EP2384993B1 - Lining made of plastic material intended for covering loading trays, use thereof and assembly including such a lining and several sets of said trays - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a cap according to the preamble of claim 1 made of plastic, intended to cover loading bins, a use of this cap, and an assembly comprising such a cap and several sets of such bins.

Such a cover covers a set of loading bins, comprising several columns and rows, especially during their transport and possible storage on a pallet. By way of non-limiting example, these bins are intended to receive for example automotive parts. Note that the term "bins" means containers with or without a lid, rigid or a certain flexibility, as for example in the case of cartons. In use, the cap prevents the objects loaded in the bins are lost, while mutually securing these bins in a horizontal direction.

The caps referred to by the invention are made of plastic, for example high density polyethylene or polypropylene and, in general, any injectable plastic material. They are formed by any appropriate method, in particular by high pressure or low pressure plastic injection. As a purely illustrative example, they have a length of 1200 mm, a width of 1000 mm and a height that can vary depending on the need. The length and the width can also vary according to the need, in particular according to the dimensions of the pallet with which these caps cooperate. The document WO 2007028958 discloses a cap according to the preamble of claim 1.

Caps are also known, such as in particular those sold by the company LINPAC ALLIBERT under the reference 06940. These known caps comprise a body, formed by a plate intended to cover the upper surface of the bins. This plate is extended, over its entire periphery, by a generally perpendicular rim, intended to extend facing the outer side walls of the bins. In this way, this rim tends to limit any inadvertent movement of the bins in the horizontal direction.

These known caps, however, have certain limitations. Indeed, it has been found that they do not guarantee a satisfactory mutual maintenance of the different types of bins. This disadvantage is particularly sensitive, when the same cap has to be adapted to bins of different dimensions.

This being said, the invention aims to provide a cap which ensures good mutual bonding bins it covers. It aims in particular such a cap, which can adapt satisfactorily to bins, whose dimensions are variable.

To this end, the invention relates to a plastic cap for loading bins, comprising a tray for covering the upper surface of a set of bins placed next to each other, and a peripheral rim for to extend in the vicinity of the walls opposite the set of bins,
characterized in that the plate has, at a distance from the rim, main ribs intended to extend towards the interior volume of the tanks, each main rib defining, with the face opposite the rim, a main receiving space of a wall of a tray, adapted to limit the stroke of said wall in two opposite directions.

The basic idea of the invention is to provide the lower surface of the cap by means of ribs, which ensure a good mutual maintenance bins. In addition, it is then possible to adapt the same cap to bins of variable size.

• le plateau comporte en outre au moins une nervure secondaire destinée à s'étendre en direction dudit volume intérieur, deux nervures secondaires ou bien une nervure principale et une nervure secondaire définissant entre elles un espace secondaire de réception d'une autre paroi d'un bac, propre à limiter la course de ladite autre paroi dans deux sens opposés.
• le plateau comporte au moins une ligne de matière formée d'une nervure de base, de deux nervures principales faisant saillie à partir de cette nervure de base, lesquelles sont placées aux deux extrémités longitudinales de la ligne, ainsi que d'au moins une nervure secondaire, faisant saillie à partir de cette nervure de base.
• la nervure de base définit, soit avec une nervure principale, soit avec une nervure secondaire, un épaulement de butée pour une paroi d'un bac.
• il est prévu une première série de lignes de matière s'étendant selon une direction longitudinale de la coiffe, et une seconde série de lignes de matière s'étendant selon une direction transversale de la coiffe.
• il est prévu entre 2 et 30, notamment entre 5 et 15, lignes de matière longitudinales et entre 2 et 30, notamment entre 5 et 15, lignes de matière transversales.
• chaque ligne de matière comprend entre 1 et 10, notamment entre 6 et 8 espace(s) de réception secondaires, en particulier 7 espaces de réception secondaires.
• chaque espace de réception principal possède une hauteur comprise entre 2 et 20mm, notamment entre 7 et 13mm, et une longueur comprise entre 20 et 40mm, notamment entre 25 et 35mm.
• chaque espace de réception secondaire possède une hauteur comprise entre 2 et 20mm, notamment entre 7 et 13mm, et une longueur comprise entre 5 et 200mm, notamment entre 35 et 80mm.
• les nervures principales, ainsi que les éventuelles nervures secondaires, de cette coiffe, sont propres à prendre appui sur la surface en regard d'une coiffe adjacente.
• cette coiffe présente une forme globalement rectangulaire avec une dimension longitudinale comprise entre 600mm et 1300mm, et une dimension transversale comprise entre 400mm et 1100mm.

