EP3188975B1 - Load carrier - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a load carrier, with a load surface supported by feet, wherein the load surface is equipped with a plurality of recesses between continuous surface elements, and wherein the recesses in the cargo area span a recessed total area which is greater than the total area enclosed by the continuous surface elements of the cargo area is trained.

Such load carriers are known as transport and / or storage pallets and are used in this context, as is the prior art according to the WO 95/21093 A1 shows. In the aforementioned prior art is a load carrier made of plastic, which is constructed of various items and is made by connectors. This is complex and problematic in terms of achievable stability.

In addition, one knows load carrier in the form of roll carriers, as in the DE 102 01 282 A1 to be discribed. The roller carrier is one which is equipped with a flat platform-like top surface and rollers arranged on the bottom side for the process. The top surface is typically made of plastic, so that one can speak of a total of a plastic roll carrier or a plastic load carrier as a generic term.

In addition, plastic pallets are in the EP 1 076 011 B1 or even the EP 2 216 255 B1 described. The cargo area realized in this context is designed to be closed and designed as a completely closed plane surface. In this way the necessary stability should be provided.

Finally, in the prior art still another plastic pallet in the EP 0 725 010 B1 described having a plurality of grooves in the support surface. In contrast to the recesses in the teaching after the WO 95/21093 A1 between the respective rails, the grooves are only depressions in the cargo surface without material savings. In contrast, a recess according to the invention means an opening in which the load surface is interrupted and consequently material is missing.

The generic state of the art after the EP 1 323 636 A1 deals with a plastic pallet, which has a load surface, which has a grid-like area with ribs and thus has a relatively small spanned closed total area of the cargo area. In this way, a sufficient strength of the cargo area to be provided.

In the further state of the art according to the WO 2013/159796 A1 a transport pallet made of plastic is described with double-acting stopper for anti-slip. In fact, recordings are provided in the known transport pallet in the upper deck, in which plugs can be picked up from rubber. The plugs extend from the top to the bottom of the upper deck and protrude with their front ends both from the upper deck at the top and at the bottom to the outside. Since the plugs are designed to be slip resistant overall, they cause a simultaneous improvement of the slip resistance of a loading area for goods and also the attack surface for a lifting device.

The state of the art can not convince in all aspects. So likes the generic Ladegutträger according to the WO 95/21093 A1 Although be designed by weight advantageous because the cargo area is partially interrupted. However, the assembly of the known range designed difficult. In addition, it is to be expected in harsh use that the items are separated from each other and thus the range is unusable. What the other plastic pallets, for example, according to EP 1 076 011 B1 or according to the EP 2 216 255 B1 As far as these are largely massive and designed for heavy loads. However, this is bought with a large amount of material used in plastic. This not only results in increased manufacturing costs, but also the overall handling of the plastic pallet is difficult. Here, the invention aims to provide a total remedy.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a load carrier so that the handling is simplified and the production with reduced costs compared to the previous approaches succeeds.

To solve this technical problem, a generic load carrier in the invention is characterized in that the load surface is equipped in addition to the recesses with deep-drawn support funnels, the support funnels are open to Ladegut surface and facing a floor surface with an outwardly facing and of the Load surface groundbreaking rubber pad as a support for any tines of industrial trucks feature. The load surface is made up of the plurality of recesses between the respective continuous surface elements, ie from the recesses and the continuous surface elements, together. The recessed total area formed by the recesses is greater than the total closed area, which is defined by the continuous surface elements. The material used for the production of the load carrier according to the invention is significantly reduced compared to other approaches. In addition, the handling is simplified because the load carrier has a reduced weight.

In fact, the load surface is largely flat. Additionally, the cargo surface and feet generally define a one-piece component. This one-piece component is advantageously made of plastic. In fact, the load surface including the feet is typically made by injection molding and / or deep drawing.

In addition, it has proven useful when the cargo area is designed as a whole grid network. In this case, one will further and advantageously work with recesses designed as rectangular recesses or square recesses. The continuous surface elements are generally framing the recesses webs. Mostly the webs are formed as rectangular webs.

