EP4146552B1 - Palette en plastique à liaison par encliquetage - Google Patents

Palette en plastique à liaison par encliquetage Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4146552B1
EP4146552B1 EP21723406.1A EP21723406A EP4146552B1 EP 4146552 B1 EP4146552 B1 EP 4146552B1 EP 21723406 A EP21723406 A EP 21723406A EP 4146552 B1 EP4146552 B1 EP 4146552B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
foot parts
runners
snap
female
male
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP21723406.1A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP4146552A1 (fr
Inventor
Axel Ritzberger
Rüdiger SOSTMANN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Georg Utz Holding AG
Original Assignee
Georg Utz Holding AG
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Publication date
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Publication of EP4146552A1 publication Critical patent/EP4146552A1/fr
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Publication of EP4146552B1 publication Critical patent/EP4146552B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D19/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D19/0004—Rigid pallets without side walls
    • B65D19/0053—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of more than one element
    • B65D19/0055—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of more than one element forming a continuous plane contact surface
    • B65D19/0067—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of more than one element forming a continuous plane contact surface the base surface being made of more than one element
    • B65D19/0069—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of more than one element forming a continuous plane contact surface the base surface being made of more than one element forming a continuous plane contact surface
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D19/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D19/0004—Rigid pallets without side walls
    • B65D19/0006—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of a single element
    • B65D19/0008—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of a single element forming a continuous plane contact surface
    • B65D19/002—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of a single element forming a continuous plane contact surface the base surface being made of more than one element
    • B65D19/0024—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of a single element forming a continuous plane contact surface the base surface being made of more than one element forming discontinuous or non-planar contact surfaces
    • B65D19/0026—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of a single element forming a continuous plane contact surface the base surface being made of more than one element forming discontinuous or non-planar contact surfaces and each contact surface having a stringer-like shape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00009—Materials
    • B65D2519/00014—Materials for the load supporting surface
    • B65D2519/00034—Plastic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00009—Materials
    • B65D2519/00049—Materials for the base surface
    • B65D2519/00069—Plastic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00263—Overall construction of the pallet
    • B65D2519/00273—Overall construction of the pallet made of more than one piece
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00283—Overall construction of the load supporting surface
    • B65D2519/00288—Overall construction of the load supporting surface made of one piece
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00313—Overall construction of the base surface
    • B65D2519/00323—Overall construction of the base surface made of more than one piece
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00313—Overall construction of the base surface
    • B65D2519/00328—Overall construction of the base surface shape of the contact surface of the base
    • B65D2519/00333—Overall construction of the base surface shape of the contact surface of the base contact surface having a stringer-like shape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00313—Overall construction of the base surface
    • B65D2519/00328—Overall construction of the base surface shape of the contact surface of the base
    • B65D2519/00338—Overall construction of the base surface shape of the contact surface of the base contact surface having a discrete foot-like shape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00398—Overall construction reinforcements
    • B65D2519/00402—Integral, e.g. ribs
    • B65D2519/00407—Integral, e.g. ribs on the load supporting surface
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00398—Overall construction reinforcements
    • B65D2519/00402—Integral, e.g. ribs
    • B65D2519/00412—Integral, e.g. ribs on the base surface
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00547—Connections
    • B65D2519/00552—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer
    • B65D2519/00557—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer without separate auxiliary elements
    • B65D2519/00567—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer without separate auxiliary elements mechanical connection, e.g. snap-fitted

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a plastic pallet with a top and three or more runners.
  • Pallets are used to store and transport goods.
  • the pallets keep the goods off the ground so that they can be lifted and transported by a forklift truck.
  • They usually consist of a flat top part and, for pallets measuring 1200x800mm, three runners, which can be manufactured in one piece using injection molding or in several parts.
  • Multi-part plastic pallets are easier and cheaper to produce and consist, for example, of an upper part and a lower part, which are interlocked and connected.
  • the lower part usually has three runners and nine feet.
  • the upper part and the lower part, or the runners, can be welded, as in CH702628 or CH685549 described, connected to each other.
