EP4317006A1 - System comprising a pallet, containers and stacking pins - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (2) with at least one pallet (10), in particular a lightweight pallet, a plurality of containers (20), in particular of similar design, each with four circumferential side walls (22) and each with a container base (24), and with a plurality of in particular similarly designed stacking pins (30) as separate components, the pallet (10) having an upper deck (12) with a support surface (120) and a plurality of feet (14) and/or runners on the underside of the upper deck (12), and wherein this Upper deck (12) includes first stacking pin receptacles (16). It is provided that a container bottom (24) of a container (20) each comprises at least one second stacking pin receptacle, wherein the first (16) and second stacking pin receptacles are dimensioned for insertion, in particular precisely fitting insertion, of a stacking pin (30) and can be arranged relative to one another in such a way, that a container (20) can be fixed on the upper deck (12) by means of the stacking pin (30), the stacking pin (30) engaging on the fuselage side in the first stacking pin receptacle (16), protruding from the front over the support surface (120) and into the second Stacking pin holder engages.

Description

SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system with at least one pallet, a plurality of containers and a plurality of stacking pins as separate components.

STATE OF THE ART

Known pallets have upper decks with support surfaces and surrounding stacking edges. A standardization of a plastic pallet with stacking edges can be found, for example, in a "Recommendation 120.4" from the "Swiss Logistics Society SGL" from March 1998. The stacking edges fix containers arranged on the pallet when the containers form a container layer across the entire surface of the upper deck. The stacking edges do not allow each container to be individually fixed. This can cause the tolerances to change move individual containers within the edge of the stack and thus cause instability of the stack during transport on the pallet.

DE 20 2016 100 079 U1 shows a carrier for storing or transporting containers, the carrier being designed with an edge projecting upwards over the wing and a securing device with a resilient stop element being arranged on the bottom of the carrier, which laterally secures containers arranged on the wing against slipping . The disadvantage of this system is that the permanently installed anti-slip tongue is not designed to be adaptive for different container sizes and that the container can only be secured in certain places.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to propose a system in which containers, in particular plastic containers, can be fixed on a pallet, in particular a lightweight pallet, so that they do not slip during transport and at the same time allow modular stacking.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The object is achieved by a system with at least one pallet, in particular a lightweight building board, a plurality of containers, in particular of similar design, and with a plurality of stacking pins, in particular of similar design, as separate components.

The containers preferably have a rectangular container base and four circumferential side walls.

For example, the containers are made of plastic and are manufactured using an injection molding process. In particular, the containers can be formed in one piece, although this is not restrictive of the invention. Rather, the containers can also include foldable or pivotable side walls, recesses in the side walls, display openings, handle openings and the like, as is known from the prior art.

The containers are, for example, equipped with flat container bases that have no stacking edge. In particular, the container bottoms can also be provided with an open rib structure.

The pallet has an upper deck with a support surface and a plurality of feet and/or runners on the underside of the upper deck.

The upper deck can have an open rib structure. The open rib structure of the upper deck reduces the weight of the pallet and also allows the pallet to be easy to clean.

For example, the pallet is made of plastic and is manufactured using an injection molding process. In particular, the pallet can be formed in one piece, although this is not restrictive for the invention.

The feet in the corners of the pallet preferably have a pot-like outer shape with a conical geometry, so that the feet of the pallet are designed to be nestable in feet of an identical second pallet. The pallet is preferably designed to be nestable in another identical pallet. This advantageously results in a volume reduction when transporting several pallets back. The bottoms of the feet form the lower contact area of the pallet.

The feet of the pallet are also preferably designed such that they include a dome-like internal structure, the top of which forms an island-like support surface as part of the support surface of the upper deck, which is located within a foot area of the pallet. When arranging a container layer on the pallet, the container bases also preferably rest at least on the island-like support surfaces of the pallet. The pot-like outer structure with the dome-like inner structure, for example in the form of a truncated pyramid, enables a nestable pallet that is stabilized in the foot area and can also have a load-bearing effect.

The feet of the pallet can be connected to one another by means of one or more runners, the various configurations being familiar to the person in the field.

