EP4166469A1

EP4166469A1 - A multi usable bin

Info

Publication number: EP4166469A1
Application number: EP21203231.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Markus Boltz; Michael Drodofsky
Original assignee: Neointralogistics GmbH
Current assignee: Neointralogistics GmbH
Priority date: 2021-10-18
Filing date: 2021-10-18
Publication date: 2023-04-19

Abstract

The invention is focused on multi usable bins which are used in the field of storage and intralogistics. The multi usable bin comprises a tray (1) made from rigid material and a peripheral side wall (2) attached to the tray (1), the tray (1) having a bottom and a peripheral circumferential board (6). One edge of the peripheral side wall (2) is inserted in circumferential receptacles made in the tray (1) next to the inner side of the board (6) of the tray (1). The peripheral side wall (2) is further attached to the board (6) of the tray (1) by fastening element (16). Preferably the peripheral side wall (2) is made from flexible material and is made as one monolithic piece.

Description

Technical field of the invention

The invention is focused on multi usable bins which are used in the field of storage and intralogistics.

Background of the invention

State of the art discloses multi usable bins for storage of items, comprising a tray and a peripherical side wall attached to the tray, which are solid and made as one monolithic piece. They are made from rigid plastic. These bins have a 10 - 25 mm edge on each site to stabilize the bin and the bin-wall. These bins are heavy and are thus, inefficient to use in intralogistics warehouses, for example B2B or B2C retailing with fashion & accessories, personal care, toys & hobby, media, small parts electronics & DIY, etc., where sellers work mostly with small to medium and light objects. Another disadvantage of the known bins is that in order to produce different bin sizes in height, a specific injection mold is required for each size, which is very costly, because one mold costs around 100 000 Euro to 500.000 Euro per piece. Because of these, manufactures produce bins with only a limited number of sizes, for example 150 mm and 200 mm, but no product offering in between these ranges. This leads to a massive loss of space when the bins are stored in use, or when they are being transported.

Summary of the invention

A task for the invention is to provide a bin that solves the drawbacks of the state of the art, namely that can be manufactured in different heights at low costs. Additionally, the construction is lightweight and thus, it is better suitable than the prior art for use in any fields of intralogistics. Another task is the bin to be more cost-efficient, and space saving when used or transported.
These tasks are achieved by the multi usable bin, according to the invention, which comprises a tray made from rigid material and a peripheral side wall attached to the tray, the tray having a bottom and a peripheral circumferential board. One edge of the peripheral side wall is inserted in circumferential receptacles made in the tray next to the inner side of the board of the tray. The peripheral side wall is further attached to the board of the tray by fastening elements.
It is possible that the edges of the peripheral side wall are pre-perforated, which allows easier bending.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the peripheral side wall is made from flexible material, for example paper or paper-based material, or alternatively the peripheral side wall is made of paper-based core and plastic vaporized cover.
Because the peripheral side wall is made from material that can easily be cut, such as paper or any other suitable material, it can be manufactured in different sizes, i.e., the bin can be made with many different heights at low costs.
The weight of the paper-based material of the peripheral side wall is between 300 g/m² and 2500 g/m², preferably between 400 g/m² and 1500 g/m², more preferably 500 g/m².
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the receptacles are made in the bottom of the tray. In alternative embodiment, the board of the tray is double walled, thus forming the slots, and the peripheral side wall is arranged between the two walls of the double walled board of the tray. In a third embodiment it is possible that the tray has circumferential groove in its bottom and in addition the board of the tray is double walled, thus forming slots, connecting the groove in the bottom of the tray. In this embodiment the peripheral side wall is arranged in the slots between the two walls of the double walled board of the tray, and inserted into the groove in the bottom of the tray.
In one embodiment of the invention, the peripheral side wall is made as one monolithic piece.
In one embodiment of the invention, the peripheral side wall ending opposite the tray has a circumferential reinforcing element. Such circumferential reinforcing element provides better stability of the construction and increases its robustness.
In one embodiment of the invention, an edge of the peripheral side wall that is at the side of the tray has plurality of transverse cuts. This provides more stability holding the peripheral side wall in the right position, as well as takes the pressure which products cause to the peripheral side wall.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bin further comprises a frame surrounding the peripheral side wall ending opposite the tray, which frame is connected to the peripheral side wall by fastening elements. The top frame gives not only a better stability to the peripheral side wall, but it is also a possibility to protect the edge of this peripheral side wall.
It is possible that the peripheral side wall that is at the side of the frame has plurality of transverse cuts. This provides more stability holding the peripheral side wall in the right position.
In one embodiment of the invention, the frame is fixed with at least one supporting bar extending from the frame to the bottom of the tray. Alternatively, there could be several supporting bars extending from the frame to the bottom of the tray, each arranged in one end of the peripheral side wall.
In one embodiment of the invention, all adjacent free side ends of the walls of the peripheral side wall are fixed to each other by a fixing element.
The tray consists of a base 4 and an inner pad 5 arranged on the base.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom of the tray has through holes. In case of a fire the water out of the fire sprinkler, which usually is sitting above the rack with the bin, could be drain out from said through holes. Also, adding holes saves material for producing the bin.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tray is made as one monolithic piece.
In one embodiment of the invention, the tray has the form of a rectangle in plan. This allows better automatization of storage processes, for example if a gripper is used in a warehouse to pull the bins, then the rectangular form of the tray contributes to the easy gripping.
The multi usable bin, according to the invention, has a lightweight construction because the usage of the peripheral side wall. Its weight is around 50 % less compared to state-of-the-art bins. The manufacturing costs are highly reduced, because for the multi usable bin, according to the invention, only one mold is required to produce the tray, and the peripheral side wall is not made with a mold. So, there are less capital expenditure of tool costs during the production process. State of the art uses a different mold for each height of the bin. Additionally, the lightweight construction is using less material. The bin according to the invention has around 50 % less weight compared to state-of-the-art bins. Thus, it guarantees a higher storage volume and a clear decrease in weight per bin or weight per bin volume. Additional advantage is the reduced materials, which are necessary for manufacturing such bin. Around 50 - 60 % less material is used in production proceedings. Beside the clear advantage of lightweight construction, i.e., cost efficiency, the multi usable bin, according to the invention, is very space saving. It can be manufactured with different heights, depending on the needs, e.g., 150 mm, 160 mm, 170 mm, 180 mm, 190 mm, 200 mm, etc. Based on a given floor space and the given goods / categories to handle with their given average dimensions, the height of the bin could be offered per millimeter and highly customized in any height. The effect will be a clear increase in effective storage volume per racking module. This allows customers to select a bin with a desirable height, in order to limit the loss of space when arrange many bins on a rack. Around 15 - 20 % more storage volume is guaranteed this way, compared to state-of-the-art bins with the same external dimensions.
Due to the fact, that the bins are assembled at the place they are used, more bins can be transported with one vehicle, which has an additional advantage, because transportation costs are reduced with around 75 % and CO₂ emissions from the factory to the distribution center are also reduced. In addition, the peripheral side wall can be printed with different logos very cheap because the tray is not being touched.

