FR2839701A1 - Demountable container for palletized load has removable side frames to allow collapse when not in use - Google Patents

Abstract

The demountable container for palletized loads has a floor (1) having feet (2) at its corners and edges (3) extending between the feet. The side panels (4) are each connected to the adjacent side panels and to the edges of the floor by detachable couplings. The releasable couplings are provided to convert a flexion of each edge to a deformation of the side panel in its plane.

Description

(52) and intended to be folded against the return panel (45).

  The invention relates to a container comprising a bottom and removable side panels. Such containers have the advantage of having a volume of

  minimal storage when removed.

  In some of the containers of this type, the bottom is placed on feet or sleepers, to allow the transport of the container by a pallet truck. The bottom can then flex between the feet or the crosspieces under the effect of the weight of the contents. To limit this bending,

  sometimes there is a central leg under the bottom.

  But when the containers are lifted to move and get on top of each other, the foot

  central is no longer in use and no longer fulfills its role.

  The bottom then flexes significantly under the effect of the weight of the contents, which limits the maximum load of the containers. The object of the invention is to provide a removable container in which the bending of the bottom is limited.

without using a central stand.

  To this end, the demountable container of the invention comprises a bottom with corners fitted with support legs and edges extending between the legs, and side panels which are each connected to the adjacent side panels and to an edge of the container. bottom by dismountable connecting means, characterized in that the dismountable connecting means between a side panel and an edge of the bottom wind agencies to counter a bending deformation

from the bottom edge.

  Thus, the bending deformation of the edges is no longer free, but depends for each of the edges of a concomitant shape of the side panel as plied in its plane. The high stiffness of the side panels in their plane then opposes the tendency of the edges of the bottom to bend under the weight of the content. The bending deformation of the edges of the bottom is therefore minimized, which makes it possible to limit the overall bending deformation of the bottom and thus

  increase the container loading capacity.

  Preferably, the dismountable connection means between a side panel and an edge of the bottom comprise a tenon and a mortise, one of the elements extending at the base of the side panel while the other extends over

  the bottom edge, the mortise and the cooperating tenon together

  ble when the side panels are mounted on the bottom

  to counter the bending deformation of the bottom edge.

  The mortise and the tenon can be provided to extend along the edge and the base of the associated late ral panel, which reinforces the deformation connection between the two elements. Furthermore, this type of connection allows the lateral panel to be positioned on the bottom as well by frontal approach of the lateral panel towards

  the edge only by sliding along the edge.

  According to one aspect of the invention, the dismountable connecting means between a side panel and an edge of the bottom wind agencies to counter a bending deformation

side panel.

  Thus, symmetrically, we use the great stiffness of the bottom in its plane to counter the bending of the side panels under the effect of the thrust of the con

  held, when for example it is a liquid.

  Preferably, the dismountable connecting means between a side panel and an edge of the bottom wind agencies to counter a bending deformation of the late ral panel. The return can run all along the bottom edge, which strengthens the deformation connection between the

two elements.

  According to another aspect of the invention, the dismountable connecting means between two side panels already hundreds comprise pillars which each extend perpendicular to one foot from the bottom between two side panels, each of the pillars and the side panels comprising

means of their attachment.

  Preferably, the hooking means comprise grooves in each of the side panels and in each of the pillars capable of receiving a connection key between each of the side panels and the pillar concerned. According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, each of the pillars has a buckling resistance allowing the container to support the weight of a similar superimposed container. Thus, the weight of the superimposed container passes pre ferentially through the pillars, without stressing the panels, which preferably serve to stabilize the

  pillars to increase buckling resistance.

  Preferably, the pillars have a pre-viewed end for receiving positioning pads, each of the legs comprising a hollow housing of homologous shape to

  studs and suitable for receiving one of the studs.

  The studs of the lower container are housed in the housings of the upper container, which allows the correct positioning of the upper container on

the lower container.

  According to a particular aspect of the invention, the container is fitted with a cover having a peripheral skirt which extends projecting from the cover for covering

  screw the top of the side panels and pillars.

  According to an embodiment of the invention, the side panels and the bottom comprise a frame which supports two outer walls separated by a honeycomb. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly in the light of

  the following description of a particular embodiment

  link nonlimiting of the invention, with reference to the figures

4 2839701

  res of the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view with partial section of a container according to the invention, for mounting purposes; - Figure 2 is a partial side view along arrow II of Figure 1, with partial section; - Figure 3 is a perspective view of the cone of Figure 1, at a later stage of its assembly; - Figure 4 is a perspective view of the con

  content of Figure 1 mounts and provided with a cover.

  Referring to Figure 1, a removable container according to the invention has a bottom 1 of gene shape

  square rale with 2 feet at each of its corners.

  The bottom 1 has edges 3 which extend between cha

one of the feet 2.

