EP2336041A1 - Transport and storage container with access opening flap - Google Patents

Abstract

The stackable transport- and storage container is made of plastic and has an extraction opening, an extraction opening flap (100) and an extraction opening hinge. The extraction opening hinge has hinge axes, gear elements (108,110) and a connecting element (104). The extraction opening flap is connected with a container wall (102) by the connecting element. A Radio-frequency identificationchip is arranged in one of the hollow chamber profiles. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a stackable transport- and storage container system with an upper area and a lower area; and (2) a method for manufacturing a stackable transport- and storage container.

Description

The invention relates to a stackable transport and storage container made of plastic, in particular a stackable transport and storage container with a removal opening flap.

From the prior art transport and storage containers made of plastic with removal opening flaps are known. US 2,576,750 A1 shows a folding box with two front wall halves, which are hinged to the respective side walls. Before each side wall, a compartment is arranged, which can be closed by a parallel to the side wall extending door. Thus, the respective front wall half is hinged to the door, the front wall is connected via a double hinge with the side wall, the center piece has a length equal to the thickness of the compartment.

EP 0 539 891 B1 relates to a hinged door for a container. An articulation of the door leaf on the container side wall by means of a double hinge system. DE 93 19 771 U1 shows a double hinge for a door of a container. US 4,192,430 shows a storage and transport box, the side wall can be opened by half a pivoting movement. The upper half of the side wall is hinged to the lower half by means of a pair of double-axis hinges.

DE 87 13 225 U1 shows a housing with a frame part to which a lid is pivotally articulated by means of a double joint hinge, wherein the double joint hinge has two mutually parallel hinge pins whose one bearing eyes in the frame part and their other bearing eyes in the lid passes.

In contrast, the invention has for its object to provide an improved stackable transport and storage container with a removal opening flap.

The object underlying the invention is achieved with the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

According to embodiments of the invention, the stackable plastic transport and storage container comprises at least one removal opening, at least one removal opening flap and two removal opening hinges. In this case, each of the removal opening hinges consists of a first and a second hinge axis, a first and a second toothed element and a connecting element. The at least one removal opening flap is connected to a container wall by the connecting elements and can be folded around a folding axis extending between the first and the second hinge axis. The first and the second tooth elements each consist of a toothed circular arc having a center, wherein the centers of the first tooth elements are each arranged in extension of the first hinge axis and the centers of the second tooth elements respectively in extension of the second hinge axis, so that at the opening of the removal opening flap the first Roll tooth elements over the second tooth element.

Such an embodiment of a stackable transport and storage container is advantageous, since the folding process is thus guided by the rolling of the first toothed element over the second toothed element and thereby tilting of the removal opening flap during the opening or closing operation is prevented. This is particularly the case with thick removal opening flaps and container walls, which are preferably designed for the storage and transport of heavy goods. Characterized in that a plurality of transport and storage containers are stackable, the container walls must have a certain minimum wall thickness, whereby the folding mechanism of the removal opening flap can be made more difficult. The wall thickness is preferably 3-4cm.

According to embodiments of the invention, the removal opening flap is in the open state on the container wall. This is particularly advantageous because of Transport and storage container occupies only slightly more space even with open removal opening flap as with closed removal opening flap. Thus, several transport and storage containers can be easily transported side by side and store, even if the removal opening flaps are opened.

According to embodiments of the invention, the toothed elements are arranged offset laterally outwards from the connecting element. This is advantageous because the folding movement is thus performed particularly well by the rolling process and mechanical loading of the connecting element is prevented. Characterized in that the toothed elements are arranged further outside than the connecting elements, a non-uniform opening and a resulting tilting is prevented. The tooth elements define outside the folding process with low design tolerances. This defines the folding operation more precisely than a definition of the folding operation farther inside the container wall and the removal opening flap.

According to embodiments of the invention, the removal opening flap has a lower height than the container wall. This is particularly advantageous in the open state, since in this case the transport and storage container is still stackable with other transport and storage containers, because the underside of the transport and storage container has no change even with open removal opening flap due to their lower compared to the container wall height ,

According to embodiments of the invention, the first toothed element and the removal opening flap consist of an injection molded part and the second toothed element and the container wall of an injection molded part. This makes it easier to produce a transport and storage container according to the invention, since the tooth elements are produced directly in the production process of the removal opening flap and the container wall and therefore no further working step is required for this purpose. This reduces production costs and production costs.

According to embodiments of the invention, the first toothed element is arranged at the lower end of the removal opening flap and the second toothed element at the upper end of the container wall. This simultaneously requires that the first hinge axis is in the lower edge region of the removal opening flap and the second hinge axis is located in the upper edge region of the container wall.

