ES2711771T3 - Liquid container - Google Patents

Abstract

Container (1) of liquid comprising a pallet (2), a metal cage (3) fixed on the pallet (2) and a plastic reservoir (4) housed in the cage (3) and supported on the pallet (2) ), said tank (4) comprising an upper loading opening (41) and a lower unloading device (42), wherein said pallet (23) has two long sides (21) extending in a longitudinal direction (XX) mutually parallel and spaced apart in a transverse direction (YY) orthogonal with respect to the longitudinal direction (XX) and two short sides (22) extending in the transverse direction (YY), mutually parallel and spaced apart in the direction longitudinal (XX), said pallet (2) comprising: - a plurality of wooden guides (23a, 23b), extending in the longitudinal direction (XX), mutually parallel and separated from each other in the transverse direction (YY), - a plurality of transverse elements (24a, 24b, 24c) made of wood, arranged the guides (23a, 23b), said transverse elements (24a, 24b, 24c) extending in the transverse direction (YY) and being mutually parallel and being separated from each other in the longitudinal direction (XX) and being fixed on the guides (23a, 23b), - a plurality of wooden support boards (25) arranged on the transverse elements (24a, 24b, 24c), said support boards (25) extending in the longitudinal direction (XX), being mutually parallel and being separated from each other in the transverse direction (YY) and being fixed on the transverse elements (24a, 24b, 24c), characterized in that it comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements (6a, 6b) of sheet metal, wherein each reinforcing element (6a, 6b) extends in the longitudinal direction (XX), is arranged on a respective guide (23a, 23b) and on parts of the transverse elements (24a, 24b, 24c) fixed to said guide (23a) , 23b) respective and is f attached to said parts of the transverse elements (24a, 24b, 24c), and wherein each reinforcing element (6a, 6b) comprises: - a plurality of lower parts (61) in contact with the transverse elements (24a, 24b, 24c), - a plurality of upper parts (62) separated from the lower parts (61), - a plurality of connection parts (63) between the upper parts (62) and the lower parts (61) perpendicular with respect to the upper parts (62) and with respect to the lower parts (61), and wherein said upper (62), lower (61) and connecting (63) parts extend in the longitudinal direction (XX) throughout the longitudinal length of the reinforcing elements (6a, 6b).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Liquid Container

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an liquid container of the intermediate container type for bulk cargo (IBC).

Description of the related technique

It is known in the art to manufacture containers for the transport and storage of Kquidos with a capacity of approximately 1000 liters, and known as IBC (intermediate containers for bulk cargoes). These containers have a deposit inside a cage, and both are supported by a pale.

Normally, the tank is made of a plastic material, has an opening in its upper part to receive a liquid and an opening in its lower part to discharge the liquid through a discharge device, such as a tap.

The cage surrounds the deposit along at least four sides to avoid lateral displacements when the container moves and, normally, is composed of vertical and horizontal bars.

The pale is a support element arranged under the cage and the deposit can be made, for example, of wood, plastic or metal. The most common type of pale consists of parallel grids, generally three grnes, with transverse elements mounted on them and which in turn support support boards. The pale has two openings on each side to receive the forks of a forklift. When the pallet and the forklift are linked together, the container can move.

IBC liquid containers are used in logistics to transport large quantities of liquids efficiently and economically. When these containers reach their destination, and before being transported, they are stored in suitable warehouses. To obtain a more efficient use of the height of the warehouses, the containers are stacked vertically, each container disposed on two parallel bars.

Frequently, the containers are arranged in the bars in an adjacent relationship, so that the bars are arranged in parallel with respect to the short sides of the pale, while the bars, parallel with respect to the long sides of the pale, extend from one bar to the other.

US 5058747 describes an IBC according to the preamble of the attached claim 1, which consists of a plastic container surrounded by a metal cage, the assembly being supported by a wooden pallet.

Problem of the previous technique

When the IBC containers are arranged in the bars, the weight of the deposit acts on the long sides of the pale which, as mentioned above, rest on the bars at the ends of the long sides. Under the weight of the deposit, there is the possibility that the wooden pallets bend at their central part, between the distant support points.