The upper deck of the pallet includes at least a first stacking pin holder.

In advantageous embodiments, at least one first stacking pin receptacle is delimited by a particularly circumferential receiving socket. Alternatively or additionally, at least one first stacking pin receptacle is delimited by a partially annular flange section. Alternatively or additionally, at least a first stacking pin receptacle is delimited by a threaded section.

The container bases of the containers each include at least one second stacking pin receptacle.

In an advantageous embodiment, the second stacking pin receptacle is designed as a recess in a container bottom flange or a stacking edge.

In an advantageous alternative embodiment, at least one second stacking pin receptacle is designed as a recess in the reinforcing ribs present in the bottom of the container.

In an advantageous yet further embodiment, at least a second stacking pin receptacle is formed by a particularly circumferential receiving socket in the container base.

The first and second stacking pin receptacles are dimensioned for insertion, in particular precise insertion, of a stacking pin. In addition, the first and second stacking pin receptacles can be arranged relative to one another in such a way that a container can be fixed on the upper deck by means of a stacking pin, the stacking pin engaging in a first stacking pin receptacle on the fuselage side, protruding from the end face over the support surface and engaging in a second stacking pin receptacle.

With the measures of the invention, each individual container can advantageously be placed on a pallet. Furthermore, a container position can be fixed on a pallet, even if it is not arranged across the entire area on a pallet.

According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one stacking pin has a conical or cylindrical body section and at least one front section which has an enlarged diameter with respect to the body section. The transition from is preferred Body section to the forehead section formed by a circumferential shoulder. Such a stacking pin can be inserted into the first stacking pin receptacle up to the shoulder and, due to the enlarged diameter, protrude at the end over the support surface, where the stacking pin can engage in a second stacking pin receptacle of a container.

In an advantageous embodiment, at least one stacking pin is designed as a dowel pin, the dimensions of the dowel pin and the first stacking pin receptacle being coordinated with one another in such a way that the dowel pin is inserted through the first stacking pin receptacle under compression, preferably with elastic deformation, in particular from below and in the first stacking pin holder can be held in a form-fitting manner or in a clamp fit.

In an advantageous embodiment, the dowel pin has a body section which is divided by an annular lip into a front body section and a fuselage side body section. The annular lip can be designed to run circumferentially around a body section.

Particularly preferably, the dimensions of the front-side and fuselage-side body sections are matched to the size of the first stacking pin receptacle in such a way that in a first position the front-side body section can be held in a form-fitting or clamping fit in the first stacking pin receptacle and in a second position the fuselage-side body section can be held in a form-fitting or in a clamping fit can be held in the first stacking pin holder. The change in the position of the stacking pin from the first to the second layer or vice versa can be changed, for example, by screwing, hitting or using a spring.

The dowel pin is made in sections or completely from an elastically deformable material, for example an elastomer or a polymer. Materials with elastic behavior are differentiated from materials with plastic behavior. In particular, it can be provided that the ring lip is formed from an elastically compressible material, for example an elastomer or a polymer, whereby it is formed in one piece with the dowel pin or as a second component.

Additionally or alternatively, at least one stacking pin can be designed as a bayonet screw, with the first stacking pin receptacle being delimited by a threaded section, which is matched to a bayonet thread section of the bayonet screw, so that the bayonet screw can be held in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner in the first stacking pin receptacle.

A first layer and a second layer can also be provided for the bayonet screw, whereby the stacking pin can be moved from the first to the second position by the screw head drive, with the front body section protruding beyond the support surface in the first position and in the second position front body section is sunk in the support surface or in the upper deck. The screw head drive can have slots, intersecting slots or, for example, special shape contours. The change in position can advantageously be brought about by a suitable tool such as a wrench, or in the case of special shape contours by a special tool.

Additionally or alternatively to this, at least one stacking pin can be designed as a snap pin, with at least one, preferably two or more, snap hooks being present on a particularly cylindrical body section, the snap hooks and the first stacking pin receptacle being coordinated with one another in such a way that the snap pin is inserted into the first stacking pin holder can be used with elastic bending of the snap hooks.

