EP2322437A2 - Plastic storage and transport containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The storage and transport container (1) is manufactured from plastic and is provided with an upper edge (5) at removal side and with a stacking edge (6) at base side. The upper edge is formed as upwardly open profile.

Description

The invention relates to a storage and transport container, made of plastic, the removal side is provided with an upper edge and the bottom side with a stacking edge.

In order to achieve the goal of high container rigidity with favorable injection molding production and good runnability on a variety of known conveyor lines, numerous container designs have been implemented. Such from a floor and four walls, usually two end and two longitudinal walls, existing containers are used for storage and transport of a variety of products used, such as in the automotive industry for holding workpiece carriers, deep-drawn parts or the like. A flexible, oriented to the respective product dimensions recording is made possible by provided on the inner sides of the container walls screens.

The often large and heavy products require appropriately sized containers, which may have a basic size of, for example, 600 x 500 mm to even 1000 x 600 mm. Apart from the requirement that the containers must move on automatic conveyors or on roller and roller conveyors and the products must be handled with the help of robots, the stability is extremely problematic, especially for large containers with heavy loading. In known in the field of practice, which are formed on the outer sides of their walls with a structure of intersecting vertical and horizontal ribs and in which a flatter Upper edge of vertical ribs is supported, it has been found that inevitably under the load container damage.

Due to the upper edge structure, the automatic gripping instruments, such as lifting devices or other special gripping systems, which attack from above or from the side, have little surface for Unterhaken or gripping. This is further complicated by the fact that the container can deform from the upper edge and / or even tear or is warped on the container walls due to the low torsional rigidity inwards. An optimal removal of the contents, which is close to the wall areas, by an automatic gripper or robot would be extremely difficult because the gripper / robot would collide against the warped inward container walls. In addition to the difficulty in handling the product, the gripping means itself can be damaged.

If the gripping device can not access the products as intended, malfunctions will occur in the automatic equipment, which will delay processes and reduce overall productivity. Although the container stability could be improved by a greater material thickness, but this would not only bring additional material and higher manufacturing costs, but also lead to a higher total weight of the container.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a generic container without the disadvantages mentioned, which in particular despite cost-effective production also for the transport and handling of heavy products sufficiently large stability offers and brings overall improved properties.

This object is achieved in that the upper edge is designed as open at the top, preferably U-shaped profile. Through this profiling Obtains the upper edge and thus the entire container significantly more stability and rigidity, with a deformation of the upper edge due to the particular acting in the carrying state of the container, load-related forces can be avoided. The automatic handling is not affected, because gripping means, a crane harness or the like can detect the container and the products unimpaired.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the upper edge is provided cantilevering on one side of the container walls, wherein end portions of the container walls simultaneously provide an inner flange of the upper edge. The upper ends of the container walls thus also form a part of the upper edge. By contrast, according to the invention, the outer flange of the upper edge runs parallel to the outer sides of the container walls.

The top edge of the invention, which is opened upwards, makes it possible in an advantageous manner for water drainage holes to be provided in the bottom of the profile of the upper edge and for the purpose of making it possible to form lifting shafts there as well. The externally ensured water drain excludes that rainwater and dirt can accumulate.

The stability and rigidity of the container can be supported by the fact that the upper edge is subdivided by its opening dimension bridging wall / rib elements like a chamber.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention can be in the profile of the upper edge flush with this final filling strips insert, preferably arrange there with latching. Alternatively, the filling strips according to the invention may also be designed in such a way that they lie flat on the upper edge after insertion and locking in the upper edge and cover it over its entire width. The filling strips, expedient also plastic profiles, which are in simply clip it into the upper edge with the aid of the latching means, leading to a further increase in the stability of the upper edge or container. They can be arranged distributed over the entire upper frame, but also specifically use a corner bridging, ie starting from a specific point in the front page over the corner to a certain point of the adjacent longitudinal wall. In this case, the corner areas of the upper edge, which must always withstand very large forces, would be primarily reinforced, which significantly improves the lateral torsional rigidity.

