EP3254983A1 - Composite pallet for transporting and long term storage of barrels - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a composite pallet for transport and for long-term storage of barrels (32). It comprises a base element (1) made of plastic with a bottom element top side (2), a bottom element bottom side and floor element support elevations (3) which are projecting from the bottom element upper side (2). The composite pallet also comprises a cover element (4) made of plastic with a cover element upper side (5), on which a deck for the storage of the barrels (32) is formed. The cover element (4) also has a cover element underside and cover element support projections (6) which are designed to protrude from the cover element underside. These are on the Bodenelementstützerhebungen (3) and / or are connected thereto, whereby the cover element (4) against the bottom element (1) supported and the cover element underside to the bottom element upper side (2) is spaced. The composite pallet also comprises at least one storage area (7) for receiving a standing drum (32). A plurality of support inserts (9) made of a material having a creep modulus, which is higher than the creep modulus of the plastic for a predetermined period of time and whose decrease over the given period of time is less than that of the plastic, are in the cover element underside and on the floor element upper side (FIG. 2) formed support element receptacles (10) used. The support inserts (9) are non-positively and / or positively connected to the support element receptacles (10), wherein the support inserts (9) are arranged in support areas which are at least partially below the at least one storage area (7).

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a composite pallet for transport and long-term storage of barrels.

State of the art

Composite pallets, ie pallets consisting of different materials, have been known for some time in the prior art. For example, plastic pallets with metal inserts, such as those in the European Patent No. 2,722,285 are described offered. The metal inserts provide an additional stiffening of the floor and increase the resistance to mechanical stress on the floor.

In the German Patent 35 04 314 is described a composite pallet made of wood or plastic with metal, with internal parts made of wood or plastic, which are designed as load-transmitting elements, and metal frames surrounding the support strips of a lower deck and an upper deck.

In some areas of industry, pallets are needed which must be designed for storage of containers for a very long period of time, in particular as regards the storage of solid or liquid substances in drums. For example, in the field of whiskey production, selected whiskeys are stored in wooden barrels over a period of 12 to 18 years. Long-term storage of drums or general containers also plays an important role in many other industries. Wooden barrels are typically placed on pallets, several pallets with barrels are stacked on top of each other, with the upper pallets each resting on the barrels with their undersides.

Under a barrel is usually understood a made of wood, metal or plastic, cylindrical or cylindrical container understood, which may also be formed bulbous. Barrels without bulging are also referred to as tons. Such a barrel is usually used to store liquids and is then usually filled via a bunghole, but it can also serve to store solid or powdery substances and is then usually provided with a lid. The shape of classic barrels is mainly used to simplify the transport by rolling, so that when the barrels are not rolled but for example transported by machines, other container shapes fulfill the function of a barrel, such as cuboid container, referred to in this sense as a barrel can be.

For the storage of barrels wooden pallets are usually used, which have the necessary long-term stability, provided that the wood is flawless.

Nevertheless, the use of wooden pallets has disadvantages. For example, the wooden pallets get black spots over time when storing wooden barrels of spirits on them. These stains are caused by the outgassing of alcohol from wooden barrels. In addition, it is possible that the wood warps over the years, as for the production of pallets usually not stored long, expensive wood is used. This can lead to instabilities in the storage in particular of stacked pallets with barrels. Finally, the use of plastic pallets allows for greater flexibility, which can be provided, for example, via various inserts for the molds used to make them. Basically, the durability of plastic pallets, unless they are exposed to permanent, punctual load, also higher than that of wooden pallets.

When considering the long-term stability, however, it must be borne in mind that the barrels - especially those with a raised rim at the top and bottom - place the pallet on which they are stored under permanent but spatially limited load. When using plastic as a material for the pallets, such a constant long-term load at the same place always leads to creep, to a retardation, which can severely affect the stability of the entire range and the stability of the barrels mounted thereon, which is why plastic despite its advantageous properties for pallets intended for long-term storage - ie for a period of at least 12 years - of drums is not yet used.

Description of the invention

The object of the invention is therefore to construct a pallet essentially of plastic, which is suitable for the long-term storage of barrels.

This task is accomplished by a composite palette, i. a pallet of two different materials, solved. One of the materials is plastic. The composite pallet initially comprises a bottom element and a cover element each made of plastic. The bottom element has a bottom element upper side, a base element lower side and floor element support elevations formed so as to project from the floor element upper side. Accordingly, the cover element has a cover element upper side, a cover element underside and from the cover element underside projecting cover element support elevations.

On the cover element top a deck for storage of the barrels is formed. The cover element is supported against the floor element by the cover element support projections resting on the floor element support projections or are connected thereto. The connection can be made for example by a snap closure. But it can also be produced non-positively and / or positively, for example by screws or training a male-female connection under utilization of static friction. A cohesive connection is possible, for example by gluing or by a one-piece production.

The composite pallet also has on the top cover at least one storage area for receiving a standing barrel, which is a flat surface in the simplest case. In particular, however, the composite pallet comprises a plurality of support inserts, which are inserted in support element receptacles formed on the cover element underside and on the floor element upper side. The support inserts used in the support element receptacles are positively and / or positively connected to the support element receptacles. For example, they can be held by the static friction in the support element receptacles, in which they can be used in a multi-part composite pallet. In a one-piece production, the support inserts are used, for example, before production in the mold and there is partially encapsulated by liquid plastic, so that the support inserts are positively connected to the support element receptacles. The support inserts are arranged in support areas that are at least partially below the at least one storage area.

The special feature of the support inserts is that they are made of a material which has a creep that over a given period - usually at least the expected or desired life of the range, for example twelve years - higher than that of the plastic. The creep modulus E _c (t) = σ / ε _ges (t) is a measure of the creep in materials, where σ denotes the mechanical stress and ε the strain occurring as a function of time. The creep modulus is rather low for plastic, ie here the elongation is relatively large and continues to increase over time. The same applies to a compression.