In this embodiment, in a first position, the body section of the snap pin can protrude above the support surface above the snap hooks and in a second position, the snap pin can be sunk into the support surface or into the upper deck, if necessary under tension of a spring.

Advantageously, at least one stacking pin has a spring element arranged on the fuselage side, which, when it rests on a receiving base, tensions the stacking pin, in particular with the snap hooks, against the support surface, so that the stacking pin is held in a force-fitting and / or positive manner in the first stacking pin receptacle.

In all described embodiments of the stacking pin, be it as a dowel pin, as a bayonet screw or as a snap pin, it can be provided that the stacking pin can be held in a first position in a positive or non-positive manner in the upper deck, with the stacking pin engaging in the first stacking pin receptacle on the fuselage side and protrudes from the front side over the support surface and is held in a second layer in a positive and non-positive manner in the upper deck can be, with the stacking pin being completely sunk into the second stacking pin holder. The change in position can be brought about by hitting, screwing, for example using a special tool, or with a spring.

The containers can be arranged essentially over the entire area in a container layer on the upper deck.

The first stacking pin receptacles can be arranged, for example, along the edge of the pallet and/or in the middle of the pallet. In particular, using stacking pins on the edge of the pallet can also enable the fixing of cardboard boxes on the pallet, for example, and the use of stacking pins on the center of the pallet can enable the pallet to be used in the system with the containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the figures.

• Fig. 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Systems mit einer Leichtbauplatte, einer Mehrzahl von Behältern und einer Mehrzahl von Stapelpins nach einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung,
• Fig. 2 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Unterseite eines Behälters,
• Fig. 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines eckseitigen Abschnitts einer Palette mit darin angeordneten Stapelpins,
• Fig. 4 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf einen Eckbereich eines Systems mit einer Palette und einem Behälter nach einer alternativen Ausführungsform,
• Fig. 5 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Detailbereichs einer Palette und von Stapelpins in Form von Passstiften,
• Fig. 6 einen Schnitt durch ein System mit einer Palette, einem Behälter und Stapelpins in Form von Passstiften,
• Fig. 7 eine Detailansicht einer Palette mit Stapelpins in Form von Bajonettschrauben,
• Fig. 8 eine Schnittansicht durch ein System mit einer Palette, einem Behälter und Stapelpins in Form von Passstiften,
• Fig. 9 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Detailbereichs einer Palette und von Stapelpins in Form von Schnapppins, und
• Fig. 10 eine Schnittansicht durch einen Teilbereich einer Palette mit einem im Oberdeck eingesetzten Schnapppin.

Show it

• Fig. 1 a perspective view of a system with a lightweight board, a plurality of containers and a plurality of stacking pins according to an embodiment of the invention,
• Fig. 2 a perspective view of the bottom of a container,
• Fig. 3 a perspective view of a corner section of a pallet with stacking pins arranged therein,
• Fig. 4 a perspective view of a corner area of a system with a pallet and a container according to an alternative embodiment,
• Fig. 5 a perspective view of a detail area of a palette and stacking pins in the form of dowel pins,
• Fig. 6 a section through a system with a pallet, a container and stacking pins in the form of dowel pins,
• Fig. 7 a detailed view of a pallet with stacking pins in the form of bayonet screws,
• Fig. 8 a sectional view through a system with a pallet, a container and stacking pins in the form of dowel pins,
• Fig. 9 a perspective view of a detail area of a palette and stacking pins in the form of snap pins, and
• Fig. 10 a sectional view through a portion of a pallet with a snap pin inserted in the upper deck.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 shows a system 2 according to an embodiment of the invention. On a pallet 10, which is designed as a so-called lightweight board, part of a container layer 4 is shown, the container layer 4 being formed here, for example, from three containers 20.

The dimensions of the containers 20 are matched to the pallet 10 in such a way that six containers 20 are arranged across the pallet in a 2x3 matrix in order to form a comprehensive container layer 4. Of the container layer 4, only three containers 20 are shown, one of the three containers 20 being shown in section in order to visualize the interaction of stacking pins 30 with the container 20 to fix the container 20 on the pallet 10.