The stores mentioned above may also be equipped with robotic handling systems, whose operation may require that the pallet be bent within certain limits to ensure the function of said automatic systems.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container having a flex-resistant pale, in which the weight of the tank is effectively discharged at the ends of the crane in which the container can rest on the bars.

Another objective is to maintain a low cost of the pale and, thus, of the entire container, through an efficient use of the production materials.

These objects are achieved by a liquid container according to claim 1.

Brief description of the drawings

The features and advantages of the present description will become apparent from the following detailed description of a possible practical embodiment, shown by way of non-limiting example in the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of a container liquid according to an embodiment of the invention,

- Figure 2 shows a top view of the pale of the liquid container of Figure 1,

- Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the pale of the container of Figure 1,

- Figure 4 shows a front view of the pale of Figure 3,

- Figure 5 shows a top view of the pale of Figure 3,

- Figure 6 shows a side view of the pale of Figure 3,

- Figure 7 shows a front view of a detail of the pale of Figure 3, according to a first embodiment,

- Figure 8 shows a front view of a detail of the pale of Figure 3, according to a second embodiment.

The liquid container shown in the accompanying figures may be illustrated schematically, not necessarily to scale, and without necessarily representing the actual proportions of its parts.

Detailed description

Even though it is not expressly explained, it is intended that the individual features described with reference to the specific embodiments be auxiliary and / or interchangeable with respect to other features described with reference to other illustrative embodiments.

Figures 1 and 2 show a liquid container of the present invention, indicated as 1. In use, the container is designed to move, for example, by means of a forklift, and to rest on two parallel tracks for easy storage in adequate stores.

The container comprises a pale 2, a metal cage 3 and a tank 4.

It is possible to store various types of bulk liquids in tank 4, such as edible liquids, industrial liquids or flammable liquids. Preferably, the capacity of the tank 4 ranges from 500 to 1500 liters, and the most common types of tanks 4 have a capacity of 600 liters, 1040 liters or 1250 liters. The deposit is made of a plastic material, preferably high density polyethylene. This material prevents the contamination of the liquid and allows to obtain adequate chemical and structural resistances.

The tank 4 comprises a top loading opening 41 and a bottom discharge device 42. The loading opening 41 is disposed in an upper wall of the tank and can have various shapes, eg, a circular shape. The load opening 41 is suitably sized to receive a liquid, directly or through suitable equipment. It is possible to attach a plug to the loading opening 41 to prevent accidental leakage of liquid.

The discharge device 42 is disposed in a side wall of the tank, in a lower part thereof. The discharge device 42 consists of a fluid flow regulating device, such as a tap, and is connected to a discharge opening in the tank. Specifically, the discharge device 42 can be opened to allow the liquid to exit the liquid container or to close to block it.

The tank 4 is housed inside the cage 3. The cage 3 comprises a plurality of walls 31 composed of metal bars. Preferably, the cage 3 comprises four side walls 31 to limit the lateral movements of the tank 4, for example, during the handling of the liquid container 1. The cage 3 may comprise an upper wall and / or a lower wall. In any case, the cage 3 must be compatible with the possibility of charging and discharging the liquid with respect to the tank 4 through the loading opening 41 and the discharge device 42.

Preferably, each wall 31 of the cage 3 comprises metal bars 32, which are parallel in a first direction, and metal bars 33, which are parallel in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction.

Preferably, the liquid container 1 comprises protective elements 5 of plastic housed inside the cage 3 next to its lower vertices 34. The protective elements 5 protect the cage 3, preferably at its weakest points, that is to say, its vertices, of impacts of the deposit 4.