While the plastic loses its stability at cocurrent permanent load due to creeping and creep is to be expected in the storage areas, in particular at their edges, the lack of long-term stability can be absorbed by such support inserts, which are then completely or partially under the at least one storage area and be compensated. Suitable materials with a correspondingly high creep modulus are, for example, stone, stainless steel, wood or concrete. The support areas are in each case arranged or positioned with respect to a storage area in such a way that they ensure the stable storage of a barrel parked in the storage area, even if a plastic layer located, for example, between the support insert and the bottom of the keg is already largely dissolved by creeping or its stability should have lost. In other words, the stable storage is not realized by the storage area on the cover element upper side, but only by the support inserts in correspondingly arranged support areas.

In the case of a flat cover element upper side, the storage areas can be simple, color-highlighted, for example circular markings, which indicate where a barrel is to be placed on the composite pallet. Different sized circles allow adaptation to different diameters of drum bottoms, i. different barrel sizes. The support inserts and support areas are then dimensioned so that they cover all possible barrel diameter, i. for each diameter marked on the storage area, a stable storage over the given period is possible. In a preferred embodiment, however, the at least one storage area is designed as a depression with a peripheral edge for the preferably positive reception of a standing barrel. This allows for secure positioning on the composite pallet and also secures the barrels against unintentional movement when transporting the composite pallet or when placing more barrels on the pallet.

The composite pallet has at least one storage area, but is usually designed to carry several barrels, for example, four, six or eight barrels. For typical whiskey barrels, such as old sherry barrels, a number of six shelves has been found to be practicable in terms of capacity and handling. The composite pallets can then be designed to be just as large in size and width as the wooden pallets currently in use and gradually replace them. To a deepened It is possible to use, for example, ring-shaped inserts for different storage diameters of drum bottoms, but as a rule different composite pallets are then provided for different barrel diameters.

The support inserts can be shaped in various ways, in a simple case, for example, they are configured cuboid or cylindrical and have a support insert top, which is preferably designed flat. In the cover element upper side is in the region of the support area then a recess or opening in which no plastic, and the support insert top is then in a plane with the cover element top. This can be realized both for the case that the storage area is flat, as well as for the case that the storage area is recessed, in the latter case, the support insert top lies in a plane with the cover element top in the region of at least one storage area. In this embodiment with recesses so there is no layer of plastic of the cover element between the support insert and the bottom of the barrel, the keg stores directly on the support inserts, so that a long-term stable storage is guaranteed regardless of the behavior of the plastic and creep of the plastic strong reducing the reusability of the pallet. In a recessed storage area, the ratio of the heights can also be designed so that the support insert top is below the height of the peripheral edge of the storage area, but above the area of the Abstellbereichs. A storage then takes place exclusively on the support inserts and the barrel is also sufficiently secured against lateral displacement.

The support inserts can be arranged directly below the at least one storage area and centrally support the barrel. In a preferred embodiment, however, at least a first subset of the support inserts below the edge - which also has a peripheral edge in a depression - arranged the at least one storage area. Support areas can therefore be arranged completely below the at least one storage area as well as below the edge, ie only partially below the storage area. Also, all support areas or support inserts can be arranged below the edge of the at least one storage area, if sufficient support areas are provided, which ensure the stability of the standing barrel. For stable storage, at least three support areas or support inserts per storage area below the edge of this storage area are necessary if the support inserts are of cuboid or cylindrical construction and are intended to absorb only punctual loads. The more support areas are to be used with support inserts, the more stable the storage, the more mass receives the composite pallet on the other hand, which makes them more difficult to handle and especially in the stacking of several pallets with barrels in between is a disadvantage, since the load on the barrels is increased. In principle, annular support inserts can also be used which simulate the drum base, the recess with peripheral edge may be formed on these rings. A very good compromise, which concerns the stability of the storage on the one hand, and the mass of the composite pallet on the other, is obtained when four support areas are provided per storage area. The support areas with the support inserts can be arranged, for example, square with the support inserts in the vertices of the square. If the storage area is formed as a depression, then it is advantageous for the lateral stabilization of the barrel to be deposited there, but not necessarily if the marginal edge, ie the contour of the edge of the depression, is reshaped on the support insert upper sides of a plurality of support inserts of this first subset.

The support element receptacles for the support inserts are expediently incorporated into the cover element support elevations and the floor element support elevations. In this way, no separate surveys or recordings are needed, the material consumption is so low.

While the barrels are usually stored standing on the pallets in the storage areas, it may u.U. be desirable to store barrels lying on such a pallet, for example, if the rooms in which the pallets are stacked, from the height allow no standing, but only a horizontal storage of the top layer. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composite pallet therefore also comprises a plurality of bearing elements with a bearing element top and a bearing element underside and means for non-positive and / or positive connection of the bearing elements on the bearing element underside with the cover element on the cover element top, preferably in the storage areas, at designated positions , The means for non-positive and / or positive connection are preferably designed as snap closures, which allows easy insertion and detachment. In the storage areas corresponding openings are provided for receiving the snap closures. The bearing elements can also be screwed, plugged or connected in any other way with the cover element. Even a simple insertion into the storage area is possible without making a firm connection.

The bearing element upper side of each bearing element is provided with a first concavely curved surface with a first concave curvature for supporting a horizontal drum. The bearing element may be designed so that it fills, for example, the entire recessed storage area, but it may also be designed so that it fills only a portion of the storage area, so that several, for example, two storage elements can be arranged in a storage area. A barrel is then received, for example, by two bearing elements in the upper and lower edge region of the barrel, wherein the two bearing elements are arranged in different Abstellbereichen. The stability of lying barrels in this case is higher than in the central storage of a barrel on only one appropriately sized bearing element.

For the storage of cased barrels, it is advantageous if the first concavely curved surface of each bearing element has a second concave curvature perpendicular to the first concave curvature. By this second curvature stability during storage is further increased. For the storage of a barrel, for example, two bearing elements can be arranged mirror-symmetrically to each other in two storage areas, wherein the two second concave curvatures of the two bearing elements form a common concave curvature, corresponding to the belly curvature of the barrel. In this case, different bearing elements can be provided with different first and second curvatures, so that an adaptation to different drum sizes is possible in a flexible manner. However, it is also possible to use bearing elements which, for the first and for the second concave curvature, each have an average curvature formed over all types of beholders intended for use.