The cap of the invention may have the following advantageous characteristics:

• the plate further comprises at least one secondary rib intended to extend towards said inner volume, two secondary ribs or a main rib and a secondary rib defining between them a secondary space for receiving another wall of a tank , able to limit the stroke of said other wall in two opposite directions.
• the plate comprises at least one line of material formed of a base rib, two main ribs protruding from this base rib, which are placed at both longitudinal ends of the line, and at least one rib secondary, protruding from this base rib.
• the base rib defines, either with a main rib or with a secondary rib, a stop shoulder for a wall of a tray.
• there is provided a first series of lines of material extending in a longitudinal direction of the cap, and a second series of lines of material extending in a transverse direction of the cap.
• it is provided between 2 and 30, in particular between 5 and 15, lines of longitudinal material and between 2 and 30, in particular between 5 and 15 transverse lines of material.
• each line of material comprises between 1 and 10, in particular between 6 and 8 secondary reception space (s), in particular 7 secondary reception spaces.
• each main reception space has a height of between 2 and 20 mm, in particular between 7 and 13 mm, and a length of between 20 and 40 mm, in particular between 25 and 35 mm.
• each secondary reception space has a height of between 2 and 20 mm, in particular between 7 and 13 mm, and a length of between 5 and 200 mm, in particular between 35 and 80 mm.
• the main ribs, as well as any secondary ribs, of this cap, are adapted to bear on the surface facing an adjacent cap.
• this cap has a generally rectangular shape with a longitudinal dimension between 600mm and 1300mm, and a transverse dimension of between 400mm and 1100mm.

The invention also relates to a use of a cap above, to cover the upper surface of at least one set of loading bins, in particular for the loading of automobile parts.

The invention finally relates to an assembly comprising a single cap above, as well as several sets of loading bins, the walls of the different sets of bins being adapted to cooperate with different receiving spaces of said cap.

• Les figures 1 et 2 sont des vues en perspective, illustrant respectivement de dessus et de dessous une coiffe selon l'invention ;
• La figure 3 est une vue en coupe longitudinale de cette coiffe, selon la ligne III-III à la figure 2 ;
• La figure 4 est une vue en coupe transversale de cette coiffe, selon la ligne IV-IV à la figure 2 ;
• Les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues en coupe longitudinale, illustrant la coopération de cette coiffe, respectivement avec quatre et trois bacs de chargement ;
• Les figures 7 à 9 sont des vues en perspective, illustrant la coopération de cette coiffe avec trois jeux différents de bacs de chargement ; et
• La figure 10 est une vue en perspective, avec coupe transversale, illustrant l'emboîtement de deux coiffes conformes à l'invention.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description given below, given by way of non-limiting example of the invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• The figures 1 and 2 are perspective views, respectively illustrating from above and from below a cap according to the invention;
• The figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of this cap, along line III-III to figure 2 ;
• The figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of this cap, along the line IV-IV to the figure 2 ;
• The Figures 5 and 6 are views in longitudinal section, illustrating the cooperation of this cap, respectively with four and three loading bins;
• The Figures 7 to 9 are perspective views, illustrating the cooperation of this cap with three different sets of loading bins; and
• The figure 10 is a perspective view, with cross section, illustrating the interlocking of two caps according to the invention.