  Side panels 4 (only one is shown in Figure 1) wind reported on each of the edges 3 of the

background 1.

  Referring to Figure 2, each of the edges 3 conforms to present a stud 5 and a return 6 which

extend along the edges 3.

  The base of the side panels 4 has a rib 7 which extends along said base. The shape of the edge 3 and the shape of the base of the side panel 4 complementary wind so that the side panel 4 can be placed on the edge 3 associated by sliding

along said edge.

  Then once the four side panels 4 put in place on the bottom 1, pillars 8 are reported between each of the side panels 4, as can be seen in FIG. 3. The pillars 8 are simply placed on the bottom 1 and are located plumb with the feet 2. The edges of the side panels 4 and the pillars 8 have longitudinal grooves 9 for the introduction of keys 10

  in I section in pillars 8 and late- panels

  4 adjacent rails. Each of the keys 10 is threaded into

  a groove of a pillar 8 and in a groove of a pan-

  lateral side 4 adjacent as indicated by the arrows in Figure 3, which ensures the connection of late-

4 between them.

  The container according to the invention is then ready for

receive content.

  Under the effect of the weight of the contents, the edges 3 of the bottom 1 wind likely to bend. However, due to the subjection according to the invention between the edge 3 and the side panel 4 resulting from the cooperation of the post 5 with the mortise 7, the bending of the edge 3 is no longer free but depends on a concomitant deformation of the panel lateral 4 in its plan. Now the side panel 4 has a great stiffness in its plane, so that the bending deformation of the edge 3 is counteracted by the

side panel 4.

  This characteristic makes it possible to limit the overall deformation of the bottom 1 under the effect of the weight of the content, and thus makes it possible to increase the resistance of the bottom 1. At equal weight, a container according to the invention thus supports

a higher load.

  Similarly, under the effect of the pushing of the contents (for example if the container contains liquid or

  powdery or granular products), the basics of

  lateral neaux 4 wind likely to bend to pre-

  feel a bulge towards the outside.

  Due to the subjugation between the panel

  lateral 4 and bottom 1 resulting from the cooperation of the

  turn 6 of edge 3 with the outside of side panel 3,

  the bending of the base of the side panel 4 is no longer

  bre, but depends on a concomitant deformation of the bottom 1 in its plane. However, this naturally presents a great stiffness in its plane, so that the bending deformation of the base of the side panel 4 is counteracted.

from the bottom 1.

  This characteristic makes it possible to limit the defor-

  overall mee of side panel 1 under the effect of the push

  see content. To further limit the bending of the panels

  lateral under the effect of the thrust of the content, we pre-

  sees according to the invention to equip the container with a cover

  circle 11 illustrated in FIG. 4 and which includes a peripheral skirt 12 which extends to cover the top of the pillars 8 and of the side panels 4. The skirt 12 cooperates with the tops of the side panels in the same way as the return 6 cooperates with the base of the side panels 4, preventing the top of the side panels 4 of fle chin The cover 11 comprises a central filling hole 13, so that the cover can be put in place before filling the container, that is to say before the tops of the side panels 4 have flown

  chi under the effect of the thrust of the content.

  According to another aspect of the invention, the pillars 8 have sufficient buckling resistance to support the weight of at least one loaded container which is superimposed on it. This buckling resistance is increased by the stabilization of the pillars supported by the panels.

  side 4 which is linked to it by means of lO keys.

  To facilitate the placement of a container

  over another, the tops of the pillars 8 wind equi-

  removable studs 14 visible in FIG. 4 which

  thread into a bore 15 from the top of the pillar 8 asso-

  co. The studs 14 are supported either directly on the base

  puts the pillar 8 associated if the cover is not installed

  the, or, as illustrated in Figure 4, on the cover ll, being threaded into the bore 15 of the pillar 8 through the

  towards a through hole 16 of the cover 11.

  The feet 2 of the container present in their

  lower part of a hollow housing 17 (visible at the

  gure 1) of homologous shape to the studs 14. During the su-

  perposition, the studs 14 of the lower container are housed in the housings 17 of the feet 2 of the container

  higher, which allows the correct positioning of the

  upper neur on the lower container.

  Thus positioned, the pillars 8 of the container

  ferieur transmit the weight of the upper container to

feet of the lower container.

  To better position one container over another, the peripheral skirt 12 of the cover 11 not only extends towards the teas to cooperate with the side panels 4, but also upwards to form a ledge in which the feet 2 of the upper container

fit naturally.

  Regarding the manufacture of the container

  the invention, the pillars 8 are cut here in a pro-

  polyvinyl chloride file, possibly reinforced

  internally by a light metal core.

  The side panels 4 wind here constituted, as shown in Figure 1, a frame 18 of polyvinyl chloride in which the real wind i see s the grooves 9 of the edges and the mortise 7 of the base, and which receives polyvinyl chloride exterior walls 19 separated by a metal honeycomb 20 extending to

inside the frame 18.