In a further preferred embodiment, the bearing element upper side of each bearing element is provided with a second concavely curved surface having a common curved edge with the first concave surface, the normal vectors on either side of the common edge perpendicular to this enclose a non-zero angle. This allows an even more flexible storage of the barrels, since the bearing element can accommodate a barrel from both sides. In addition, the storage areas can be better utilized, since the storage elements can then be arranged one behind the other without mirror symmetry. The second concavely curved surface may be constructed analogously to the first and have the same curvature or the same curvatures in two directions perpendicular to one another.

In the simplest embodiment, the surface for supporting the barrels in a bearing element, however, simply as a segment of a hollow cylinder, both in terms of length, as well as what the cut or the segment of the cylinder cross section determining circle configured. Such a bearing element is advantageous, for example, for non-buried casks in barrel form.

Advantageously, the composite pallet comprises further support inserts and are formed on the underside of each bearing element bearing support element receptacles for receiving these further support inserts. This increases the stability of the pallet when storing lying barrels. When bearing elements are used, the bearing support element receptacles are particularly advantageously arranged via support element receptacles of the cover element upper side. Then the burden of lying barrels on the other support inserts on the in transfer the cover element used support inserts, so that the creeping of any located between the support inserts and the other support inserts layer of plastic is then irrelevant. Therefore, the further support inserts therefore particularly advantageously have support insert undersides which rest on support insert upper sides of the support inserts inserted into the cover element, ie a direct contact of the support inserts and the further support inserts while avoiding an interposed plastic layer is realized. In this way, the highest long-term stability is guaranteed here as well. The other support inserts are like the support inserts preferably made of concrete, wood, stainless steel or stone and meet with respect to the creep module the same conditions as the support inserts.

Usually several pallets are stacked with barrels on top of each other. The upper pallets are stored on the barrels underneath, whereby they are also exposed to constant loads, also because they themselves transfer the load. In addition, if the barrels have slightly different heights, higher barrels are more heavily loaded than lower barrels. In the case of wooden barrels, this can cause the staves, which are usually held together by barrel hoops, to continue to bulge outward, so that interspaces between the individual staves are created which are sufficiently large for liquid or gas to escape. The losses can amount to several percent per year and are therefore significant from an economic point of view.

The load on the barrels through the pallets arranged above can be reduced by a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention and even avoided. In this particularly preferred embodiment, the composite pallet additionally comprises a plurality of support rods for connecting to a further composite pallet and for supporting against them. The support rods are also made of a material with a higher creep modulus than that of the plastic, preferably of wood or stainless steel, which is corrosion resistant in the atmosphere of higher humidity, such as prevails in the storage rooms, for example with barrels with distillates. The cover element and the bottom element have a plurality of passage openings for the positive encompassing of the support rods inserted into the passage openings on their circumference.

Each support bar has two ends, in one embodiment the ends of the support bars used are in direct contact with support inserts. Thereby, the load of the cover element and the bottom element of the composite pallet with the weight of the other composite pallet are reduced. The support rods used, for example, in a cover element are there with the arranged below the openings support inserts in direct contact, that is, for example, on the flat support insert surfaces. At the other end they are used in the further composite pallet and lie there to corresponding support insert bottoms of support inserts, which are held there in a support element receptacle on the bottom element bottom. Basically, however, the support inserts have a height that requires that they are held by both the support element receivers on the bottom element underside and by the support element receptacles on the cover element upper side. By means of the support rods in this way caused by the weight of the barrels load exclusively on the support inserts and the support rods further down, the load on the barrels through a composite pallet stacked above can be reduced in this way and thus the loss of fluid. The support inserts of the bottom pallet are preferably located on the bottom with a bottom surface when the pallet is stored on the ground.

In order to reduce the burden of the barrels on and in particular to be able to compensate for different heights in the barrels, height adjustment elements are connected to the ends of the support rods in another embodiment. In a simple embodiment, the support rods are cylindrical in shape and have an internal thread, so are at least partially hollow. The height adjustment elements then have a correspondingly matching external thread, so that the height can be adjusted by rotation of the screwed to the height adjustment element support rod. It is basically sufficient if one end of the support rods is provided with a height adjustment element, but it can also - especially for better handling - be provided both ends of the support rods with a height adjustment element. With this mechanism, the loss of liquid by leaking out of gaps can be minimized.

In the simplest case, the height adjustment elements are continuations of the support rods and instead of the ends of the support rods they are then in direct contact with the support inserts. Instead of such simple and inexpensive as well as largely maintenance-free height adjustment elements can also be used hydraulically or pneumatically operated height adjustment elements. An essential aspect is that the effective length of the support rods can be changed in this way, so the distance between two composite pallets can thus be varied by the height adjustment.

To support the support rods separate support inserts may be provided. However, it is also possible to form support inserts of a second subset of the support inserts as preferably one-piece combination support inserts, wherein in a combination support insert two support inserts are connected to each other by a parallel to the cover element top web extending. The two support inserts which are connected lie in each case under different storage areas or their peripheral areas. That's it possible that the webs of the combination support inserts are placed under the openings for receiving the support rods, and the support rods and / or the height adjustment elements can rest against a web. This reduces the expense of individual parts and makes the production cheaper.

Also for the production of cover element and floor element, there are various possibilities. It has already been mentioned that the composite pallet or its plastic component can be made in one piece, wherein the support inserts are then introduced into the mold before spraying or subsequently inserted into the mold, being secured against displacement in the vertical direction by a force fit.

