EP3242837B1 - Logistics module - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

One aspect of the invention relates to a logistics module in which objects can be placed, including goods. The logistics module can be used to store these objects, at least temporarily, and to transport them. The logistics module can be, for example, in the form of a container for transporting goods to stores for supplying them and for storing and transporting goods to be placed in sales departments within a store. Another aspect of the invention relates to a pair of fall arrest flaps.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

The patent publication FR 2 962 419 A1 discloses a container that includes a product receiving floor, a support frame, and a plurality of walls for protecting and holding products received on the floor. At the four corners of the floor are U-shaped metal sections on which telescopic posts are hinged. The outer end of each post is equipped with a stacking salt cellar. The uprights can be tilted from a supine and horizontal position to a upright and upright position by pivoting each around a hinge pin and then pushing the bottom of the profile toward the floor. The walls are made from a loose mesh net, made of very light textile material. The walls are soft and soft. The net is made of polyester. The patent publication FR 3 000 726 A1 discloses a large container having a bottom portion preferably pallet type. In this container two foldable sidewalls are arranged vis-a-vis on which the other sidewall elements are foldably hinged. Moreover, the French patent application no. 13 58310 , published under number FR 3 010 054 , constitutes an earlier right for France.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for a solution allowing increased usability of a logistics module.

This solution is obtained through the use of a pair of fall arrest flaps according to claim 1, and to a logistics module comprising them, according to claim 2.

The pair of fall arrest flaps can be opened and closed relatively easily. In addition, the fall arrest flaps can be properly tensioned during a closing operation, so that they ensure a good maintenance of goods placed in the logistics module. An operator can therefore load and unload the logistics module efficiently and reliably.

An embodiment of the invention may include one or more of the additional features presented in the following paragraphs.

The logistics module may include a drop-side incorporating the amount to which the male fall arrest flap is attached, the drop-board comprising at least one of the following two fastening zones: an attachment zone provided with self-gripping elements capable of being in engagement with the elements additional self-gripping of the fastening strip, and a fastening area provided with complementary self-gripping elements capable of being engaged with the self-gripping elements of the fastening zone on the male fall arrest flap.

The logistics module may include a drop-side incorporating the amount to which the female fall arrest flap is attached, said drop-board comprising a fastening zone provided with self-gripping elements, the fall arrest female flap comprising an attachment zone provided with complementary self-gripping elements. able to be in touch with Velcro-fastening elements of the fastening zone on said side panel.

The logistics module may comprise an additional pair of uprights located on one side of the opposite base on the side where is the pair of amounts defined in the foregoing. An additional pair of fall arrest flaps may be associated with the additional pair of studs. This additional pair of fall arrest flaps may be similar to the pair of fall arrest flaps defined above.

The fixing strip may comprise a gripping zone located at a free end of the fastening strip, the gripping zone remaining detached from the fastening zone of the male fall arrest flap when the complementary self-gripping elements of the fastening strip are in engagement with the self-gripping elements in this fastening zone.

The female fall arrest flap can comprise a plurality of fastening loops located on the opposite side to the side on which this fall arrest flap is attached to the amount. The male fall arrest flap may comprise a plurality of fastening zones provided with self-gripping elements located at a side opposite the side on which this fall arrest flap is attached to the upright, and a plurality of fastening strips, a fastening strip being associated to a fastening loop and a fastening zone and lying in an extension of this fastening zone, the fastening strip being able to pass through the fastening loop. fixation, the fastening strip being provided with complementary self-gripping elements capable of being engaged with the self-gripping elements in the fastening zone.

The logistics module may comprise a pair of side boards, one of which incorporates the amount to which the male fall arrest flap is attached, the other side panel incorporating the amount to which the female fall arrest flap is attached. The logistics module may further comprise a pair of stacking devices, one of which is centrally disposed on an upper edge of one of the side panels, the other stacking device being centrally disposed on an upper edge of the other sidewalk, both stacking device each comprising a floor disposed on the upper edge of the sideboard concerned, and three vertical walls, one of which is a longitudinal wall inclined outwards and the logistics module so that there is an obtuse angle between the longitudinal wall and the floor, the other two vertical walls being side walls. The base of the logistics module may comprise a pair of intermediate feet adapted to engage in a pair of stacking devices of a similar logistic module located below the logistics module.

The floor of one and the floor of the other stacking device may each comprise a portion respectively protruding from the upper edge of one and that of the other side towards the outside.

The logistics module may include a pair of drop-side supports, one of which rotatably connects one of the side panels to the base so that this sideboard can be tilted towards the base to reach a lying position, the other sideboard support rotatably connecting the other sideboard to the base so that this sideboard can also be tilted towards the base to reach a supine position. The logistics module may further comprise a pair of additional stacking devices, one of which is arranged centrally on an upper edge of one of the sideboard supports, this upper edge being located, viewed from the base, above the side panels. in the storage position, the other stacking device being arranged centrally on an upper edge of the other side support, this upper edge being also located, seen from the base, above the side panels in storage position the pair of additional stacking devices being similar to the pair of stacking devices.

The logistics module may include a foot which is located, seen from the base, below an amount, the foot comprising a hollow section adapted to receive a lower portion of the upright, the lower portion of the upright having an orifice capable of making flow in the hollow profile a fluid that could have penetrated the amount, the foot comprising a lower portion provided with a pad adapted to maintain a distance between the hollow section and a floor on which the logistics module is placed, the lower part having an orifice capable of flowing the fluid on the ground.

The lower portion may comprise a floor fixed to the hollow profile, the pad being fixed to the floor of the hollow profile.

The hollow profile may be rectangular, the floor of the lower portion including a cut corner, and the pad comprising a cut corner, these cut corners being aligned to form an orifice of the lower portion.

