EP2279968B1 - Transport container for transporting bicycle frames - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a transport container, in particular a transport carton for transporting bicycle frames.

By means of transport cartons, individual bicycle frames are sent to end customers, for example by means of parcel delivery services. For this purpose, it is customary to ship the bicycle frame in a cuboid box, it being necessary to avoid damage to the bicycle frame to cushion this. This is done, for example, by filling the cavities with bubble wrap. Such packaging of a bicycle frame is time consuming. Even for the customer, the unpacking is time-consuming, since first all, for example, fixed with adhesive tape bubble wrap or other protective elements must be removed before the customer sees the acquired bicycle frame. In this respect, such packaging for a high-quality product such as a bicycle frame is not adequate packaging. However, the elaborate padding with bubble wrap or similar protective elements is imperative to avoid damage to the frame during transport.

Furthermore, in EP 1 849 717 a transport carton for bicycles described in which a bottom bracket receiving element is arranged in an outer carton. In this is the bottom bracket of the bicycle frame inserted into a corresponding recess.

The object of the invention is to provide a transport container for transporting bicycle frame, with which the bicycle frame can be transported safely, the packaging cost is reduced.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1.

The transport container according to the invention, in particular transport box for bicycle frame has an outer container, in particular an outer carton, in which a receiving element is arranged. The receiving element serves to receive the bicycle frame. For this purpose, fixing elements are connected to the receiving element, takes place by fixing the bicycle frame to the receiving element. The bicycle frame is preferably fixed to the receiving element such that the entire bicycle frame is carried by the receiving element. Spacers are also provided according to the invention. The spacers abut the inner walls of the outer container as well as the receiving element or the bicycle frame itself, so that the bicycle frame is kept at a distance from the inner walls of the outer container. In particular, the distance is at least one centimeter. Relative to the outer container, the bicycle frame thus floats within the carton. This has the advantage essential to the invention that the bicycle frame does not touch the inner walls of the outer container and thus forces or impacts acting on the outer container during transport are not transmitted to the bicycle frame. The provision of bubble wrap or other protective elements is not required.

The transport container according to the invention, ie in particular the outer container and all or parts of the arranged in the outer container, the bicycle frame receiving or fixing elements may be made of different dimensionally stable materials. For example, it is possible to produce the items of the transport container made of plastic, the For example, has a honeycomb structure or internal structure to ensure high stability. It is also possible to use as material foams, in particular highly compressed foams. The use of plastic or foams has the advantage that the weight of the transport container with high rigidity is relatively low. It is also possible to produce the individual parts from cardboard or cardboard. The production of cardboard or cardboard has the advantage that it is cheaper material and easy recyclability is given. Of course, the individual components of the transport container can also be made of different materials.

The invention including a preferred embodiment and developments will be described below with reference to elements made of cardboard or cardboard, these elements, as explained above, also being able to be made of other materials,

The receiving element is designed or arranged in the outer carton, that the receiving element can not move during transport within the outer carton. Thus, it is also ensured that a displacement of the bicycle frame does not take place. Since it is not necessary to wrap the bicycle frame to beat this with bubble wrap, but only the bicycle frame must be connected via the fixing with the receiving element and the receiving element can then be placed together with the frame in the outer carton, the packaging cost is significantly reduced. Furthermore, this is at least the same security as when driving the bicycle frame in airpalster foil given. In particular, it is also ensured by a preferably defined arrangement of the bicycle frame on the receiving element that no damage to the bicycle frame occurs due to packaging errors. This can be done by improper wrapping the bicycle frame by bubble wrap. Another advantage of the transport cartons according to the invention exists in that the bicycle frame does not have to be wrapped in bubble wrap and thus, after opening the outer carton, the bicycle frame is directly visible to the customer. As a result, the appearance is significantly improved and corresponds to the high quality of the product.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, at least a part of the spacers is connected to the receiving element. Preferably, a part of the spacers is formed integrally with the receiving element, in particular as tabs of the receiving element. The receiving element is, like the outer carton also, preferably made of cardboard. The spacers are preferably made by folding or folding over edges of the receiving element. By folding over the edges by about 90 °, the outer edges of the receiving element abut against an inner wall of the outer carton in this area. The spacers thus act as a kind of riot elements or feet when the receiving element is arranged in the outer carton. In particular, mutually opposite edges of the receiving element are folded over in the same direction. Here are at least two edges, preferably folded over in the opposite direction. Thus, in a four-sided receiving element, preferably two edges in one direction and two edges in the other direction are unfucked. Referring to the bicycle frame, two edges on the side remote from the bicycle frame side of the receiving element and two edges on the frame side of the receiving element if the frame rests substantially on one side of the receiving element.