Another possibility is to produce cover and floor elements individually, with a shape that ensures their Nestbarkeit. This facilitates the storage of unused composite pallets. In particular, the top and bottom element can also be constructed identically, in the composite pallet they are then arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to a mirror plane, wherein the mirror plane lies parallel to the top element top side and bottom element bottom side and has the same distance to both. On the bottom element bottom side corresponding areas are formed, which can stabilize the barrels at their upper edges, the storage areas when the storage areas are recessed.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the composite pallet is delivered as a kit, i. The support inserts, bearing elements and other support inserts, support rods and cover and floor element are delivered separately and put together on site by staff, which saves costs in the production.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the specified combinations but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

die Explosionszeichnung einer ersten Ausgestaltung einer Verbundpalette,

Fig. 2a

das Bodenelement einer Verbundpalette mit eingesetzten Stützeinsätzen,

Fig. 2b

die Perspektivansicht einer zusammengesetzten Verbundpalette,

Fig. 2c

die Seitenansicht einer Verbundpalette,

Fig. 3a, b

zwei weitere Ausgestaltungen einer Verbundpalette,

Fig. 4

einen Stützeinsatz,

Fig. 5

einen Kombinationsstützeinsatz,

Fig. 6a)-c)

ein Lagerelement in verschiedenen Ansichten,

Fig. 7

eine Verbundpalette mit darin eingesetzten Lagerelementen,

Fig. 8

eine Verbundpalette mit eingesetzten Stützstangen,

Fig. 9

eine Höhenverstellung für eine Stützstange,

Fig. 10

den Lastübertrag in Bereich der Stützstangen,

Fig. 11

den Lastübertrag über mehrere Paletten,

Fig. 12

genestet gestapelte Deckelemente

Fig. 13

zwei über Stützstangen verbundene Verbundpaletten mit darauf gelagerten Fässern, und

Fig. 14

eine Explosionszeichnung für das System aus Fig. 13.

The invention will be explained in more detail for example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which also disclose characteristics essential to the invention. Show it

Fig. 1

the exploded view of a first embodiment of a composite pallet,

Fig. 2a

the floor element of a composite pallet with inserted support inserts,

Fig. 2b

the perspective view of a composite composite pallet,

Fig. 2c

the side view of a composite pallet,

Fig. 3a, b

two further embodiments of a composite pallet,

Fig. 4

a support insert,

Fig. 5

a combination support insert,

Fig. 6a) -c)

a bearing element in different views,

Fig. 7

a composite pallet with bearing elements inserted therein,

Fig. 8

a composite pallet with inserted support rods,

Fig. 9

a height adjustment for a support bar,

Fig. 10

the load transfer in the area of the support rods,

Fig. 11

the load transfer over several pallets,

Fig. 12

nested stacked cover elements

Fig. 13

two composite pallets connected by support rods with barrels mounted thereon, and

Fig. 14

an exploded view of the system Fig. 13 ,

Detailed description of the drawings

In Fig. 1 a first embodiment of a composite pallet for transport and long-term storage of barrels is shown in an exploded view. The composite pallet comprises a floor element 1 made of plastic with a bottom element upper side 2, a floor element underside (not shown) and floor element support elevations 3, which are formed projecting from the floor element upper side 2. The bottom element 1 is plate-shaped and has on its bottom element top side 2 a stabilizing, material-saving grid structure. The base element underside is parallel to the bottom element upper side, it may be smooth, but it may also be the grid structure formed on the top continue to bottom element bottom, so that the bottom element 1 has a continuous lattice structure.

The composite pallet also comprises a cover element 4 made of plastic with a cover element upper side 5, on which a deck is designed for the storage of the barrels. The cover element 4 further comprises a cover element underside, not shown, and cover element support projections 6 which project from the cover element lower side. The composite pallet also comprises at least one storage area 7 for receiving a vertical drum. This is located on the deck on the cover element top 5. In the simplest case, the storage area 7 consists of a simple mark on an otherwise smooth surface. Depending on the size of the composite pallet, a storage area 7 or several storage areas 7 can be defined on the deck. In the present case, there are six Abstellbereiche 7. This is for the handling of the composite pallet with a forklift a particularly advantageous size in terms of space requirement, mass and manageability concerns. In addition, the storage areas 7 are not flat in the composite pallet shown Markings or areas formed, but as wells with a peripheral edge 8 for preferably positive reception of a standing barrel or the bottom of a barrel. As a result, on the one hand, the persons who load the pallets, indicated at which positions the barrels are to be turned off. The trained as wells storage areas 7 secure the parked barrels to another also to some extent - depending on the applied force - against lateral displacement from these ideal positions. A wrong positioning usually leads to a tilt of the barrel, which is obvious and can be corrected by the staff immediately.

Such recesses or storage areas 7 may also be formed on the underside of the bottom element so that the barrels are secured against lateral displacement in the case of pallets stacked on top of each other both at their lower edge and at their upper edge. In particular, it is possible to construct the cover element and floor element identically. This reduces the manufacturing costs, since only one tool for the bottom element 1 and the cover element 4 is required. With identical structure cover element 4 and bottom element 1 are arranged mirror-symmetrically in the composite pallet with respect to a mirror plane which is parallel to the cover element top 5 and bottom element bottom and has the same distance to both, the composite pallet respect. Their height thus cuts in the middle.

By the Bodenelementstützerhebungen 3, which rise from the bottom element top 2 and projecting from this, and by the appropriately trained Deckelementstützerhebungen 6 ensures that the cover element 4 is supported against the bottom element 1 and the Deckelementunterseite to Bodenelementoberseite 2 is objected.

The cover element 4 and the bottom element 1 are both made of plastic. This is formed by large molecular chains, which are also entangled with each other in some types of plastics. Under external load these glide or entknäulen themselves, which leads to an elongation. When force is applied over a long period of time, plastic undergoes progressive deformation, creep, which is also called retardation. It is a plastic, irreversible deformation. The long-term storage of barrels over a period of at least twelve years, plastic pallets therefore can not cope without further measures, since the loads that are exerted on the barrel bottom or even only the edges of the barrels on the plastic or the Abstellbereiche so high in that a plastic deformation occurs in each case. This is especially true when multiple pallets are stacked on top of each other. The stability can not be guaranteed over such a long period of time because the plastic creeps or retards too much.