The containers 20 each have four circumferential side walls 22 and each have a container base 24, although this is not restrictive of the invention. The containers 20 are referenced to Fig. 2 shown and described in more detail in an advantageous embodiment.

The pallet 10 in Figure 1 includes an upper deck 12 with a support surface 120 having an open rib structure 122, although this is not limiting of the invention. Furthermore, the pallet 10 here comprises, by way of example but not as a limitation to the invention, nine feet 14, five of which are shown in the illustration in Fig. 1 can be recognized. The corner feet 14 have pot-like outer shapes 140, which are tapered towards the bottom. The pallet 14 is thus designed to be nestable in an identically designed pallet 10, with the feet 14 nesting into one another in this state. The feet 14 arranged on the corners have dome-like internal structures 142 in the form of truncated pyramids, which form island-like support surfaces 144 on the top side, which are designed to be equiplanar to the support surface 120 can. The dome-like inner structure 142 in the form of the truncated pyramid also has the property that it enables nestable storage of the pallet 10.

A number of stacking pins 30 are inserted into the pallet 10, for which purpose the pallet 10 has corresponding first stacking pin receptacles 16. In the embodiment shown, the stacking pins 30 are arranged at a distance from the edge of the pallet 10. First stacking pin receptacles 16 arranged on the edge are empty or contain recessed stacking pins 30, which means they cannot be seen in this illustration. Corresponding to the first stacking pin receptacles 16 arranged at a distance from the edge of the pallet, the containers 20 have second stacking pin receptacles 26 spaced apart at the edge, which are in Fig. 2 It can be seen how the containers 20 can be secured to the pallet.

Fig. 2 shows the underside of a container 20 with a container bottom 24, which is formed by an open rib structure 240, but this is not limiting for the invention. The open rib structure 240 comprises a plurality of here, for example, diagonally extending reinforcing ribs 242. The container base 24 is formed by first intersecting diagonally extending reinforcing ribs 242 and second intersecting reinforcing ribs 242 running parallel to the side walls 22. The structure of the container base 24 shown is special stable against twisting and torsion.

Recesses 28 are arranged in the container bottom 24, namely in the form of recesses 28 of the reinforcing ribs 242. The recesses 28 of the reinforcing ribs 242 form the second stacking pin receptacles 26 in the context of the present disclosure. The recesses 28 are delimited by sockets or grommet-shaped structures, so that a circular stacking pin 30 (not shown) can be used, in particular can be used with a precise fit.

Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of a corner area of an upper deck 12 of a pallet 10 with stacking pins 30 inserted therein. In contrast to that in Fig. 1 In the embodiment shown, the stacking pins 30 are inserted both along the edge of the pallet and in the interior of the pallet, and some of the stacking pins 30 protrude beyond the support surface 120.

Fig. 4 shows a corner area of a container 20 with second stacking pin receptacles 26 in the form of recesses 28 in the container bottom flange 244, which is fixed on a pallet 10 via the engagement of stacking pins 30 in the recesses 28. The container bottom flange 244 can also be referred to as a stack edge and have a corresponding functionality known to the person in the subject, particularly in the container stack.

Fig. 5 shows details of a corner area of a pallet 10 and a stacking pin 30 in the form of a dowel pin 300. The dowel pin 300 has a body section 32 as well as a front section 34 which has an enlarged diameter compared to the body section 32 and a body section 36 which has an enlarged diameter compared to the body section 32. The front section 34 and the torso section 36 adjoin the body section 32 via a shoulder 38.

The dimensions of the first stacking pin receptacle 16 are matched to the diameter of the front section 34 and body section 32 so that the dowel pin 300 can be inserted into the first stacking pin receptacle, for example by striking it from below, and can protrude at the front over the support surface 120 of the pallet. In this state, which is shown on the right in the illustration, the dowel pin 300 continues to engage in the first stacking pin receptacle 16 on the fuselage side and protrudes above the support surface 120 with a front body section 320 on the front side.

