FR2679522A3 - Transportation and packaging cage - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a transportation and packaging cage constituted from six frames (1 to 6) made of non-deformable wood and assembled together. The problem to be solved consists in allowing the re-use of the cages. The cage is characterised in that in each assembly zone (A) there is disposed at least one elastically extensible assembly element (7) extending over a corner (1') of the cage, this element comprising a connecting lug, a grasping rod and an engagement opening engaging with a corresponding fitting. The invention is applicable to re-usable packages.

Description

"Transport and packaging cellar"
The invention relates to a transport and packaging cage, consisting of six wooden plank frames delimiting a volume for accommodating objects, these frames being braced and in themselves non-deformable, at least the four lateral frames being fixed one to the other. the other in their assembly areas.

 Such transport and packaging cages are known in the form of wooden cages assembled by nailing, each object to be packaged being arranged in the corresponding object housing volume while being protected against the risks of external damage.

When the destination is reached, these cages are simply released and cannot be reused due to the resulting damage. Regardless of this, the manufacturers of the items to be packaged are obliged to take back the packaging. For this reason, we have already proposed, for example according to document DE-GM-89 15418, very robust packaging cages, but also very expensive to manufacture, these cages can always be reused. It is certain that these cages fulfill the condition of reuse as returnable packaging. However, it has been found that the return or return transport does not always take place in an impeccable manner, that is to say that these cages remain a long and unacceptable time at the recipients of the objects or are even, because it is a raw material, cut and used if necessary as a raw material for other applications. The capital to be invested in such cages therefore has a high and disproportionate value. It is also partly lost.

 Wooden cages therefore correspond to the maximum bearable expense, but have so far had the disadvantage of not being reusable in practice because of the damage mentioned above and which are almost inevitable when opening the cages or partitions between objects.

 Consequently, the basis of the invention is the problem of perfecting the transport and packaging cages of the type indicated in the preamble so that they can be easily assembled as well as be dismantled without damage and that they can therefore be reused as returnable packaging. This is associated with the condition that the assembly means must retain their operating capacity even if the dimensions of the cage made of wood vary, for example due to a long period of use and drying.

 To this end, the invention relates to a transport and packaging cage, consisting of six wooden plank frames delimiting a volume for housing objects, these frames being braced and in themselves non-deformable, at least the four side frames being fixed. to each other in their assembly zones, characterized in that in each of the assembly zones of two frames is arranged at least one assembly element extending over the angle of the cage, this element in the form of an elastically extendable strip in a single piece of plastic material, provided with a connecting lug, a latching opening and a transverse grip bar, this element being linked to a frame by his ear and engaged and tense by its latching opening on a latching fitting fixed to the other frame.

 Advantageous embodiments are described below.

 After the object to be packaged has been placed on the bottom frame, preferably made up as a pallet and dimensioned accordingly, it suffices to apply the side frames and assemble them together using the special assembly elements. It is therefore essential that they are elastic bands which are made of suitable plastic material which always guarantee sufficient traction and for which it is also not necessary to ensure high precision in the arrangement of the interlocking fitting. , as was necessary with the tensioners, for example metal, which are also essentially more expensive. To dismantle the frames, the connecting elements are gripped again by the transverse grip bar, they are extended by extension and they are released from the interlocking fitting. In other words, the opening of the cage is not associated with any risk of damage to the frame and the connecting elements.

 To counteract, even during transport, the damage to the assembly elements and the associated latching fittings, it is provided according to one embodiment that the assembly elements and the associated latching fittings are arranged on the vertical boards of the frames, the outer surfaces of which are set back towards the volume for housing objects with respect to the outer surfaces of the horizontal boards of the frames.

Thus, the assembly elements and the interlocking fittings are located inside the external planes of limitation of the cage. This also has the advantage that similar cages can be arranged in close contact, for example during transport or storage.

 It is advisable that the special assembly elements are linked in rotation to the corresponding frame by means of their connecting lugs.

This possibility of rotation is advantageous insofar as, when bundling the stacked frames for return transport, the assembly elements can be rotated towards the inside of the package so that they do not protrude laterally outside of this package.

 Wooden cages or packages of the type indicated in the preamble are also, in general, belted with banded straps, which is also provided, according to one embodiment, for the cage according to the invention. A strap closure is then associated with the strap for fixing the end loop.

Such closures of the straps are of course known, but they are of particular importance in the present circumstances because it is thus possible, without other additional auxiliary provisions, to reuse the strap for packing the stacked frames. This is all the more true since only a shorter strap length is required for this, which will be explained in more detail.

 Since the cage according to the invention is extremely economical to manufacture, it is basically not essential for the user to know whether the cage used is yes or no actually returned by the recipient. But if the user receives the frame package in return, he does not have to get rid of it, but can instead use it without problem.

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings showing an exemplary embodiment. In these drawings
- Fig. 1 schematically shows in perspective a cage made up of individual wooden frames
- Fig. 2 is a top view of an assembly element;
- Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of an interlocking fitting
- Fig. 4 is an enlarged side view of a collar stirrup; and
- Fig. 5 shows a strap closure with a strap buckle guide member.