Brief description of the drawings

Hereinafter, the multi usable bin, subject of the invention, is explained in more details by preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting the scope of the invention examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 shows a top profile view of a preferred embodiment of the multi usable bin, according to the invention.
Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the multi usable bin, shown in figure 1, according to the invention.
Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the tray of the multi usable bin, according to the invention.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the multi usable bin, according to the invention.
Figure 5 shows a plan view of preferred embodiment of the multi usable bin, according to the invention.
Figure 6 shows a top profile view of preferred embodiment of the multi usable bin with supporting bars and a frame, according to the invention.
Figure 7 shows an exploded view of preferred embodiment of the multi usable bin with supporting bars and a frame, according to the invention.
Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of preferred embodiment of the multi usable bin with supporting bars and a frame, according to the invention.
Figure 9 shows an exploded view of preferred embodiment of the tray with a rectangular shape of the multi usable bin, according to the invention.
Figure 10 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the multi usable bin with double walled board of the tray forming slots, according to preferred embodiment the invention.
Figure 11 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the multi usable bin with a circumferential groove in the bottom of the tray, according to preferred embodiment the invention.
Figure 12 is a side view of the peripheral side wall of the multi usable bin with connected free ends of the peripheral side wall with a tape, according to preferred embodiment the invention.

Example embodiments of the invention

The invention discloses a multi usable bin, which comprises a tray 1 made from rigid material and a peripheral side wall 2 attached to the tray 1, the tray 1 having a bottom and a peripheral circumferential board 6. One edge of the peripheral side wall 2 is inserted in circumferential receptacles made in the tray 1 next to the inner side of the board 6 of the tray. The peripheral side wall 2 is further attached to the board 6 of the tray 1 by fastening elements 16.
The tray 1 could be made for example from polypropylene, hard paper, wood, or another suitable material.
The fastening elements 16 could be rivets, bolts and nuts, threads, screws, or another suitable fasteners. In one variant, said fastening elements 16 are arranged in coaxial openings 11, 14 of adjacent walls of the peripheral side wall 2 and the tray 1. Preferably, there are several fastening elements 16, as shown on the figures, two fastening element 16 per every lateral side of the bin.
The peripheral side wall 2 is preferably made from flexible material, for example paper or paper-based material, or alternatively the peripheral side wall 2 can be made of paper-based core and plastic vaporized cover or it can be entirely . Another possible material is bamboo, or another suitable material based on organic material. It is advantageous if the flexible material is thin, so it can bend easily.
The weight of the material of the peripheral side wall 2 is between 200 g/m² and 4000 g/m², preferably between 300 g/m² and 2500 g/m², preferably between 400 g/m² and 1500 g/m², more preferably 500 g/m².
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, shown on figure 11 the receptacles are made in the bottom of the tray 1 in the form of circumferential groove 15. In an alternative embodiment, shown on figure 10, the board 6 of the tray 1 is double walled, thus forming slots 17, and the peripheral side wall 2 is arranged in the slots 17 between the two walls of the double walled board 6 of the tray 1. In a third embodiment, not shown on the figures, it is possible that the tray 1 has a circumferential groove 15 in its bottom and in addition the board 6 of the tray 1 is double walled, thus forming slots 17, connecting the groove 15 in the bottom of the tray 1. In this embodiment the peripheral side wall 2 is arranged in the slots 17 between the two walls of the double walled board 6 of the tray 1, and inserted into the groove 15 in the bottom of the tray 1.
It is preferred that the board of the tray has a suitable size to allow a robot to push it or pull it. For example, the board might be with a height 4 cm.
Preferably, the peripheral side wall 2 is made as one monolithic piece, as shown on figure 5. For example, the peripheral side wall 2 can be made from a single paper band. The corner areas of the peripheral side wall 2 are pre-perforated, which allows easier bending. When bended the free ends of the peripheral side wall 2 are fixed to each other by a suitable fixing element, known from the state of the art, for example a tape - as shown on figure 12, a rivet, stitches, a glue, or another suitable element.
Alternatively, the peripheral side wall 2 can be made from two, three, or four different pieces, connected to each other by a suitable fastener, known from the state of the art, for example a tape, a rivet, stitches, a glue, or another suitable element. Preferably, all adjacent free lateral side ends of the walls of the peripheral side wall 2 are fixed to each other by a fixing element.
