FR2570354A1 - Support device with corner studs for container - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a support device with corner studs for a container. This device comprises four independent corner blocks 5 fixed to the four corners of the case 1 of the container. Each of the blocks 5 comprises a raising stud 7, fixed to the base plate 9. In order to allow the insertion of the forks 13 of a goods handling device, at least two of the blocks 5, which are on the same side as one of the forks 13, each have their stud 7 offset towards the inside of the case 1 by a distance substantially equal to the width of a fork 13. Application in particular to mechanically filled containers.

Description

 Support device with corner studs for container.

 The present invention relates to a support device for a container used for packaging a large number of individual articles, such as cans, packages, cases or sachets, etc., and more particularly but not exclusively for a container of the mechanizable filling type, ctest that is to say a container com taking a box open at its two ends, and the bottom of which is reduced to four narrow bands bordering the lateral faces of the box, and an independent plate or tray acting as the bottom, with a surface area slightly less than the base surface of the box and which is capable of being brought by a lifting member to a height such that the layer of products to be loaded or unloaded is located substantially at the top edge of the box.

 The support means associated with such containers generally consist of pallets with an open bottom so as to allow access to the lifting member to the plate. But these pallets are coder and relatively heavy. To eliminate these pallets, it has already been proposed to replace them with corner blocks adapting to the four corners of the body, each of said blocks comprising a stud acting as a foot on an elevator, fixed on the underside of a plate of base surmounted at its ends by two perpendicular edges, and placed in the center of the trihedron formed by the plate and its edges. However, these corner blocks do not allow handling by standard blade pullers of standard containers generally used in large commercial areas. Indeed, the outside length between the forks of these blade pullers is greater than the center distance between the elevating studs, so that the passage of the forks of the blade pullers between studs cannot be carried out.

 The present invention seeks to remedy this drawback and proposes a device for a container of the type comprising a parallelepidic box open at least at its upper end, said support device comprising four independent blocks fixed to the four corners of the bottom of the box, each of said blocks comprising a stud acting as a raising foot, fixed on the underside of a base plate surmounted at its ends by two edges perpendicular to said plate so as to form a trihedron coming to adapt to one of the lower corners of the box, characterized in that in order to allow the introduction of the forks of a handling device, at least two of the blocks, which are on the same side of one of the forks, each have their stud offset towards the inside of the body a distance substantially equal to the width of a fork.

 It follows from this arrangement that due to the abovementioned offset of the studs which are on the same side of one of the forks, the passage of the forks of the blade pullers becomes possible. Indeed, one of the forks of the blade puller can engage under the container along one edge of the body, while the other fork 81 engages the interior of the body and near the other two non-offset studs .

 According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the upper face of the base plate of each block is coated in an adhesive manner allowing the block to be bonded to the body.

 In addition, the blocks are molded from plastic, which facilitates serial reproduction and reduces the cost per unit.

The invention will be described below with reference to an exemplary embodiment with regard to the accompanying drawings in which
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a container with mechanisable filling provided with a support device according to the invention,
Figure 2 is a sectional view of this container with its support device lifted by the forks of a blade puller.

 The container shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a rectangular box 1 open at its ends, and a removable tray 2 serving as the bottom for the box.

 The box 1 is produced in a conventional manner by folding a rectangular sheet of corrugated cardboard, divided by parallel fold lines into four parts which constitute the side walls of the box. Of course, the box may be formed from another material than corrugated cardboard, for example metal or wood, depending on the nature of the articles to be packaged in the container.

 This box 1 is bordered by bottom strips 3 intended to be folded perpendicular to the walls of the box.

 Blocks 5 with elevating studs 7 are adapted to the four corners of the body 1 under the lower surface of the strips 3. The blocks 5 each comprise a base plate 9 surmounted at its ends with flanges 11, the plate 9 and flanges assembly 11 forming a trihedron adapted to the shape of the corners of the body 1. The blocks 5 are fixed by gluing under the strips 3. For this purpose, the base plate 9 is coated with an adhesive material or glue and is applied under pressure on the lower surface of the strips 3. The strips 3 are secured to one another by means of the base plates 9, the bonding of which on these strips covers the adjacent portions of the latter at each corner.

These strips integral with each other after bonding of the blocks 5 constitute a flat assembly of sufficient rigidity to carry the empty box. When the tray 2 has been filled with stacked goods, it will then be possible to lower it to let it rest on the upper surface of the strips 3. A tray of adequate rigidity will be chosen according to the load on the tray, to avoid any excessive bending in the central part of the plate. In doing so, the weight of the tray is distributed regularly on a peripheral application surface common to the tray and the strips, and exerts a wedging on strips sufficient to avoid any lateral deformation of the walls of the box. The weight is also stably supported by the four studs.

 Two of the corner blocks 5 located along the same side of the body 1, symmetrical, one of a wall with respect to a median plane, each have their stud 7 offset by a length substantially equal to the width of the forks 13 handling equipment or pulls blades. This arrangement allows the passage of one of the tirepale forks near the edge of one of the sides of the box (figure 2), while the second fork passes between the studs 7 of the blocks. To do this, in practical implementation, we will adjust either the base width of the studs, that is the offset of the studs, knowing that, due to its width, the fork i pass along the edge of the body may slightly protrude outside the body without risk of lateral sliding of the body in relation to the fork.

 In addition, the position of the studs and the offset of the studs will be chosen so as to ensure, during its transport, a good balance of the container loaded with its center of gravity, which must be largely inside the volume limited by planes vertical passing through the two forks of the handling device.

 Finally, the blocks 5 molded in plastic material have ribs 15 reinforcing their rigidity, and studs 7 hollow. They are thus mass produced economically.

 The present invention thus provides a support device which allows, in particular, the handling of containers for large commercial areas by conventional tirepales.

Claims (6)

 1.- Support device for container of the type comprising a box (1) parallelepiped open at least at its upper end, said support device comprising four independent blocks (5) fixed to the four corners of the bottom of the box (1) each of said blocks ( 5) comprising a stud (7) acting as a raising foot, fixed to the underside of a base plate (9) surmounted at its ends by two flanges (11) perpendicular to said plate so as to form a tri-angle fitting one of the lower corners of the body, characterized in that in order to allow the introduction of the forks (13) of a handling device, at least two of the blocks (5), which are located on the same side of one forks (13), each have their stud (7) offset towards the inside of the body (1) by a distance substantially equal to the width of a fork (13).  2.- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper face of the base plate (9) is coated dsune adhesive for bonding the block (5) at the corner of the body (1).  3.- Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the blocks (5) have ribs (15) of reinforcement.  4.- Device according to view of the preceding claims, characterized in that the studs (7) are hollow.  5.- Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocks (5) are molded in plastic.  6.- Application of the device according to one of the preceding claims, to a container with mechanizable filling of the type comprising a box (1) parallelepiped open at its ends, and the bottom of which is reduced to four narrow strips (3) bordering the faces sides of the box, and an independent tray (2) acting as the bottom, and having a surface slightly smaller than the base surface of the box in order to be able introduced by the opening of the box and to rest by its edges on said strips (3), characterized in that the base plates (9) of the blocks (5) are fixed to the peripheral strips (3) of the body (1).