Since the cargo area is advantageously designed as a lattice network, consequently define the webs or rectangular webs in intersection areas individual lattice nodes. The framed by the webs or Reckteckstegen recesses correspond to grid mesh surfaces of the lattice network. For reasons of increased stability, this lattice network and consequently the load surface is equipped with reinforcing webs. These reinforcing bars are advantageously arranged so that they share the cargo area in each case in the longitudinal and transverse directions, for example, half. Consequently, the reinforcing webs define a crosswise reinforcement of the cargo area.

In order to implement and achieve this in detail, the reinforcing webs in the cargo area and consequently the grid network are implemented and realized in such a way that an increased number of grid nodes is used in the area of the reinforcing webs. Consequently, the grid mesh surface framed by the associated webs or rectangular webs is also smaller than in the remaining area.

In fact, in the area of the reinforcing webs square grid mesh surfaces or square recesses have proved to be particularly favorable. Alternatively or in addition to the square recesses, however, it is also possible, for example, to realize circular recesses. In contrast, the rest of the loading area is usually equipped with rectangular grid mesh surfaces or rectangular recesses. Alternatively or additionally, however, triangular recesses or rhomboid recesses may also be used. By increasing the number of grid nodes and the simultaneous reduction of the respective grid mesh area in the area of the reinforcing webs, the desired gain is automatically observed as described, without the need for additional reinforcing measures such as, for example, accumulations of material. Such material accumulations are of course additionally conceivable and are encompassed by the invention.

In any case, according to the invention, the load surface has reinforcing webs which are characterized by an increased number of grating node points and a reduced grid mesh surface are excellent compared to the other surface areas of the cargo area.

In this way, the recessed total area of the cargo surface can be designed to be more than 50% and up to about 60% of the cargo area. In contrast, the total closed area is less than 50% and up to 40% of the cargo area. It is particularly preferred if the recessed total area is more than 50% up to about 70% and the total closed area is less than 50% up to about 30% of the cargo area. In a further preferred variant, the recessed total area occupies between about 60% and 70% of the cargo area, while the total closed area is between about 30% and 40% of the cargo area.

In this way, a total cargo area is made available, which is not formed closed, but rather predominantly has recesses which are framed by respective webs. Since in this context a total and advantageous - except for any reinforcing webs regular - grid network with grid nodes and grid mesh surfaces is formed as recesses, yet the required stability of Ladegutfläche is given and is made available to transport cargo thereon can.

The total of a cross-like reinforcement of the Ladegutfläche producing reinforcing webs are integrated into the grid in question and are characterized by an increased number of grid nodes and a reduced grid mesh surface. To increase the stability are beyond and advantageous the continuous surface elements or webs or rectangular webs T-shaped in cross-section with the load surface belonging horizontal T-bar and downwardly projecting T-leg formed.

The load carrier according to the invention is advantageously a plastic load carrier, ie one which is predominantly or mostly completely made of plastic. In addition, it has proven useful if the load surface is equipped with replaceable skids. In this case, the load carrier is a transport and / or storage pallet. Due to the existing skids, the pallet realized in this way can easily be picked up and transported by means of tines on an industrial truck.

By using the replaceable runners, damaged skids can be easily replaced without having to renew the entire load carrier. For this purpose, the runners are usually detachably connected to the underside of the load surface. In fact, the runners can also be at least partially releasably inserted into the existing feet on the underside of the load surface.

The load carrier is equipped according to the invention for the purpose described above with the deep-drawn support funnels. In fact, the load surface on the relevant deep-drawn support funnel whose bottom surface serves as a support for any forklift. That is, for the transport of the load carrier by means of a truck or its (fork) tines primarily the bottom surfaces of the respective deep-drawn support funnel are used in the cargo area. For this purpose, the invention proposes that the bottom surface of the support funnel is additionally equipped with the pointing away to the outside and the load surface rubber pad. This will be a reached particularly non-slip grip of the cargo carrier according to the invention on the respective fork tines of the truck.