Preferably, the upper edge of the peripheral side wall 2 is bent in U-shaped form on its upper ending, which is opposite the tray 1. This U-shaped bending is a circumferential reinforcing element that provides better stability of the construction and increases its robustness. Alternative embodiment is the peripheral side wall 2 to have an additional reinforcing element, such as plastic or textile tape, glued to the upper edge of the peripheral side wall 2, or the edge of the peripheral side wall 2 can be taped, double folded, etc.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown on figures 2, 3, 7 and 9, the bottom of the tray 1 has through holes 13 for draining water out of the bin in case of fire or rain, for example. Alternatively, the bottom of the tray 1 can be made without holes.
The tray 1 may consists of a base 4 and an inner pad 5 arranged on the base, as shown on figures 2, 3 and 9. The inner pad 5 serves to hold the items loaded in the bin. The density of the inner pad 5 may depend on the items to be stored in the bin, i.e., it can be solid if small items are loaded, or alternatively, if bigger items are loaded in the bin, it can be made with different in size and arrangement through holes, able to carry and not pass through the items. Such holes will save materials and costs for manufacturing. The base 4 is used as framework of the tray, providing the necessary rigidity and strength to hold the load.
Preferably, the bottom of the tray 1 can have a honeycomb structure, with formed adjacent hexagons, as shown on figures 2 and 3. It is possible that only the base 4 of the bottom or both the base 4 and the inner pad 5 have a honeycomb structure. This structure can reduce costs for materials. It is also environmental sustainability and it has a good rigidity from a technical point of view. Alternatively, the bottom of the tray 1 can have any other structure which is suitable to handle in intralogistics operations by using intralogistics technologies, i.e., conveyor apertures transporting the bin.
Preferably, the tray 1 is made as one monolithic piece. Alternatively, it can be made from separated bottom and peripheral circumferential board 6, connected to each other by a suitable fastener, known from the state of the art, for example a rivet, glue, or another suitable element.
Preferably, an edge of the peripheral side wall 2 that is at the side of the tray 1 has a plurality of transverse cuts 7, as shown on figures 2 and 4. This provides more stability holding the peripheral side wall 2 in the right position, as well as takes the pressure which products cause to the peripheral side wall 2.
In an alternative embodiment, shown on figures 6, 7 and 8, the bin further comprises a frame 3 surrounding the peripheral side wall 2 ending opposite the tray 1, which frame 3 is connected to the peripheral side wall 2 by fastening elements 12. The fastening elements 12 could be rivets, bolts and nuts, threads, screws, or another suitable fasteners. Said fastening elements 12 are arranged in coaxial openings of adjacent walls of the peripheral side wall 2 and the frame 3. The top frame 3 gives not only a better stability to the peripheral side wall 2, but it is also a possibility to protect the upper edge of the peripheral side wall 2.
It is possible that the upper edge of the peripheral side wall 2 that is connected to the frame 3 has plurality of transverse cuts 8, as shown on figures 7, 8 and 12. This provides more stability holding the peripheral side wall 2 in the right position.
Preferably, the frame 3 is fixed with supporting bars 9 extending from the frame 3 to the bottom of the tray 1. There could be one or several supporting bars 9 extending from the frame 3 to the bottom of the tray 1, each arranged in one corner of the peripheral side wall 2. It is also possible to have one or more supporting bars 9 arranged along the straight parts of the frame 3. The supporting bars 9 could be arranged at different distance from each other. In one variant, the supporting bars 9 could be arranged close to the corners of the frame 3. Alternatively, they can be arranged in the middle of the straight parts of the frame 3. Also, any combinations of such arrangements are possible, as shown on the figures 6, 7 and 8. Said supporting bars 9 can be fixed to the frame 3 and/or the peripheral side wall 2 and/or the tray 1 by holding means 10. Examples of holding means 10 could be a glue, a tape, a hook, a plate with a hole, a loop, or another kind of suitable fastener.
In one embodiment, shown on figure 9, the tray 1 has rounded corners. This allows higher dimension of the tray itself if special intralogistics technologies, i.e., an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) are in place. An AMR is picking bins by using its gripping unit and store a bin temporarily in its backpack. The rounded corners allow higher dimensions because of the internal procedural processes of an AMR and the limited space handling a bin between backpack and gripping unit.
Alternatively, the tray 1 may have the form of a rectangle in plan with corners forming right angles. This allows better automatization of storage processes, for example if a gripper is used in a warehouse to pull the bins, then the rectangular form of the tray 1 contributes to the easy gripping.
The reference numbers of the technical features are included in the claims only for the purpose of increasing the comprehensibility of the claims and, therefore, these reference numbers have no limiting effect on the interpretation of the elements indicated by these reference numbers.

