EP2476630B1 - Intermediate stacking plate for barrels - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a drum liner, which has a planar basic structure and a mounting structure projecting from this basic structure. A barrel liner connects when stacking barrels each two superimposed layers of barrels that are stacked, for example, on a Euro pallet.

Party kegs of varying volumes are becoming more and more popular with end consumers and are increasingly being offered in beverage and supermarkets. The barrels for sale are usually presented on pallets on which there are several layers of barrels stacked one above the other. In order to stabilize the barrel stacks reasonably, the barrels are often offered in carton containers or secured by other measures that should prevent overturning of the barrel stack. Such packaging often becomes unsightly as the number of barrels remaining decreases, requiring special attention by the personnel. Alternatively, the barrels can be arranged offset to one another or be stacked by hand at the point of sale, for example, pyramid-like. For transport, the superimposed layers of barrels are often separated by cardboard or paper inserts, or stacked directly above each other during transport within the brewery. The cardboard liners can be softened in the rain and thereby reduce the stability of the barrel stack. Stacks of directly stacked drums can be destabilized in the event of a sudden stop of the means of transport, such as a forklift, or when crossing sleepers.

The DE 202 19 202 U1 relates to a positioning and transport aid for fixing barrels. The positioning and transport aid may form an intermediate layer for superimposed layers of barrels, with projections and depressions which engage in the top of the barrels of a lower layer and comprise the periphery of a lower end of the barrels of the immediately above layer.

The GB 2 175 878 A relates to a cask liner separating layers of barrels stacked one above the other, the cask liner having projections and depressions. The Projections can engage in an upper side of the barrels of a lower layer, and the barrels of the immediately above layer can engage with an edge in the recesses. The barrel liner prevents slippage of the barrels on a pallet and relative to each other.

It is an object of the invention to provide an article which allows easy and safe stacking of barrels.

This object is achieved by a barrel liner according to claim 1.

The invention relates to a barrel clipboard for stacking barrels having a planar basic structure and at least one connecting structure projecting from the basic structure. The basic structure has an upper side and a lower side, from which the connecting structure preferably protrudes as a socket-shaped depression or elevation.

The connection structure has at least a first diameter which is greater than an outer diameter of a barrel, preferably a standard barrel, at a first end, and a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter and smaller than an outer diameter of the barrel at its second end ,

That is, the first diameter of the connection structure is so large that it has a diameter of a drum end, and the second diameter of the connection structure is so large that it can be inserted inside a rim formed at the other end of the drum. In this case, the terms may include and use that the corresponding barrel end is encompassed at its periphery wholly or only partially by the connection structure or engages the connection structure entirely or only partially into the edge of the Fassendes.

The connection structure thus forms both a receptacle or enclosure for the one barrel end of a first barrel and an engagement or fitting for the other barrel end of a second barrel, with a shape that is preferably equal to that of the first barrel. The connection structure therefore preferably connects barrels that are stacked directly above one another, in which the barrel ends are aligned the same and no lateral offset to each other. In other words, on an upper side of a barrel of a first row, the bottoms of a barrel of the second row are always put on stacking, or vice versa. The connecting structure lies between the first row and the second row barrels and prevents the barrels from being able to be displaced linearly horizontally against each other.

The receptacle and fitting may be formed, for example, as a frusto-conical protrusion of the base structure, with an open truncated cone base forming a skirt for the one barrel end and a closed truncated cone end forming the fitting for the other barrel end.

If the drum liner is designed for more than one barrel, that is, the basic structure has a plurality of connecting structures, they preferably protrude in the same direction from the basic structure. Also possible is an alternating arrangement, in which some connecting structures protrude from the upper side of the basic structure, other connecting structures protrude from the lower side of the basic structure. Also in this case, the connection structures may be identical, meaning that the barrels must be stacked appropriately on the pallet, that is, some barrels rest with their underside on the pallet, while others rest with their top side, with the underside of the drum as the side is called, which is closest to the tap.