As already explained above, the charge carriers and the feet overall form a one-piece component, which is advantageously designed as a plastic injection-molded part. Also with the optional runners is a one-piece injection molded part, which can be detachably attached to the underside of the load surface. As conceivable and suitable plastics, thermoplastics have proven to be particularly favorable.

In order to reduce costs and at the same time to increase the recyclability of the known load carrier, it has also proven useful when used as plastic for the production of cargo area including the feet respectively the skids each a sorted virgin plastic and / or recycled plastic becomes. The recycled plastic used is particularly advantageous sorted and extraneous material formed and designed in general as a new goods substitute. In other words, the mechanical and rheological property values of the recycled plastic used according to the invention correspond to those of the new-type plastic of the same type, so that both plastics can be mixed or used alone for the production of the load carrier according to the invention.

As a result, the load carrier can be recycled particularly easily. Because by resorting to a single-grade plastic, no complex separation processes are required in the reprocessing of the relevant load carrier. At the same time, the load carrier can be produced in a particularly resource-saving manner, because the fully or partially used single-variety and contaminant-free recycled plastic typically typically takes into account an energy saving of about 30% Primary energy can be produced compared to virgin plastic while retaining the mechanical properties.

In conjunction with the specially designed load surface with the mentioned ratio of the recessed total area to the total closed area, a total of low total weight of the load carrier is observed. Of particular importance is the fact that the optimized load surface has numerous recesses, which consequently saves material. In addition, this means that the load carrier can be produced with considerably less raw material than is the case for comparable load carriers of similar mechanical properties. Here are the main benefits.

Fig. 1

den Ladegutträger nach der Erfindung perspektivisch in einer Übersicht,

Fig. 2

den Ladegutträger nach Fig. 1 in Aufsicht und

Fig. 3, 4

ein Detail der Ladegutfläche.

The invention will be explained below with reference to only one embodiment illustrative figures; show it

Fig. 1

the load carrier according to the invention in perspective in an overview,

Fig. 2

the load carrier after Fig. 1 in supervision and

Fig. 3, 4

a detail of the cargo area.

In the figures, a load carrier is shown, which is formed in the embodiment as a transport and / or storage pallet. The load carrier is a plastic load carrier, ie one which is made almost exclusively of plastic and preferably of thermoplastic material.

The load carrier has a load surface 1, which is supported by feet 2. In addition, one recognizes runners 3, which in the exemplary embodiment and not limiting to a bottom of the cargo area 1 detachably connected, infected in the example, are. In fact, the runners 3 are completely or partially inserted into the provided on the underside of the cargo area 1 feet 2.

As a result, the load surface 1 of the load carrier of forks of a truck can be driven under, so that the load carrier can be taken and transported in total with the goods located on the cargo area 1 and not shown. Consequently, it is a total of a plastic pallet in the context of the embodiment.

Of particular importance for the invention is the fact that the load surface 1 is equipped with a plurality of recesses 4, 5, 6 between continuous surface elements 7. In fact, the recesses 4, 6 are rectangular in the embodiment or designed as rectangular recesses 4, 6. Alternatively or additionally, triangular recesses or rhombic recesses may also be used at this point. In contrast, it is in the recesses 5 to almost square-shaped recesses or square recesses 5. Alternatively or additionally, however, circular recesses are conceivable in this context. According to the embodiment, the recesses 4 are designed as wide rectangular recesses 4. The recesses 6 are, in the example, narrow rectangular recesses 6.

It can be seen from the figure that the narrow rectangular recesses 6 are provided on the edge side of the load surface 1 and in the region of a parting line 8 which divides the load surface 1 into two equal partial surfaces 1a, 1b divided in the transverse direction. The square-shaped recesses 5 can be found in the region of a further dividing line 9, which extends in the longitudinal direction. In contrast, the dividing line 8 has a transverse orientation in comparison to the rectangular load surface 1. Of course, this is only an example.