According to embodiments of the invention, the stackable transport and storage container made of plastic. Further, the stackable transport and storage container has a base body for receiving a good, wherein it is a plastic injection molded part in the base body. At its corner regions, the base body has a projecting upper and lower edge. Between the upper and lower edge of each hollow chamber profile made of plastic is attached to the body. Preferably, the base body has four of these corner regions and thus also four hollow chamber profiles made of plastic.

The reinforcement of the corner area with a hollow chamber profile made of plastic is advantageous because a favorable possibility of stiffening is created. A hollow chamber profile has a significantly higher rigidity than other profile shapes. The fact that the hollow chamber profile is made of plastic, it can, for example, cohesively connect to the body. The projecting upper and lower edges in the corner areas cover the hollow chamber profile. In the case of a plurality of stacked transport and storage containers, the lower edge of an upper container is stacked on the upper edge of a lower container. By reinforcing the corner regions with hollow chamber profiles particularly heavy goods can be transported and stored in the container. The stability of the container is achieved on the one hand by the thickness of the container wall and the removal opening flap and on the other hand by the reinforced with hollow profiles corner areas.

According to embodiments of the invention, the hollow chamber profiles are sections of a hollow chamber continuous profile. This is advantageous because the hollow chamber profiles can be manufactured so inexpensively, for example by extrusion. Characterized in that the stacking of the upper and lower edge of the base body is used, no special shape of the beginning or the end of the hollow chamber profile is necessary.

According to embodiments of the invention, the upper edge is stepped to form a stacking surface. In other words, the upper edge is formed to have a stacking surface that encloses the lower edge of a storage container stacked thereon on at least two sides. Characterized in that preferably at all four corners of the upper edge is formed, a displacement of a stacked on the storage container storage container is not possible.

According to embodiments of the invention skid-shaped stacking elements are arranged at the bottom of the storage container. These skid-shaped stacking elements increase the stability of several stacked transport and storage containers. For example, run the runners under a side wall of the body and are enclosed on three sides by the upper edge of the lower container. Preferably, two skids are under the transport and storage container, so that a shifting of a stacked container is impossible.

According to embodiments of the invention, the hollow chamber profiles consist of the same plastic as the main body or a compatible plastic. This is advantageous since the hollow chamber profiles can thus be materially bonded to the base body. A plastic that is compatible with another plastic can be welded to the other plastic, for example because of similar melting temperatures and suitable structure.

According to embodiments of the invention, the hollow chamber profiles are fastened to the base body in a material-locking manner. This is advantageous because a firm connection of the hollow chamber profile on the base body is necessary in order to achieve a stiffening of the entire base body. It should be noted that other mounting options, such as screw or connectors, are possible.

According to embodiments of the invention, in each case a gap for tolerance compensation is arranged between the hollow chamber profiles and the upper and lower edges. Preferably, the size of these two gaps is 0.5-2mm each. Due to the manufacturing process, each base body and each hollow chamber profile is subject to tolerances. Therefore, the proposed tolerance compensation gaps are advantageous to compensate for these tolerances. During stacking, the tolerance compensation gaps are closed by bending the upper and lower edges. This bending occurs because the upper and lower edges are preferably not as stiff as the hollow chamber profiles and can be bent by large weights.

According to embodiments of the invention, an RFID chip is arranged in one of the hollow chamber profiles. RFID means Radio Frequency IDentification, identification by means of electromagnetic waves. For this purpose, for example, a recess may be present in each hollow-chamber profile, so that an RFID chip could be inserted. Preferably, only one RFID chip per storage container is used. In the RFID chip, for example, article numbers, quantities or serial numbers can be stored, which can then be read with a suitable reader. Thus, the storage container and its contents can be determined without the user having to look into it.

According to embodiments of the invention, the base body has a plurality of beveled welding ribs at the corner regions. These welding ribs are used for welding with the hollow chamber profile. The hollow chamber profiles each have an outer side and a plane. The plane extends from a lateral end portion of the outer side to the other end portion of the outer side and covers the chamfered welding ribs. The inclined surfaces of the welding ribs preferably run parallel to the plane. Such an embodiment is advantageous because optimal welding of the hollow chamber profiles to the base body at the corner regions is ensured by the welding ribs.