Fig. 6 shows the inserted stacking pin 30 Fig. 5 in a functional position in the system 2 for fixing the container 20 on the pallet 10. The stacking pin 30 stands with its front body section 320 (see also Fig. 5 ) over the support surface 120 of the pallet 10. In Fig. 6 Using the reference numerals, a further functionality of the stacking pin 30 is shown in the form of the dowel pin 300, which is in addition to that with reference to Fig. 5 The embodiment described can be present, but does not have to be present.

In the exemplary embodiment both after Fig. 5 as well as after Fig. 6 the stacking pin 30 designed as a dowel pin 300 has an annular lip 326, which divides the body section 32 into a front-side body section 320 and a fuselage-side body section 322. The ring lip 326 or alternatively the entire dowel pin 300 can be made of an elastically compressible material.

The first stacking pin receptacle 16 is designed as a receiving socket 160 with a tapered section 162. The dimensions of the tapered section 162 of the first stacking pin receptacle 16 and the body section 32 of the dowel pin 300 are matched to one another such that the annular lip 326 is compressed from a position above the tapered Section 162, which in Fig. 6 is shown, can be transferred to a position below the tapered section 162 and vice versa, so that a first position can be set for the dowel pin, in which the front body section 320 can be held in a form-fitting or clamping fit in the first stacking pin receptacle 16 (in Fig. 6 shown), and a second position in which the fuselage-side body section 322 can be held in a form-fitting or clamping fit in the first stacking pin receptacle 16 (in Fig. 6 not shown).

Fig. 7 shows in particular an alternative embodiment of the stacking pin 30 as a bayonet screw 302.

The bayonet screw 302 includes a bayonet thread section 304, which is connected to a corresponding thread section 170 (cf. Fig. 8 ) the first stacking pin receptacle 16 cooperates to hold the stacking pin 30 in the first stacking pin receptacle 16 in a force-fitting and/or positive manner.

In the Fig. 7 Bayonet screw 302 shown comprises a screw head drive 306 on the front side, with the aid of which the bayonet screw can be arranged in a height-adjustable manner in the first stacking pin receptacle 16 by means of a tool, in particular, for example, a special tool.

Furthermore, the bayonet screw 302 has an annular lip 326, which cooperates with a shoulder 172 to prevent the bayonet screw 302 from falling out of the first stacking pin receptacle 16.

Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 show an embodiment of a stacking pin 30 as a snap pin 310. The snap pin 310 comprises a substantially round body section 32 and a plurality, here by way of example but not limiting the invention two snap hooks 312 arranged opposite one another, which are located when the snap pin 310 is inserted into the first stacking pin receptacle Bend 16 elastically and snap it back into its original position after passing through the through opening. The snap pin 310 has a spring element 314 arranged on the fuselage side, here for example in the form of an S-shaped element. The spring element 314 presses the snap pin 310 when it rests against a receiving base 180 the first stacking pin receptacle 16 against the support surface 120, so that the stacking pin 30 is held in the first stacking pin receptacle 16 in a force-fitting and/or positive manner.

The spring element 314 can also be provided in the other embodiments of the stacking pin 30 as a dowel pin 300 or as a bayonet screw 302, each in connection with the receiving base 180 in the first stacking pin receptacle 16.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and includes a variety of embodiments that are immediately apparent to a person skilled in the art.

REFERENCE MARKS

2 system; 4 container layer; 10 pallets; 12 upper deck; 120 support surface; 122 open rib structure; 14 feet; 140 pot-like external shape; 142 cathedral-like interior structure; 144 island-like support surface; 16 first stacking pin holder; 160 sockets; 162 tapered section; 170 thread section; 172 shoulder; 180 receiving floor; 20 containers; 22 side wall; 24 container base; 240 open rib structure; 242 reinforcing rib; 244 container bottom flange; 26 second stacking pin holder; 28 recess; 30 stacking pin; 300 dowel pin; 302 bayonet screw; 304 bayonet thread section; 306 screw head drive; 310 snap pin; 312 snap hooks; 314 spring element; 32 body section; 320 frontal body section; 322 fuselage side body section; 324 ring shoulder; 326 ring lip; 34 forehead section; 36 fuselage section; 38 shoulder

Claims (14)