  • a bead is formed that must be removed using a milling process so that the pallet has a smooth surface. This is time consuming and expensive.
  • GB2421939 is a plastic pallet known with a flat upper part and a flat lower part as well as nine separate feet via which the upper and lower parts are connected to one another, with both ends of the feet being attached to the upper and lower parts of the pallet by means of snap fasteners.
  • US 5,483,899 discloses a pallet with a lower part and an upper part which are slidable into one another, the lower part of the pallet having ribs with a snap element which is each arranged at the upper end of a rib.
  • the snap connection to the upper part is achieved by this snap element at the upper end of the ribs of the lower part of the pallet.
  • Out of EP2733084 is a plastic pallet known with an upper part and a lower part, whereby the feet of the upper part and the lower part can be completely pushed into one another and locked by means of snap connections.
  • the outer area of the feet is formed by the runners.
  • US 5,794,543 A describes a modular pallet system with individual lower floor elements and an upper element with a primary surface.
  • the system includes complementary engagement elements of the upper and lower elements, which interlock and connect the upper and lower elements together.
  • WO 2005/118412 A1 discloses a plastic pallet according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the known multi-part plastic pallets have the disadvantage that the connection between the different parts can become loose under constant load and the upper part separates from the feet or the runners.
  • the present invention is based on the object of specifying a multi-part plastic pallet which allows a connection between the upper part and the runners, this connection better withstanding the load caused by an impact of the pallets during transport and, if possible, not opening even under high stress.
  • a plastic pallet with an upper part and runners, the upper part being provided with outer and middle female foot parts and the runners being provided with outer and middle male foot parts, the male foot parts of the runners being pushed into the female foot parts of the upper part, and whereby the male foot parts form feet with the female foot parts.
  • the foot parts of the upper part and the foot parts of the runners are attached to each other using snap connections.
  • Each male foot part comprises at least two snap hooks, which are arranged in mirror-symmetrical pairs and which each have a hook head with an undercut, a snap arm and a back, the undercuts of the hook heads facing away from one another and the back sides of the snap hooks facing each other.
  • Each female foot part includes at least one latching element into which the hook heads are latched and each form a snap connection.
  • the female foot parts are connected in one piece to the upper part.
  • a space is arranged between the backs of the snap hooks.
  • Each female foot part comprises at least one securing element, each with a free end, the securing element being connected in one piece to the female foot part, and the securing element protruding into the space between the backs of the snap hooks, so that the snap hooks remain in the locked position.
  • the arrangement of the at least one securing element between the snap hooks arranged in pairs enables the snap hooks to be retained in the locked position when the plastic pallet is plugged together and not to be released from the locked position without additional tools.
  • the securing element leads to a secure connection between the upper part and the foot parts of the runners and thus secures the attachment of the runners to the upper part.
  • the free end of the at least one securing element tapers towards its center.
  • the free end can be rounded or pointed towards the middle.
  • the shape of the free end of the securing element, which tapers towards the middle, is particularly suitable so that the snap hooks can slide more easily into the desired locked position along the securing element when the runners are plugged together.
  • the free end of the at least one securing element is symmetrically tapered.
  • the free end of the at least one securing element has an arrow-shaped cross section.
  • the symmetrically tapered end is advantageous so that each snap hook is guided along a beveled surface of the free end of the securing element when the pallet is put together.
  • a securing element can also have a plurality of free ends, preferably arranged next to one another, which are preferably tapered towards the center, even more preferably symmetrically tapered.
  • the snap hook with hook head and undercut is wide in order to enlarge the snap connection area between the hook head and the latching element and to strengthen the snap connection.
  • the at least one securing element between a pair of snap hooks has two free ends, which taper towards the center, preferably symmetrically tapered.
  • Each snap hook includes a snap arm, backing and undercut hook head.
  • the hook head has a substantially straight back and a front with an undercut.