In the case of several connecting structures, all connecting structures can be formed the same, so that barrels of the same design can be stacked on top of each other with a drum liner. However, a barrel liner may also have connecting structures of different peripheral shapes, so that barrel layers with juxtaposed barrels of different shapes but preferably substantially the same height can be stacked on top of one another on a pallet. It is obvious that in this case barrels of the same shape can be stacked on top of each other in several layers, ie that each barrel layer has the same arrangement of barrels relative to the plane of the barrel liner or basic structure of the barrel liner.

The flat basic structure may be rounded off at the four corners to avoid personal injury or packaging at sharp corners. Since the finished assembled pallets are eingeretcht for transport, sharp or sharp corners could lead to tearing of the film, which is prevented by the rounded corners. Once torn stretch films can continue to tear during transport, so that the risk of transport damage to the barrels is increased.

The basic structure of the barrel liner can be folded on at least one side to avoid injury to sharp edges or to prevent slippage of the barrels or the basic structure / barrel liner on the Euro pallet. For this purpose, a first basic structure / drum liner can be placed directly on the Euro pallet, wherein the edge or edges are designed or are such that they surrounds or embrace the Euro pallet on the outer circumference. Due to the weight of the barrels stacked on the basic structure / drum liner, the basic structure / drum liner resting directly on the Euro pallet is pressed firmly onto the Euro pallet and held on the Euro pallet by the edges of the basic structure facing downwards towards the feet of the Euro pallet. The edge may be formed on only one side of the basic structure or on two opposite sides. Preferably edges are circumferentially formed on the basic structure. If the corners of the basic structure are rounded off, then the basic structure can only be folded in one or more, or preferably all, straight side regions connecting the rounded portions. In the case of a basic structure / drum intermediate layer in which all connecting structures protrude in one direction from the basic structure, the folded edge (s) preferably project or protrude from the basic structure in the direction opposite to the projection of the connecting structures. The angle at which the edge protrudes from the basic structure can be 90 ° or more.

It is also advantageous if recesses are provided in the basic structure between the individual connection structures, through which, for example, rain or condensation water can flow. These recesses can be introduced by punching into the basic structure or already provided in a production form depending on the production of the barrel liner. The number and arrangement of the recesses on the basic structure need not be specified.

Recesses for draining or evaporating moisture between the barrels and / or drum layers can also be formed alone or in addition in the connecting structures. Thus, the connection structures may have ventilation openings or ventilation slots which are formed, for example, in the edge which forms the transition from the basic structure into the connection structure and / or at or near the bottom of the connection structure and / or in a wall of the connection structure. In each connection structure may be circumferentially introduced one or more openings or ventilation slots. The openings or vents may have any shapes, they may be adapted for example a logo of each user.

The connection structure is plate-shaped or nest-shaped and projects substantially perpendicularly from the basic structure. It has a plate edge and a plate base, wherein the plate edge may have a height which is greater than zero, and the plate bottom preferably lies in a plane which is substantially parallel to the basic structure. The plate floor may have at least one recess or, for example, a grid structure, but preferably it forms a closed area. The plate floor can, for example, also star-shaped in the middle of the plate floor converging webs, which serve to stiffen the connection structure. If the plate base has an opening, then it can be arranged in the plate base such that it lies directly below the closed filling opening of the barrel when the barrel is placed in the barrel liner or the barrel liner is placed over the barrel. It is important that the connecting structure is formed so that it separates the upper barrel from the lower barrel or prevents the upper barrel sits directly on the lower barrel.

If the barrels to be stacked have circular ends, the connecting structure is preferably circular. If the barrels have other shapes, for example oval, the connecting structure will also have an essentially oval shape. That is, the barrel liner or the connection structure can be designed and manufactured for any Fassendenformen.