The logistics module may comprise a fastening base adapted to slidably receive a lower portion of the upright, the fastening base comprising a lower part situated in the hollow section of the foot, the lower part comprising an orifice capable of flowing out. the fluid of the upright in the hollow section.

As an illustration, a detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is presented in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• The figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a logistics module.
• The figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the logistics module where there are three fastening strips that are in a preparative closure situation.
• The figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the same part of the logistics module, the three fastening strips being in a tensioning situation.
• The figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the same part of the logistics module, the three fastening strips being in a locking situation.
• The figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the container with a male front fall arrest flap and a female rear fall arrest flap in an open position.
• The figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the container with a female front fall arrest flap and a male rear fall arrest flap in a storage position.
• The figure 7 is a perspective and schematic sectional view of a portion of the container that includes a left rear corner foot.
• The figure 8 is a perspective view of a bottom portion of the container that includes the left rear corner foot and a left intermediate leg.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figure 1 schematically illustrates a logistics module 100 by presenting a schematic perspective view thereof. This is an embodiment where the logistics module is in the form of a container. The logistics module will then be called container 100 in the following for reasons of illustration and convenience.

The container 100 comprises a base 101 which has four sides: two longitudinal sides 102, 103 and two transverse sides 104, 105. One of the two longitudinal sides will be called front longitudinal side 102 in the following for reasons of illustration and of convenience. The other longitudinal side will be called rear longitudinal side 103 in what follows. One of the two transverse sides will be recalled left transverse side 104 in the following. The other transverse side will be called right transverse side 105 in what follows.

The container 100 comprises a pair of side walls 106, 107. One of these side panels is located on the left transverse side 104 of the base 101. This sidewall will thus be designated left sideboard 106 in the following for the sake of clarity and convenience. The other side is located on the right transverse side 105 and will be designated right sideboard 107 in the following.

The left side wall 106 comprises two uprights 108, 109, one of which will be designated front left amount 108 in the following for the sake of clarity and convenience. The other end of the left side wall 106 will be designated left rear pillar 109. An upper rail 110 connects the left front pillar 108 and the left rear pillar 109 to each other. The upper cross member 110 constitutes an upper transverse edge of the left side wall 106. The left side wall 106 further comprises intermediate cross members located below the upper cross member 110.

The right sideboard 107 is similar to the left sideboard 106. The right sideboard 107 comprises a right front post 111 and a right rear post 112. The right sideboard 107 also comprises an upper rail 113 which constitutes an upper transverse edge of this sidewall.

The container 100 further comprises a pair of bed supports 114, 115. One of these bed side supports rotatably connects the left sideboard 106 to the base 101. This sideboard support will thus be designated left sideboard support 114 in this case. following. The other sideboard support rotatably connects the right sideboard 107 to the base 101. This sideboard support will thus be designated right sideboard support 115 in the following.

The right drop-side support 115 comprises a pair of fastening bases 116, 117: a fastening base 116 for the right front post 111 and a fastening base 117 for the right rear post 112. These fastening bases will then be respectively designated base a right front attachment 116 and a right rear attachment base 117 in the following. The right front mounting base 116 slidably receives a lower portion of the right front post 111. Similarly, the right rear mounting base 117 slidably receives a lower portion of the right rear post 112. A cross member 118 connects an upstanding end. of the right front mounting base 116 and a top end of the right rear mounting base 117 to each other. This crosspiece 118 constitutes an upper transverse edge of the right sideboard support 115.

The left sideboard support 114 is similar to the right sideboard support 115. The left sideboard support 114 includes a left front attachment base 119 and a left rear attachment base 120. A crossmember 121 connects an upper end of the attachment base. left front 119 and an upper end of the left rear fixing base 120 to one another. This cross-member 121 constitutes an upper transverse edge of the left side-wall support 114.

The figure 1 illustrates the container 100 in an unfolded state. The unfolded state is characterized by a standing position of the left sideboard 106 and the right sideboard 107. The container 100 can be brought into a folded state thanks to the side supports 114, 115 which rotatably connect the sidewalls 106, 107 to the base 101. Thus, an operator can tilt the left sideboard 106 and the right sideboard 107 to the base 101 so that the side panels 106, 107 each reach a supine position. The container 100 would thus be in the folded state. In the folded state, the cross member 121 of the left side support 114 would be located, seen from the base 101, above the side panels 106, 107 which would be in the supine position. Similarly, the cross 118 of the right sidewall support 115 would also be, seen from the base 101, above the side panels 106, 107 which would be in the supine position.

The container 100 comprises a pair of fall arrest flaps 122, 123 which is located on the longitudinal front side 102 of the base 101. This pair of fall arrest flaps will be designated pair of front fall arrest flaps 122, 123 in the following for reasons of clarity and convenience. More specifically, the pair of front fall arrest flaps 122, 123 is associated with the left front pillar 108 and the right front pillar 111, which are located on the longitudinal front side 102 of the base 101. A fall arrest flap 122 of the pair of flaps The fall arrest device is rotatably attached on one of its sides to the left front post 108. The other fall arrest flap 123 is rotatably attached on one of its sides to the right front post 111. fall arrest flap respectively will be designated female front fall arrest flap 122 and the male front fall arrest flap 123 in what follows for reasons that will become evident.

The container 100 includes another pair of fall arrest flaps 124, 125 which are located on the rear longitudinal side 103 of the base 101. This pair of fall arrest flaps will be designated pair of rear fall arrest flaps 124, 125 in the following for reasons of clarity and convenience. The pair of rear fall arrest flaps 124, 125 is associated with the left rear pillar 109 and the right rear pillar 112, which are located on the rear longitudinal side 103 of the base 101. A fall arrest flap 124 of the pair of fall arrest flaps is fixed rotatively, on one of its sides, at the left rear pillar 109. The other fall arrest flap 125 is fixed rotatably, on one of its sides, to the rear right pillar 112. The one and the other fall arrest flap will be respectively designated male rear fall arrest flap 124 and female rear fall arrest flap 125.