  • a last part of the back of the snap hook in the area of the hook head, which leads to a point, is beveled or rounded, preferably beveled. This means that the tip of the hook head is weakened at the end of the snap hook and is not at the free end of the when the runners are plugged into the top part Securing element damaged.
  • the back of the hook head slides continuously along the free end of the securing element into the locked state.
  • the snap hook has resilient properties.
  • the latching element has at least one recess into which the hook head of the snap hook can engage.
  • the latching element can also have two recesses, each of which engages a hook head of a pair of snap hooks.
  • the latching element has an elongated shape in cross section, with the recesses being arranged on the long sides of the latching element parallel to the width of the hook head.
  • Each hook head of the snap hook engages in a recess in the latching element and the undercut of the hook head forms a snap connection together with the latching element.
  • a snap connection is a positive connection and is formed by a hook head with an undercut and a latching element with a recess, which are designed as counterparts.
  • the hook head engages in the recess of the latching element and the area of the undercut of the hook head latches into the latching element.
  • Such a snap connection has the advantage that the connection is pressed into one another under load, which further strengthens the connection.
  • this snap connection has a resilient property when loaded.
  • each foot has one or more pairs of snap connections, preferably one or two pairs.
  • the feet can also have four pairs of snap connections and thus eight snap connections, preferably on the outer feet of the middle runner. The multiple snap connections further increase and secure the strength of the feet.
  • the female foot parts of the upper part have an outer wall with ribs and the male foot parts of the runners have an inner wall with ribs.
  • the outer wall of the female foot parts encloses the male foot parts.
  • the outer wall of the outer female foot part extends essentially over the entire height of the outer male foot part, so that the outer male foot parts of the runners are completely pushed into the outer female foot parts of the upper part.
  • the outer wall of the female foot parts encloses the male foot parts in such a way that the male outer foot parts are completely protected in the event of an impact.
  • the outer wall extends over the entire height of the outer female foot part, preferably essentially around the entire foot.
  • the term total height means that the outer wall of the outer female foot parts extends from the top of the pallet to the underside of the runner, which can be placed on a support surface.
  • the outer wall extends around the entire foot, with the exception of a recess for a connecting piece of the runners which connects the outer male foot parts to the middle male foot part.
  • the outer wall thus extends on at least three sides of the outer female foot parts from the top of the pallet to the underside of the runner.
  • the ribs of the female foot parts and the ribs of the male foot parts preferably extend substantially over the entire height of each foot part.
  • the ribs can have different cross sections and, for example, have a T-shaped, angled or rectangular cross section.
  • the ribs of the female foot parts and the ribs of the male foot parts can be completely pushed into one another.
  • the male foot parts of the runners preferably have an inner wall with ribs, which act as spacers between the inner wall and the serve as an outer wall.
  • These ribs also serve, on the one hand, as a guide when connecting the runners to the upper part of the pallet, and on the other hand, they form a distance between the inner wall and the outer wall, which serves as additional impact protection.
  • the ribs can bend slightly and the distance between the inner and outer walls can briefly decrease, which cushions the impact.
  • the plastic pallet preferably has three runners, each with two outer male foot parts and a middle male foot part.
  • the plastic pallet according to the invention preferably has three longitudinal runners. This is the case, for example, with plastic pallets of the standard size of 1200x800mm.
  • the outer male foot parts are inserted into the outer female foot parts and form outer feet, which are provided on the short transverse side of the plastic pallet.
  • the middle female and male foot parts, which form the middle feet, are preferably provided in the middle of the pallet across the long side.
  • the plastic pallet has more than three runners, for example five or six runners.
  • five or six runners are preferred for pallets measuring 1200x1000mm.
  • a pallet of this type is possible with five runners, of which three runners run in one direction and two runners run in the transverse direction along the sides of the pallet.
  • the pallet comprises six runners, three longitudinal runners and three transverse runners.
  • all outer eight feet preferably have outer walls which extend over the entire height of the outer female foot parts at least on the outside of the feet, i.e. on the side which is arranged on the edge of the plastic pallet.
