EP2814744B1 - Large load carrier with hopper-like insert element - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a large load carrier according to the preamble of claim 1.

Large load carriers generally comprise a pallet-shaped bottom part with side walls constructed thereon, which can be connected to the bottom part in particular hinged or by a plug connection to the bottom part. Such large load carriers are very often used within the transport logistics for the transport of goods and goods, in particular bulk materials, such as screws, bushes and the like. As a result of the size, the handling of such large load carriers generally takes place via common lifting devices, in particular fork-lift trucks, for which purpose corresponding engagement openings are provided in the pallet-like bottom part. The pallet-like bottom part in this case usually has support feet, support members or support skids. The dimensions of the pallet-shaped bottom part generally correspond to the dimensions of standard pallets, in particular Europool pallets, also called Euro pallet. Typical dimensions for the pallet base are, for example, 800 × 600 mm, 1200 × 800 mm, 1200 × 1000 mm and 1200 × 1600 mm. These dimensions form an optimal geometry for transport in trucks or in TEU standard containers, which is advantageous in terms of transport logistics and space utilization. The height of such large load carriers, calculated from the footprint of the carrier on the ground to the upper marginal edge of the sidewalls, is typically, but not limited to, 750 mm, 850 mm, 975 mm or 1000 mm, to name a few standard sizes.

Such large load carriers are well known. For example, a large load carrier after the DE 10 2009 007 358 A1 a pallet-like bottom part with four pluggable arranged thereon Sidewalls on. In another known large load carrier ( WO 2011/124239 A1 ) hinged side walls are provided, wherein between the side walls and the pallet-like bottom part Aufsetzrahmen can be arranged to increase the transport volume of such large load carriers, depending on how many Aufsetzrahmen stacked between the bottom part and side walls are arranged.

A large load carrier according to the preamble of claim 1 is made US 2012/0103848 A1 known.

These container-like containers are already extremely empties, but have a weight in the loaded state, which no longer allows manual handling. For this reason, the large load carriers are also formed with stable bottom parts, in particular pallet-like bottom parts, which are supported by support feet, support members, runners or the like relative to the ground and have the aforementioned engagement openings for lifting devices. For the purpose of emptying, the large load carriers picked up by the tines of a fork-lift truck are tilted. Since in today's transport logistics predominantly large load carriers are used as folding or folding containers or pluggable side walls to reduce the return transport by appropriate folding or folding the side walls of the large load carriers, but this is significant for the emptying of such container-like container. When tilting this container with so-called "loose" side walls they must be supported during tilting, otherwise they can tear out of the anchorage with the bottom part or the adjacent side wall out, open or can be greatly deformed. In particular, when tilting the contents of the large load carrier presses on the tilting position in the bottom side wall as well as the adjacent side walls, which must therefore be formed correspondingly stiff and solid by additional measures including the locking of the side walls with each other. This can be done by lateral struts or additional sheets and the like to support the side walls accordingly. However, this leads to a design overhead and makes the production of such large load carriers expensive and inflexible. Often, the tilting devices are lined with elaborate support plates, so that the side walls can rest flat and are fully supported.

The object of the invention is to provide a hinged large load carrier, avoided with the costly stiffening measures for the purpose of emptying the carrier and in particular already existing large load carriers can be retrofitted accordingly easily.

This object is achieved by the features contained in the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the features of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the bottom part of the large load carrier provided with hinged or pluggable side walls is preferably provided centrally with an opening which can be used as a discharge opening. In the simplest embodiment, this opening of the bottom part is coupled to a closing device, which allows opening and closing of this discharge opening. The size of the discharge opening in the bottom part is of course determined and designed depending on the type of goods and goods to be transported. Preferably, the discharge opening is in this case provided centrally in the bottom part.

According to the invention an insert element is provided in a funnel-shaped design, which is insertable into the interior of the large load carrier and having an outlet opening. The insert can be easily arranged in the large load carrier by inserting, wherein the insert then rests on the bottom part or supported or held by a support frame relative to the bottom part or the side walls or corresponding attachment frame between the bottom part and side walls. After insertion of the insertion element inside the large load carrier, its outlet opening is aligned with the discharge opening in order to empty the contents of the container.