The cage 3 is fixed on a pale 2 by fixing elements, not shown, with the tank 4 resting on the pale 2. The pale 2 has two long sides 21 and two short sides 22. The long sides 21 extend in a longitudinal direction XX, are mutually parallel and are separated from each other in a transverse direction YY, orthogonal with respect to the longitudinal direction XX. The short sides 22 extend in the transverse direction Y-Y and are mutually parallel and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction X-X. In one embodiment, the long sides 21 have a length of 1200 mm and the short sides 22 have a length of 1000 mm. In a different embodiment, which is used specifically in association with tanks of 600 liters, the long sides 21 have a length of 1200 mm and the short sides have a length of 800 mm.

The pale 2 comprises a plurality of grids 23a, 23b, transverse elements 24a, 24b, 24c and support boards 25.

The gums 23a, 23b are made of wood and extend in the longitudinal direction X-X, and are mutually parallel and spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction Y-Y. Preferably, two side gages 23a are disposed adjacent to the long sides 21 of the pale 2 along the entire longitudinal extension of the long sides 21, and at least one central ghost 23b is disposed between the two side gages 23a. Preferably, three masses 23a, 23b are used.

Next, gma 23a will be described as a reference for the characteristics of each gma 23a, 23b.

Each frame 23a extends between a front end 231 and a rear end 232, which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction X-X. Preferably, in each frame 23a, the front end 231 is the end closest to the reservoir discharge device 42. As used hereinafter, the front and rear terms may refer to the longitudinal direction XX and the defined orientation of the container. the front ends 231 and rear 232 of the arms 23a, 23b.

In one embodiment, each frame 23a comprises a base board 233 having a rectangular plan shape and a plurality of blocks 234a, 234b, 234c, preferably in a number of three, fixed on the base board 233. In one embodiment, the blocks 234a, 234b, 234c for each base board 233 are arranged as a front block 234a, adjacent to the front end of the array 23a, a rear block 234b adjacent to the rear end of the array 23a and minus one intermediate block 234c, preferably only one. Each block 234a, 234b, 234c extends between a front end and a rear end, which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction X-X.

In one embodiment, each base board 233 has a longitudinal extension of 1200 mm, a transverse extension of 145 mm and a thickness of 22 mm. Each block 234a, 234b, 234c has a transverse extension that is equal to the transverse extent of the respective base board 233 and a thickness of 78 mm. Further, the rear blocks 234b and the intermediate blocks 234c have a square base, while each front block 234a has a rectangular base and a longitudinal extension that is smaller than its transverse extension, for example, 230 mm. The pale 2 comprises a plurality of transverse elements 24a, 24b, 24c of wood. The transverse elements 24a, 24b, 24c are arranged on the girders 23a, 23b, extend in the transverse direction Y-Y and are mutually parallel and spaced apart in the longitudinal direction X-X and are fixed on the girders 23a, 23b. Therefore, the transverse elements 24a, 24b, 24c are raised with respect to the base tables 233. When the liquid container 1 rests on a surface or on the bars, the transverse elements 24a, 24b, 24c are raised with respect to said surface or said bars.

The pale 2 comprises at least one pitch for forks. Preferably, each pitch for forks is disposed between two successive gages 23a, 23b, and each of them is disposed below the transverse elements 24a, 24b, 24c. Each pitch for forks is an opening that is adapted to receive a lifting member, such as a fork of a forklift. The liquid container 1 can be raised and manipulated by applying a suitable force from the forks from bottom to top.

Each transverse element 24a, 24b, 24c comprises a plurality of fixing parts. Each fixing part of a transverse element 24a, 24b, 24c is arranged on a different surface 23a, 23b and each transverse element 24a, 24b, 24c is fixed to each frame 23a, 23b in a fixing part.

Preferably, three transverse elements 24a, 24b, 24c are used with a rectangular plan shape. Each transverse element 24a, 24b, 24c is fixed on three blocks 234a, 234b, 234c, each of these last being associated with a different gma 23a, 23b, defining a frontal transverse element 24a, fixed to the frontal blocks 234a, an element Rear transverse 24b fixed to the rear blocks 234b, and an intermediate transverse element 24c fixed to intermediate blocks 234c. Each transverse element 24a, 234b, 234c extends between a front edge and a trailing edge which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction X-X.