Furthermore, the filling strips according to the invention can be formed in a preferred manner as a color identifying means, wherein, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one locking means of the filling strip engages in an outwardly continuous latching opening or opening of the upper edge. By filling panels can be provided in different colors, can be defined on this color the contents immediately. Each content item is assigned a specific color, which is stored in a labeling system. This does not exclude, for a container also to realize combinations of different colors for different contents. If necessary, the fill bars with color code can be easily removed and replaced when the content changes.

This is not possible with a known color identification system, in which plastic containers receive a color code on a specific part of the container by hot stamping, since hot stamping can not be removed. A label marking is disadvantageous because the containers in the stack must necessarily be arranged one above the other so that the label field is always visible and recognizable. On the other hand, the opening of the latching opening for the filling strip to be introduced into the upper edge according to the invention provides a visibility which is always visible from the outside, in particular also in the case of containers stacked one above the other. The detent openings or openings can be at any Provide location and in the desired number. If such filling strips that close the upper edge, are not clipped, rainwater can of course also flow through these openings in the lower part of the U-profile of the upper edge.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the stacking edge is formed as a skirt-like, downwardly open profile, wherein its outer skirt engages over the upper edge of a lower container when stacking containers. The like the upper edge advantageous U-shaped stack edge can be provided in alignment with the upper edge on the outer sides of the container walls. Thus, the stack edge of an upper container can be completely pushed over the upper edge of a lower container. Thus, water can neither penetrate into the lower container nor - if no filling strip is clipped into the upper edge - flow into the upper edge open to the top. By the upwardly and downwardly parallel, oppositely open profiles of upper edge and stacking edge, the container undergoes such stability and rigidity that additional horizontally extending ribs, which are common in the known containers and are e.g. can catch on the conveyor, which prevents a uniform onward transport, eliminated.

Finally, this can also be achieved that when stacking containers, for example, on a pallet for transport, a cover needs to be placed only on the topmost stack layer. It is not necessary that each individual container is closed with a lid, which can therefore be saved as well as follow-up, for example, cleaning the lid, but also storage space and working hours, since the stacked containers for removing the lid not individually stacks individually and the Lid must be stored in a different location. The containers would then eventually have to be stacked on the pallet for further transport, for example to a robot removal station bring. On the other hand, in the case of a stacking with containers according to the invention, only the upper covering hood needs to be removed, after which the pallet with the container stack can already be brought to the picking station or robot removal station. This results in a correspondingly higher availability and less plant downtime.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Gesamt-Draufsicht eines Behälters, der einen nach oben offenen Oberrand und einen schürzenartigen, nach unten offenen Stapelrand (vgl. Fig. 5) aufweist;

Fig. 2

den Behälter nach Fig. 1 in einer perspektivischen Teilansicht von oben;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Teilansicht auf einen Eckbereich des Behälters nach Fig. 1, von der Außenseite her gesehen;

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Teilansicht des Behälters nach Fig. 1 als Querschnitt durch eine Längswand im Bereich des U-förmigen Oberrandes;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Teilansicht des Behälters nach Fig. 1 als Querschnitt durch eine gesamte Längswand, d.h. vom Oberrand bis zum Stapelrand;

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Gesamt-Draufsicht eines Behälters wie in Fig. 1 dar- gestellt, demgegenüber mit in den Oberrand eingesetzten, als Farbkenner ausgebildeten Füllleisten;

Fig. 7

in einer perspektivischen Gesamtansicht zwei mit Füllleisten bestückte, übereinander gestapelte Behälter;

Fig. 8

in einer perspektivischen Ansicht als Einzelheit des Behälterstapels nach Fig. 7 einen Querschnitt des mit seinem Stapelrand den Oberrand des unte- ren Behälters übergreifenden oberen Behälters;

Fig. 9

in einer perspektivischen Ansicht als Einzelheit eine in einen Eckbereich des Behälters einsetzbare Füllleiste; und

Fig. 10

eine perspektivische Teilansicht des Behälters nach Fig. 1 als Querschnitt durch eine Längswand mit dem U-förmigen Oberrand und in den Oberrand eingesteckten Füllleisten, die gegenüber den Füllleisten gemäß Fig. 6 den Oberrand vollständig überdecken.

Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description of illustrated in the drawings embodiments of the invention. Show it:

Fig. 1

an overall perspective view of a container having an upwardly open upper edge and a skirt-like, downwardly open stacking edge (see. Fig. 5 ) having;

Fig. 2

the container after Fig. 1 in a perspective partial view from above;

Fig. 3

a perspective partial view of a corner region of the container according to Fig. 1 , seen from the outside;

Fig. 4

a partial perspective view of the container after Fig. 1 as a cross section through a longitudinal wall in the region of the U-shaped upper edge;

Fig. 5

a partial perspective view of the container after Fig. 1 as a cross section through an entire longitudinal wall, ie from the upper edge to the stack edge;

Fig. 6

an overall perspective view of a container as in Fig. 1 represented, in contrast, used with in the upper edge, designed as a color connoisseur filler strips;

Fig. 7

in a perspective overall view of two equipped with filling strips, stacked containers;

Fig. 8

in a perspective view as a detail of the container stack after Fig. 7 a cross section of the stacking edge with the upper edge of the lower container cross-upper container;

Fig. 9

in a perspective view as a detail insertable into a corner region of the container filling bar; and

Fig. 10

a partial perspective view of the container after Fig. 1 as a cross section through a longitudinal wall with the U-shaped upper edge and in the upper edge inserted filling strips, in relation to the filling strips according to Fig. 6 completely cover the upper edge.

An in Fig. 1 It is made of a bottom 2 and two end walls 3 and two longitudinal walls 4. It is also with an upwardly open, U-shaped upper edge 5 and a skirt-like, down towards open, also a U-shaped cross-section having stacking edge 6 (see Fig. 5 and 8th ) educated. On the inner sides of the container walls 3, 4 provided grids 7 allow not shown tool holder or thermoformed parts or the like to accommodate flexible.

How closer from the Fig. 4 and 5 can be seen, both the upper edge 5 and the stacking edge 6 are provided on one side projecting outward, with upper and lower end portions 5 a and 6 a of the container walls 3, 4 immediately provide an inner flange of the upper edge 5 and the stacking edge 6. The upper edge 5 is through the web 5 b and the parallel to the outer sides of the container walls 3, 4 extending outer flange 5 c and the stack edge 6 is through the Bridge 6 b and the also parallel to the outer sides of the container walls 3, 4 extending outer skirt 6 c supplemented. On the outer sides of the container walls 3, 4 no horizontal ribs are arranged, but rather only vertical ribs 8 extend from the stack edge 6 to the upper edge 5, there respectively connected to the webs 5 b and 6 b.

The upper edge 5 is subdivided by wall or rib elements 9 like a chamber and is provided with lifting shafts 10 as well as in its profile bottom, ie in the webs 5 b arranged water drain holes 11 (see Fig. 2 to 4 ). Furthermore, at its inner flange 5 a distributed locking means 12 and distributed in its outer flange 5 c arranged openings or latching openings 13 as well as locking grooves 14 (see Fig. 3 . 4 ) intended.

When stacking containers 1, the upper container 1 b is placed with its stacking edge 6 over the upper edge 5 of the lower container 1 a, the outer skirt 6 c of the stack edge 6, the outer flange 5 c of the upper edge 5 something overlaps (see Fig. 7 . 8th ).