In a plan view from above, the connecting structure has regions with the first diameter and regions with a further diameter. These areas are along the inner periphery of the connecting structure in the circumferential direction and in the height direction of the Tellerrands, that is formed in the region between the basic structure and the plate floor. The connection structure has circumferential sections with the first diameter along their inner circumference and peripheral sections with the additional diameter, wherein the further diameter is smaller than the first diameter. The first diameter and / or the further diameter extend over the entire height of the plate edge or only a part of the inner plate edge. The upper edge of the plate, that is to say the region of the connecting structure which adjoins the basic structure, is formed as an area with the first diameter, followed by another area in the direction of the plate bottom, with at least one peripheral section with the first diameter and at least one Peripheral section with the further diameter.

In a plan view from below, the connection structure may have regions with the second diameter and regions with a different diameter. These regions can be formed along the outer circumference of the connecting structure in the circumferential direction and in the height direction of the plate rim, that is to say in the region between the basic structure and the plate base. The connecting structure preferably has peripheral sections with the second diameter and peripheral sections with the other diameter along its outer circumference, the other diameter being smaller than the second diameter. The second diameter and / or the other diameter may extend over the entire height of the plate edge or only a part of the outer edge of the plate. The upper edge of the plate, that is to say the region of the connecting structure which adjoins the basic structure, is preferably formed as an area with the second diameter, which is adjoined by a further region in the direction of the plate bottom, with at least one peripheral portion with the second diameter and at least a peripheral portion with the other diameter.

In other words, the skirt preferably has an inner diameter at its end resting against the base structure, which is larger than an outer diameter of the barrel, preferably a standard barrel, at one end. As ends of a barrel, the two seen in the direction of the longitudinal central axis of the barrel opposite ends are referred to, which have a round cross-sectional area in the rule. The bottom of the enclosure, the bottom plate, however, may have a diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of the barrel at one end. The keg can therefore end up in the Mount can be placed or the enclosure can be placed over the barrel end without the end of the barrel touching the plate bottom. That is, a wall of the enclosure, the plate edge, is preferably not exactly perpendicular to the basic structure, but at an angle to this, so that the enclosure and the barrel end can form a positive connection, which prevents vertical slippage of the barrel in the enclosure. The positive connection is the firmer, the greater the weight with which the enclosure is pressed around the barrel end or the barrel end is pressed into the enclosure.

The fitting piece preferably has an outer diameter which, at least at the end remote from the base structure of the fitting is smaller than an inner diameter of the drum base in the axial direction projecting drum rim of the barrel at its other end. At the transition from the basic structure in the fitting piece, however, the diameter of the fitting piece may be greater than the rim edge inner diameter. Since the peripheral wall of the fitting does not protrude perpendicularly from the basic structure, but at an angle, the other Fassende or the barrel edge of the other Fassendes not on the basic structure, but is positively held by the fitting. Again, that the connection is stronger, the greater the weight, with which the fitting is pressed into the barrel inner edge of the other Fassendes or the barrel inner edge of the other end on the fitting.

The weight bearing on the individual barrel layers increases with the number of barrel layers arranged above them. That is, the lowest barrel position of a pallet with barrels with several barrel positions is applied to the largest weight, the uppermost barrel liner with the lowest weight.

A connecting structure of the barrel liner thus preferably forms the enclosure for one end of a barrel of a first layer of barrels and the fitting for the other barrel end of a barrel of a second layer of barrels directly above or below the first layer of barrels, the center axes being superimposed Barrels are essentially lying on a common line.

The cask liner is preferably provided in the size of a standard carrier, for example a Europallet, Düsseldorfer Palette or Viertelpalette. Other Standard sizes and different custom made but are included within the scope of the invention.

Preferably, the barrel liner is integrally molded from a foil or plate material and consists of a plastic, preferably a thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic, in particular polystyrene (PS) or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). It can be made by deep drawing or by deep or injection molding or molding and then folded and / or punched, and has an average wall thickness between 0.4 mm and 1.2 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm and more preferably between 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm.

The connecting structures stiffen the basic structure of the barrel liner. However, additional structures may be provided in the body of the base structure and / or on the or individual or all connection structure (s) which provide further stiffening of the barrel liner.