The cap 1 according to the invention is made of plastic, for example high density polyethylene or polypropylene and, in general, any injectable plastic material. It is formed by any suitable method, in particular by high pressure or low pressure plastic injection.

Typically, the cap of the invention has a length L1 of between 600 and 1300 mm, in particular equal to 1200 mm, a width 11 of between 400 and 1100 mm, in particular equal to 1000 mm, and a height H of 59 mm. about. These dimensions may vary depending on the need, particularly depending on the bins and pallets with which cooperates this cap.

This cap firstly comprises, in a manner known per se, a plate 10 forming a body, intended to cover the upper surface of different transport bins. This plate is bordered on its entire periphery by a flange 20, which usually covers the outer side wall of these bins.

The upper surface 30 of the plate, which is generally smooth, is provided with curved zones, or bosses 32, which allow the mutual stacking of the caps. In addition, these bosses can block any type of pallets wood or plastic, which may for example have three, five or six soles. On the other hand, the lower surface 40 of the plateau, turned to the bins, is provided with different series of ribs, which will be detailed in what follows.

We will first describe, with reference to figures 2 and 3 a line 100 of so-called longitudinal ribs, namely parallel to the long sides I of the rectangle formed by the cap. There is first a base rib 102, which extends over the entire length of the line, from the plateau. This base rib has a height h ₀ , typically between 5 and 75mm, especially between 10 and 20mm.

• hauteur h, à savoir différence de cotes entre la nervure principale 110 et la nervure de base 102, comprise entre 2 et 20mm, notamment entre 7 et 13mm ;
• longueur comprise entre 20 et 40mm, notamment entre 25 et 35mm.

At the ends of the line 100, there are two said main ribs 110, which are adjacent to the rim 20 of the plate. These main ribs 110 thus define, with this rim, two spaces 120 for receiving an outer wall of a tank. Each space, said principal, advantageously has the following dimensions:

• height h , namely the difference in dimensions between the main rib 110 and the base rib 102, between 2 and 20 mm, in particular between 7 and 13 mm;
• length between 20 and 40mm, especially between 25 and 35mm.

This width is defined by the distance between the inner wall 20 'of the flange and the shoulder 130, delimited between the main rib and the base rib.

Between the main ribs, the line 100 is provided with at least one secondary rib 140, the height of which is advantageously close to that of the main ribs. Each secondary rib 140 defines, either with another secondary rib or with a main rib, a receiving space 150 said secondary.

• hauteur h' identique à celle h, et
• longueur l' comprise entre 5 et 200mm, notamment entre 35 et 80mm.

It is preferably provided between 1 and 10, especially between 6 and 8, receiving space (s) 150, in particular 7 of these spaces. Each space 150 advantageously has the following dimensions:

• height h 'identical to that h , and
• length l between 5 and 200mm, especially between 35 and 80mm.

This width is defined by the distance between either the two facing shoulders 160 delimited between the secondary ribs and the rib base, a shoulder 160 and 130 associated with the main rib.

We will now describe, with reference to figures 2 and 4 a line 200 of so-called transverse ribs, namely parallel to the short sides II of the rectangle formed by the cap. As in the case of the lines 100, there is firstly a base rib 202, and two so-called main ribs 210, which are adjacent to the rim 20 of the plate.

Each of the main ribs 210 defines, with this rim, a space 220 for receiving an outer wall of a tray. This space, said principal, has dimensions similar to those of the spaces 120 associated with the longitudinal lines presented above.

Between the main ribs 210, the line 200 is provided with at least one secondary rib 240. There is a number of transverse ribs 240, similar to that of the longitudinal ribs 140. In addition, each rib 240 has dimensions similar to those ribs 140. Each secondary rib 240 defines, either with another secondary rib 240, or with a main rib 210, a so-called secondary receiving space 250, the dimensions of which are similar to those of the secondary spaces 150 presented above.