Preferably, the receiving element is formed apart from the preferably folded edges as a flat flat cardboard. This may have frame recesses, wherein in particular a frame recess is provided, through which protrudes a part of the frame post. As a result, the thickness of the outer carton can be reduced, which then only slightly wider than the width of the rear end at the dropouts of the Frame must be. This ensures that the dropouts of the rear end do not encounter inner walls of the outer carton but have a distance to them.

The particular area configured receiving element has an outer contour and size, which corresponds to the inner contour of the outer carton. The receiving element is thus on all side walls of the outer carton, so that slippage of the receiving element is avoided within the outer carton.

In a particularly preferred development of the invention, the receiving element has a plurality of fixing element receptacles. These may be, for example, recesses into which the fixing element can be completely or partially inserted. Due to the provision of multiple fixing elements recordings, it is possible to arrange the fixing elements at different locations of the receiving element. The position of the individual fixing element receptacles is in this case selected such that different frame sizes and / or different types of frames such as road bikes and mountain bikes can be fixed to the same receiving element. It is only necessary to connect the fixing with the corresponding fixing element recordings. This makes it possible for a large number of different frames to use the same receiving element, with only the position of the fixing must be adapted to the corresponding frame. It is also possible that the size of the outer carton is thus suitable for a large number of different frames, since the same receiving element is always arranged therein. Possibly. a small number of different receiving elements is provided, so that groups of bicycle frames can be fixed to the same receiving element. Preferably, however, all the receiving elements on the same outer dimension, so that they can be arranged in the same outer carton. It is therefore only a single size of outer cartons necessary, with which all bicycle frames can be packed for transport.

To form the fixing element receptacles, it is possible to punch out corresponding cross-sectionally, for example, rectangular regions in the receiving element. To improve the rigidity, it is possible to punch out the corresponding recesses only in such a way that the recess is formed only by folding away tabs. The Austanzung thus preferably takes place by U-shaped cuts.

The individual fixing elements preferably have a substantially cuboid basic body made of cardboard. This is made in a preferred embodiment of a flat blank by folding. The fixing element preferably has at least one stop element, which can be connected to the base body by gluing. However, the stop element may also be a part of the particular folded body and thus be prepared by the same blank. The stop element serves to ensure that the fixing element can not be pushed completely through the fixing element receptacle. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fixing element thus protrudes on both sides of the particularly flat receiving element. Here, the bicycle frame is connected to the fixing on one side of the fixing. This can be done for example by a fixed to the fixing Velcro or the like. On the opposite side, the fixing element is preferably so far opposite the receiving element, that it rests in the packed state on an inner side of the outer carton. The fixing element thus serves at the same time as a spacer and in particular for stiffening. Impacts or the like acting on the cardboard during transport are thus intercepted. In particular, the risk that impressions of the outer carton is thereby reduced.

In a further preferred development of the transport cartons according to the invention, a cover of the outer carton has a frangible cover element. By appropriate tear-open elements such as perforation lines, tear threads or the like, it is thus possible for the customer to quickly open the transport carton in a simple manner. Complete removal or removal of the lid is not required.