The barrel liners of the invention may preferably be reused. For easier transport of several drum liners they can be placed on top of each other, wherein the connecting structures interlock and thus allow the formation of a compact and easy-to-use drum liner stack. In this case, for example, the connecting structures of a first drum intermediate layer with the circumferentially formed regions with the first diameter engage in the circumferentially formed regions with the second diameter of a second drum intermediate layer, or vice versa.

In order to safely place a stack of drums on a pallet, the first drum liner may be fixedly connected to the pallet top or joined, for example, mechanically fastened or glued. Alternatively, special pallets made of preferably plastic can be used, where the fittings or enclosures for the first layer of barrels are already formed. Thus, the first layer of barrels can be placed directly on the special pallet, followed by a barrel liner and a second layer of barrels etc.

Figur 1

eine erste Ausführung einer Fasszwischenlage in einer Gesamtansicht,

Figur 2

eine einzelne Verbindungsstruktur der Figur 1 in einer Draufsicht,

Figur 3

einen Schnitt senkrecht zur Grundstruktur durch die Verbindungsstruktur der Figur 2,

Figur 4

eine zweite Ausführung einer Fasszwischenlage in einer Gesamtansicht,

Figur 5

eine einzelne Verbindungsstruktur der Figur 4 in einer Draufsicht,

Figur 6

eine Fasszwischenlage zwischen zwei Fassenden in einer ersten Ausführung, und

Figur 7

eine Fasszwischenlage zwischen zwei Fassenden in einer zweiten Ausführung.

The invention will be explained with reference to figures of a possible embodiment of the barrel liner, but is not limited to the item shown in the figures. Features which can only be taken from the figures are included in the scope of the invention and can be advantageously further developed. The figures show in detail:

FIG. 1

a first embodiment of a drum liner in an overall view,

FIG. 2

a single connection structure of FIG. 1 in a plan view,

FIG. 3

a section perpendicular to the basic structure through the connecting structure of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4

a second embodiment of a drum liner in an overall view,

FIG. 5

a single connection structure of FIG. 4 in a plan view,

FIG. 6

a barrel liner between two barrel ends in a first execution, and

FIG. 7

a barrel liner between two barrel ends in a second embodiment.

The FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the drum liner 1 in a plan view. The drum liner 1 has the size of a standardized carrier, such as a Euro pallet and has a flat base structure 2 and a plurality of connecting structures 3, which comprise one ends of drums to be stacked in a first row and in an edge structure of the other ends of drums to be stacked a second Can intervene. Recesses 4 are formed between the connecting structures 3, through which, for example, condensation or rainwater can flow away from the surface of the basic structure 2. The corners 8 of the barrel liner 1 are rounded to minimize the risk of injury / packaging damage or prevent.

The barrel liner 1 or the base body 2 has four edges 5. These edges 5 are bent depending on the manufacturing process after deep drawing or, if produced by injection molding, already applied in the injection molding tool. The recesses were either produced after the production for example by punching or are already created in the tool.

The connection structure 3, in the exemplary embodiment, depending on whether the drum liner 1 is viewed from the top or the bottom, a circular Outer contour 6 with a first diameter D1 and a second diameter D2 and circular sections 7, which are parts of a circle with a further diameter D3 or another diameter D4, wherein the further diameter D3 and the other diameter D4 is smaller than the first Diameter D1 and the second diameter D2.

The FIG. 2 shows a single connection structure 3 from above, that is, the connection structure 3 protrudes from the basic structure 2 in the direction of the sheet inside. However, the outer contours of the connection structure 3 would not look different if the FIG. 2 a section of a basic structure 2 showed, in which a plate bottom 9 of the connecting structure 3 would protrude from the figure in the direction of the viewer.

As already for FIG. 1 described, the connection structure 3 in the region of the transition into the basic structure 2 has a circular shape and has a plate edge 10 and the plate bottom 9. Preferably, the plate edge 10 protrudes substantially perpendicularly from the base structure 2, depending on the design of the drum ends of the rim 10 but also beveled, the angle of inclination of the rim 10 is then determined by the barrel shape and can take any value.