  • the upper part of the plastic pallet preferably has a flat top.
  • the top has a continuous, closed surface.
  • the underside of the upper part Cross braces to reinforce the upper part.
  • the upper part comprises reinforcing tubes, which additionally reinforce the upper part of the plastic pallet.
  • the male foot parts of a single runner can be pushed into the foot parts of the upper part separately from the male foot parts of the other runners.
  • the three runners can be inserted individually into the upper part and the plastic pallet can be made from four pieces.
  • the three runners it is also possible for the three runners to be connected to one another and to consist of one piece, so that the plastic pallets can be assembled from two pieces, the upper part and a lower part provided with runners.
  • the foot parts of the upper part and the foot parts of the runners are preferably connected in one piece to the upper part or to the runner. This design together with the snap connection makes it possible to assemble a pallet from just two or four parts and without the use of tools.
  • the male foot parts with the inner wall and the ribs are preferably pushed completely into the female foot parts with the outer wall and the ribs, so that their ribs are completely pushed into one another and are arranged parallel to one another over their entire length , whereby the feet of the pallet are formed and the inner walls of the male foot part and the outer walls of the female foot part form double walls of the feet.
  • the double walls result in increased strength of the feet, so that they are more robust, can withstand impacts from a forklift truck or other objects and can therefore be used over a longer period of time.
  • the design of the feet allows for easy and quick assembly of the two parts of the pallet, and the snap connection allows for efficient locking without the need for tools. If desired, it can The snap connection can still be opened again by using a screwdriver to grab each snap hook from the underside of the runner between the snap hook and the locking element and press the snap hook out of the locking element. However, this is not possible without additional tools.
  • the arrangement of the pallet according to the invention means that the male foot parts of the runners are protected by the female foot parts of the upper part.
  • the outer feet in particular are exposed to strong forces.
  • the male foot parts of the runners are protected by the outer wall of the outer female foot parts, which extends over the entire height of the outer male foot parts.
  • shearing forces are created, which are increased by the weight of the goods being transported on the top of the pallet.
  • these forces are directed into the ground via the top of the pallet and the female foot parts.
  • the feet of the upper part and not the feet of the runners are put under strain. This means that the snap connection can withstand strong impacts and does not come loose even under constant load.
  • Figure 1A shows the upper part 2 and an outer runner 3 of the plastic pallet 1 according to the invention.
  • the runner 3 is shown in the separated and not assembled state.
  • the upper part 2 has outer female foot parts 4, four shown here, and middle female foot parts 4', one visible here.
  • the runner 3 is provided with two outer male foot parts 5 and a middle male foot part 5 '.
  • the male foot parts 5, 5 ' have snap hooks with hook heads 9.
  • the outer male foot parts 5 of the outer runner 3 have two pairs of snap hooks with four hook heads 9, and the middle male foot part 5' of the outer runner 3 has a pair of snap hooks with two hook heads.
  • the male foot parts 5, 5 ' have an inner wall 15 with ribs 17, which serve as a spacer between the inner wall 15 and the outer wall 14 of the female foot parts 4, 4' and as a guide when plugging the runners together with the upper part of the pallet .
  • the male foot parts 5, 5 ' are connected to one another via connecting pieces 18 and form the runner 3.
  • FIG 1B shows the plastic pallet 1 according to the invention in the assembled, plugged-together state, in which the three runners 3, 3 '(here only the connecting pieces 18 of a runner 3 visible) are inserted into the upper part 2.
  • the runners 3, 3' are inserted into the female foot parts 4, 4' via the male foot parts 5, 5' (in Figure 4A shown), so that the male foot parts 5, 5' put together with the female foot parts 4, 4' have feet 21, 21' (in Figure 4A shown), and so that the female foot parts 4, 4 'of the upper part and the male foot parts 5, 5' of the runners can be fastened to one another by means of a snap connection 6 (not visible).
  • the snap connection is made from the snap hook (8, not visible, in Figure 4A shown) and the latching element (7, not visible, in Figure 4A shown).