According to embodiments of the invention, at each lateral end of the hollow-chamber profiles, the outer side extends beyond a connection point of the plane with the outer side and terminates flush with a terminal rib of the basic body. Due to the fact that the outer side extends beyond the last outermost welding rib and terminates flush with a terminal rib of the basic body, this region of the outer side functions as a diaphragm for the area to be welded. In combination with the end rib, this area of the outside obscures the welded area and prevents the sweat of plastic lintels during the welding process. This creates a visually pleasing smooth surface image and prevents the plastic lintels occurring during welding from getting into the storage container.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a system comprising a plurality of stackable transport and storage containers as described above. The upper and lower regions of each transport and storage container are designed to form a positive connection between two transport and storage containers. This means that the multiple stacked transport and storage containers can not be moved relative to each other.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a stackable transport and storage container as described above. The main body is produced by injection molding. The hollow chamber profiles are manufactured from an extruded profile produced by extrusion. This is advantageous because plastic parts can be produced more economically by the extrusion process.

According to embodiments of the invention, the hollow chamber profiles are also produced by injection molding.

According to embodiments of the invention, an RFID chip is inserted into a hollow chamber of a hollow chamber profile and attached to the hollow chamber profile, so that the Storage container later in use can be easily detected by electronic means.

According to embodiments of the invention, the hollow chamber profiles and the base body made of compatible plastics and are attached to each other by means of vibration or ultrasonic welding. These welding techniques are particularly advantageous for joining plastics.

According to embodiments of the invention, the hollow chamber profiles and the base body made of the same plastic. This is advantageous because such a good welding is possible. Furthermore, this is advantageous in the case of recycling a storage container. Since all components of the container made of the same plastic, no separation must be observed when recycling the plastic container.

Figur 1

eine schematische Ansicht einer Entnahmeöffnungsklappe und einer Behälterwand im geschlossenen Zustand;

Figur 2

eine schematische Ansicht einer Entnahmeöffnungsklappe und einer Behälterwand im geöffneten Zustand;

Figur 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer Entnahmeöffnungsklappe, einer Behälterwand und verstärkter Eckbereiche;

Figuren 4a-c

eine schematische Darstellung des Grundkörpereckbereichs und eines Hohlkammerprofils;

Figur 5

eine schematische Darstellung von Ausschnitten zweier Transport- und Lagerbehälter;

Figur 6

eine schematische Darstellung eines Hohlkammerprofils und eines Grundkörpereckbereichs; und

Figur 7

eine schematische Darstellung eines Hohlkammerprofils und eines Grundkörpereckbereichs.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

a schematic view of a discharge opening flap and a container wall in the closed state;

FIG. 2

a schematic view of a discharge opening flap and a container wall in the open state;

FIG. 3

a schematic representation of a discharge opening flap, a container wall and reinforced corner areas;

FIGS. 4a-c

a schematic representation of the Grundkorpereckbereichs and a hollow chamber profile;

FIG. 5

a schematic representation of sections of two transport and storage containers;

FIG. 6

a schematic representation of a hollow chamber profile and a Grundkorpereckbereichs; and

FIG. 7

a schematic representation of a hollow chamber profile and a Grundkörpereckbereichs.

Hereinafter, similar elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a discharge port door 100 and a container wall 102 connected to each other by means of a connecting member 104 near the corner portion 106. Between the corner region 106 and the connecting element 104 are a toothed element 108 of the removal opening flap 100 and a toothed element 110 of the container wall 102. The toothed elements are thus displaced laterally outward from the connecting element.

The tooth elements 108 and 110 consist of a toothed circular arc with a center, the centers each lying on a hinge axis. It is therefore a double hinge, wherein during the folding operation, the toothed element 108 rolls over the toothed element 110, whereby the folding movement is guided and tilting of the removal opening flap is prevented. An analogous arrangement of toothed elements and a connecting element is located in the vicinity of the opposite corner area on the removal opening flap and on the container wall. The folding movement is therefore performed in both corner areas by the rolling process of the tooth elements to each other.

The removal opening flap 100 can be folded outward. The folding movement takes place around a virtual folding axis, which is like in FIG. 1 in the case of two equally sized tooth elements 108 and 110 located in the middle between the hinge axes. The hinge axes in each case run through the center of the arc on which the teeth of the tooth elements are located.

The attachment points of the connecting element 104 on the removal opening flap 100 and on the container wall 102 enclose the hinge axes of the double hinge. A folding movement of the removal opening flap 100 thus means a rotational movement of the connecting element 104 about the hinge axis of the toothed element 110. This is effected by the rolling of the toothed element 108 via the toothed element 110. In addition thereto, a rotational movement of the removal opening flap 100 relative to the connecting element 104 takes place about the hinge axis of the toothed element 108.