The connecting structure 3 has in the embodiment in the region of the plate edge 10 and the plate base 9 circular sections of different diameters, namely circular sections 11 with the first diameter D1 and circular sections 7 with the additional diameter D3. The additional diameter D3 substantially corresponds to the diameter of a drum at one end, for example the end closest to the tap. The connection structure 3 is placed on the front end so that the circular sections 7 engage around the drum end and this form-fitting coupling with the connection structure 3. For this purpose, the material from which the barrel liner 1 is formed, preferably slightly elastic, so that the connecting structure 3 is connected to the barrel end slightly clamped, that is, the barrel end is not loose in the connecting structure 3, but is of this with a certain Clamping force held.

The other, not shown here side of the connection structure 3 is substantially equal to the in FIG. 2 shown side, with the second diameter D2 as the outer diameter, which is substantially the inner diameter of the other Fassendes corresponds, that is, the diameter, which is formed by an edge extending in the longitudinal direction of the barrel, which has for example operations for carrying the barrel or simply dish-shaped, so that for cooling the contents, for example, ice can be placed on the barrel. The connecting structure 3 is placed on the barrels of a row of a stack so that the plate-shaped areas of the connecting structure 3 engage in the inner periphery of the drum edges.

The FIG. 3 shows a section of the basic structure 2 with a connecting structure 3 in a section from the side. Here it is clear that the first diameter D1 and the second diameter D2 are different in size, wherein the second diameter D2 is greater by twice the material width of the plate rim 10 than the first diameter D1. The extent to which the circular sections 7 are recessed in the direction of the plate bottom center from the rim 10 can be individually adapted to the dimensions specified by the drum in production. The same applies to the extent to which the circular sections 7 rise from the plate base 9 in the direction of the basic structure 2.

The FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the drum liner 1 in a plan view. The drum liner 1 has the size of a standardized carrier, such as a Euro pallet and has a flat base structure 2 and a plurality of connecting structures 3, comprising one ends of drums to be stacked in a first row and in an edge structure of the other ends of drums to be stacked a second Can intervene. The corners 8 of the barrel liner 1 are rounded to minimize the risk of injury of persons at the corners 8 or the occurrence of packaging damage or prevent.

The barrel liner 1 or the base body 2 has four edges 5. Depending on the manufacturing process, these edges are folded after deep drawing or, if produced by injection molding, already applied in the injection molding tool. The edges 5 may form a single circumferentially closed edge 5 or, as seen in the figure, four separate edge portions each extending from a rounded corner 8 to the next rounded corner 8. Alternatively, two or more juxtaposed and spaced-apart edge portions may be formed on each of the sides.

The connecting structure 3 forms a fitting piece 32, with an outer radius R1, which corresponds to half the inner diameter of a drum rim at one end of a barrel, and portions with a radius R2, which is smaller than the radius R1 and about half the outer diameter of the barrel F at corresponds to its other end. In other words, the portions with the radius R2 at the bottom of the barrel liner 1 form a skirt 31 for the second barrel end.

The protruding from the basic structure 2 surface 9 of the fitting piece 32 has a plurality of star-shaped tapered reinforcing ribs 12 and a central opening 13, which forms the center of the star and is introduced, for example by punching in the barrel liner 1. The reinforcing ribs 12 are preferably formed by deformation of the surface 9 and protrude from the surface 9 before or preferably in the direction of the underside of the barrel liner 1 from the surface 9 back, that is, in the direction of the enclosure 31 before.

If newly filled barrels are stacked on pallets with the help of drum liner 1, condensation or condensation may form during storage or transport of the barrels due to temperature differences between the drum contents and the environment, that is, the barrels are sweating. This condensation water can then drip onto the surface 9 and flow away through the channels formed by the reinforcing ribs 12 and the central opening 13.