The figure 1 illustrates the pair of front fall arrest flaps 122, 123 in a closed position. In this position, the female front fall arrest flap 122 and the male front fall arrest flap 123 along the front longitudinal side 102 of the base 101. These fall arrest flaps each have a front face which forms an outer face of the logistics module, and a rear face. which forms an inner face of the logistics module, when the pair of front fall arrest flaps 122, 123 is in the closed position as illustrated in FIG. figure 1 . The front face of the female front fall arrest flap 122 and that of the male 123 front fall arrest flap are visible at the front. figure 1 .

The pair of rear fall arrest flaps 124, 125 is also illustrated in a closed position. The male rear fall arrest flap 124 and the female rear fall arrest flap 125 along the rear longitudinal side 103 of the base 101. These fall arrest flaps 124, 125 also each have a front face which forms an outer face of the logistics module, and a rear face which forms an inner face of the logistics module, when the pair of rear fall arrest flaps 124, 125 is in the closed position as illustrated in FIG. figure 1 . The rear face of the male rear fall arrest flap 124 and that of the female rear fall arrest flap 125 are visible at the figure 1 .

In the following, the pair of front fall arrest flaps 122, 123 will be described in more detail. This description also applies to the pair of rear fall arrest flaps 124, 125. Elements on the rear face of the female front fall arrest flap 122 and on that of the male front fall arrest flap 123 are not visible at the front. figure 1 . However, corresponding elements are also present on the rear face of the male rear fall arrest flap 124 and that of the female rear fall arrest flap 125. These elements are then visible at the rear. figure 1 .

In more detail, the female front fall arrest flap 122 comprises a relatively flexible sheet. This flexible sheet can be made, for example, of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or any other solid or meshed flexible material, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP). The flexible sheet is provided with three reinforcing strips: an upper reinforcing strip 126, a lower reinforcing strip 127, and an intermediate reinforcing strip 128. These reinforcing strips are similar to straps and will respectively be designated upper strap 126, lower strap 127, and intermediate strap 128, in the following for reasons of convenience. The male front fall arrest flap 123 also comprises a relatively flexible sheet provided with an upper strap 129, a lower strap 130, and an intermediate strap 131.

The female front fall arrest flap 122 is attached to the left front post 108 as follows. The left front post 108 is provided with three U-shaped attachment rods: an upper fixing rod, a lower fixing rod, and an intermediate fixing rod. The upper strap 126 of the female front fall arrest flap 122 comprises a folded end portion on itself forming a fixed loop. This fixed loop surrounds a median section of the upper U-shaped fastening rod. Likewise, the lower strap 127 and the intermediate strap 128 each comprise such an end portion forming a fixed loop respectively surrounding the lower fastening rod and the intermediate fixing rod. The male front fall arrest flap 123 is attached to the right front post 111 in the same way, which implies that this post is also provided with an upper fixing rod, a lower fixing rod, and an intermediate fixing rod in the form of U.

The female front fall arrest flap 122 comprises three fastening loops 132, 133, 134 located at an opposite side to the side on which the female front fall arrest flap 122 is fixed to the left front pillar 108. An upper fastening loop 132 is located on the strap upper 126, a lower fastening loop 133 is located on the lower strap 127, an intermediate fastening loop 134 is located on the intermediate strap 128.

The male front fall arrest flap 123 comprises three attachment zones 135, 136, 137 on its front face. These three attachment zones 135, 136, 137 are located at an opposite side to the side on which the male front fall arrest flap 123 is attached to the right front pillar 111. In more detail, an upper attachment zone 135 is located on the upper strap 129, a lower attachment zone 136 is located on the lower strap 130, and an intermediate attachment zone 137 is located on the intermediate strap 131. The three attachment zones 135, 136, 137 are each provided with self-gripping elements such as, for example, square brackets. These self-gripping elements will be designated brackets in the following for reasons of illustration and convenience.

The male front fall arrest flap 123 further comprises three attachment strips 138, 139, 140: an upper attachment band 138, a lower attachment band 139, and an intermediate attachment band 140. The upper attachment band 138 is located in an extension of the upper attachment zone 135. For example, the upper attachment band 138 may be formed by an extension of the upper strap 129, which protrudes from the flexible sheet of the male front fall arrest flap 123 and which is detached therefrom . The same is true for the lower fastening strip 139 and the intermediate fastening strip 140.

The upper fastening strip 138 comprises two faces provided with complementary self-gripping elements such as, for example, pile hairs. These additional Velcro elements will be designated velvet hair in the following for reasons of illustration and convenience. The pile hairs can engage the hooks present in the upper attachment zone 135 on the male fall arrest flap. To the figure 1 only one of the two faces of the fastening strip is visible. The lower attachment band 139 and the intermediate attachment band 140 are similar; these fastening strips also comprise two faces provided with pile hairs.

The position of closure of the pair of front fall arrest flaps 122, 123, illustrated in FIG. figure 1 , is characterized as follows. The upper attachment band 138 is folded back on itself to form a loop. This loop surrounds part of the upper attachment loop 132 of the female front fall arrest flap 122. The upper attachment band 138 is held in loop by the pile hairs which are engaged in the hooks present in the upper attachment zone 135. the same applies to the lower fastening band 139 and the intermediate fixing band 140 which each form a loop respectively surrounding a part of the fastening loop. 133 and a portion of the intermediate fastening loop 134. These fastening strips are looped in the same way.