A measure of the creep in the case of plastic is the so-called creep modulus E _c (t) = σ / ε _ges (t), where σ denotes the mechanical stress and ε denotes the strain which arises as a function of time. The creep modulus is rather low for plastic, ie here the elongation is relatively large. However, there are enough materials, such as steel, wood, stone or concrete, in which the creep, ie the time-dependent strain or compression - corresponding to a strain with the opposite sign - is less than in plastic. To the in Fig. 1 Therefore, composite pallet shown to be suitable for long-term storage, the composite pallet comprises a plurality of support inserts 9 made of a material with a creep, which is higher than the creep modulus of the plastic for a predetermined period, and the decrease over the predetermined period is less than that of the plastic. Advantageously, the creep module is almost constant over the predetermined period. The predetermined period corresponds to the period for which the barrels must be stored at least, for example, eight, twelve or 18 years.

The support inserts 9 are inserted into support element receptacles 10 which are formed on the cover element underside and on the bottom element upper side 2. With the support element receptacles 10, the support inserts 9, when they are inserted, non-positively and / or positively connected. A positive connection can for example be made when the composite pallet is made in one piece and the support inserts 9 are at least partially enclosed by the support element receptacles 10 and / or the material of the bottom element 1 and the cover member 4. But it is also possible, as is realized in particular in the two-part pallet that the support inserts are arranged non-positively in the support element receptacles 10 by being clamped, for example, in the support element receptacles 10, wherein for the production of frictional connection also to the support element recordings counting areas Bottom element top 2 and the cover element underside can be used. The edges of the support element receptacles 10 can be formed with a slight underfitting with respect to the dimensions of the support inserts 9.

In order to be able to absorb the load exerted by the barrels and overlying pallets, the support inserts 9 are arranged with their support element receptacles 10 in support regions which lie at least partially under the at least one storage region 7. These areas are in Fig. 1 in the cover element upper side 5 as circled around openings 11, for each storage area 7, there are four such support areas.

As material for the support inserts are substances with a correspondingly high creep in question, which show no or little strain or compression over the specified period, such as wood, stone, steel, especially stainless steel, or concrete.

In addition to wood concrete in particular offers the advantage that here a variety of possible varieties is available, some of which in particular have a low specific weight while still high stability, which facilitates handling. Since the specific gravity of the support inserts 9 is higher than that of the plastic, the support inserts should only be designed as large as necessary, on the one hand to ensure the necessary stability and on the other hand, not to let the pallet too heavy.

At least a first subset of the support areas is arranged below the edge of the at least one storage area 7. The first subset can also include all support inserts 9, as in the in Fig. 1 shown composite pallet is the case. But it is also possible to position further support inserts 9, for example, centrally under the Abstellbereiche 7 for additional support.

At the in Fig. 1 shown composite pallet some support inserts 9 a second subset of the support inserts 9 are formed as preferably one-piece combination support inserts 12, in each combination support insert 12, the two support inserts 9 are connected by a parallel to the cover element upper side 5 extending web 13. The function of the web 13 will be explained below.

A typical embodiment of a support insert 9 and an embodiment of a combination support insert 12 are in the Fig. 4 or 5 shown. Each support insert has a support insert top 14. In the cover element upper side 5 is in the region of each support area a recess which the in Fig. 1 dashed circled openings 11 corresponds. The support insert top 14 of each support insert 9 lies in a plane with the storage area 7 on the cover element top 5. Basically, a positioning below the plane of the storage area 7 is possible if the plastic pallet has no recesses or openings 11. The positioning as in Fig. 1 However, it has the advantage that the edges of the barrels can be stored directly on the support insert tops 14, so there is no plastic layer between barrel and support insert 9, the creep could affect the stability of the loaded with barrels composite pallet. The creep of the plastic can be largely suppressed in this case in this area. Also on its underside, the support inserts 9 are advantageously dimensioned or inserted so in the bottom element 1, that their bottom is in a plane with the bottom element bottom, the load is thus essentially supported by the support inserts 9, which then have, for example, ground contact.

If the storage area 7 is designed as a depression with a peripheral edge 8 and not only with a marking as an edge on the cover element upper side 5, then the support insert upper sides 14 can be formed flat and in a plane between the plane of the storage area 7 and the predetermined by the height of the peripheral edge 8 level including these levels. Optionally, however, the marginal edge 8 of the depression is reshaped as a contour 15 on the support insert upper sides 14 of a plurality of support inserts 9 of the first subset. This is for example in the case of Fig. 5 shown combination support insert 12 of the case. Such a design has the advantage that the barrel is better protected against lateral displacement. A particular advantage, however, arises when the composite pallet is constructed symmetrically, ie with a cover element 4 identical to the floor element 1 and a mirror symmetry with respect to a plane centered between cover element underside and bottom element top 2, which includes that the support elements 9 and the combination support inserts 12 are constructed symmetrically : The support inserts 9 of the first subset can then serve both for the border of Fassrändern at the top, as well as for supporting against the ground - with the in Fig. 5 In addition or alternatively, also the support insert surfaces 14 of the individual support inserts 9, which are not combined to form combination support inserts 12, may optionally be formed with corresponding contours 15.

As in Fig. 1 shown, the support element receptacles 10 are incorporated for the support inserts 9 in the cover element support elevations 6 and the Bodenelementstützerhebungen 3. This is not essential, the support element receptacles 10 can also be realized independently of the support surveys, but the structure shown is simple and material-saving.

While Fig. 1 an exploded view of a composite pallet is shown in Fig. 2a a bottom element 1 of such a pallet is shown, in which the support inserts 9 including the combination support inserts 12 are inserted into the support element receptacles 10. Deviating from Fig. 1 are contours 15 as a continuation of the peripheral edge 8 of the recessed trained Abstellbereichs 7 in those support inserts 9, which are part of the combination support inserts 12 formed. However, this is not mandatory, even at individual support inserts 9, for example in the corners of the bottom element 1, such contours 15 can be formed.