The Fig. 7 and 8th show container stacks in which Fig. 6 dargestelle container 1 with inserted into the U-profile of the upper edge 5 and therein with the locking means 12 and openings 13 and locking grooves 14 latched filling strips 15 a and 15 b are stacked on top of each other. A latchable in the corner of the upper edge 5 Eckfüllleiste 15 b is shown as a detail in Fig. 9 shown. It has to the latching means 12 complementary counter-latching means 16 as well as for engagement in the locking grooves 14 and in the openings 13 matched counter-latches 17 and 18, wherein the semicircular locking head 18 with recognizability from the outside, even in the stacking position (see. Fig. 7 ), immersed in the correspondingly contoured apertures or latching openings 13.

Another embodiment of a filling bar 19 is in Fig. 10 represented, which rests against the filler strips 15a and 15b after insertion into the U-profile of the upper edge 5 surface on the inner flange 5a and the outer flange 5c and thus covers the upper edge 5 in its entire width. Also, the filler strips 19 have for locking with the locking means 12 of the container 1 complementary counter-latching means 20 and for engagement in the locking grooves 14 counter latch means not shown here and adapted to the openings 13 semi-circular latching heads 21, also with detection from the outside, on.

The filler strips 15 a, 15 b and 19 are therefore in an excellent way as a color identification means for the immediate identification of the contents from the outside, according to the Fig. 10 to the outer flange 5c of the upper edge 5 reaching and the upper edge 5 in its entire width covering filling strips 19 when stacking containers 1 provide a smooth, flat support and also improve the carrying capacity.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1; 1 a, 1 b

Containers / storage and transport containers

2

ground

3

End wall / container wall

4

Longitudinal wall / container wall

5

U-shaped upper edge

5 a

Wall end section / inner flange

5 b

web

5 c

outer flange

6

stacking edge

6 a

Wall end section / inner flange

6 b

web

6 c

outer skirt

7

scanning

8th

vertical rib

9

Wall / rib element

10

hoist shaft

11

Water drain hole

12

latching means

13

Opening / locking opening

14

locking groove

15 a

Filling panel

15 b

Eckfüllleiste

16

Securing means

17

counter-latching

18

Counter catch / semicircular locking head

19

Fill Panels

20

Securing means

21

semicircular locking head

Claims (13)

Storage and transport container (1, 1 a, 1 b), made of plastic, the removal side is provided with an upper edge (5) and the bottom side with a stacking edge (6),
characterized,
that the upper edge (5) is designed as an upwardly open profile. Container according to claim 1,
marked by
a U-shaped upper edge (5). Container according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized,
that the upper edge (5) on the container walls (3, 4) is provided cantilevered outwardly on one side, wherein end portions of the container walls at the same time provide an inner flange (5 a) of the upper edge (5). Container according to claim 3,
characterized,
that the outer flange (6 c) of the upper edge (5) parallel to the outer sides of the container walls (3, 4). Container according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized,
that the upper edge (5) bridging of opening through its wall / rib elements (9) is divided like a chamber. Container according to one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized,
that water drainage holes (11) are provided in the profile base of the upper edge (5). Container according to one of claims 1 to 6,
marked by
in the upper edge (5) formed Hubschächte (10). Container according to one of claims 1 to 7,
marked by
in the profile of the upper edge (5) flush with this finally inserted filler strips (15 a, 15 b). Container according to one of claims 1 to 7,
marked by
in the profile of the upper edge (5) inserted filler strips (19), the area covering the upper edge (5) in its entire width. Container according to claim 8 or 9,
characterized,
that the filling panels (15 a, 15, 19 b) are arranged with locking in the upper edge (5). Container according to claim 8 or 9,
characterized,
that the filling panels (15 a, 15, 19 b) are constructed as a color expert agent. Container according to claim 11,
characterized,
in that at least one latching means (18, 21) of the filling strip (15a, 15b, 19) engages in an outwardly extending latching opening (13) of the upper edge (5). Container according to one of claims 1 to 12,
characterized,
that the stacking edge (6) is formed as a skirt-like, downwardly open profile, wherein its outer skirt (6 c) when stacking containers (1; 1 a, 1 b) engages over the upper edge (5) of a lower container (1 a).

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