skirt 17 of the end wall 4b formed and fills in the closed position, the notch / recess. Once the bolt head 23 has overcome the abutment surface, he automatically snaps into the cavity of the Protruding 26 of the skirt 17 of the longitudinal walls 3a, 3b and the end wall 4b is locked.

The safety and stability of the locking or closing position is facilitated by the fact that the longitudinal walls 3a, 3b facing end face 27 provided by the notch / recess of the skirt 17 of the movable end wall 4b, is formed with an engagement groove 28, in and through the through a Vorkragsteg 29 at the free end of the Vorkragendes 26 of the skirt 17 dives.

If the large removal opening is to be achieved by pivoting the end wall 4b for the container 1, in the closed end wall position (cf. Fig. 3 to 5 ) only grasps the handle shell 30 and the one-handed actuator 124 against the force of the compression spring 120 about the round pin portion of the rotation axis 122 pivoted clockwise or rotated. Through the connection via the power transmission profiles 122a, 122b, the locking heads 23 of the locking levers 21a, 21b release from their locking connection in the skirt 17 or in the upper edge of the container, and also the Vorkragstege 29 come out of the opposite engagement grooves 28 free, in itself simultaneously opening gear engagement 12, as in Fig. 6 shown.

To close the removal opening of the container 1, the single-handed operating element 124 is initially unloaded, so that the locking heads 23 of the locking lever 21 a under the force of the compression springs 120 project upwardly from the movable end wall 4b. As soon as the continued pressing or moving of the end wall 4b against the side walls 3a, 3b of the container 1, the protruding ends 26 of the side walls 3a, 3b reach the joining surface 25 of the locking heads 23, as in Fig. 7 shown shortly before the impact, lower the latch lever 21 a, 21 b clockwise from the Vorkalerenden 26 slide over the wing surfaces 25 and lead the Vorkragstege 29 to a positive and frictional connection in the opposite engagement grooves 28. Once the protruding 26, the bolt heads 23 have happened, raise the latch lever 21 a, 21 b acted upon by the relaxing compression springs 120 automatically and snap into the latching position of the cavity of the protruding 26. Even the crescent-shaped meshing engagement 12 is then closed.

Claims (13)

1. A storage, transport, stacking and commissioning container (1) with a bottom (2) and four walls (3 a, 3b; 4a, 4b), of which at least one container wall is realized in the form of a movable element with a single-hand actuating element (124) for being interlocked with and unlocked from the adjacent walls, wherein the container wall (4 b) can be removed after the unlocking process and exposes a large withdrawal openings (18) toward the container interior,
   characterized in
   that the movable container wall (4b) features a locking lever (21 a, 21 b) that is respectively integrated into the wall body on both of its outer sides and arranged such that it extends in an elongate fashion parallel to the adjacent walls (3 a, 3 b) on the left side and the right side, wherein said locking lever is freely accessible from the front and can be pivoted clockwise and counterclockwise in a vertical plane, and wherein the locking levers (21 a, 21 b) are motionally connected to one another by means of a common pivot pin (122) and can be simultaneously unlocked from and interlocked with the corresponding adjacent wall (3 a or 35) by means of the single-hand actuating element (124).
2. The container according to Claim 1,
   characterized in
   that the locking levers (21 a, 21 b) are arranged in a spring-loaded fashion underneath a top skirting (17) of the movable container wall (4b) and their rear lever end protrudes from a corner section of the top skirting (17) that is recessed on the upper side with a lever head (23) and snaps into an upper frame (16) of the adjacent wall (3a, 3b).
3. The container according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in
   that the pivot pin (122) consists of a central round bolt section and power transmission profiles (122a, 122b) that extend rightward and leftward therefrom to the locking levers (21 a, 21 b).
4. The container according to Claim 3,
   characterized in
   that the single-hand actuating element (124) is realized on the central round bolt section.
5. The container according to one of Claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in
   a spring element (120) arranged above or underneath the locking levers (21 a, 21 b).
6. The container according to one of Claims 2 to 5,
   characterized in
   that the lever head (23) is realized with a joining surface (25) that is sloped toward the rear facing the adjacent wall (3a, 3b).
7. The container according to one of Claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in
   that the end face (27) of the movable container wall (4b) that faces the adjacent wall (3a, 3b) is realized with a vertical engagement groove (28) and the opposite end face of the adjacent wall (3a, 3b) is realized with a projecting web (29) that is fitted into the engagement groove (28) in the interlocked state.
8. The container according to one of Claims 2 to 7,
   characterized in
   that one or more stacking pressure transmission and nest contours (15) are realized on the upper edge (16) of the top skirting (17) of the movable container wall (4 b).
9. The container according to one of Claims 1 to 8,
   characterized in
   that the movable container wall (4b) can be interlocked with the adjacent walls (3a, 3b) by means of teeth (12) that engage similar to a zipper.
10. The container according to Claim 8,
    characterized in
    that the stacking pressure transmission and nest contours (15) are arranged on the upper end of lateral, block-like inner webs (7 a, 7 b) of the movable container wall (4 b).
11. The container according to Claim 10,
    characterized in
    that conical insertion channels (9 a, 9 b) are formed between the inner webs (7 a, 7 b) and a center block (8) of the container wall (4 b) that is upwardly tapered in a conical fashion.
12. The container according to Claim 11 or 12,
    characterized in
    block-like outer wall webs (6 a, 6b) that are arranged on the end face of the movable container wall (4 b) in alignment with the inner webs (7a, 7 b).
13. The container according to one of Claims 1 to 12,
    characterized in
    that the movable container wall (4b) is fixed on the bottom (2) in a pivotable fashion.

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