  • the plastic pallet 1 has six outer female foot parts 4 and six outer male foot parts 5, which are arranged along the two short transverse sides of the pallet and which together form the six outer feet 21 (in the Figures 2A, 2B and 4A shown).
  • Figure 2A shows the underside of the assembled plastic pallet 1 with a view of the underside of the two outer runners 3 and the middle runner 3 'and on the underside of the upper part 2 with the cross struts 22.
  • the two outer runners 3 each have two outer male foot parts 5 and one each middle male foot part 5 'and, together with the two outer female foot parts 4 and the one middle female foot part 4', form two outer feet 21 and one middle foot 21'.
  • the middle runner 3 ' has two outer male foot parts 5 and a middle male foot part 5' and, together with the two outer female foot parts 4 and the middle female foot part 4', forms two outer feet 21 and a middle foot 21 '.
  • Also shown is the underside of the snap hooks 8 and the connecting pieces 18 of the runners 3, 3 ⁇ .
  • the underside of the outer wall 14 of the outer female foot part forms a wing together with the underside of the male foot part 5, 5 'and the runner 3, 3'.
  • the cross struts 22 of the upper part 2 are visible, which serve to reinforce the upper part to increase the load-bearing capacity of the pallet.
  • Figure 2B shows section IIb Figure 2A and the underside of a foot 21 enlarged.
  • the underside of the outer wall 14 of the outer female foot part 4 is shown, which forms a wing with the underside of the outer male foot part 5 and the connecting piece 18 of the runner 3.
  • Also shown are the inner wall 15 of the male foot part 5 and the view from below of the snap hooks 8 and the securing elements 12 with their two free ends 13. There are two free ends 13 of the securing element 12 between a pair of snap hooks 8.
  • Figure 3 shows a side view of a long side of the plastic pallet 1 with the upper part 2 and the runner 3.
  • the male foot parts are connected to one another via a connecting piece 18.
  • Figure 4A shows a cross section through the axis along line AA of the Figure 2A as well as the Figure 3 through the snap connections of the outer female foot parts 4 and the outer male foot parts 5, which together form feet 21.
  • snap hooks 8 with hook heads 9 and the associated latching elements 7 are shown, which engage with the runners when the upper part 2 is plugged together and lock the upper part 2 with the runners 3, 3 '.
  • the securing elements 12 are also shown.
  • Figure 4B shows section IVb Figure 4A and a detailed view of the cross section of the outer foot 21 along line BB Figure 2B .
  • the two snap hooks 8 of the outer male foot part 5 of the runner 3 are disclosed, the snap hooks 8 being arranged in pairs in mirror symmetry and each having a snap arm 8', a hook head 9 with an undercut 9' and a back 10.
  • a space 24 is arranged between the backs 10 of the snap hooks 8.
  • the undercuts 9 'of the hook heads 9 are facing away from each other and the back sides 10 of the snap hooks 8 face each other.
  • Each hook head 9 of the snap hooks 8 is snapped into a latching element 7, with each hook head 9 engaging in a recess 23 of the latching element 7 and forming a snap connection 6 with the latching element 7 and thus the female foot part 4 of the upper part 2 with the male foot part 5 of the runner 3 locked.
  • a securing element 12 with a symmetrically tapered free end 13 In the example shown, the securing element 12 with a free end 13 has an arrow-shaped cross section. The free end 13 tapers towards the middle.
  • the last part 11 of the back 10 of the snap hook 8 is beveled in the area of the hook head 9, which leads to the tip.
  • This bevel 11 means that the tip of the hook head 9 is weakened at the end of the snap hook 8 and, when the runners 3 are plugged together into the upper part 2, it slides continuously along the beveled side of the symmetrically tapered free end 13 of the securing element 12 into the locked state.
  • an outer wall 14 of the outer female foot part 4 which encloses the outer male foot part 5 and its inner wall 15.