FIG. 2 1 shows a schematic view of an opened removal opening flap 100. It can be seen that the connection elements 104, which are located in each case in the vicinity of the corner area 106, were rotated outwards around the hinge axis of the tooth elements 110 during the opening process. In turn, the extraction port door 100 has been rotated outwardly about the hinge axis of the teeth members 108 so that a folding movement has been made about a virtual pivot axis located between the two hinge axes. The connection of the two rotational movements with each other takes place by the rolling of the tooth elements 108 via the tooth elements 110. Thus, tilting of the removal opening flap 100 is prevented.

In FIG. 2 It can also be seen that the removal opening flap 100 rests against the container wall in the opened state. This is advantageous for the transport and storage of the container, since with such a removal opening flap precious transport and storage space is saved. The opened container requires only slightly more space than a closed container.

FIG. 3 FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a takeout door 100 having toothed elements 108 near the corner areas 106, a container wall 102, and corner reinforcing elements 300 in the corner areas 106. The removal door 100 is connected to the container wall 102 by fasteners 104. The folding process works by rolling the tooth elements 108 over the tooth elements 110, which prevents tilting of the removal opening flap.

The opening and closing operation of the removal opening flap 100 is effected by a rotational movement about a folding axis which extends between the hinge axes of the double hinge.

By Eckverstärkungselemente 300 such a transport and storage containers is stabilized, so that even heavy loads can be transported and stored. For this purpose, the corner reinforcement elements 300 are preferably fastened to the container in a materially bonded manner. But there are also fasteners such as screws or connectors possible. The cohesive attachment is preferably carried out by ultrasound, vibration or mirror welding.

Especially when a plurality of transport and storage containers are stacked, a stable configuration of the entire container is necessary so that, for example, a lower container is not deformed by the load of the upper containers. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the removal opening flap 100 and the container wall 102 have a thickness in the range of 3-4 cm. With such a thickness of the removal opening flap and the container wall, it may easily come to tilting the discharge opening flap in the opening or closing operation in transport and storage containers of the prior art. This is prevented here by the tooth elements 108 roll over the tooth elements 110 during the opening and closing process and thus lead the placement process.

The corner reinforcement elements 300 are preferably produced on a hollow chamber continuous profile produced by extrusion. It is thus preferably hollow chamber profiles. This is advantageous since hollow chamber profiles at the corner regions of the transport and storage container significantly increase the rigidity of the corner regions 106.

Thus, such a transport and storage container is a transport and storage option for heavy goods, especially if several transport and storage containers to be stacked. In addition, a stored in such a transport and storage container Good can be achieved particularly easily because the Removal opening flap 100 can be easily opened, even if, for example, more transport and storage containers are stacked on the transport and storage containers to be opened.

In the case of an open removal opening flap 100 limit the Eckverstärkungselemente the removal opening laterally left and right.

FIG. 4a FIG. 12 shows a main body corner region 400 with welding ribs 402 and two end ribs 404. The welding ribs 402 have a bevelled surface 406. The beveled surfaces 406 are parallel to the plane 408 of FIG FIG. 4b shown hollow chamber profile 410th

The hollow chamber profile 410 in FIG. 4b includes an outer side 412, the plane 408 and a plurality of hollow chambers 414. The hollow chambers 414 serve to increase the rigidity of the hollow chamber profile 410. The outer side 412 is connected to the plane 408 and two connection points 416. The outer side 412 still extends beyond the connection points 416.

At the connection points 416, there is also a respective step 418, the surface 406 of which runs parallel to the plane 408.

Figure 4c shows the assembled state of the Grundkörpereckbereich 400 with the hollow chamber profile 410. In the assembled state, the surfaces 406 of the welding ribs 402 are covered by the hollow chamber profile 410. Because the plane 408 extends parallel to the surface 406, the hollow chamber profile can easily be welded to the main body corner region 400.

The outer side 412 of the hollow chamber profile 410 extends on both sides beyond the respective last welding rib 402 to the final rib 404 and ends flush with it. The end rib 404 forms, in combination with the outer side 112, a diaphragm for the area of the welding ribs 406, so that during welding no lint can escape from the welding region and the Can contaminate storage containers. In addition, a visible from the outside for the user, visually appealing surface is created.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of sections of a first transport and storage container 500 and a second transport and storage container 502. The first container 500 is stacked on the second container 502. The first container 500 has at the bottom of a stacking element 504 in runner shape. The upper edge 506 of the second container 502 is step-shaped. Also located on the underside of the stacking element 504 is a stepped step 508. The two step heights correspond to one another, so that the stacking element 504 can be placed on the upper edge 506 with an exact fit. The stacking element 504 is thus enclosed on three sides-namely front, rear and right-by the upper edge 506.