 The transport and packaging cage shown is made up of six braced frames 1 to 6, per se non-deformable and surrounding the GR volume for housing objects. Among these frames, at least the four side frames 1 to 4 are fixed to each other in their assembly areas A.

 For such a cage, it is essential that in each of the assembly zones A of two frames 1, 3; 3, 2; 2, 4; 4, 1, or disposed at least one connecting element 7 extending over the angle 1 'of the cage. This element is in the form of a band 8 elastically extensible in a single piece of plastic material, provided with a connecting lug 9, a latching opening 10 and a transverse grip bar 11 (Fig. 2). The assembly element is linked to a frame by its lug 9. I1 is also engaged and tensioned by its engagement opening 10 on an engagement fitting 12 fixed on the other frame (Fig. 3). given that the mounting of the ear 9 by direct screwing involves a risk of splitting, provision is advantageously made for a collar stirrup 9 'shown in FIG. 4, this stirrup being introduced into the ear 9 and fixed, for its part, by screwing on the board in question. For the return transport of the frames in the stacked state, the assembly element can then be pivoted inwards on the bracket in closed collar.

 I1 is advisable to provide interlocking fittings 12 two opposite frames 3, 4 in the cage and to provide assembly elements 7 the other two frames 1, 2 also opposite. In other words, the two large side frames 1, 2 are pressed against the two small end frames 3, 4.

 The individual frames 1 to 6 are assembled by nailing or screwing so that they can be engaged one in the other, as shown. As can be seen in Fig. 1, the assembly elements 7 and the associated interlocking fittings 12 (FIG. 3) are judiciously arranged on the vertical boards 13 of the frames. The outer surfaces 14 of these boards are set back towards the receptacle for receiving GR objects with respect to the outer surfaces 15 of the horizontal boards 16 of the frames.

Thus, the assembly elements 7 and the interlocking fittings 12 do not project outside. They still extend inside the planes of external limitation of the cage and are, to a large extent, sheltered from the risk of damage.

In addition, the frames 5 and 6 are dimensioned and assembled so as to fit in the frames 1 to 4 assembled. Furthermore, there is nothing to prevent these frames from also being assembled with the other frames 1 to 4 by assembly elements 7. It is preferably provided for a construction of the cage such that it is surrounded, perpendicular to at least a horizontal axis 17, by at least one strap 18. The fixing of the ends of the strap is generally carried out automatically and by welding. For opening, the strap is simply cut. In the present case, so that this strap can also be reused, a strap closure 19 is associated with the cage, namely a closure already suspended from the strap or in the form of an accessory. Such a strap closure, known per se , is shown in FIG. 5, and does not require a more precise explanation because the ends of the strap are indicated. For return transport, the frames 1 to 5 are compactly arranged one on the other on the bottom frame 6 advantageously constituted in the form of a pallet and tied up in the form of a packet of frames by the strap (s) 18. The connecting elements 7 are turned inward relative to the frames so that they do not project laterally relative to the package. The initial excess length of the strap can be cut without difficulty.

 Furthermore, the assembly elements 7 in a single piece (see FIG. 2) are made of tenacious and elastic plastic material with the annular mounting ear 9, the engagement opening 10 in the form of an elongated recess and the grip bar 11 for gripping the entire plastic strip in one piece 8, tensioning it and hanging it on the interlocking fitting 12 fixed by screws to the other neighboring frame.

Claims (7)

 1 - Transport and packaging cage, consisting of six frames (1 to 6) made of wooden planks defining a volume for accommodating objects (GR), these frames being braced and in themselves non-deformable, at least the four side frames ( 1 to 4) being fixed to each other in their assembly zones (A), characterized in that in each of the assembly zones (A) of two frames (1, 3; 3, 2; 2 , 4 4, 1) is arranged at least one connecting element (7) extending over the angle (1 ') of the cage, this element being in the form of a band (8) elastically extensible in a single piece of plastic material, provided with a connecting lug (9), a latching opening (10) and a transverse grip bar (11), this element being linked to a frame by its lug ( 9) and engaged and tensioned by its engagement opening (10) on an engagement fitting (12) fixed on the other frame.  2 - Cage according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly elements (7) are linked in rotation to the corresponding frame.  3 - Cage according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that two opposite frames (3, 4) in the cage are provided with interlocking fittings (12) and in that the other two frames (1, 2) also opposite are provided with assembly elements (7).  4 - Cage according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the assembly elements (7) and the associated interlocking fittings (12) are arranged on the vertical boards (13) of the frames, the surfaces outer (14) of these boards being set back towards the object receiving housing (GR) relative to the outer surfaces (15) of the horizontal boards (16) of the frames.  5 - A cage according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is surrounded, perpendicular to at least one horizontal axis (17), by at least one strap (18), a strap closure (19) being associated with the strap for fixing the buckle formed by the two ends of the strap.  6 - Cage according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the frame (6) located on the bottom side is formed as a pallet.  7 - A cage according to claim 3, characterized in that the connecting lug (9) is hooked in a collar bracket (9 '), this bracket (9') being fixed on the corresponding board of the frame.