The upper fastening strip 138 comprises a gripping zone 141 which is located at a free end of this fastening strip. The gripping zone 141 is devoid of self-gripping elements. This zone 141 remains detached from the upper attachment zone 135 of the male front fall arrest flap 123 when the pile hairs of the upper fastening band 138 are engaged in the hooks with the upper attachment zone 135. The gripping zone 141 facilitates an action opening which detaches the upper attachment band 138 from the upper attachment area 135. The gripping area 141 may also facilitate a closing action. The lower attachment band 139 and the intermediate attachment band 140 also each comprise such a gripping area.

The Figures 2 to 4 schematically illustrate a closing operation of the pair of front fall arrest flaps 122, 123. Each of these figures presents a schematic perspective view of a portion of the container 100 where there are three fastening loops 132, 133, 134 and the three strips attachment 138, 139, 140 of the pair of front fall arrest flaps 122, 123. In more detail, the figure 2 schematically illustrates the three binding strips 138, 139, 140 in a preparative closing situation. The figure 3 schematically illustrates the three binding strips 138, 139, 140 in a tensioning situation. The figure 4 schematically illustrates the three binding strips 138, 139, 140 in a locking situation.

In the preparatory situation of closure, illustrated in figure 2 an end portion of the upper fastening strip 138 is passed through the upper fastening loop 132. This end portion comprises the gripping zone 141 devoid of self-gripping elements. The same is true for the lower fastening strip 139 and the Intermediate fastening strip 140.

In the tensioning situation, illustrated in figure 3 a larger portion of the upper attachment band 138 is passed through the upper attachment loop 132. The upper attachment band 138 is V-shaped having a point engaged with the upper attachment loop 132. When an operator pulls on the part which has passed through the upper attachment loop 132, it exerts a tension on the female front fall arrest flap 122 and on the male front fall arrest flap 123. The same applies for the lower fastening band 139 and the strip intermediate fixation 140. The concerned fall arresters 122, 123 can be properly tensioned, which contributes to good retention of goods placed in the container 100.

In addition, there is a leverage effect in the tensioning situation. The operator can pull on the upper fastening band 138 and, simultaneously, rotate the portion of this fastener strip which has passed through the upper fastening loop 132 towards the male front fall arrest flap 123. By doing so, the The operator exerts a force which, in fact, is multiplied in order to power up the fall arrest flaps 122, 123. Likewise, the leverage effect also exists for the lower fastening strip 139 and the intermediate fastening strip 140 respectively in mesh. with the lower fastening loop 133 and the intermediate fastening loop 134.

In the locking situation, illustrated in the figure of 4, the upper attachment band 138 is engaged with the upper attachment zone 135 on the male front fall arrest flap 123. Specifically, the pile hairs of the upper attachment band 138 are engaged in the hooks in the upper attachment zone 135. Likewise, the lower fastening strip 139 and the intermediate fastening strip 140 are respectively engaged with the lower fastening zone 136 and the intermediate fastening zone 137 on the shutter 123. This makes it possible to maintain a tension on the fall arrest flaps 122, 123 at the end of the closure operation described in the foregoing with reference to FIGS. Figures 2 to 4 .

The Figures 2 to 4 also illustrate that the female front fall arrest flap 122 comprises a fastening zone 142 on its front face. The attachment zone 142 is also visible and indicated at the figure 1 . In this embodiment, the attachment zone 142 is located on the upper attachment band 138 of this fall arrest flap 122. The attachment zone 142 is provided with pile hairs. The female rear fall arrest flap 125 also includes such a fastening zone, which is not visible at Figures 1 to 4 . These attachment areas on the female fall arrest flaps 122, 125 do not have any particular function in a closing operation as described in the foregoing with reference to FIGS. Figures 2 to 4 . A function of these attachment areas will be described in the following.

Referring again to the figure 1 , the right sideboard 107 is provided with a pair of lateral attachment zones 143, 144 in the shape of a rotated L, visible at the figure 1 . One of these lateral fixing zones 143 comprises a branch on an upper part of the right front post 111, and another branch on a front part of the upper cross member 113 of the right sideboard 107. This lateral attachment zone will be designated right front side attachment zone 143 in the following. The right front lateral attachment zone 143 comprises hooks in which the pile hairs can be engaged on the upper fastening strip 138 of the male front fall arrest flap 123. The other lateral attachment zone comprises a branch on an upper part of the right rear pillar 112 and another branch on a rear portion of the upper cross 113 of the right side panel 107. This side fixing area will be designated right rear side fixing zone 144 in the following. The right rear lateral attachment zone 144 comprises hooks in which the pile hairs can engage in the fastening zone of the female rear fall arrest flap 125.

The left side wall 106 also includes a pair of pivoted L-shaped lateral attachment areas 145, 146. These lateral attachment zones 145, 146, which are not very visible on the figure 1 , are similar to the lateral attachment areas 143, 144 on the right side wall 107. Thus, the left side wall 106 is provided with a front left lateral fixing zone 145 which comprises a branch on an upper part of the left front post 108 and a another branch on a front portion of the upper cross member 110 of the left side wall 106. The front left lateral attachment zone 145 comprises hooks in which the velvet pile can engage in the attachment zone 142 of the female front fall arrest flap 122 The left side wall 106 is provided with a left rear side fixing zone 146 which comprises a branch on an upper part of the left rear pillar 109 and another branch on a rear part of the upper cross member 110 of the left side wall 106. left rear lateral fixing zone 146 comprises hooks in which the velvet hairs can engage on the upper fastening strip of the fall arrest flap re male 124.