Fig. 2b finally shows the assembled composite pallet in a perspective view, and Fig. 2c the composite palette from the side. The cover element support elevations 6 rest on the floor element support elevations 3 and / or are connected thereto. This is in Fig. 2c to recognize. The cover element 4 can also be made in one piece with the bottom element 1, the connection between cover element support elevations 6 and bottom element support elevations 3 is then materially bonded, since it is the same material. But the connection can also be made differently, for example, also cohesively by adhesive bonding, by screwing form-fitting or by nesting according to a male-female connection non-positively, with combinations are possible. In the case of a non-integral configuration, a connection between the cover element 4 and base element 1 can also or additionally be produced by a frictional connection of the support inserts with cover element 4 and base element 1, the latter simply resting only on one another.

Two further versions of a composite pallet are available in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b shown. At the in Fig. 3a shown variant, the storage areas 7 are provided with central openings 16. This reduces the amount of material used and also allows access from the top or bottom of the front sides of the barrels, which, inter alia, allows to store barrels that have, for example, on their front side attachments or surveys. Fig. 3b shows a further example in which the storage areas 7 are completely closed except for the support insert receptacles 10 and openings 11. This allows a simpler stopping a barrel, without this hooks, for example, when moving. Between the support insert tops 14 and a parked in the storage area 7 barrel is then still a thin plastic layer, for example, with a thickness between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, but does not affect the stability of the storage despite creeping. The composite pallet or its cover and bottom elements can be used, for example, in injection molding or, in particular, in the in Fig. 3b shown variant, be prepared by the molding process.

In order to allow the storage of lying barrels, a composite pallet may also include a plurality of bearing elements 17. These bearing elements 17 are in Fig. 6a ) -c) in different views and in Fig. 7 shown used in storage areas 7 of the composite pallet. The bearing elements 17 each have a bearing element upper side 18 and a bearing element lower side 19. On the bearing element underside 19 are also means for non-positive and / or positive connection of each bearing element 17 with the cover element 4 provided on the cover element upper side 5 in the storage areas 7 at designated positions, in which Fig. 6 As shown, these means are designed as snap closures 20. Simple plug connections in the manner of a plug-socket connection are suitable means of connection. Finally, it is also sufficient to simply insert the bearing elements 17 in the Abstellbereiche 7 when they are formed as depressions, since they are prevented by the weight of the drums resting thereon on slipping. The bearing element upper side 18 of each bearing element 17 is provided with a first, concavely curved surface 21 with a first concave curvature for supporting a horizontal drum. The first concave curvature runs according to the view Fig. 6b ) in the sheet plane. For further protection against the rolling away of a barrel At the edges of the concavely curved surface 21 in the direction of the first concave curvature blocking elements 22 are arranged.

In the simplest case, the first concavely curved surface 21 corresponds to the section of the inner surface of a cylinder segment, the axis of rotation of which - when the bearing element 17 is inserted - is parallel to the cover element surface 5. This is sufficient for barrels or barrels without bulging. However, wooden barrels are usually bulged, so that the first concaved surface 21 should be inclined at least opposite to the top surface 5, the rotation axis of the imaginary cylinder then closes with the plane defined by the top surface 5 from zero different angles. In addition, the first concave surface 21 of each bearing member 17 may also have a second concave curvature that is perpendicular to the first concave curvature. In this way, the curvature of a bulb barrel is reshaped, resulting in a more stable storage of such barrels. At the in Fig. 6b ) shown a bearing member 17, the second concave curvature in the direction perpendicular to the sheet plane. In an exemplary configuration, two bearing elements 17 can then be used, for example, mirror-symmetrically in two adjacent Abstellbereiche 7, the two second concave curvatures of the two bearing elements 17 then form a common concave curvature that corresponds to the curvature of the barrel to be stored on this or at least comes close ,

In this way, the existing space, especially for smaller barrels, but not yet optimally exploited. In a further embodiment, therefore, the bearing element upper side 18 of each bearing element 17 is provided with a second concave surface 23 which has a common, curved edge 24 with the first concave surface 21, the normal vectors on both sides of the curved edges 24 perpendicular to this one from zero different angle. This is in Fig. 6a ) to recognize particularly well. The second concavely curved surface 23 may be configured like the first concavely curved surface 21 and also have two mutually perpendicular curvatures. In particular, the second concavely curved surface can also be arranged analogously to the first concavely curved surface 21, so that in a serial arrangement of two bearing elements in two storage areas 7 behind each other, but not mirror-symmetrical, the first concave curvature of a bearing element 17 with the second concave curvature of the other, arranged behind bearing element 17 form a common concave curvature. This allows a high flexibility in the use of the bearing elements 17 at the same time very stable storage of barrels.

At the bottom of each bearing element 17 are - not shown here - bearing support element receptacles for receiving further support inserts whose shape to the bearing elements 17 is adapted, trained. These bearing support element receptacles are preferably located below the corner regions of the bearing elements 17, ie below the areas where the blocking elements 22 are arranged. In this configuration, bearing support element receptacles 17 are arranged on support element receptacles 10 of the cover element upper side 5 when bearing elements 17 are used. The further support inserts then have support insert bottoms which rest against support insert tops 14 of the support inserts 9 inserted in the cover element 4. In this way, a transfer of the load caused by the weight of the barrels takes place directly over the support inserts down.

The other support inserts are also made of a material which has a higher creep modulus than plastic over the given period of time and which decreases less than that of plastic over this period of time. Preferably, as with the support inserts 9, the creep modulus should remain substantially constant over the predetermined time period after an initial adjustment to the load.

Moreover, it is also possible to provide openings at the locations of the bearing elements 17 on which the blocking elements 22 sit and to form the further support inserts in such a way that the blocking elements 22 are formed on their upper sides. The other support inserts can also, like the support inserts 9, for example made of concrete, wood, stainless steel or stone.