  Similarly, the bottom 1 has a frame 21 which sup-

  carries the feet 2 and in which wind realizes the tenons

  and returns along each edge 3, the frame 21

  receiving two outer walls 22 of polychloride of vi-

  nyle separated by a honeycomb 23 in metal extending

inside the frame 21.

  The frames 18 and 21 are here molded by injection, while the outer walls and the feet 2 attached to the frame correspond by welding or gluing. This manufacturing method allows a construction

  solid and light for a reasonable cost.

  The keys 10 are made of light metal or polyvinyl chloride.

  - All these provisions contribute to the realization-

  tion of a demountable container with a loading capacity

  important, for a low weight and a reasonable cost

  sonable. The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment which has just been described, but on the contrary intends to cover any variant which falls within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, although the use of plastic, and in particular polyvinyl chloride, makes the illustrated container especially suitable for the transport of foodstuffs, such as cereals, flour, the containers according to the invention can be used

for any other type of content.

  The container elements can be provided in

  any other matter without departing from the scope of the invention.

  Although the side panels and the bottom have been illustrated as constituting a frame supporting two side walls separated by a honeycomb, we

  can also make a background and late- panels

full rails.

  Although the illustrated container is shaped

  ree and comprises four side panels, the invention is not limited to such an arrangement and includes containers of divergent shapes, for example a container for

octagonal background.

  Although in the example described, the dismountable connection means between the side panels and the bottom comprise a mortise extending at the base of the panel

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  lateral and a tenon extending along the edge of the bottom,

  we can of course reverse these two elements in reali-

  the mortise on the edge and the tenon on the panel.

  Although the demountable connecting means between the side panels and the illustrated bottom allow the mounting / demon / age of the side panels only by sliding the side panel along an edge of the bottom, we can also provide other connecting means dismountable allowing a frontal approach of the side panel towards the edge, such as for example connecting means comprising a series of lugs which extend protruding from the edge and which are received in a

  series of homologous orifices extending at the base of the pan

  neau, as long as these connecting means provide a connection between the side panel and the bottom allowing

  counteract the bending deformation of the bottom edge.

  Although in the example illustrated, the dismountable connection means between the side panels include pillars secured to the side panels by means of

  keys, we can consider other means of linking

  mountable, like a pillar with integrated key profiles and which threads directly into the grooves of the side panels, or a metal rod which threads into knuckles projecting from the edges of the side panels and which extend alternately one under the other to define a rod reception channel. We can also provide connecting means

  directly integrated into the side panels, such as

  clicks between the side panels.

Claims (10)

  1. Dismountable container comprising a bottom (1) with corners fitted with support legs (2) and edges (3) extending between the legs (2), and lateral panels (4) which each bind to the adjacent side panels (4) and to an edge (3) of the bottom (1) by demountable connection means, characterized in that the demountable connection means between a side panel (4) and an edge (3) of the bottom (1) wind agencies to counter a defor   bending of the edge (3) of the bottom (1).   2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the demountable connection means between a side panel (4) and an edge (3) of the bottom (1) comprises a tenon (5) and a mortise (7), one of the elements extending at the base of the side panel (4) while the other extends over the edge (3) of the bottom (1), the mortise (7) and the tenon (5) cooperating together when the side panels (4) wind mounted on the bottom (1) to con   tring the bending deformation of the edge (3) of the bottom (1).   3. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the dismountable connecting means between a side panel (4) and an edge (3) of the bottom (1) wind agen these to counter a bending deformation of the panel lateral (4).   4. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the dismountable connection means between a side panel (4) and an edge (3) of the bottom (1) comprise a return (6) which extends along the edge (3) and cooperates with the exterior of the side panel (4) to counter the   bending deformation of the side panels (4).   5. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the dismountable connecting means between two adjacent side panels (4) comprise pillars (8) which each extend [plumb with one foot (2) of the   bottom (1) between two side panels (4), each of the pi-   liers (8) and side panels (4) comprising means of their attachment (9,10).   6. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that the hooking means comprise grooves (9) in each of the side panels (4) and in each of the pillars (8) capable of receiving a key (10) between each of the side panels (4) and the pillar (8) concerns.   7. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that each of the pillars (8) has a buckling resistance to support the weight of a tale neur analog superimposes.   8. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that the pillars (8) have an end intended to receive studs (14) for positioning, each of the legs (2) comprising a hollow housing (17) of homologous shape to the studs (14) and able to receive one of the studs (14).   9. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that it is equipped with a cover (11) having a peripheral skirt (12) which extends projecting from the cover key 11 to cover the top of the side panels (4 ) and pillars (8).   10. Container according to claim 1, character rise in that the side panels (4) and / or the bottom (1) comprise a frame (18; 21) which supports two external walls (19 i22) separated by a nest of 'bee