The figure 5 schematically illustrates the container 100 with the male front fall arrest flap 123 and the female rear fall arrest flap 125 in an open position. The figure 5 presents a schematic perspective view of the container 100 and these fall arrest flaps 123, 125 in the open position. In the open position, the male front fall arrest flap 123 is folded around the right front pillar 111. The upper fastening strip 138 of this fall arrest flap engages with the right front lateral fastening zone 143 on the right side panel 107. Similarly, the female rear fall arrest flap 125 is folded around the right rear pillar 112. The fastening zone of this fall arrest flap engages with the right rear lateral fixing zone 144 on the right side panel 107. The fall arrest flaps in question are thus kept in their folded positions illustrated at the figure 5 .

The female front fall arrest flap 122 and the male rear fall arrest flap 124 can be folded down and held in the same way. An operator thus has access to the interior of the container 100 to place merchandise, or to remove goods from the container 100. This arrangement of the container 100 with its fall arrest flaps 122, 123, 124, 125 thus facilitates loading and unloading operations. unloading.

Referring again to the figure 1 , the female front fall arrest flap 122 comprises protective pads 147 on its lower strap 127. These protective pads protect this fall arrest flap 122, and more particularly, its lower strap 127 against premature wear. Such premature wear can be caused by friction against a reinforcing gusset 148 disposed between the front left fixing base 119 and the base 101 on its longitudinal side before 102. This friction can occur when an operator opens the pair of front fall arrest flaps 122, 123, bringing these fall arrest flaps from the closed position to the open position. Similarly, the male front fall arrest flap 123 also comprises protective pads 149 on its lower strap 130. These pads 149 protect the lower strap 130 against premature wear caused by friction against a reinforcing gusset 150 disposed between the fixing base. right front 116 and the base 101 on its longitudinal side before 102.

The female rear fall arrest flap 125 comprises a fixing zone 151 on its rear face. This fixing zone 151, which is provided with hooks, is located on the opposite side to the side on which the female rear fall arrest flap 125 is fixed to the right rear post 112. The pile hairs on the upper fastening strip 138 of the front fall arrest flap male 123 can engage in the hooks of the additional fastening area 151. In a symmetrical manner, the female front fall arrest flap 122 also comprises a fastening zone on its rear face, which is not visible at the front. figure 1 . This attachment zone, which is also provided with hooks, is located on the opposite side to the side on which the female front fall arrest flap 122 is fixed to the left front post 108.

The male rear fall arrest flap 124 comprises an additional attachment zone 152 on its rear face. This additional attachment zone 152, which is provided with hooks, is also located on the opposite side to the side on which the male rear fall arrest flap 124 is fixed to the left rear pillar 109. The pile hairs in the fixing zone 142 on the front face the female front fall arrest flap 122 can engage in the hooks of the additional fastening zone 152. In a symmetrical manner, the male front fall arrest flap 123 also comprises a fastening zone additional on its back side, which is visible to the figure 1 . This additional fixing zone, which is also provided with hooks, is located on the opposite side to the side on which the male front fall arrest flap 123 is attached to the right front pillar 111.

The figure 6 schematically illustrates a portion of the container 100 with the female front fall arrest flap 122 and the male rear fall arrest flap 124 in a storage position. The figure 6 presents a schematic perspective view of this part of the container 100. In the storage position, the fall arrest flaps in question 122, 124 were next to the left sideboard 106. In other words, the fall arrest flaps in question 122, 124 are parallel to the left sideboard 106.

In the storage position shown in the figure 6 , part of the female front fall arrest flap 122 is sandwiched between the left side wall 106 and the male rear fall arrest flap 124. The additional attachment area 152 on the rear male rear fall arrest flap face 124 is engaged with the attachment area 142 on the front face of the female front fall arrest flap 122. Thus, these two fall arrest flaps 122, 124 are maintained in the storage position, alongside the left side wall 106. In this position, the left side wall 106 can easily be tilted towards the base 101 to reach the supine position. In this position, the fall arrest flaps in question 122, 124 are sandwiched between the base 101 and the left side wall 106.

In an alternative storage position, a portion of the male rear fall arrest flap 124 is sandwiched between the left sideboard 106 and the female front fall arrest flap 122. This is a situation opposite to that illustrated in FIG. figure 6 and described in the foregoing. In the alternative storage position, the attachment area on the rear face of the female front fall arrest flap 122 is engaged with one face of the upper fastening strip of the male rear fall arrest flap 124. The fastening strip is folded; its other face is engaged with the upper attachment zone on the male rear fall arrest flap 124. Thus, these two fall arrest flaps 122, 124 are held in the alternative storage position.

Referring again to the figure 1 the container 100 comprises a pair of stacking devices 153, 154 one of which is centrally disposed on the upper cross member 110 of the left side wall 106. The other stacking device 154 is centrally disposed on the upper cross member 113. of the right sideboard 107. The stacking devices 153, 154 are each similar to a cup with a cutout on an inner side of the container 100. Both stacking devices will be respectively designated upper left stacking cup 153 and right upper stacking cup 154 in the following for reasons of convenience.

In more detail, the left upper stacking cup 153 comprises a floor disposed on the upper cross member 110 of the left side wall 106. More specifically, the floor is disposed on an upper face of this cross member 110. A portion of the floor projects from the upper cross 110 to the outside. Thus, the upper left stacking cup 153 exceeds the upper cross member 110 on an outer side of the container 100.

The upper left stacking cup 153 comprises three vertical walls, one of which is an outwardly inclined longitudinal wall and the logistics module. This inclination is such that there is an obtuse angle between the longitudinal wall and the floor. The other two vertical walls are side walls. These side walls can also each have such inclination. The upper right stacking cup 154 is similar to the left upper stacking cup 153; the foregoing remarks also apply to the upper right stacking cup 154.