In one embodiment, the rear transverse element 24b is adjacent to a short side 22 of the pale along the entire transverse extension of the short side 22. All of the transverse elements 24a, 24b, 24c have the same transverse extension. The rear transverse element 24b and the intermediate transverse element 24c can have a longitudinal extension that is equal to the longitudinal extension of each block 234b, 234c on which they are fixed. The front transverse element 24a is adjacent to the rear ends of the front blocks 234a, and has a longitudinal extension that is smaller than the longitudinal extension of the front blocks 234a, p. eg, 95 mm. Therefore, the front cross member 24a is longitudinally separated from the front ends of the front blocks 234a, and no part of the cross members 24a, 24b, 24c is disposed below the discharge device 42.

In one embodiment, the cross members 24a, 24b, 24c have a thickness of 25 mm. The pale 2 comprises a plurality of wooden support boards 25 arranged on the transverse elements 24a, 24b, 24c. The support boards 25 extend in the longitudinal direction XX, are mutually parallel, are separated from each other in the transverse direction YY and are fixed on the transverse elements 24a, 24b, 24c. Preferably, the support boards 25 are offset with respect to the masses 23a, 23b.

Preferably, the support boards 25 have a rectangular plan shape and comprise a lower surface 251 and an upper surface 252. Each upper surface 252 and lower surface 251 of a support board 25 is coplanar with respect to the upper 252 and lower surfaces 251 of the other support tables 25, respectively. The support boards 25 are fixed to the transverse elements 24a, 24b, 24c on their lower surfaces 251.

In one embodiment, the support plates 25 have a thickness of 22 mm.

The liquid container 1 comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements 6a, 6b of sheet metal. Each reinforcing element 6a, 6b extends in the longitudinal direction X-X and is arranged on a respective rod 23a, 23b. As mentioned above, the longitudinal direction X-X is the direction in which the long sides 21 of the pale 2 extend, that is, the direction in which flexion is most likely to occur.

Each reinforcing element is also disposed on the fixing parts of the transverse elements 24a, 24b, 24c fixed to its respective spine 23a, 23b and is fixed to these fastening parts of the transverse elements 24a, 24b, 24c.

Preferably, each reinforcing element 6a, 6b has a transverse extension that is smaller or equal to the transverse extension of its respective rod 23a, 23b and a longitudinal extension that is smaller or equal to the longitudinal extension of its rod 23a, 23b respective. Each reinforcing element 6a, 6b has a rectangular projection in the plane formed by the longitudinal direction X-X and the transverse direction Y-Y.

In one embodiment, each of the two lateral reinforcing elements 6a which corresponds to the lateral grids 23a has the same longitudinal extension as its respective lateral grille 23a, while a central reinforcing element 6b which corresponds to the central grille 23b it has a longitudinal extension that is smaller than the longitudinal extension of its respective central core 23b.

In this case, the reinforcing element 6b which corresponds to the central shaft 23b extends in the longitudinal direction, for example, of the trailing edge of the transverse element 24b posterior to the front edge of the front transverse element 24a and, preferably, has an extension Longitudinal of 1065 mm. Therefore, no part of the transverse elements 24a, 24b, 24c and any part of the reinforcing elements 6a, 6b is disposed below the discharge device 42, and a space is obtained to collect the liquid leaving the reservoir 4 when the discharge device 42 is open.

The reinforcing elements 6a, 6b can increase the flexural strength of the legs 23a, 23b by reducing the flexing of the legs. Preferably, the reinforcing elements 6a, 6b do not protrude with respect to their respective grids 23a, 23b in the longitudinal direction X-X or in the transverse direction Y-Y. Therefore, only the necessary material is used to obtain the desired stiffness, and it is possible to maintain a reduced cost of the liquid container 1.

In the following, the reinforcing element 6a will be described, as a reference for the characteristics of each reinforcement element 6a, 6b. In this embodiment, each reinforcing element 6a, 6b is made of a metal sheet with a thickness ranging from 1 mm to 5 mm.