  • the ribs 16 of the outer female foot part 4 and the ribs 17 of the outer male foot part 5 are visible. Due to the outer wall 14 and the inner wall 15, the foot 21 has a double wall, which reinforces the feet. This largely prevents damage to the feet caused by impacts from a forklift or from falling.
  • Figure 5A shows a cross section along line CC of the Figure 7 through an outer female foot part 4 of an upper part 2 in the unassembled state.
  • the outer wall 14 extends over the entire height of the outer female foot part 4, preferably essentially around the entire foot.
  • the term total height means that the outer wall of the outer female foot parts extends from the top of the pallet to the underside of the runner, which can be placed on a support surface.
  • the female foot part 4 includes ribs 16, which when the upper part 2 and the runners (not shown) are plugged together into the ribs of the male foot part (in Fig. 5B shown) can be pushed. Also visible are the two long sides of the latching element 7 with recesses 23 into which the snap hooks (in Fig. 5B shown).
  • the securing element 12 with a free end 13 that tapers towards the center has an arrow-shaped cross section. The free end 13 is symmetrically tapered.
  • Figure 5B shows a cross section through an outer male foot part 5 of an outer runner 3 in the unassembled state.
  • the male foot part 5 has inner walls 15, which when the runners 3 are plugged together with the upper part (in Fig. 5A shown) completely into the outer female foot part 4 (in Fig. 5A shown) can be pushed.
  • the ribs 17 of the male foot part 5 extend over the entire height of the male foot part 5.
  • the male foot part 5 has two snap hooks 8, the snap hooks 8 being arranged in pairs in a mirror-symmetrical manner and each having a snap arm 8', a hook head 9 with an undercut 9'. and have a back 10.
  • the undercuts 9 'of the hook heads 9 face away from each other and the back sides 10 of the snap hooks 8 face each other.
  • a space 24 is arranged between the backs 10 of the snap hooks 8.
  • Figure 6 shows a detailed view of the perspective view from diagonally below onto the underside of an outer female foot part 4 of the upper part 2 of a plastic pallet in the unassembled state.
  • the outer female foot part 4 has an outer wall 14 which extends over the entire height in the outer area of the foot part 4.
  • the outer area of the foot part 4 is understood to be the entire area which encloses the foot part 4, with the exception of a recess 19, which serves to accommodate the connecting pieces of the runners in the assembled state.
  • the outer female foot part 4 has a plurality of ribs 16 which extend essentially over the entire height of the foot part.
  • the ribs have different cross sections, for example a T-shaped, angled or rectangular cross section.
  • the female foot part 4 has two latching elements 7, each with two recesses 23 for receiving snap hooks (in Fig. 4B shown).
  • the snap-in elements 7 each have an elongated shape, with the recesses 23 being arranged on the two long sides of the elongated latching elements 7.
  • Each latching element 7 has a securing element 12 in the middle of the elongated shape, each with two free ends 13, which serve to hold the snap hooks (not shown) in the locked state when the pallet is plugged together. In this preferred embodiment, two free ends 13 are used to hold the wide hook head (not shown) in the locked position of an assembled pallet.
  • the upper part 2 has cross struts 22 on the underside to reinforce the upper part 2 of the pallet.
  • Figure 7 shows a detailed view from below of the underside of an outer female foot part 4 of the upper part 2 of a plastic pallet with an outer wall 14, ribs 16, two latching elements 7 with an elongated shape, each with a securing element 12.
  • Each of the two securing elements 12 has two free ends 13 on.
  • the cross struts 22 of the upper part 2 are also visible.
  • Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the cross section of a foot 21 Figure 5A along the line BB of the Figure 2B from diagonally below onto the underside of the upper part 2 of the pallet when plugged together.
  • the foot 21 shows the outer female foot part 4 with an outer wall 14, rib 16, the latching element 7 with two recesses 23 and the securing element 12 with a free end 13, as well as the outer male foot part 5 with an inner wall 15, snap hooks 8 arranged in pairs with a snap arm 8 ⁇ , back 10 and hook head 9.
  • a space 24 is arranged between the backs 10 of the snap hooks 8.