The container 100 includes a pair of intermediate feet disposed on a bottom face of the base 101. An intermediate foot 155 is centrally disposed at the right transverse side 105. The other intermediate foot is centrally disposed at the left transverse side 104. This intermediate foot is not visible at the figure 1 . The one and the other intermediate foot thus respectively respectively designated right intermediate foot 155 and left intermediate foot in the following.

The pair of stacking devices 153, 154 and the pair of intermediate legs, described in the foregoing, facilitate a stacking operation. For example, another container similar to the container 100 shown in FIG. figure 1 can be stacked above the container 100 shown in the figure 1 . This stacking operation will be described in the following. The other container will be designated container to be stacked in the following for the sake of clarity of convenience.

It is assumed that the container to be stacked is a certain distance above the container 100 shown in FIG. figure 1 . However, the container to be stacked is not necessarily correctly aligned with respect to the container 100 illustrated in FIG. figure 1 . The container to be stacked may be a little horizontally crosswise with respect to the container 100 illustrated in FIG. figure 1 .

During the stacking operation, an operator lowers the container to be stacked. The left intermediate leg of the gerber container will engage in the upper left stacking cup 153 of the container 100 shown in FIG. figure 1 . Likewise, the right intermediate leg of the stacking container will engage in the right upper stacking cup 154 of the container 100 shown in FIG. figure 1 .

A self centering of the container to be stacked with respect to the container 100 illustrated in FIG. figure 1 is done when the operator is progressively lowering even more the container to be stacked. The vertical walls of the upper left stacking cup 153 guide the left intermediate foot to the floor. The vertical walls cause, if necessary, a rotational movement of the container to be stacked so that it aligns with the container 100 shown in FIG. figure 1 . The vertical walls of the right upper stacking cup 154 allow the same guidance of the right intermediate foot of the container to be stacked.

The container 100 includes a pair of additional stacking devices 156, 157 similar to the pair of stacking devices 153, 154 described above. An additional stacking device 156 is centrally disposed on the cross member 121 of the left sideboard support 114. This additional stacking device 156 is only very partially visible on the figure 1 . The further additional stacking device 157 is centrally disposed on the crossmember 118 of the right sideboard support 115. Both of the additional stacking devices will be designated respectively lower left stacking cup 156 and lower right stacking cup 157 in the following for reasons of convenience.

The lower left stacking cup 156 and the lower right stacking cup 157 facilitate a stacking operation when the container 100 illustrated in FIG. figure 1 was taken away in the folded state. In this state, the lower left stacking cup 156 and the lower right stacking cup 157 have a self centering function similar to that of the upper left stacking cup 153 and the upper right stacking cup 154 described in above. Thus, another container similar to the container 100 shown in FIG. figure 1 can be relatively easily stacked above the container 100 shown in FIG. figure 1 when the latter is in the folded state, the left side wall 106 and the right side wall 107 being each in the supine position.

The upper left stacking cup 153 and the upper right stacking cup 154 make it possible to stack a conventional pallet on the container 100. The same applies for the lower left stacking cup 156 and the cup lower right stacking 157, which can stack such a pallet on the container 100 in the folded state. In both cases, the pallet is taken between the stacking cups in question, which constitute holding stops. It should be noted that the side walls of the stacking cups have beveled edges on the inside of the container 100. This allows self centering of the pallet during a stacking operation.

The container 100 comprises four corner feet, three of which are visible at the figure 1 : a left front corner foot 158, a front right corner foot 159, and a right rear corner foot 160. A left rear corner foot is not visible at the figure 1 . When the container 100 is stacked on another similar container, the four corner legs can rest on the four uprights of the other container when the latter is in the unfolded state. The four corner legs can rest on the four fastening bases of the other container when the latter is in the folded state.

The figure 7 schematically illustrates a portion of the container 100 comprising the left rear corner foot, which is designated by the reference 701. The figure 7 is a perspective view in schematic section of this part of the container 100. The rear left corner foot 701 is located, seen from the base 101, below the left rear pillar 109. The rear left corner foot 701 comprises a hollow profile 702 which can receive a lower portion of the left rear pillar 109. More specifically, in this embodiment, the left rear fixing base 120 slidably receives the lower portion of the left rear pillar 109 as it has been mentioned. in the above. A lower portion of the left rear fixing base 120 is thus in the hollow section 702 of the foot.

The lower portion of the left rear pillar 109 has an orifice 703. In this embodiment, the port 703 is defined by a tip on a lower end of the left rear pillar 109, which is in the form of a rectangular hollow tube. The tip only partially seals this end, thus leaving the orifice 703. A fluid that could have penetrated the left rear post 109 can thus flow into the hollow section 702 of the left rear corner foot 701. More specifically the fluid first flows into the left rear fixing base 120 which also includes a partially open end.

The left rear corner foot 701 comprises a lower portion provided with a pad 704. The pad 704 maintains a distance between the hollow section 702 of this corner foot 701 and a floor on which the container 100 is placed. The lower part of the corner foot The left rear flange 701 includes an orifice 705. The fluid that has flowed from the left rear pillar 109 into the hollow section 702 of the left rear corner leg 701 can then flow onto the floor through this hole 705. Thus, the water that could have penetrated the left rear pillar 109 can evacuate by gravity. This arrangement avoids water retention in the left rear pillar 109, as well as in the left rear corner foot 701, which could cause rust.

More specifically, the lower part of the left rear corner foot 701 comprises a floor 706 fixed to the hollow section 702 of this corner foot 701. The pad 704 is fixed to this floor 706 by, for example, riveting. The floor 706 of the lower part comprises four cut corners. The pad 704 also includes four cut corners. In this embodiment, these cut corners are necessarily aligned to form four orifices of the lower part. In another embodiment, the floor 706 and the pad 704 may each include, for example, only one cut corner. In this embodiment, it is necessary to align the cut corner of the floor 706 and the cut corner of the pad 704 to form a hole in the lower portion.