Each reinforcing element 6a comprises a plurality of lower parts 61, upper parts 62 and connecting portions 63 between the upper parts 62 and the lower parts 61, perpendicular with respect to the upper parts 62 and the lower parts 61. The upper parts 62 , lower 61 and connecting 63 extend in the longitudinal direction XX along the entire longitudinal length of the reinforcing element 6a, 6b. Preferably, these parts 61, 62, 63 have a rectangular plan shape.

Each lower part 61 contacts the transverse elements 24a, 24b, 24c, especially with the fixing parts of the transverse elements 24a, 24b, 24c, as shown specifically in Figure 4. Each upper part 62 is separated from the lower parts 61 and does not directly contact the transverse elements 24a, 24b, 24c. Preferably, the upper portions 62 of the reinforcing elements 6a define flat coplanar support surfaces with respect to the upper surfaces 252 of the support boards 25, and the lower portions 61 of the reinforcing elements 6a define flat support surfaces. , coplanar with respect to the bottom surfaces 251 of the support boards 25.

As shown in Figure 1, the tank 4 is supported on the support boards 25 and the reinforcing elements 6a, 6b, especially on the upper surfaces 252 of the support boards 25 and the upper surfaces 62 of the elements 6a , 6b of reinforcement. The tank 4 can be directly supported on them or by the interposition of other elements. For example, in the vertices of the cage, the tank 4 can be supported on the reinforcing elements 6a, 6b with the interposition of the protective elements 5.

Preferably, the cage 3 is fixed to at least the reinforcing elements. More preferably, the cage 3 is also fixed to the support boards 25.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, each connection portion 63 is adjacent an upper portion 62 and a lower portion 61. Each connection portion 63 contacts the adjacent upper and lower portions 62 and 61 in an element fold 64 line. 6a of reinforcement. Each fold line 64 is straight and extends in a longitudinal direction X-X along the entire longitudinal length of the reinforcement element 6a.

The specific geometry of the reinforcing elements 6a, 6b makes it possible to obtain a greater resistance to flexion of the rods 23a, 23b when the container 1 is supported on two rods.

Each reinforcing element 6a extends between two opposite edges 65 separated from each other in the transverse direction Y-Y. In the space of an edge 65 to the opposite edge 65 of each reinforcing element 6a, 6b the reinforcing element 6a has a sequence repeated in series, the sequence being composed, in this order, by a lower part 61, a part 63 of connection, an upper part 62 and an additional connection part 63.

Preferably, both edges 65 of each reinforcing element 6a are adjacent to the lower portions 61. Therefore, the connecting portions 63 are present in a number that is twice that of the upper parts 62 and the lower parts are present. in a number that is equal to that of the upper parts 62 plus one. As can be seen in the attached figures, in the two embodiments, each reinforcing element 6a is composed respectively of four lower parts 61, three upper parts 62 and six connecting parts 63 or five lower parts 61, four upper parts 62 and eight 63 connection parts.

The presence of a large number of lower parts 61, upper 62 and connecting 63 of the reinforcing elements 6a, 6b further increases the stiffness of the reinforcing elements 6a, 6b. As the number of upper parts 62, lower 61 and connecting 63 increases, it is possible to obtain a certain rigidity with reinforcing elements 6a, 6b formed in thinner metal sheet. For example, in the embodiment characterized by three upper parts 62, the thickness of the metal sheet is set to 1.5 mm, while in the embodiment with four upper parts 62 a thickness of 1.2 mm is selected.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is possible to carry out various changes and variants as described above to achieve specific requirements, without departing from the scope of the invention, defined in the following claims.