The outer carton is preferably designed in such a way that the one carton part has a base element which is surrounded by four side walls which extend upwards substantially perpendicular to the base element. Within these side walls, the receiving element is arranged together with the bicycle frame. By a lid member, which also has a base member and four side walls, the box is closed. This has the consequence that double-walled side elements are formed and thereby the rigidity of the carton is greatly improved. It is particularly preferred to provide at least one anti-theft device on overlapping side walls. By theft prevention is preferably carried out a connection of the two adjoining side walls. In this case, the anti-theft device may be melted, so that an opening of the box can not be done without destroying the seal. This ensures that the customer can immediately determine if the box has been tampered with.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Draufsicht auf ein in einem Transportkarton angeordneten Fahrradrahmen,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Draufsicht auf die Innenseite des Deckels,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Draufsicht auf das ungefaltete Aufnahmeelement,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Draufsicht auf das ungefaltete Fixierelement,

Fig. 5

eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht des Fixierelements,

Fig. 6

eine schematische Schnittansicht entlang der Linie VI-VI in Fig. 1,

Fig. 7

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Seitenwand des Kartons in Richtung des Pfeils VIII in Fig. 1,

Fig. 8

eine schematische Schnittansicht entlang der Linie VIII-VIII in Fig. 7,

Fig. 9

eine schematische Draufsicht eines Diebstahlsicherungselements, und

Fig. 10

eine schematische Seitenansicht des Diebstahlsicherungs-elements.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic plan view of a arranged in a transport box bicycle frame,

Fig. 2

a schematic plan view of the inside of the lid,

Fig. 3

a schematic plan view of the unfolded receiving element,

Fig. 4

a schematic plan view of the unfolded fixing element,

Fig. 5

a schematic perspective view of the fixing,

Fig. 6

a schematic sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 7

a schematic plan view of a side wall of the carton in the direction of arrow VIII in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 8

a schematic sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in Fig. 7 .

Fig. 9

a schematic plan view of an anti-theft element, and

Fig. 10

a schematic side view of the anti-theft element.

The transport carton according to the invention for transporting bicycle frames has in plan view ( Figures 1 and 2 ) has a trapezoidal contour. The outer carton has a lid 10 (FIG. Fig. 2 ) on. This has a flat base 12, which is connected to four perpendicular to the base 12 arranged side walls 14. Corresponding to the cover 10 and the main body of the carton is constructed. This likewise has a base surface and four side walls 18 arranged perpendicular to the base surface ( Fig. 1 ). The base of the cardboard element 16 is in Fig. 1 not visible because it is hidden by a receiving element 20. Both the lid 10 and the base box 16 are integrally made of cardboard. The side walls 14 and 18 are produced by appropriate folding or folding as is usual with cardboard boxes. Here, the inner dimensions of the lid 10 are slightly larger than the outer dimensions of the base box 16, so that the lid 10 can be plugged onto the base box 16 such that the side walls 14, 18 abut each other. There are thus double-walled side walls are formed, so that a rigid outer carton is realized.

Furthermore, the cover 10 may have tear-open elements 15, such as a perforation or tear-open seams or tear-open threads embedded in the cardboard, in order to be able to remove a cover element arranged between the two tear-open elements 15.

In the in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment, the receiving element 20 is arranged in the base board 16, on which a road bike frame 22 is fixed. As seen from the top view Fig. 1 can be seen, the road bike frame on all sides at a distance of possibly several centimeters to the inner walls 24 of the side walls 18. Since the cross-section of the receiving element substantially corresponds to the inner dimensions of the base board 16 and the frame 22 is fixed to the receiving element, carried during transport, neither a displacement of the frame 22 nor the receiving element 20 so that always touching the inner walls 24 through the frame 22nd is avoided.