The other corner legs 158, 159, 160, the other uprights 108, 111, 112, and the other attachment bases 116, 117, 119 of the container 100 are respectively similar to the left rear corner foot 701, to the rear pillar left 109, and left rear mounting base 120 described in the foregoing. Thus, a fluid that could have penetrated the left front post 108, the right front post 111, where the right rear post 112, can flow on the ground in the same way.

The figure 7 further illustrates that the left rear pillar 109 includes a pair of longitudinal slots 707, 708. The pair of longitudinal slots 707, 708 constitutes a sliding path for a rod attached to the left rear mounting base 120. This rod, which is not visible at the figure 7 , through the pair of longitudinal slots 707, 708. The rod may be in the form of a screw passing through two bores in two walls of the rear left fixing base 120, one opposite the other. The screw can be fixed by means of a nut, the two walls being sandwiched at the two bores between the nut and a head of the screw.

By lifting the left rear post 109, this post slides on the rod via the sliding path formed by the pair of longitudinal slots 707, 708. The post can be raised to a point where a low end of the sliding track abuts against the rod. At this point, the left rear pillar 109 can be tilted towards the base 101. The left sideboard 106 is then tilted towards the base 101. The other uprights 108, 110, 111 of the container 100 are similar to the left rear pillar 109 described above.

The figure 8 schematically illustrates a bottom portion of the container 100 comprising the left front corner foot 158, the left back corner foot 701 and the left intermediate leg, which is designated 801. The figure 8 has a perspective view of this bottom portion of the container 100. A reinforcement gusset 802 is disposed between the left intermediate leg 801 and the base 101. More specifically, the reinforcing gusset 802 is disposed between an inner longitudinal face of the foot left intermediate 801, this face being parallel to the left transverse side 104 of the container 100, and a central frame member 803 of the base 101.

FINAL REMARKS

The detailed description which has just been made with reference to the drawings is only an illustration of some embodiments of the invention. The invention can be realized in many different ways. In order to illustrate this, some alternatives are indicated briefly.

The invention can be applied to many products and logistics processes. For example, the invention can, in principle, be applied to all types of logistics modules having an opening for loading and unloading objects and comprising a pair of fall arrest flaps adapted to close this opening. A container as illustrated in figure 1 is only one example of such a logistics module. The logistics module can also be in the form of a trolley with wheels. An opening to be closed by a pair of fall arrest flap can be located between two walls arranged in the same plane, in which the opening is also located.

There are different ways to realize a logistics module according to the invention. For example, such a logistics module may include a pair of skis instead of four corner feet, or in addition to four corner feet. In such an embodiment, the logistics module can stand on a floor, or can stand on another logistics module, through the pair of skis.

Overall, the term "logistics module" must be interpreted broadly. This term embraces any entity in which objects may be placed for, for example, storage or transport requirements. The term "fall arrest" should be interpreted broadly. This term embraces any entity that can seal, at least partially, an opening for loading or unloading objects. The terms "hook-and-loop" and "self-gripping" are to be interpreted broadly and, moreover, interchangeable. For example, pile hairs can be self-gripping elements, while hooks can be complementary self-gripping elements, or vice versa. It should also be noted that adjectives such as "before", "back", "left", and "right" that appear in the detailed description are in no way limiting. The adjectives have been used for reasons of illustration and convenience and can be perfectly interchangeable. By reversing the meaning of the container in question before getting back and left becomes right, and vice versa.

The foregoing remarks show that the detailed description with reference to the figures illustrates the invention rather than limiting it. The reference signs are in no way limiting. The verbs "understand" and "include" do not exclude the presence of other elements or steps other than those listed in the claims. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element or a step does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements or steps.

Claims (15)

1. A pair of fall-protection flaps (122, 123) for a logistics module (100) of the container type comprising a base (101) and a pair of uprights (108, 111) located on one side (102) of the base, with the pair of flaps comprising:

   - a female fall-protection flap (122) able to be rotatably fastened, on one of its sides, to an upright (108) of the pair of uprights (108, 111), with the female fall-protection flap comprising:

   - a fastening buckle (132) located on a side opposite the side on which the female fall-protection flap can be fastened to the upright,

   - a male fall-protection flap (123), able to be rotatably fastened, on one of its sides, to the other upright (111) of the pair of uprights, with the male fall-protection flap comprising:

   - a fastening zone (135) provided with self-gripping elements located on a side opposite the side on which the male fall-protection flap can be fastened to the upright, and

   - a fastening strip (138) located in an extension of the fastening zone, the fastening strip being able to pass through the fastening buckle, the fastening strip being provided with complementary self-gripping elements able to be engaged with the self-gripping elements in the fastening zone,

   - the male fall-protection flap (123) and the female fall-protection flap (122) each having:

   - a front face forming an outer face of the logistics module when the fall-protection flap in question runs along the side (102) of the base (101) whereon is located the pair of uprights (108, 111), and

   - a rear face forming an inner face of the logistics module when the fall-protection flap in question runs along the side of the base whereon is located the pair of uprights,

   - the male fall-protection flap comprises an additional fastening zone on its rear face and located on the side opposite the side on which this fall-protection flap is fastened to the upright (111), with the additional fastening zone being provided with self-gripping elements,

   - the female fall-protection flap comprises a fastening zone (142) on its front face, with the fastening zone being provided with complementary self-gripping elements able to engage with the self-gripping elements of the additional fastening zone on the rear face of the male fall-protection flap.
2. A logistics module (100) of the container type, with the logistics module comprising:

   - a base (101), and

   - a pair of uprights (108, 111) located on one side (102) of the base,

   - a pair of fall-protection flaps (122, 123) according to claim 1 associated with the pair of uprights.
3. A logistics module according to claim 2, comprising:

   - a sideboard (107) incorporating the upright (111) to which the male fall-protection flap is fastened (123), the sideboard comprising at least one of the following two fastening zones: a fastening zone (143) provided with self-gripping elements able to be engaged with the complementary self-gripping elements of the fastening strip (138), and a fastening zone provided with complementary self-gripping elements able to be engaged with the self-gripping elements of the fastening zone on the male fall-protection flap.
4. A logistics module according to any of claims 2 and 3, comprising:

   - a sideboard (106) incorporating the upright to which is fastened the female fall-protection flap (122), said sideboard comprising a fastening zone (145) provided with self-gripping elements, the female fall-protection flap comprising a fastening zone (142) provided with complementary self-gripping elements able to engage with the self-gripping elements of the fastening zone on said sideboard.
5. A logistics module according to any of claims 2 to 4, comprising:

   - an additional pair of uprights (109, 112) located on one side (103) of the base opposite the site where the pair of uprights defined in claim 1 is located,

   - an additional pair of fall-protection flaps (124, 125) associated with the additional pair of uprights, with the additional pair of fall-protection flaps being similar to the pair of fall-protection flaps (122, 123) defined in claim 1 and hereinabove.
6. A logistics module according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the fastening strip (138) comprises a gripping zone (141) located at a free end of the fastening strip, with the gripping zone remaining detached from the fastening zone (135) of the male fall-protection flap (123) when the complementary self-gripping elements of the fastening strip are engaged with the self-gripping elements in this fastening zone.
7. A logistics module according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein:

   - the female fall-protection flap (122) comprises:

   - a plurality of fastening buckles (132, 133, 134) located on the side opposite the side on which this fall-protection flap is fastened to the upright (108),

   - the male fall-protection flap (123) comprises:

   - a plurality of fastening zones (135, 136, 137) provided with self-gripping elements located on a side opposite the side on which this fall-protection flap is fastened to the upright (111), and

   - a plurality of fastening strips (138, 139, 140), with a fastening strip being associated with a fastening buckle and with a fastening zone and being located in an extension of this fastening zone, the fastening strip being able to pass through the fastening buckle, the fastening strip being provided with complementary self-gripping elements able to be engaged with the self-gripping elements in the fastening zone.
8. A logistics module according to any of claims 2 to 7, comprising:

   - a pair of sideboards (106, 107), of which one incorporates the upright (111) to which the male fall-protection flap (123) is fastened, with the other sideboard incorporating the upright (108) to which the female fall-protection flap (122) is fastened,

   - a pair of stacking devices (153, 154), of which one is arranged centred on an upper edge (110) of one of the sideboards, with the other stacking device being arranged centred on an upper edge (113) of the other sideboard, with both stacking devices each comprising:

   - a floorboard arranged on the upper edge of the sideboard concerned,

   - three vertical walls, of which one is a longitudinal wall inclined outwards of the logistics module in such a way that there is an obtuse angle between the longitudinal wall and the floorboard, with the two other vertical walls being lateral walls,

   with the base (101) of the logistics module comprising:

   - a pair of intermediate legs (155, 801) able to be engaged in a pair of stacking devices of a similar logistics module located underneath the logistics module.
9. A logistics module according to claim 8, wherein the floorboard of one and the floorboard of the other stacking device each comprise a portion that respectively protrudes from the upper edge (110, 113) of one and the one of the other sideboard (106, 107) outwards.
10. A logistics module according to any of claims 8 and 9, comprising:

    - a pair of sideboard supports (114, 115) of which one (114) rotatably connects one of the sideboards to the base (101) in such a way that this sideboard (106) can be tilted towards the base in order to reach a lying position, with the other sideboard support (115) rotatably connecting the other sideboard (107) to the base in such a way that this sideboard can also be tilted towards the base in order to reach a lying position,

    - a pair of additional stacking devices (156, 157) of which one (156) is arranged centred on an upper edge (121) of one of the sideboard supports, with this upper edge being located, seen from the base, above the sideboards (106, 107) in the storage position, with the other stacking device (157) being arranged centred on an upper edge (118) of the other sideboard support, with this upper edge also being located, seen from the base, above the sideboards in the storage position, with the additional pair of stacking devices being similar to the pair of stacking devices (153, 154).
11. A logistics module according to any of claims 2 to 10, comprising a leg (701) which is located, seen from the base, below an upright (108), with the leg comprising a hollow profile (702) able to receive a lower portion of the upright, with the lower portion of the upright having an orifice (703) able to cause to flow in the hollow profile a fluid which could have penetrated the upright, with the leg comprising a lower portion provided with a pad (704) able to maintain a distance between the hollow profile and a floor on which the logistics module is placed, with the lower portion having an orifice (705) able to cause the fluid to flow on the floor.
12. A logistics module according to claim 11, wherein the lower portion comprises a floorboard (706) fastened to the hollow profile (702), with the pad (704) being fastened to the floorboard of the hollow profile.
13. A logistics module according to claim 12, wherein the hollow profile (702) is rectangular, with the floorboard (706) of the lower portion comprising a mitred corner, and the pad (704) comprising a mitred corner, with these mitred corners being aligned in order to form an orifice (705) of the lower portion.
14. A logistics module according to any of claims 11 to 13, comprising a fastening base (119) able to slidably receive a lower portion of the upright (108), with the fastening base comprising a lower portion located in the hollow profile (702) of the leg (701), with the lower portion comprising an orifice able to cause to flow in the hollow profile a fluid.

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