  • the cross struts 22 of the upper part 2 are also visible.
  • FIGS. 1-8 show a possible embodiment of the invention, this embodiment having three longitudinal runners and the outer feet being arranged along the short transverse side of the plastic pallet.
  • a plastic pallet has five or six runners possible, with each runner having two outer male foot parts and one middle male foot part.
  • a pallet of this type is possible with five runners, of which three runners run in one direction and only two runners run in the transverse direction along the sides of the pallet.
  • a pallet with six skids is possible, with the skids arranged as three transverse skids and three longitudinal skids, so that the forklift truck can transport the pallet from both the long side and the transverse side.
  • a plastic pallet with three transverse runners is also conceivable, with the outer feet then being arranged along the long long side.
  • each foot can have any number of snap connections in different arrangements.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Pallets (AREA)

Claims (10)

  1. Palette (1) en matière plastique, comprenant une partie supérieure (2), dotées d'éléments formant pied femelles extérieurs (4) et centraux (4') et des patins (3, 3') dotés d'éléments formant pied mâles extérieurs (5) et centraux (5'), les éléments formant pied (5, 5') mâles des patins (3, 3') étant enfoncés dans les éléments formant pied (4, 4') femelles de la partie supérieure (2), les éléments formant pied (5, 5') mâles constituant avec les éléments formant pied (4, 4') femelles des pieds (21, 21'), les éléments formant pied (4, 4') de la partie supérieure et les éléments formant pied (5, 5') des patins (3, 3') étant fixés les uns aux autres au moyen d'assemblages par encliquetage (6), chaque élément formant pied (5, 5') mâle comprenant au moins deux crochets d'encliquetage (8), lesquels sont placés par paires en symétrie spéculaire et lesquels comportent chacun une tête de crochet (9) pourvue d'une contre-dépouille (9'), d'un bras d'encliquetage (8') et d'une face arrière (10), les contre-dépouilles (9') des têtes de crochets (9) étant opposées les unes aux autres et les faces arrières (10) des crochets d'encliquetage (8) étant tournées les unes vers les autres, chaque élément formant pied (4, 4') femelle comprenant au moins un élément d'enclenchement (7) dans lequel les têtes de crochets (9) sont enclenchées et constituant chacun un assemblage par encliquetage (6), entre les faces arrières (10) des crochets d'encliquetage (8) étant placé un interstice (24) et les éléments formant pied (4, 4') femelles étant assemblés en monobloc avec la partie supérieure (2), caractérisée en ce que chaque élément formant pied (4, 4') femelle comprend au moins un élément de blocage (12) dont chacun comprend au moins une extrémité (13) libre, l'élément de blocage (12) étant assemblé en monobloc avec l'élément formant pied (4, 4') femelle, et l'élément de blocage (12) saillant à l'intérieur de l'interstice (24) entre les faces arrières (10) des crochets d'encliquetage (8), de telle sorte que les crochets d'encliquetage (8) restent dans la position enclenchée.
  2. Palette (1) en matière plastique selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que l'extrémité (13) respectivement libre de l'au moins un élément de blocage (12) se rétrécit en direction du centre.
  3. Palette (1) en matière plastique selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que l'extrémité (13) respectivement libre de l'au moins un élément de blocage (12) est symétriquement effilée.
  4. Palette (1) en matière plastique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que l'extrémité (13) respectivement libre de l'au moins un élément de blocage (12) présente une section transversale en forme de flèche.
  5. Palette (1) en matière plastique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'une dernière partie (11) de la face arrière (10) du crochet d'encliquetage (8), qui mène vers une pointe est chanfreinée ou arrondie.
  6. Palette (1) en matière plastique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les éléments formant pied (4, 4') femelles de la partie supérieure (2) comportent une paroi (14) extérieure pourvue de nervures (16) et les éléments formant pied (5, 5') mâles der patins (3, 3') comportent une paroi (15) intérieure pourvue de nervures (17).