In an expedient embodiment, the insertion element is designed as a funnel with sloping bottom walls, which are arranged circumferentially. The insert element can be made in one piece or in a composite construction. Since such large load carriers generally have a rectangular cross-section, then the outer circumference of the funnel or of the inserting element is correspondingly rectangular, wherein the peripheral edge of the funnel or inserting element abuts against the side walls or interposed Aufsetzrahmen after insertion, so that the insertion safely inside of the large load carrier is held.

In this case, the closing device may expediently be arranged on the insertion element, on the bottom part and / or between the bottom part and the wall structure of the large load carrier. Preferably, only one closing means is used, but closing means may be provided for both the outlet opening of the inserting element and the discharge opening of the bottom part or therebetween. However, for simplicity, usually only one locking device is provided.

Expediently, the bottom walls of the insertion element are formed running obliquely downwards from the outside inwards, wherein the outlet opening is advantageously formed in the middle of the funnel. In a further advantageous embodiment, an outlet is provided at the lower end of the bottom walls. About this may, if necessary, the insertion supported against the bottom part. If necessary, however, the outlet can also be led into or inserted into the discharge and also extend through the entire discharge. In any case, the outlet nozzle is also aligned with the discharge opening for the purpose of emptying the large load carrier.

The Einsetzrahmen can be stiffened by beads, ribs or the like measures. Conveniently, a support frame or a support frame may be provided, which is arranged on the bottom walls of the funnel or insertion element and supports the insertion element relative to the bottom part and / or the lateral wall structure and holds. The configuration of such a support frame or support frame is at the discretion of the skilled person and can be made suitable if necessary.

Conveniently, the slide of the closing device is arranged translationally displaceable. The closing device is expediently arranged on the bottom part or on the insertion element or else between the bottom part and the insertion element. The slide can easily be used to close off the opening or the openings, wherein the closing of an opening is sufficient, for example the outlet opening of the insertion element. In the case where, for example, the outlet nozzle is guided in or through the discharge opening on the bottom part, it may be expedient to provide the slide below the cover plate of the bottom part. Preferably, the slide is designed as a slide plate, wherein it is particularly expedient if in the slide plate, an opening is formed which is complementary to the outlet opening or discharge opening of the insert and / or bottom part is formed. Conveniently, the slider also has a handle or a handle opening, so that it can be operated in a simple manner. Conveniently, the slider is guided on the bottom part or on the insertion or in the side wall by suitable guide elements, so that a secure reciprocating motion for the purpose of closing and opening the opening for the emptying of goods is ensured. An essential aspect of this invention is that after the emptying of the large load carrier, the side walls can be folded, wherein the funnel remains in the interior of the container. Thus, the logistic aspect of a foldable large load carrier is maintained. Therefore, the edge of the bottom part is pulled so far up that the hinges of the hinged side walls are hinged higher than the funnel. That's why the invention in particular for large load carriers according to the WO 2011/12423911 and large load carrier with one or more attachable on the bottom part Aufsetzrahmen to increase the capacity of the large load carrier, wherein on the uppermost frame then the side walls are hinged or plugged.

Advantageously, the large load carrier is made of plastic. In this case, the insertion element and the closing mechanism, in particular the slider or the slide plate, may be made of plastic, however, a production of sheet metal or the like of suitable materials, in particular of sheet steel, also possible. The funnel can be constructed in one piece or from several parts, which can preferably be plugged together by plug connections to the funnel.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Teilansicht eines Großladungsträgers gemäß der Erfindung

Fig. 2

eine Ansicht des in Fig. 1 dargestellten Großladungsträgers mit nach innen geklappten Seitenwänden,

Fig. 3

eine Frontansicht des in Fig. 1 dargestellten Großladungsträgers mit geschlossener Auslassöffnung,

Fig. 4

eine Ansicht des Großladungsträgers entsprechend Fig. 3, jedoch mit übereinander geklappten Seitenwänden,

Fig. 5

eine Ansicht des Großladungsträgers entsprechend Fig. 3, jedoch in offener Stellung der Auslassöffnung sowie

Fig. 6

eine Draufsicht, wiederum rein schematisch gehalten, auf eine mit einer Öffnung versehene Schieberplatte.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In it show in a purely schematic representation

Fig. 1

a partial perspective view of a large load carrier according to the invention

Fig. 2

a view of the in Fig. 1 illustrated large load carrier with inwardly folded side walls,

Fig. 3

a front view of the in Fig. 1 illustrated large load carrier with closed outlet opening,

Fig. 4

a view of the large load carrier accordingly Fig. 3 but with side walls folded over one another,

Fig. 5

a view of the large load carrier accordingly Fig. 3 , but in the open position of the outlet opening as well

Fig. 6

a plan view, again held purely schematically, on a provided with an opening slide plate.