On the other side (not shown) of the containers 500 and 502 is the same arrangement, so that there the stacking element is also enclosed by three sides -from the front, back and left - from the top. Thus, a displacement of the two containers 500 and 502 relative to each other in the stacked state is excluded.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a Grundkörpereckbereiches 400 with an upper edge 406 and a hollow chamber profile 410. It is good to see that the outer side 412 of the hollow chamber profile 410 covers the entire welding area, so that the leakage of welding process occurring lint is prevented and also one for the User pleasant surface appearance arises.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a Grundkörpereckbereiches 400 and a hollow chamber profile 410. The welding ribs 402 are clearly visible. They have a beveled surface which is parallel to the plane 408 of the hollow chamber profile 410.

When assembled, the surfaces of the weld ribs 402 terminate flush with the plane 408. In addition, a gap for tolerance compensation is arranged above and below the hollow chamber profile 410 in the mounted state. Since both the hollow chamber profile 410 and the base body corner region 400 are inferior to tolerances in the manufacturing process, these gaps are necessary to ensure that the hollow chamber profile 410 fits between the upper lower edge of the base body. As soon as two containers are stacked on top of each other, the upper and lower edges of the main body bend so that the gap disappears and the container gains stability due to the stiffened basic body areas 400.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

Removal opening flap

102

container wall

104

connecting element

106

corner

108

tooth element

110

tooth element

300

Eckverstärkungselement

400

Grundkörpereckbereich

402

welding ribs

404

Statements ribs

406

bevelled surface

408

level

410

Hollow chamber profile

412

outside

414

hollow chambers

416

connection points

500

Transport and storage containers

502

Transport and storage containers

504

Stackable module

506

upper edge

508

stepped heel

Claims (15)

Stackable plastic transport and storage container having at least one removal opening, at least one removal opening flap (100) and two removal opening hinges, each of the removal opening hinges comprising a first and a second hinge axis, a first (108) and a second toothed element (110) and a connecting element ( 104), wherein the first and the second toothed elements are arranged laterally outwardly offset from the connecting element, wherein the at least one removal opening flap with a container wall (102) is connected by the connecting elements and foldable about a pivot axis extending between the first and the second hinge axis is, wherein the first and the second tooth elements each consist of a toothed circular arc with a center, and wherein the centers of the first tooth elements in extension of the first hinge axis and the centers of the second tooth elements in extension of the second Hinge hinge axis are arranged so that at the opening of the removal opening flap, the first tooth elements roll over the second tooth elements. Stackable transport and storage container according to claim 1, wherein the removal opening flap in the open state rests against the container wall. A stackable transport and storage container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the removal opening flap has a lower height than the container wall. Stackable transport and storage container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and the second tooth elements each extending from a corner region (146) of the transport and storage container, starting in the direction of the respective connecting element. Stackable transport and storage container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and the second tooth elements each fill the space between the respective corner region and the respective connecting element. Stackable transport and storage container according to one of the preceding claims with a base body for receiving a good, wherein the base body has at its corner regions (106) a projecting upper (506) and lower edge and between the upper and lower edge depending on a hollow chamber profile (300) made of plastic is attached to the base body, and wherein the upper edge is step-shaped to form a stacking surface. Stackable transport and storage container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow chamber profiles are sections of a hollow chamber endless profile. Stackable transport and storage container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper edge is step-shaped to form a stacking surface. Stackable transport and storage container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow chamber profiles consist of the same plastic as the base body or a compatible plastic. Stackable transport and storage container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow chamber profiles are attached to the base body cohesively. Stackable transport and storage container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein between the hollow chamber profiles and the upper and lower edge each have a gap for tolerance compensation is arranged. Stackable transport and storage container according to one of claims 7-11, wherein the base body at the corner regions a plurality of beveled welding ribs (502), wherein the hollow chamber profiles each have an outer side (512) and a plane (508), wherein the plane of a The outer end portion of the outer side extends to the other end portion of the outer side and covers the tapered welding ribs, and wherein the inclined surfaces (506) of the welding ribs are parallel to the plane. The stackable transport and storage container of claim 12, wherein at each lateral end of the hollow chamber profiles, the outside extends beyond a connection point (516) of the plane to the outside and terminates flush with a terminal rib (504) of the body. A multi-stackable transport and storage container system according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein the upper and lower portions of each transport and storage container are formed to form a positive connection between two transport and storage containers. A method of manufacturing a stackable transport and storage container according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein the first tooth element and the discharge opening flap are made as an injection molded part, and wherein the second tooth element and the container wall are made of an injection molded part, the main body being manufactured by injection molding is, and wherein the hollow clip profiles of a produced in the extrusion process hollow chamber endless profile can be produced.

Images