In Figure 3 is a plan view of the cut unfolded carton for producing the receiving element 20 is shown. The carton has a flat base surface 26 whose trapezoidal outer dimensions substantially correspond to the inner dimensions of the base carton 16. With all four sides 28 of the base 26 tabs 30, 32 are connected. The sides 28 in this case form creases along which the flaps 30, 32 are bent. The tabs 30, 32 act as spacers. This is realized in that in the illustrated embodiment, the opposing tabs 30 with respect to the plane of the drawing to the rear and also each other opposite tabs 32 are each bent forwards by about 90 °. Since the bicycle frame is arranged on the base surface 26, the tabs or spacers 30 away from the frame, or, are arranged on the frame side facing away from the receiving element 20. Accordingly, the other two tabs 32 are arranged on the side of the frame relative to the receiving element 20. The outer edges 34 of the tab or spacers 30 are thus on the in Fig. 1 invisible base surface of the base box 16 on. The edges 36 of the tabs or spacers 32 abut against the inside of the base 12 of the lid 10.

Due to the width of the tabs 30, 32, the position of the receiving element 20 is defined within the outer carton. It is thereby ensured that the frame also does not abut laterally on the inner walls of the outer carton, that is to say on the upper and lower side of the base carton or the lid. A displacement of the frame in this direction is avoided, since the frame 22 is fixed to the receiving element 20,

In the base 26 a frame recess 38 is punched out. This is for example a passage opening through which a part of the rear frame of the bicycle frame (see Fig. 1 protrudes. Part of the rear frame of the bicycle frame is thus based on the Fig. 1 Rear side of the receiving element 20 is arranged.

Furthermore, the receiving element 20 has a plurality of fixing element receptacles 40 in its base area 26. All fixing element receptacles 40 are formed in the illustrated embodiment such that corresponding to the thick lines 44 two substantially U-shaped sections are provided. This results in two tabs 46, which can be folded down along the edges 48 shown in dashed lines. This results in a rectangular opening in the illustrated embodiment, in the fixing elements 50 (FIG. Fig. 5 ) can be inserted. Depending on the size and shape of the frame to be connected to the receiving element 20, the individual fixing elements 50 are inserted into different fixing element receptacles 40.

The fixing elements 50 have a base body 52 made of cardboard, which is also formed by folding a flat blank ( Fig. 4 ) is made. Here, the surface 54 forms the top of the substantially cuboid base body 52. The surfaces 56 form the side surfaces. The narrow sides are formed by the three overlapping elements 58, 60. To stabilize the neck 62 is then folded inwards, the tab 64 engages in the recess 66 of the top 54. Also connected to the planar body are tabs 68, which are connected in particular via an adhesive connection with the side parts 56. The tabs 68 serve as stop elements. Here, the stop is carried out in that one of the thickness of the cardboard corresponding top 70 of the stop member 68 abuts the back of the base 26 of the receiving element 20 when the fixing member 50 in FIG. 3 is inserted from behind into the fixing element receptacles 40.

Furthermore, the side parts 56 have openings 72, through which a Velcro strip 74 or another fastening means is guided. Furthermore, a support element 76 made of soft material is arranged on the upper side 54, in particular glued to prevent damage, in particular scratching of the frame.

For fixation of the bicycle frame 22 on the receiving element 20 thus usually at least three fixing elements 50 are inserted through the three suitable for the corresponding frame size Fixierelement recordings 40. This takes place in the direction of an arrow 77 (FIG. Fig. 6 ) from a rear side of the base 26 of the receiving element 20. Subsequently, the bicycle frame is placed on the support elements 76 and with the help of Velcro 74 fixed. In the next step, the tabs or spacers 30, 32 are folded in the appropriate direction. Subsequently, the receiving element can be placed together with the frame in the base box 16. On the one hand, the tabs 28 are on an inner side 78 (FIG. Fig. 6 ) of the base box 16. Furthermore, also the fixing elements 50 with the underside 80 of the side parts 56 are on the inside 78. Since the tabs or spacers 30 point in the other direction with respect to the spacers 28, they lie against the inside of the lid 10 when the outer carton is closed. The position of the receiving element 20 within the outer carton 10, 16 is thus clearly defined. The receiving element can not slip in any direction. As a result, touching any inner side of the outer carton 10, 16 is avoided by the frame 20.