FIG. 1 shows a large load carrier 1 per se known type with a pallet-like bottom part 2 and four peripherally arranged side walls 3, of which in FIG. 1 due to the partial section only a full side wall 3 and the adjoining adjacent side walls are only partially shown. In addition, this known large load carrier 1 between the side walls 3 and the pallet-like bottom part 2, a plurality of peripheral Aufsetzrahmen 4, one or more of which can be used one above the other to increase the height of the large load carrier. Between them close the side walls 3 a container-like transport volume 5 for receiving bulk materials, in particular screws, sleeves, bolts and the like, depending, of course, on the intended use of the large container-type carrier and there is no limitation on the way the goods and goods are picked up. Due to the size of the large load carrier, the floor is pallet-shaped with support feet which define between them engagement openings for the engagement of lifting devices, in particular tines of forklifts. According to the FIGS. 1 to 3 For example, the illustrated embodiment has four corner-side support legs 6, between which a further support leg 7 is arranged on each side of the pallet-like bottom in the middle of each side wall. According to

FIG. 1 two opposite support legs are connected by runner-like rails 8, which form the footprint of the pallet-like bottom 2.

Of course, instead of this embodiment of a pallet-like floor, insulated support feet or continuous runners can also be provided. Also in this regard, the invention is not limited, but any suitable pallet base is applicable.

The side walls after FIG. 1 are hingedly connected to the upper Aufsetzrahmen 4 and can, which in turn is known to be folded over each other, as can be seen from the folding view in FIG. 2 results. This position is used for the return transport of the empty large load carriers.

In order to allow easy emptying of the large load carrier, in particular to avoid the usual large load carriers tilting of the large load carrier for the purpose of emptying, a discharge opening 10 is provided in the pallet-like bottom part 2, resulting from the FIGS. 1 and 2 quite clearly. In the illustrated embodiment, this discharge opening 10 is formed centrally in the bottom part 2, which is expedient, but not restrictive.

Above the bottom part 2 an insertable into the interior of the large load carrier 1 insert element 12 is provided, which is designed here in the manner of a funnel. For this purpose, the insert element 12 four circumferentially arranged bottom walls 14, which are directed from outside to inside obliquely downward, expire in the illustrated embodiment in an outlet 15 through which the hopper 12 is supported on the bottom part 2. The lower end of the bottom walls 14 or of the outlet connection delimits a funnel-side outlet opening 16, which is here expediently designed to be complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the discharge opening 10 and completely covers the discharge opening 10. That is, the funnel 12 is formed or arranged in the large load carrier so that the outlet opening 16 comes to lie flush over the discharge opening 10 in the bottom part 2, so that an outlet is formed. The one-piece or assembled from several parts, in particular assembled funnel according to the invention a height that is less than the edge raised bottom part and / or the bottom part and the attached Aufsetzrahmen so that the funnel in the empty state of the large load carrier remain therein and nonetheless folded the side walls or in the case of a connector on the bottom part for the space-saving return transport can be placed.

Further, a closing device 17 is provided, which is formed here by a sliding plate 18, which in detail in an expedient embodiment of FIG. 6 evident. Thereafter, the slide plate 18 has a handle opening 19 for actuating the slide plate and an opening 20 which is complementary to the discharge opening 10 and outlet opening 16, here as well as these two openings has a rectangular cross-section. The slide plate 18 is in this case arranged between the insert element 12 and the bottom part 2, as shown in FIGS FIGS. 1 to 5 emerges and lies in particular translationally displaceable on the upper side of the bottom part 2 and may be suitably guided there by about a corresponding recess is provided as a guide groove for the slide plate in the bottom part 2 or guide members on the floor.