  7. Palette (1) en matière plastique selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que la paroi (14) extérieure des éléments formant pied (4, 4') femelles entoure respectivement les éléments formant pied (5, 5') mâles et s'étend sur toute la hauteur des éléments formant pied (5) mâles extérieurs, de telle sorte que les éléments formant pied (5) mâles extérieurs des patins (3, 3') soient entièrement poussés dans les éléments formant pied (4) femelles extérieurs de la partie supérieure (2).
  8. Palette (1) en matière plastique selon la revendication 6 ou 7, caractérisée en ce que les nervures (16, 17) servent d'espaceurs entre la paroi (15) intérieure et la paroi (14) extérieure.
  9. Palette (1) en matière plastique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les éléments formant pied (5, 5') mâles d'un patin (3, 3') individuel sont poussés séparément des éléments formant pied (5, 5') mâles des autres patins dans les éléments formant pied (4, 4') femelles de la partie supérieure (2).
  10. Palette en matière plastique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la palette (1) en matière plastique comporte trois patins (3, 3').
EP21723406.1A 2020-05-07 2021-04-29 Palette en plastique à liaison par encliquetage Active EP4146552B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH00549/20A CH717394A1 (de) 2020-05-07 2020-05-07 Kunststoffpalette mit Schnappverbindung.
PCT/IB2021/053569 WO2021224732A1 (fr) 2020-05-07 2021-04-29 Palette en plastique à liaison encliquetable

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4146552A1 EP4146552A1 (fr) 2023-03-15
EP4146552B1 true EP4146552B1 (fr) 2023-12-27

Family

ID=75787169

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21723406.1A Active EP4146552B1 (fr) 2020-05-07 2021-04-29 Palette en plastique à liaison par encliquetage

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20230166885A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP4146552B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN115551786A (fr)
CH (1) CH717394A1 (fr)
MX (1) MX2022012531A (fr)
PL (1) PL4146552T3 (fr)
WO (1) WO2021224732A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3008372B2 (ja) * 1990-08-24 2000-02-14 三菱化学株式会社 合成樹脂製パレット
JPH04267735A (ja) * 1991-02-20 1992-09-24 Mitsubishi Kasei Corp 合成樹脂製パレット
CH685549A5 (de) 1992-10-29 1995-08-15 Utz Ag Georg Palette.
US5483899A (en) 1994-07-05 1996-01-16 Christie; Eugene P. Modular pallet arrangement
US5794543A (en) * 1995-09-05 1998-08-18 Johnson & Ruddick, Ltd. Modular pallet system
US5887529A (en) * 1995-09-05 1999-03-30 Plastic Pallet Production Inc. Modular pallet with interlocking inserts
US7640867B2 (en) 2003-04-28 2010-01-05 Rehrig Pacific Company Pallet assembly
WO2005118412A1 (fr) * 2004-06-03 2005-12-15 Ppal Ag Palette
US7921784B2 (en) * 2004-07-29 2011-04-12 Rehrig Pacific Company Snap-together pallet
US7779765B2 (en) * 2006-03-03 2010-08-24 Daniel Kelly Pallet with telescoped leg assemblies
CH702628A2 (de) 2010-02-01 2011-08-15 Utz Georg Holding Ag Kunststoffpalette.
CO7030192A1 (es) * 2012-02-14 2014-08-21 Rehrig Pacific Co Un ensamble de estiba que comprende una porción superior y una porción inferior
CH707199A2 (de) 2012-11-15 2014-05-15 Utz Georg Holding Ag Kunststoffpalette.
CH715550A1 (de) * 2018-11-15 2020-05-15 Utz Georg Holding Ag Kunststoffpalette mit geschützten Kufen.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20230166885A1 (en) 2023-06-01
CN115551786A (zh) 2022-12-30
MX2022012531A (es) 2023-01-19
CH717394A1 (de) 2021-11-15
WO2021224732A1 (fr) 2021-11-11
EP4146552A1 (fr) 2023-03-15
PL4146552T3 (pl) 2024-04-15

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