The arrangement of the narrow rectangular formations 6 in the region of the dividing line 8 and the square recesses or square recesses 5 in the region of the further dividing line 9 respectively reinforcing webs are formed, which are integrated into the otherwise predominantly flat cargo area 1 and from one to the other edge throughout run. The reinforcing webs are arranged crosswise in the embodiment and provide a cross-type reinforcement of the cargo area. 1

It can be seen that the load surface 1 is designed not only largely flat, but also in total as a lattice network 10. This lattice network 10 is composed of the questionable recesses 4, 5, 6 on the one hand and the continuous surface elements 7 on the other. The continuous surface elements 7 are formed in the embodiment as the aforementioned rectangular recesses 4, 5, 6 framing webs, in particular rectangular webs 7. The lattice network 10 is designed regularly and has lattice nodes 7 'and grid mesh surfaces 4, 5, 6.

The grid nodes 7 'are each formed where two webs or rectangular webs 7 intersect, namely at right angles in the embodiment and not restrictive. As a result, the lattice network 10 is designed as a rectangular lattice network 10. In addition, the respective rectangular web 7 has a T-shaped cross-section. The horizontal T-bridge is located in the cargo area 1 or spans on this. In contrast, the vertical T-leg extends in the direction of the feet 2.

With the respective at least one row of narrow rectangular recesses 6, the grid network defined in this way is designed regularly. The grid nodes 7 'are formed and defined in the respective crossing regions of the rectangular bars 7. The grid mesh surfaces 4, 5, 6 are the previously mentioned recesses 4, 5, 6.

It can be seen that one or two rows of narrow rectangular recesses 6 and optional additional square recesses 5 are provided on the edge side of the cargo area 1, for example in the corner areas. As a result, an increased number of grid node points 7 'in comparison to the adjoining respective partial area 1a, 1b is observed in this edge region of the cargo area 1. The same applies to the reinforcing webs. In fact, the reinforcing web in the region of the dividing line 8 is predominantly defined by narrow rectangular recesses 6, which in turn correspond to an increased number of grid nodes 7 'in the region of the reinforcing web. The same applies to the reinforcing web in the region of the parting line 9, which is ultimately defined by the square-shaped recesses or square recesses 5. Also in the region of this reinforcing web one observes an increased number of grid node points 7 'in comparison to the remaining subarea 1a or 1b. The increased number of grid nodes 7 'at the edge of the cargo area 1 and in the area of the reinforcing webs leads to reinforcement and stiffening of the cargo area 1.

In addition to the already treated recesses 4, 5, 6, the load surface 1 is additionally equipped with deep-drawn support funnels 11.

These support funnels 11 are open to the load surface 1 and have a bottom or a bottom surface 12. The bottom surface 12 is facing outwardly equipped with a rubber pad. In this way, a non-slip grip of the load carrier on forks of a truck is provided.

In fact, namely the rubber pads in question or the bottom surfaces 12 of the deep-drawn support funnel 11 primarily come to rest on the forks in question, when the load carrier shown is taken and transported by means of these forks of an industrial truck. The intended rubber pad not only the load carrier as such is protected from damage, but at the same time an anti-slip or non-slip storage of the cargo carrier in question is achieved on the forks.

It can be seen that the deep-drawn support funnels 11 are largely arranged on a diagonal of a half surface of the respective partial surface 1a, 1b. In this case, the diagonals in question together with the support funnels 11 describe a total and approximately a rhombus. In this way, it is ensured that the largest possible surface contact between the fork tines and the rubber pads or bottom surfaces 12 is observed both when driving under the load surface 1 in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction and the load carrier can be taken at the same time tip over.

Of particular importance for the invention is now the fact that the recesses 4, 5, 6 in the load surface 1 total spanned a recessed total area G _a . That is, the recesses 4, 5, 6 or realized at this point openings of the cargo area 1 define a total of the recessed total area G _{a in question} . Even the continuous Surface elements or rectangular webs 7 span a total area, this time a closed total area G _{s of} the load surface 1.