System (2) with at least one pallet (10), in particular a lightweight pallet, a plurality of, in particular, similarly designed containers (20), each with four circumferential side walls (22) and each with a container base (24) and with a plurality of, in particular, similarly designed stacking pins (2) 30) as separate components, wherein the pallet (10) has an upper deck (12) with a support surface (120) and on the underside of the upper deck (12) a plurality of feet (14) and / or runners, and wherein the upper deck (12) first stacking pin receptacles (16),
characterized in that
a container bottom (24) of a container (20) each comprises at least one second stacking pin receptacle (26), wherein the first and second stacking pin receptacles (16, 26) are dimensioned for insertion, in particular precisely fitting insertion, of a stacking pin (30) and can be arranged relative to one another in this way, that a container (20) can be fixed on the upper deck (12) by means of the stacking pin (30), the stacking pin (30) engaging on the fuselage side in the first stacking pin receptacle (16), protruding from the front over the support surface (120) and into the second Stacking pin holder (26) engages. System (2) according to claim 1,
characterized in that at least one second stacking pin receptacle (26) is designed as a recess (28) in a container bottom flange (244) or as a recess (28) in the reinforcing ribs (242) present in the container base (24). System (2) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least one first stacking pin receptacle (16) is delimited by a particularly circumferential receiving socket (160), by a partially annular flange section and/or by a threaded section (170). System (2) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least one stacking pin (30) has a conical or cylindrical body section (32) and at least one end section (34) which has an enlarged diameter compared to the body section (32). System (2) according to claim 4,
characterized in that a transition from the body section (32) to the forehead section (34) is formed by a circumferential shoulder (38). System (2) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least one stacking pin (30) is designed as a dowel pin (300), the dimensions of the dowel pin (300) and the first stacking pin receptacle (16) being coordinated with one another in such a way that the dowel pin (300) is under compression, in particular of inserted through the first stacking pin receptacle (16) at the bottom and can be held in a form-fitting manner or in a clamp fit in the first stacking pin receptacle (16). System (2) according to claim 6,
characterized in that the dowel pin (300) has at least one annular lip (326) circumferentially surrounding a body section (32). System (2) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least one stacking pin (30) is designed as a dowel pin (300) and has a body section (32) which is divided by an annular lip (326) into a front-side body section (320) and a fuselage-side body section (322), wherein in a first position the front-side body section (320) and in a second position the fuselage-side body section (322) can be held in a form-fitting or clamping fit in the first stacking pin receptacle (16). System (2) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least one stacking pin (30) is designed as a bayonet screw (302), the first stacking pin receptacle (16) being delimited by a threaded section (170) which is matched to a bayonet threaded section (304) of the bayonet screw (302), so that the bayonet screw (302) can be held in the first stacking pin holder (16) in a force-fitting and/or positive manner. System (2) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least one stacking pin (30) is designed as a snap pin (310), which has at least one, preferably two or more snap hooks (312) on a particularly cylindrical body section (32), wherein the Snap hooks (312) and the first stacking pin receptacle (16) are coordinated with one another in such a way that the snap pin (310) can be inserted into the first stacking pin receptacle (16) while elastically bending the snap hooks (312). System (2) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that at least one stacking pin (30) has a spring element (314) arranged on the fuselage side, which tensions the stacking pin (30) with the stacking pin (30) against the support surface (120) when it rests on a receiving base (180), so that the stacking pin (30) is held in a force-fitting and/or positive manner in the first stacking pin receptacle (16). System (2) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the stacking pin (30) can be held in a first position in a positive or non-positive manner in the upper deck (12), the stacking pin (30) engaging on the fuselage side in the first stacking pin receptacle (16) and on the front side over the support surface (120 ) protrudes and can be held in a second position in a positive and non-positive manner in the upper deck (12), the stacking pin (30) being completely sunk into the second stacking pin receptacle (26). System (2) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the containers (20) can be arranged on the upper deck (12) essentially over the entire area in a container layer (4). Pallet (20) with several stacking pins (30) inserted therein, which is suitable for use in one of the systems according to one of claims 1 to 13.

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