Another embodiment of a composite pallet is in Fig. 8 shown. There, snap-in openings 25 are first shown in the storage areas 7, in which the snap fasteners 20 of the bearing elements 17 can be used. The assembly also includes a plurality of - six here - support rods 26 for connecting to and supporting against another composite pallet. For this purpose, the cover element 4 and the base element 1 have a plurality of passage openings 27 for the positive encompassing of the support rods 26 inserted into the passage openings 27 at the periphery thereof. The support rods 26 are also made of a material with a higher creep modulus than that of the plastic, due to the better bending properties or less brittleness compared to concrete or stone preferably made of metal, especially stainless steel, or even of wood. The material must not be too brittle, otherwise it could break under load.

The support rods 26 may be solid or hollow, they may for example be cylindrical with a circular cross-section, or with a square, rectangular or polygonal cross-section, the through holes 27 are adapted to the shape of the cross section. Each support bar 26 has two ends. One end of each inserted rod 26 may be in direct contact with one support insert each 9 stand. As a result, the load of the cover element 4 and the bottom element 1 of the composite pallet with the weight of the other composite pallet is reduced, since the power is transmitted directly from the support rods 26 in the support inserts 9. The support inserts 9 have to either have a support insert top 14, the surface is large enough to support a barrel and the other the end of the support rod 26. Alternatively, also support inserts 9 can be provided only for the support rods 26.

However, the combination support inserts 12 are particularly well suited for supporting the support rods 26: the webs 13 connecting each two support inserts 9 can be used to support a support rod 26. Since the web 13 is made of the same material as the support inserts 9 and the combination support inserts 12 are each made in one piece, it is in this sense also a direct contact - without plastic in between - between support rod 26 and the support inserts 9, when the support rod on the web 13 rests. At the in Fig. 8 As shown embodiment, the support rods 26 are at one end on the webs 13 in direct contact with the support inserts 9, ie there is no plastic layer between the two supporting elements.

When connecting to another composite pallet above the in Fig. 8 As shown composite pallet, the upper ends of the support rods 26 are corresponding to the undersides of the support inserts used there, so that the load is taken substantially from the plastic and in particular from the barrels, when the support rods 26 are long enough.

While at the in Fig. 8 As shown variant, the support rods 26 inserted through the through holes 27 and directly with their ends to support inserts 9 or rest, it is provided in a further embodiment, the ends of the support rods with height adjustment elements 28, as in Fig. 9 shown in an exploded view of a section of a composite pallet to connect. In this case, the height adjustment elements 28 are in direct contact with the support inserts 9 and are applied to these. For a height adjustment, it is sufficient if a height adjustment element 28 is attached to one end of a rod 26, but it is also possible to arrange height adjustment elements 28 at both ends of the support rods 26. The height adjustment element has on its underside, for example, a cylindrical element 29, this is adapted from its cross section to the diameter of the through hole 27 and the support rod 26. For further stabilization, but not for load transfer, a cover 30 is optionally provided, this increases the stability against lateral movements and can be connected to the cover element top side, for example via a snap closure, clamped or simply hung up. But it can also be designed so that they have one additional supporting function takes over by being partially supported on the support insert tops 14. This is in detail in Fig. 10 shown. The cover 30 is preferably made of metal.

The height adjustment element 28, which as well as the support rods 26 at least partially made of metal, preferably made of stainless steel, has on its upper side above the cover 30, which faces the support rod 26, an external thread 31. The support rods 26 have accordingly at least one end to the external thread 31 matching internal thread, thus can be screwed onto the external thread 31 and adjusted to different heights. For fixing in the selected position, the friction is sufficient, which is reinforced when loaded with a composite pallet arranged above, from.

As in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 shown, the webs 13 of combination support inserts 12 are below the through holes 27, the support rods 26 and the height adjustment elements 28 with a cylindrical member 29 are then applied to such a web 13. In this way, the combination support inserts 12 can be used both for the support of the barrels as well as for the support against an above arranged composite pallet of the same type. Of course, it is also possible to provide 28 own support inserts 9 for supporting the support rods 26 and the height adjustment elements, which means however under certain circumstances an additional cost of materials. The transmission of the load caused by the composite pallet above is in Fig. 10 for the area in which the support rods 26 and height adjustment elements 28 attach to the composite pallet shown. The load is guided by the support bar 26 via the web 13 of the combination support insert and from there further down.

For a two pallet system, load transfer is exemplary in Fig. 11 shown in the overview. On two composite pallets with bottom elements 1 and cover elements 4 six barrels 32 are each stored. By the upper barrels used in the upper composite pallet support inserts 9 and the combination support inserts 12 are charged. The support bars 26 of the lower pallet bear with their upper end or a height adjustment element 28 on webs 13 of combination support inserts 12 of the upper composite pallet, as well with its lower end or a height adjustment element 28 on webs 13 of combination support inserts 12 in the lower composite pallet. The load exerted by the barrels 32, represented by the force "F", is then transferred to a large extent by the combination support inserts 12 of the upper pallet via the support rods 26 down onto the combination support inserts 12 of the lower pallet, the load in the lower Pallet arranged drums 32 can be reduced in this way. Only in places where no support rods 26 are arranged, such as in the corners, the barrels 32 below are still burdened by the above barrels 32, at these points are the support inserts 9 of the upper composite pallet on the upper edges of the barrels 32 below, which is readily achievable especially in symmetrically designed composite pallets. The height adjustment, which can also be implemented in other, for example, hydraulic manner, can also be used to balance the load of the barrels below at different barrel heights.

Cover element 4 and bottom element 1 can be made in one piece in the composite pallet as a common element, but they are preferably manufactured individually. Particularly advantageous they are identically constructed, mirror-symmetrically arranged and designed so that they can easily nest for space-saving storage, as in Fig. 12 indicated by way of example. For nested storage and the support rods 26 are used here. At the in Fig. 12 As shown embodiment, the through holes 27 are directly over support insert receptacles 10, so that the ends of the support rods 26 abut support insert tops 14. Cover element 4, bottom element 1, the support inserts 9 including the combination support inserts 12 and optionally the support rods 26 with height adjustment elements 28 can be manufactured and delivered as a kit for easy transport and to reduce the manufacturing price.