In addition, the barrel liner 1 in the FIG. 4 not shown ventilation slots 14 in the region of the fitting piece 32 or the enclosure 31. The ventilation slots 14 may be formed, for example, in the areas in which the fitting pieces 32 or enclosures 31 merge into the basic structure 2.

Through the central opening 13 and the ventilation slots 14 liquid can flow down and water vapor, which is formed during evaporation of the condensed water, are discharged to the environment. This prevents water from permanently settling in the drum liner 1 or on one of the drum ends.

The FIG. 5 shows a single connection structure 3 of the barrel liner 1 of FIG. 4 , In the fitting piece 32 and the enclosure 31 are now the ventilation slots 14 can be seen, which are arranged on the circumference of the fitting piece 32. In the embodiment shown, each of the ventilation slots 14 extends partly into the basic structure 2 and partly into the outer wall 10 of the fitting piece 32 projecting approximately perpendicularly from the basic structure. The ventilation slots 14 can also be located entirely in the basic structure 2 or entirely in the outer wall 10 of the fitting piece 32 or at another location, for example, be formed in the region of the transition of the outer wall 10 of the fitting piece 32 in the surface 9. In this case, the ventilation slots 14 may extend to the edge, which forms the transition of the basic structure 2 in the outer wall 10 or the surface 9 in the outer wall 10 or be spaced arbitrarily from this edge. The number and the position of the ventilation slots 14 can be adapted to the respective requirements. Vent slots 14 or other shaped openings or recesses 4 in the basic structure 2 may for example also be formed in the areas between the individual connecting structures 3. That is, ventilation slots or recesses 14 may be formed in the outer wall 10 and / or in the surface 9 and / or in the basic structure 2.

The outer wall 10 projects substantially perpendicularly from the basic structure 2. Depending on the shape of the drum ends, it can protrude at an angle from the basic structure, wherein the angle at which the outer wall protrudes from the basic structure, is determined by the shape of the drum ends and can take any value.

The FIG. 6 shows in the cut two superimposed drums with the intermediate drum liner 1. The lower barrel F1 is for example placed on a pallet, with one end of the barrel F1, which corresponds to the end shown E1 of the barrel F2, can stand up directly on the pallet. On the other end E2 of barrel F1 shown, the barrel liner 1 is deposited so that the connection structure 3 engages with the outer edge of the rim 10 with the outer diameter D2 from above into the other barrel end E2 shown. From above, one end E1 of a second drum F2 is inserted into the connecting structure 3, wherein the end E1 of the second drum F2 shown is encompassed by the connection structure 3 or the circular sections 7 and is also clamped at least in this area.

In other words, that shows FIG. 6 in the neckline two barrels F1, F2 placed one above the other with the barrel liner 1 therebetween. The lower barrel F1 is parked, for example, with its end E1 (not shown) on a pallet or a barrel liner 1, not shown, with the end E1 of the barrel F1, not shown. the illustrated end E1 of the barrel F2 corresponds. On the shown end E2 of the barrel F1, the barrel liner 1 is placed so that the socket-shaped fitting piece 32 engages in the cavity formed by the rim edge 15 at the end of the barrel E2. As can be seen from the figure, the barrel end E2 of the drum F1 is clamped in the fitting 32, that is, the upper part of the drum rim 15 of the drum E2 does not contact the basic structure 2 of the drum liner 1. In other embodiments of the drum liner 1, the upper edge of the drum end E 2 can touch the base structure 2.

The barrel F2 is placed with its end E1 in the plate-shaped enclosure 31. At this time, as shown, the end E1 of the barrel F2 may stand up on the bottom 9 of the skirt 31, or may be clamped in the skirt 31 so as not to touch the bottom 9 of the skirt 31. Alternatively, the end E1 of the barrel F2 can also be clamped by the edge formed at the transition of the base structure 2 into the skirt 31, or on the one shown in FIG FIG. 7 stand up shown first stage of the inner wall of the skirt 31.