Claims

A multi usable bin comprising a tray (1) made from rigid material and a peripheral side wall (2) attached to the tray (1), the tray (1) having a bottom and a peripheral circumferential board (6), characterized in that one edge of the peripheral side wall (2) is inserted in circumferential receptacles made in the tray (1) next to the inner side of the board (6) of the tray (1), and wherein the peripheral side wall (2) is further attached to the board (6) of the tray (1) by fastening elements (16).
A multi usable bin according to any of the previous claims, wherein the peripheral side wall (2) is made as one monolithic piece.
A multi usable bin according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the peripheral side wall (2) is made from flexible material.
A multi usable bin according to claim 3, wherein the peripheral side wall (2) is made of paper or paper-based material.
A multi usable bin according to claim 4, wherein the weight of the material of the peripheral side wall (2) is between 300 g/m² and 2500 g/m², preferably between 400 g/m² and 1500 g/m², more preferably 500 g/m².
A multi usable bin according to claims 4 or 5, wherein the paper-based peripheral side wall (2) is covered with plastic vaporized cover.
A multi usable bin according to claims 1-6, wherein the board (6) of the tray (1) is double walled, thus forming the slots (17) between the two walls, and the peripheral side wall (2) is arranged between the two walls of the double walled board (6) of the tray (1).
A multi usable bin according to any of the previous claims, wherein the bottom of the tray (1) has through holes (13).
A multi usable bin according to any of the previous claims, wherein the tray (1) is made as one monolithic piece.
A multi usable bin according to any of the previous claims, wherein edge of the peripheral side wall (2) that is at the side of the tray (1) has a plurality of transverse cuts (7).
A multi usable bin according to any of the previous claims, wherein it further comprises a frame (3) surrounding the peripheral side wall (2) ending opposite the tray (1), which frame (3) is connected to the peripheral side wall (2) by at least one fastening element (12).
A multi usable bin according to claim 12, wherein the frame (3) is fixed with at least one supporting bar (9) extending from the frame (3) to the bottom of the tray (1).
A multi usable bin according to any of the previous claims, wherein the peripheral side wall (2) edge opposite the tray (1) has a circumferential reinforcing element.
A multi usable bin according to any of the previous claims, wherein all adjacent free side ends of the walls of the peripheral side wall (2) are fixed to each other by a fixing element.
A multi usable bin according to any of the previous claims, wherein the tray (1) has the form of a rectangle in plan.