According to the invention, the design is made so that the recessed total area G _{a is} greater than the total closed area G _{s is} formed, that is, it applies: $${\mathrm{G}}_{\mathrm{a}}>{\mathrm{G}}_{\mathrm{s}},$$

In the context of the exemplary embodiment, the load surface 1 may have a total area F. In this case: $${\mathrm{G}}_{\mathrm{a}}>0.5\mathrm{to}0.7F,$$

As a result, the total closed area G _s is calculated as follows: $${\mathrm{G}}_{\mathrm{s}}\approx 0.3\mathrm{until\; smaller}0.5F,$$

It is clear from these design rules that the load surface 1 is largely recessed in the load carrier according to the invention, that is, no material in the region of the recesses 4, 5, 6 has. As a result, on the one hand the material consumption of plastic is reduced and on the other hand the weight of the entire load carrier can be significantly reduced. The realized grid network 10 in conjunction with the edge reinforcements and the additional reinforcing webs comparable strength and mechanical loads are nevertheless observed as in load carriers, which have a closed cargo area 1 as an alternative.

As already described in the introduction, the entire load carrier shown is advantageously made of a plastic and in particular thermoplastic. In this case, as a plastic typically a sorted virgin plastic and / or a recycled plastic is used. The recycled plastic used is sorted and free of foreign substances and designed as a new-goods substitute. This means that the recycled plastic has comparable mechanical properties after processing as the virgin plastic of the same grade. The rheological properties of the recycled plastic correspond to those of the new type of plastic of the same grade.

In this way, the load carrier according to the invention can be produced particularly inexpensively. In addition, its reusability is facilitated because it works with a single-grade plastic. The individual load carrier can be stacked in the unloaded state. This succeeds mostly by interlocking contours on the one hand on the load surface 1 and on the other hand, the underside of the skids 3. This is not shown in detail, however.

Claims (14)

1. Load carrier with a load carrying surface (1) supported by feet (2), wherein the load carrying surface (1) is provided with several recesses (4, 5, 6) between continuous surface elements (7) and wherein the recesses (4, 5, 6) in the load carrying surface (1) span a recessed overall area (Ga) which is greater than the overall area (Gs) of the load carrying surface (1) spanned by the continuous surface elements (7), characterised in that

   - the load carrying surface (1) is provided with deep-drawn protection funnels (1) in addition to the recesses (4, 5, 6), wherein

   - the protection funnels (11) are open towards the load carrying surface (1) and comprise a base area (12) with a rubber overlay, facing outwards and away from the load carrying surface (1), as a support for any prongs of fork-lift trucks.
2. Load carrier according to claim 1 characterised in that the recessed overall surface (Ga) constitutes more than 50% to approximately 60% and the closed overall area (Gs) less than 50% to approximately 40% of the load carrying surface (1).
3. Load carrier according to claim 1 characterised in that the recessed overall area (Ga) constitutes more than 50% to approximately 70% and the closed overall area (Gs) less than 50% to approximately 30% of the load carrying surface.
4. Load carrier according to claim 3 characterised in that recessed total surface (Ga) constitutes between approximately 60% and 70% of the load carrying surface (1), whereas the closed total surface (Gs) constitutes between approximately 30% and 40% of the load carrying surface (1).
5. Load carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that the load carrying surface (1) and the feet (2) define a one-piece component.
6. Load carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the recesses (4, 5, 6) are designed on the one hand as rectangular recesses (4, 6) and on the other hand as square recesses (5) and the continuous surface elements (7) are designed as bars, in particular rectangular bars (7) framing the recesses (4, 5, 6).
7. Load carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that the load carrying surface (1) is largely evenly designed and preferably forms a grid network (10).
8. Load carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that the load carrying surface (1) is equipped with interchangeable skids (3).
9. Load carrier according to claim 8 characterised in that the skids (3) are detachably connected to, preferably clipped onto, the underside of the load carrying surface (1).
10. Load carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterised in that the load carrying surface (1) together with the feet (2) is designed as a one-piece plastic injection moulded component.
11. Load carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 10 characterised in the skids (3) are also designed as one-piece plastic injection moulded components.
12. Load carrier according to claim 10 or 11 characterised in that a thermoplastic is used as the plastic material.
13. Load carrier according to any one of claims 10 to 12 characterised in that the plastic is a homogeneous new product plastic and/or a recycled plastic.
14. Load carrier according to claim 13 characterised in that the recycled plastic used is in the form of a homogeneous new product plastic free of foreign substances.

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