Stand in the FIG. 6 Not shown edges 5, as preferred, against the direction of the enclosure 31 and the fitting piece 32 of the basic structure 2 from, so the arrangement of the barrels F1, F2 is correspondingly reversed. That is, the barrel F1 stands with his this time not visible end E2 on the pallet or engages with its end E1 the fitting 32 of a barrel liner 1, which can be placed directly on the pallet. On the end E1 of the barrel F1 a barrel liner 1 is placed so that one of the formed in the basic structure 2 surrounds the end of the barrel F1 F1 and the fitting piece 32 can accommodate the end E2 of a barrel F2 of the second layer of barrels.

FIG. 7 shows a further drum liner 1, in which the respective barrel ends E1, E2 are held by clamping in the fitting piece 32 and in the enclosure 31. Unlike the in FIG. 6 As shown, the drum ends E1, E2 of the drums F1, F2 are each held in a clamping manner in a first section of the fitting piece 32 or the rim 31, respectively. A formed in the fitting piece 32 and the enclosure 31 is preferred Circumferential stage prevents the end E2 of the barrel F1 can be supported on the base structure 2 of the barrel liner 1 and the end E1 of the barrel F2 on the bottom 9 of the connecting structure 3. That is, the connecting structure 3 has in this embodiment, two circumferential portions of different diameters, which are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the base structure 2 in a row. In this case, the smaller diameter essentially corresponds to the inner diameter of a drum rim 15 at the end E 2 and the larger diameter substantially corresponds to the outer diameter of the drum at the end E 1. The transition between the two sections is formed by a step which can form a stop for both barrel ends E1 and E2, beyond which the barrel end E2 can not be pressed onto the fitting 32 and the skirt 31 can not be pushed over the barrel end E1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Barrel Liner

2

basic structure

3

connecting structure

4

recess

5

edge

6

outer contour

7

Peripheral section, circular section

8th

corner

9

Plate bottom, surface

10

Tellerrand, outer wall

11

Peripheral section, circular section

12

reinforcing rib

13

central opening

14

vent

15

barrel edge

31

mount

32

spud

D1

diameter

D2

diameter

D3

diameter

D4

diameter

E1

Concluding

E2

Concluding

F1

barrel

F2

barrel

R1

radius

R2

radius

Claims (16)

1. A keg interlay for stacking kegs, comprising

   a) a planar base structure (2) and

   b) at least one connecting structure (3) which projects from the base structure (2) and exhibits

   c) a first diameter (D1) which is larger than an outer diameter of a keg (K1, K2) at a first end (E1) and

   d) a second diameter (D2) which is defined on the other side of the connecting structure and is larger than the first diameter (D1) and smaller than an outer diameter of the keg (K1, K2) at its second end (E2),

   e) wherein the connecting structure (3) is disc-shaped and projects substantially perpendicularly from the base structure (2), and

   f) the connecting structure (3) comprises first circumferential portions (11) exhibiting the diameters (D1, D2) and second circumferential portions (7) exhibiting a third diameter (D3) or fourth diameter (D4), respectively - depending on whether the keg interlay (1) is observed from the upper side or the lower side - along an inner circumference, wherein the third and fourth diameter (D3, D4) are smaller than the first and second diameter (D1, D2),
   wherein the first circumferential portions (11) exhibit a height which corresponds to the height of a disc periphery (10), and the second circumferential portions (7) exhibit a height which corresponds to a part of the height of the disc periphery (10), and the circumferential portions (7, 11) extend between the base structure (2) and a disc base (9), and