The slide plate 18 can be manually operated for the purpose of opening and closing the discharge opening, so that over the opening bulk material from the interior of the large load carrier can be discharged downwards. For the transport and reception of the goods, the slide plate is retracted into the large load carrier, as best of FIG. 3 respectively. FIG. 4 (folded position of the side walls) results. If necessary, namely for the purpose of emptying the container, in particular after the large load carrier is lifted by a suitable lifting device and guided approximately over a collecting trough and the like, the slider is as shown in FIG FIG. 5 shifted to the right, so that the opening 20 of the slide plate 18 comes into alignment with the openings 10 and 16 and thus the outlet for the emptying of the bulk material is released from the large load carrier. Of course, other suitable closing mechanisms may be provided regardless of the illustrated simple slide plate, which is manually operable, such as hinged lid and the like. Characterized in that the funnel has obliquely extending side walls, there is a perfect emptying of the bulk material in the direction of the outlet. If necessary, the funnel, which is not shown here, be reinforced by beads, ribs and the like. The funnel as an insert element may be formed of plastic, but it is also possible to produce the funnel made of sheet metal, in particular steel sheet, in welding execution.

Fig. 7 shows roughly and in a purely schematic representation of two plug-together funnel walls 14 in partial view, which are put together along their edge sides to form the funnel can. In the purely exemplary in Fig. 7 illustrated embodiment is this edge on the in Fig. 7 To the right funnel wall 14 shown a double-walled bead 23 is provided, which has a Einsteckschlitz 24. At the adjacent, ie opposite funnel wall 14, a tongue 25 is formed, which is inserted with fit in the slot 24. Of course, other connections, such as screw or pin connections are possible to allow disassembly of the funnel. Alternatively, each edge can also be provided a plurality of spaced slots and tabs. However, the connector shown is very simple and allows a quick divergence and nesting of funnel walls to form the funnel.

Claims (11)

1. A heavy load carrier (1) out of plastic with a pallet shaped bottom part (2) and with circumferentially arranged side walls (3) which limit a transport volume (5) between them for receiving goods, in particular of bulk goods, with the bottom part (2) having a discharge opening (10) and with a hopper-like element (12) being arranged above the bottom part inside the load carrier, the outlet opening (16) of the element being aligned with the discharge opening (10) of the bottom part (2) and with a locking device (17) being provided for opening and closing at least one of the openings (10, 16),
   characterized in that the bottom part (2) is raised at the edges and/or provides one or more collars (4) stacked thereon, that the side walls (3) are foldable or stackable with the bottom part which is raised at the edges or connected in a foldable or stackable manner with the stacked collar, and that the hopper-like element is an insertion element (12) which is insertable into the inside of the heavy load carrier (1), with the hopper-like element (12) having a height which is lower than the bottom element that is raised at the edges and/or the bottom part and the collars stacked thereon.
2. The heavy load carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the insertion element (12) is configured by a hopper with four circumferentially arranged diagonal bottom walls (14) which extend to the inside of the hopper to the bottom and which, at their bottom end, limit a preferably centrally arranged outlet opening (16), with the insertion element (12) preferably having a square layout corresponding to the inner outline of the erected side walls (3).
3. The heavy load carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the insertion element (12) has an outlet nozzle (15) connecting to the bottom end of the bottom walls (14), being aligned with the discharge opening (10) of the bottom part (2) and preferably supporting the insertion element (12) at the bottom part (2).
4. The heavy load carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insertion element (12) is supported by a supporting frame at the side walls (3) and/or at a collar (4) which is arranged between the bottom part and the side walls, and/or directly supported at the bottom part (2).
5. The heavy load carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device (17) has a slider, preferably a slider plate (18), through which the outlet opening (16) or the discharge opening (10) can be locked.
6. The heavy load carrier according to claim 5, characterized in that the slider is guided in a translational manner at the bottom part (2) or at the insertion element (12) slidably between the closing and opening position.
7. The heavy load carrier according to claim 6, characterized in that the slider is arranged on the bottom part (2) between the insertion element (12) and the bottom part (2) and that the outlet opening (16) particularly reaches under the outlet nozzle (15) of the insertion element (12) and preferably has an opening (20) which, in an open position of the slider (18), is aligned with the outlet opening and the discharge opening (16, 10).
8. The heavy load carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side walls can be folded over the hopper (12).
9. The heavy load carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hopper or the insertion element (12) is configured as one part or more parts.
10. The heavy load carrier according to claim 9, characterized in that the hopper (12), which is configured of several parts, provides in particular four sidewalls (14) which can be put together at their edges, each side wall preverably being provided with at least one insertion slot (24) at one side and with a least one insertion tongue (25) at the other side.
11. The heavy load carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the insertion element can be inserted into the load carrier by insertion.

Images