For theft prevention is in the side walls 14, 18 a specially designed opening ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ) educated. In the opening is in the FIGS. 9 and 10 shown, in particular used as a plastic part anti-theft device used, wherein a fuse is made by turning, the anti-theft device 82 is in Fig. 8 led from the right through a first paperboard layer 84 of the side wall 18, so that a plate-shaped element 86 rests on the upper side of the second paperboard layer 88. The locking lugs 92 arranged on the cylindrical connecting element 90 of the anti-theft device 82 are guided through the opening of the inner cardboard layer 94 of the side wall 14 and through the outer cardboard layer 96 of the side wall 18. By rotating the anti-theft device in the direction of an arrow 98, the locking lugs 92 are pivoted between the cardboard layer 96 and the second cardboard layer 100 of the side wall. Pulling out the anti-theft device in Fig. 8 to the right is therefore no longer possible. The anti-theft device must first be turned back. In the closed position of theft protection this is prevented by a seal. This is through the two eyelets 102 ( Fig. 9 ) and protrudes into a recess 104 of the cardboard ply 88. Further, to the Locking lugs 92 locking lugs 106 are arranged, which can engage in recesses which are provided in the cardboard layer 96.

Claims (13)

1. A transport container, particularly a transport box, for transport of bicycle frames, comprising:

   an outer container, particularly an outer box (10,16), comprising a cover (10) and a base body (16), said base body (16) comprising a base surface and side walls (18),

   a receiving element (20) arranged in said outer container, particularly in said outer box (10,16), the outer contour and the size of said receiving element corresponding to the inner contour of the base body (16) such that the receiving element (20) is in abutment on all side walls (18) and a sliding of the receiving element (20) within the outer container is thus avoided,

   fixing elements (50) connected to the receiving element (20), for fixing the bicycle frame (22) to the receiving element (20) at a distance from the inner walls (12,24,78) of the outer container, and

   spacers (30,32) for holding the bicycle frame (22) at a distance from inner walls (12,24,78).
2. The transport container according to claim 1, characterized in that at least part of said spacers (30,32) are connected to the receiving element (20) and are particularly formed as flaps (30,32) of the receiving element (20).
3. The transport container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the receiving element (20) is made of a plane-surfaced, shaped container, particularly a cardboard box, the edges of said container being at least partially bendable for forming said spacers (30,32).
4. The transport container according to claim 3, characterized in that respective mutually confronting edges (30,32) are bent into the same direction and at least two edges are facing into opposite directions.
5. The transport container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the receiving element (20) comprises a frame recess (38), with a part of a bicycle-frame rear structure extending therethrough.
6. The transport container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the receiving element (20) comprises a plurality of fixing-element receiving portions (40) for connection of fixing elements (50) to the receiving element (20) in different positions provided for different frame sizes and/or frame types.
7. The transport container according to claim 6, characterized in that said fixing-element receiving portions (40) are formed as recesses, particularly as pre-punched recesses.
8. The transport container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said fixing elements (50) comprise a substantially parallelepipedic base body (52) preferably made of cardboard.
9. The transport container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said fixing elements (50) comprise stopper elements (68,70) allowing the fixing elements (50) to be inserted only partially through the fixing-element receiving portions (40).
10. The transport container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said fixing elements (50) are additionally formed as spacers and are in abutment on an inner wall (78) of said outer container, particularly of said outer box (10,16).
11. The transport container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, on the side of the receiving element (20) facing away from the frame (22), fixing elements (50) inserted into said fixing-element receiving portions (40) are arranged to project by a height corresponding to the distance between the inner side (78) of said outer container, particularly of said outer box (10,16), and the receiving element (20).
12. The transport container according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a cover (10) of said outer container, particularly of said outer box, is provided with a tear-open element (15) for opening a cover element by tearing it open.
13. The transport container according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that mutually overlapping side walls (14,18) of said outer container, particularly of said outer box (10,16), are connected to each other by an anti-theft protection device (82) which preferably is sealed.

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