Fig. 13 Finally, a system of two loaded composite pallets in which the lower pallet is loaded with standing drums 32 and the upper pallet with horizontal drums 32 is shown. Fig. 14 shows the structure Fig. 13 in an exploded view.

The composite pallet described above can be used for the transport and long-term storage of barrels and barrels and, due to the support inserts used, it can be kept for at least the period specified for storage. It also offers greater flexibility than conventional wooden pallets, since on the one hand a better support of two stacked pallets against each other is achieved and barrels can be stored both upright and lying.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

floor element

2

Floor element top

3

Floor element support survey

4

cover element

5

Cover element top

6

Cover element support survey

7

parking area

8th

edge

9

support insert

10

Support insert receiving

11

opening

12

Combining support insert

13

web

14

Support insert top

15

contour

16

opening

17

bearing element

18

Bearing element top

19

Bearing element underside

20

snap lock

21

first concave curved surface

22

blocking element

23

second concave arched area

24

curved edge

25

Snap opening

26

Stabilizer

27

Through opening

28

Height adjustment element

29

cylindrical element

30

cover

31

external thread

32

barrel

Claims (19)

Composite pallet for the transport and long-term storage of drums (32), comprising a floor element (1) made of plastic with a floor element upper side (2), a base element underside and floor element support elevations (3) which project from the floor element upper side (2), - A cover element (4) made of plastic with a cover element top (5) on which a deck for supporting the barrels (32) is formed, a cover element underside and from the cover element underside projecting cover element support projections (6) which rest on the Bodenelementstützerhebungen (3) and / or are connected thereto, whereby the cover element (4) is supported against the floor element (1) and the cover element underside is spaced from the floor element upper side (2), - At least one storage area (7) for receiving a standing barrel (32), - Several support inserts (9) made of a material with a creep, which is higher than the creep modulus of the plastic for a predetermined period and whose decrease over the predetermined period of time is lower than that of the plastic which in on the cover element bottom and on the bottom element top (3 ) formed support element receptacles (10) are used, and which are non-positively and / or positively connected to the support element receptacles (10), - Wherein the support inserts (9) are arranged in support areas, which are at least partially below the at least one storage area (7). Composite pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one storage area (7) as a recess with a peripheral edge (8) for the preferably positive reception of a standing barrel (32) is formed. Composite pallet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each support insert (9) has a support insert top (14) in the cover element top (5) in the region of each support region is a recess, and the support insert top (14) in a plane with the cover element top side (14). 5) or the storage area (7), or, if the at least one storage area (7) is formed as a recess, in a plane between the cover element upper side (5) and the at least one storage area (7). Composite pallet according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least a first subset of the supporting inserts (9) under the edge (8) of the at least one holding zone (7) is arranged, preferably at least three support inserts (9) per storage area (7) , wherein, when the at least one storage area (7) is formed as a recess, the contour (15) of the peripheral edge (8) of the recess is preferably formed on the support insert upper sides (14) of a plurality of support inserts (9) of the first subset. Composite pallet according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support element receptacles (10) for the support inserts (9) in the cover element support elevations (6) and the Bodenelementstützerhebungen (3) are incorporated. Composite pallet according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising - A plurality of bearing elements (17) each having a bearing element upper side (18) and a bearing element lower side (19), and - Means for non-positive and / or positive connection of the bearing elements (17) on the bearing element underside (19) with the cover element (4) on the cover element upper side (5) at designated positions, preferably designed as snap closures (20), wherein the bearing element upper side (18) of each bearing element (17) is provided with a first concavely curved surface (21) with a first concave curvature for supporting a horizontal drum (32). Composite pallet according to claim 6 having at least two Abstellbereichen (7), characterized in that the first concavely curved surface (21) of each bearing element (17) has a second concave curvature perpendicular to the first concave curvature for supporting a bulbous barrel (32). Composite pallet according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the bearing element upper side (18) of each bearing element (17) is provided with a second concavely curved surface (23) having with the first concave surface (21) a common curved edge (24). Composite pallet according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that on the bearing element underside (19) of each bearing element (17) are formed Lagerstützelementaufnahmen for receiving further support inserts. Composite pallet according to claim 9, characterized in that, in the inserted bearing elements (17) the bearing support element seats on the support element receptacles (10) of the cover element upper side (5) are arranged, and the further support inserts have support insert bottoms, which abut support insert tops (14) of the support elements (9) inserted into the cover element (4). Composite pallet according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the support inserts (9) made of concrete, wood, stainless steel or stone. Composite pallet according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a plurality of support rods (26) for connecting to and supporting a further composite pallet, - Wherein the cover element (4) and the bottom element (1) has a plurality of through openings (27) for the positive embracing of the through-openings (27) used support rods (26) at its periphery, and the ends of the inserted support rods (26) and / or height adjustment elements (28) connected to the ends of the support rods (26) are in direct contact with support inserts (9), whereby the loading of the cover element (4) and the floor element (1) of Composite pallet is reduced with the weight of the other composite pallet. Composite pallet according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that support inserts (9) of a second subset of support inserts are formed as preferably one-piece combination support inserts (12), wherein in a combination support insert (12) two support inserts (9) with each other by a web ( 13) are connected. A composite pallet according to claim 13 when appended to claim 12, characterized in that the webs (13) of the combination support inserts (12) are placed under the through holes (27) for receiving the support rods (26) and the support rods (26) and / or the height adjustment elements (28) abut a respective web (13). Composite pallet according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the support rods (26) and the height adjustment elements (28) are at least partially made of metal, preferably of stainless steel, the height adjustment elements (28) external threads (31) and the support rods (26) have at least one end to the external thread (31) matching internal thread. Composite pallet according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the cover element (4) and / or the bottom element (1) are manufactured individually and nestable with other cover elements (4) or floor elements (1). Composite pallet according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the cover element (4) and the bottom element (1) are constructed identically and mirror-symmetrically with respect to a mirror plane which is parallel to the cover element upper side (5) and bottom element bottom and to both the same Distance has. Composite pallet according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the cover element (4) with the bottom element (1) is made in one piece. Kit for a composite pallet according to one of claims 1 to 18.

Images