The cap has a number of longitudinal lines 100, and a number of transverse lines 200, between 2 and 30, in particular between 5 and 15. This ensures a satisfactory compromise between, on the one hand, a good maintenance tanks and on the other hand, a total mass of the cap that remains reasonable. The numbers above are relative to the lines provided with two main ribs and at least one secondary rib, it being understood that all these lines are not necessarily equipped with the same number of secondary ribs.

It should be noted that the lines of material above, incorporating ribs, may not be straight. Thus, they may have a curved profile, including sinusoidal type. In addition, these lines may not be parallel to one or the other side of the rectangle formed by the cap, but instead extend obliquely.

In addition, the cap may be equipped with other lines 300 of ribs, which do not have shoulders like those 100 and 200 above. These lines 300, designed in a conventional way to stiffen the cap, are located in particular at the bosses 32.

We will now describe in more detail the use of the cap according to the invention, in particular its adaptation to different size bins.

At first, with reference to the figure 5 it is assumed that the cap 1 covers, in the longitudinal direction, four bins B1 to B4. The latter are provided with walls P11, P12, P21, P22, P31, P32, P41 and P42.

It is noted that the so-called outer walls P11 and P42 of the set of bins cooperate with the main receiving spaces 120. More specifically, these walls bear against the base rib 102, while being limited in their movement by the flange 20 and the shoulder 130.

In addition the other walls, said interior, cooperate with some of the secondary reception spaces. More precisely, the walls P12 and P21 penetrate into space 150 ₂ , those P22 and P31 penetrate into space 150 ₄ , while those P32 and P41 penetrate into space 150 ₆ . In this configuration, the spaces 150 ₁ , 150 _3, 150 ₅ and 150 ₇ are unused, namely that they do not receive a tank wall.

It will be noted first of all that the presence of the flange 20 and the different shoulders ensure stabilization and mutual maintenance of the different bins. Indeed, the movement of the latter is limited, which is advantageous over the prior art in which the tray of the cap is smooth.

In addition, this first configuration can be adapted to bins whose dimensions are slightly different from those of bins B1 to B4. In other words, since the width of the receiving spaces may be greater than the size of the two contiguous walls, these walls may adopt different positions within the same reception spaces, while being held laterally.

Moreover, the same cap can also cooperate with a different number of bins B'1 to B'3, as illustrated on the figure 6 . These tanks are provided with walls P'11, P'12, P'21, P'22, P'31 and P'32.

The outer walls P'11 and P'32 of the new set of bins cooperate with the main reception spaces 120, as on the figure 5 . On the other hand, the inner walls cooperate with secondary receiving spaces, which are different from those involved in this figure 5 .

More precisely, the walls P'12 and P'21 enter the space 150 ₃ while those P'22 and P'31 enter the space 150 ₅ . In this configuration of the figure 6 the spaces 150 ₁ , 150 ₂ , 150 ₄ , 150 ₆ and 150 ₇ are unused, namely that they do not receive a tank wall.

It is therefore conceivable that, by adapting the number and / or the dimension of the ribs, it is possible to make a cap that can be adapted, in the longitudinal direction, to containers of different dimensions. Similarly, the cap can also be adapted, in the transverse direction, to bins of different dimensions. Such an adaptation, which is not shown in the figures, operates in a manner similar to that described in particular in FIGS. Figures 5 and 6 .

Therefore, playing on a setting both longitudinal and transverse, the cap of the invention can adapt to sets of bins whose number is very variable, while reliably ensuring their relative retention. For example, this cap can cover from 2 to 20 bins.

By way of non-limiting example, a cap according to the invention may have dimensions of 1200 per 1000 mm. It is then likely to cover bins whose dimensions may in particular be 300 by 200 mm, 400 by 300 mm, 400 by 600 mm, or 1000 by 400 mm.

Different possibilities are illustrated on the Figures 7 to 9 , where the same cap cooperates with several sets of trays B, B 'and B ". figures 7 and 8 , all bins are not shown to better illustrate the cooperation between the walls of these bins and the ribs of the cap.