Claims (10)

1. Liquid container (1) comprising a pale (2), a metal cage (3) fixed on the pale (2) and a plastic deposit (4) housed in the cage (3) and resting on the pale (2), said tank (4) comprising an upper loading opening (41) and a lower discharge device (42), wherein said pale (23) has two long sides (21) extending in a longitudinal direction ( XX) mutually parallel and spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction (YY) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (XX) and two short sides (22) extending in the transverse direction (YY), mutually parallel and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (XX), said pale (2) comprising: - a plurality of grids (23a, 23b) of wood, extending in the longitudinal direction (X-X), mutually parallel and spaced apart in the transverse direction (Y-Y), - a plurality of transverse elements (24a, 24b, 24c) of wood, arranged on the legs (23a, 23b), said transverse elements (24a, 24b, 24c) of wood extending in the transverse direction (YY) and being mutually parallel and being separated from each other in the longitudinal direction (XX) and being fixed on the legs (23a, 23b), - a plurality of wooden support boards (25) arranged on the transverse elements (24a, 24b, 24c), said support boards (25) extending in the longitudinal direction (XX), being mutually parallel and being separated from each other in the transverse direction (YY) and being fixed on the transverse elements (24a, 24b, 24c), characterized in that it comprises a plurality of reinforcing elements (6a, 6b) of sheet metal, wherein each reinforcing element (6a, 6b) extends in the longitudinal direction (XX), is arranged on a grid (23a, 23b) ) and on parts of the transverse elements (24a, 24b, 24c) fixed to said respective spine (23a, 23b) and fixed to said parts of the transverse elements (24a, 24b, 24c), and wherein each element ( 6a, 6b) includes: - a plurality of lower parts (61) in contact with the transverse elements (24a, 24b, 24c), - a plurality of upper parts (62) separated from the lower parts (61), - a plurality of connection parts (63) between the upper parts (62) and the lower parts (61) perpendicular with respect to the upper parts (62) and with respect to the lower parts (61), and wherein said parts upper (62), lower (61) and connecting (63) extend in the longitudinal direction (XX) along the entire longitudinal length of the reinforcing elements (6a, 6b). 2. Liquid container (1) according to claim 1, wherein: - the support boards (25) comprise an upper surface (252) and a lower surface (251), - the upper parts (62) of the reinforcing elements (6a, 6b) define flat coplanar support surfaces with respect to the upper surfaces (252) of the support boards (25), - the lower parts (61) of the reinforcing elements (6a, 6b) define flat coplanar support surfaces with respect to the lower surfaces (251) of the support boards (25). 3. Liquid container (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: - each connecting part (63) of a reinforcing element (6a, 6b) is adjacent to an upper part (62) and a lower part (61), - each connection part (63) contacts the adjacent upper (62) and lower (61) portions in a fold line (64) of the reinforcement element (6a, 6b), and - each fold line (64) is straight and extends in the longitudinal direction (X-X) along the entire longitudinal length of the reinforcement element (6a, 6b). The liquid container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each reinforcing element (6a, 6b) has a transverse extension that is smaller or equal to the transverse extension of its respective rod (23a, 23b), and a longitudinal extension that is smaller or equal to the longitudinal extension of its respective row (23a, 23b). 5. Liquid container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each reinforcing element (6a, 6b) comprises three upper parts (62), four lower parts (61) and six connection parts (63). 6. Liquid container (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein each reinforcing element (6a, 6b) comprises four upper parts (62), five lower parts (61) and eight connecting parts (63). . 7. Liquid container (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each reinforcing element (6a, 6b) is made of a metal sheet with a thickness ranging between 1 mm and 5 mm. 8. Liquid container (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tank (4) is supported on support boards (25) and reinforcement elements (6a, 6b). 9. Liquid container (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: - each reinforcing element (6a, 6b) extends between two opposite edges (65) that are separated from each other in the transverse direction (Y-Y), and - in the space of an edge (65) to the opposite edge (65) of a reinforcement element (6a, 6b), the reinforcement element (6a, 6b) has a sequence repeated in series, the sequence being composed in this order, by a lower part (61), a connecting part (63), an upper part (62) and a part (63) of additional connection. 10. Liquid container (1) according to claim 9, wherein: - both edges (65) of each reinforcing element (6a, 6b) are adjacent to lower parts (61), - the connecting parts (63) are present in a number that is double that of the upper parts (62), and - the lower parts (61) are present in a number that is equal to that of the upper parts (62). ) plus one.