   g) the disc periphery (10) comprises a first region adjoining the base structure (2) and exclusively exhibiting the first and second diameter (D1, D2), and a second region adjoining the first region in the direction of the disc base (9) and comprising at least one circumferential portion (11) exhibiting the first and second diameter (D1, D2) and at least one circumferential portion (7) exhibiting the third and fourth diameter (D3, D4).
2. The keg interlay according to Claim 1, characterised in that if there is more than one connecting structure (3), all the connecting structures (3) project from the base structure (2) in the same direction.
3. The keg interlay according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting structure (3) forms an enclosure (31) for the end (E1) of the keg (K1, K2) of a first row of kegs (K1, K2), wherein the enclosure (31) at least partially encompasses the end (E1) in a positive fit, and forms a fitting piece (32) for the end (E2) of a keg (K1, K2) of a second row of kegs (K1, K2) positioned immediately above or below the first row, wherein the fitting piece (32) at least partially engages with the end (E2).
4. The keg interlay according to Claim 1, characterised in that the disc periphery (10) has a height which is greater than nought and the disc base (9) extends parallel to the base structure (2) and forms a closed area or comprises at least one cavity (4).
5. The keg interlay according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting structure (3) is circular and comprises circular portions (11) exhibiting the diameter (D1, D2) and circular portions (7) exhibiting another diameter (D3, D4), wherein the circular portions (7, 11) preferably exhibit a height which corresponds to the height of the disc periphery (10) or a part of the height of the disc periphery (10) and extend in the direction of the base structure (2), starting at the disc base (9).
6. The keg interlay according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the disc periphery (10) comprises a first region which adjoins the base structure (2) and exhibits the constant diameter (D1, D2), and a second region which adjoins the first region in the direction of the disc base (9), preferably extends as far as the disc base (9) and comprises circular portions (7, 11) exhibiting a diameter (D1, D2) and the other diameter (D3, D4) in circumferential alternation.
7. The keg interlay according to Claim 5, characterised in that the circular portions (7, 11) are formed circumferentially and are arranged one behind the other in a direction perpendicular to the base structure (2).
8. The keg interlay according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that if there are multiple connecting structures (3), the base structure (2) comprises at least one cavity (4) between the individual connecting structures (3), wherein condensate can for example flow off through said cavity or cavities.
9. The keg interlay according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one aperture is formed as a ventilation slot (14) in the base structure (2) and/or in the connecting structure (3), such that moisture can flow off or moisture vapour can evaporate off.
10. The keg interlay according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the at least one ventilation slot (14) is formed on or near at least one edge in which the base structure (2) transitions into the connecting structure (3) or the disc base (9) transitions into the disc periphery (10), and the at least one ventilation slot (14) preferably extends partially into the base structure (2) and the connecting structure (3) or into the disc base (9) and the disc periphery (10).
11. The keg interlay according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the keg interlay (1) is formed in one piece and exhibits an average wall thickness of between 0.4 mm and 1.2 mm.
12. The keg interlay according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the keg interlay (1) has substantially the length and width of a bearer for a stack of kegs and comprises a bevel (5) at least in sections on at least one longitudinal or transverse side, wherein the bevel (5) preferably projects from the base structure (2) in the opposite direction to that in which the connecting structure (3) projects, and prevents the keg interlay (1) from sliding on the bearer, which is for example a standardised pallet.
13. The keg interlay according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the keg interlay (1) consists of plastic, in particular polystyrene or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and is moulded in a thermoforming method or by embossing or by injection-moulding and is then optionally bevelled or punched.
14. The keg interlay according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the keg interlay (1) is reusable and forms a compact stack for transport by the fitting pieces (32) of one keg interlay (1) engaging with the enclosures (31) of another keg interlay (1).
15. The keg interlay according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that two layers of identical kegs (K1, K2) which are respectively stacked vertically one on top of the other and in which the keg ends (E1, E2) are aligned identically and the individual layers do not exhibit any horizontal offset with respect to each other are connected to each other by the keg interlay (1), by each of the connecting structures (3) encompassing an end (E1) of a keg (K1, K2) of one layer and preferably holding it in a clamp and by each of the connecting structures (3) being held, preferably in a clamp, in an end (E2) of a keg of a next layer.
16. A combination of a keg interlay and kegs which exhibit the same or differing shapes of their keg ends, wherein the keg interlay is a keg interlay according to any one of Claims 1 to 15.

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