The cap of the invention is also likely to cover a pallet, ensuring the transport of the loading bins described above. This cap is also likely to be stacked with caps of the state of the art. These last two possibilities are not shown in the figures.

In addition, the presence of the various ribs is advantageous, in view of the stacking of the caps. Thus, as illustrated by figure 10 , the lines of ribs 100 and 200, belonging to the cap 1 described above, bear against the upper face 1030 of the plate 1010 of a cap 1001, said lower. This makes it possible to balance the caps, in order to prevent their deformation when they are nested one inside the other.

This figure 10 also illustrates the presence of recesses 21, formed in the peripheral rim 20. The latter form a hand passage zone, allowing easy disconnection of the caps between them, from their nesting position.

Claims (13)

1. Cover (1) in plastic for load containers, comprising a tray (10) intended to cover the upper surface of a set of containers (B, B', B") placed beside each other, and a peripheral rim (20) intended to extend in the vicinity of the walls in front of the set of containers,
   characterized in that
   the tray (10) comprises, remote from the rim (20), main ribs (110, 210) intended to extend toward the internal volume of the containers, each main rib defining, with the facing face (20') of the rim, a main receiving space (120, 220) of a wall of a container, adapted to limit the displacement of said wall in two opposite directions.
2. Cover according to claim 1, wherein the tray (10) further comprises at least a secondary rib (140, 240) intended to extend toward said internal volume, two secondary ribs (140, 240), or a main rib (110, 210) and a secondary rib (140, 240), defining there between a secondary receiving space (150, 250) of another wall of a container, adapted to limit the displacement of said other wall in two opposite directions.
3. Cover according to claim 2, wherein the tray comprises at least one line of material (100, 200) consisting of a base rib (102, 202), of two main ribs (110, 210) protruding from this base rib, which are placed at both longitudinal ends of the line, and of at least one secondary rib (150, 250), protruding from this base rib.
4. Cover according to claim 3, wherein the base rib (102, 202) defines, either with a main rib (110, 210), or with a secondary rib (150, 250), a shoulder stop (130, 160) for a wall of a container.
5. Cover according to claim 3 or 4, wherein there is provided a first series of lines of material (100) extending according to a longitudinal direction of the cover, and a second series of lines of material (200) extending according to a transversal direction of the cover.
6. Cover according to claim 5, wherein there is provided between 2 and 30, especially between 5 and 15, longitudinal lines of material (100) and between 2 and 30, especially between 5 and 15, transversal lines of material (200).
7. Cover according to one of the claims 3 to 6, wherein each line of material comprises between 1 and 10, especially between 6 and 8 secondary receiving space(s) (150, 250), especially 7 secondary receiving spaces (150, 250).
8. Cover according to one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein each main receiving space (120) has a height (h) ranging between 2 and 20 mm, especially between 7 and 13 mm, and a length (l) ranging between 20 and 40 mm, especially between 25 and 35 mm.
9. Cover according to one of the claims 2 to 8, wherein each receiving secondary space (150) has a height (h') ranging between 2 and 20 mm, especially between 7 and 13 mm, and a length (l') ranging between 5 and 200 mm, especially between 35 and 80 mm.
10. Cover according to one of the claims 2 to 9, wherein the main ribs (110, 210) and any secondary ribs (140, 240) of this cover (1), are adapted to bear on the surface facing an adjacent cover (1001).
11. Cover according to any one of the preceding claims, showing an overall rectangular shape with a longitudinal dimension (L1) ranging between 600 mm and 1300 mm, and a transversal dimension (l1) ranging between 400 mm and 1100 mm.
12. Use of a cover (1) according to any one of the preceding claims for covering the upper surface of at least one set of load containers (B, B',B"), particularly for the loading of car parts.
13. Unit comprising a single cover (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 11, and several sets of load containers (B, B', B"), the walls of the different sets of containers being adapted to cooperate with different receiving spaces of said cover.

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