FR3061700B1 - PLATE FOR THE TRANSPORT OF CLAYETTES, IN PARTICULAR FOR PLANTS IN POTS. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a plate 1 for transporting shelves 3, comprising housings 2 separated by a longitudinal partition 8 and transverse partitions 9 forming at their intersection, a central stud 13; each wall comprising in particular, on either side of the central stud 13, a section 14, 16, 18 lower than the central stud. Such a plate is particularly advantageous, since it makes it possible to ensure sufficient rigidity of the plate, while facilitating the mechanized introduction of a shelf into a respective housing.

Description

The invention is in the field of transport of potted plants.

Potted plants are usually sold in batches of several pots. The pots of the same batch are grouped in a shelf generally taking the form of a sheet of thermoformed polystyrene. With the development of large areas dedicated to the sale of gardening articles, the quantities of pots become more and more important. However, the handling of these pots remains manual and difficult to automate.

The object of the invention is to propose a device adapted to solve all or part of the problems mentioned above.

According to the invention, such a device takes the form of a plate for transporting shelves, characterized in that it comprises separate housings and individualized by at least a first partition forming between two adjacent housing at least two separate intermediate sections by an intermediate block, the intermediate sections having a level less than a level of the intermediate pad, and the stud having a thickness, measured transversely to the wall, which decreases progressively from the level of the intermediate sections to the level of the pad .

The plate may comprise a peripheral edge such that the level of the intermediate pad is at least substantially equal, preferably greater, at this edge. The level of each intermediate section is advantageously lower than the level of this edge.

The housing can also be separated and individualized by at least a second partition forming an intersection with the first partition. This second partition is advantageously perpendicular to the first. Said at least one first partition preferably forms, on either side of this intersection, at least two intermediate sections separated by an intermediate block. The intersection of the partitions can form a central block, the intermediate sections having a level below a level of this central block and a level of the intermediate pad.

Said at least one second partition may furthermore form, on either side of the intersection and preferably on the rest of the length of each housing, a current section having a lower level at the intersection.

Embodiments and variants will be described hereinafter, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a plate according to the invention can contain six shelves and in which two shelves are arranged; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the plate of FIG. 1; - Figure 3 is a partial sectional elevation of the plate, according to the plane ΠΙ-ΙΙΙ of Figure 2.

In the following description, assume the plate lying flat on a horizontal surface, in particular to designate what is said horizontal or vertical, high or low.

Figure 1 illustrates a plate 1 comprising six housings 2 similar to each other. Each housing 2 is provided to receive a shelf 2. Each shelf is provided for transporting six shelves 2 identical to each other.

Each shelf 2 is provided for the transport of six individual buckets for young plants; the buckets are not shown in the figures. In the illustrated example, the buckets are "square", 7cm apart; the shelves are designed to hold three buckets in length and two in width.

The plate 1 comprises three housings along its length and two according to its width, constituting a matrix 3x2 housings. The housings are arranged so that their length is parallel to the length of the plate 1. The plate is symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry PI, vertical. The housings are defined by: - a peripheral wall 6 forming in its upper part a hemmed peripheral edge 7; - a longitudinal partition 8; and - two transverse partitions 9.

The peripheral wall 6 and the partitions 8, 9 extend upwards from substantially horizontal bottoms 11, housing 2.

The plate 1 is made of a thermoformed plastic material; thus, as particularly illustrated in Figure 3, each partition has sections generally U-shaped inverted; each partition is in fact formed of two walls 12A connected together, in their upper part, by a connecting portion 12B, forming a horizontal bearing. The walls are not vertical, but form a draft D with the vertical, to facilitate the demolding of the plate 1 during its manufacture.

Each transverse partition 9 and the longitudinal partition 8 together form, at their intersection, a central stud 13 in the shape of a cross, in plan view, as in FIG. 2.

The longitudinal partition 8 forms, between the two crosses 13, and between each cross 13 and the peripheral wall 6, a current section 14, substantially horizontal.

As particularly illustrated in FIG. 3, each transverse partition 9 forms, on either side of the cross 13, going from this cross to the peripheral wall 6: a stud forming a first shoulder 15, in line with the cross 13; a first intermediate section 16; an intermediate block 17; a second intermediate section 18; and, a stud forming a second shoulder 19, in line with the edge 7.

The intermediate sections 16, 18 are symmetrical with each other, relative to the intermediate block 17. Each cross 13 comprises two opposite branches, which extend in alignment with the current section 14. The other two branches extend in alignment with each other. the respective transverse wall 9. Between the branches, each wall 12A has, in its upper part a lesser body, that is to say, it is closer to the vertical and forms a recess 20.

The partitions 8, 9 have a thickness L8, L9, measured horizontally on the top of the sections 14, 16, 18, substantially constant. The thickness L9 of the transverse partitions is about 50% larger than the thickness L8 of the longitudinal partition 8.

As particularly illustrated in Figure 3, different elements of the plate 1 are horizontal, at different levels N1-N4. Thus: at a first level NI: the funds 11. at a second level N2: the intermediate sections 16, 18. at a third level N3: the shoulders 15, 19; and, the current section 14. - at a fourth level N4: the crosses 13; and the peripheral edge 7. at a fifth level N5: the intermediate pad 17.

The second level N2 is above the first level NI, the third level N3 and the fifth level N5 are above the second level N2, and the fourth level N4 is above the third level N3.

In the example shown, the third level N3 is substantially identical to the fifth level N5, that is to say that the stud is substantially at the same level as the shoulders 15, 19. In addition, in this example, for a unit of height U: the difference E12 (N2-N1) between the first NI and the second N2 levels is close to 2.5 U units; the difference E23 (N3-N2) between the second N2 and the third N3 levels is close to 2.5 U units; the difference E34 (N4-N3) between the third N3 and the fourth N4 levels is close to one U unit; and, - the unit of height is close to U = 5 millimeters.

In addition, the depth H1 = N4-N1 of the plate 1 is close to half the height of the shelves 3 provided to take place there.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the bottoms 11 are pierced with openings 21 to allow the flow of irrigation water. Feet 22, in the form of small concave bowls upwards, are formed in the bottoms; they serve to raise the plate 1, to allow the flow of these watering water between the plate 1 and a surface on which it rests.

The shapes of the plate 1, as previously described, make it possible to give it greater rigidity. Thus: the crosses 13, at a level N4 higher than most other elements 14-19, greatly contributes to give sufficient rigidity to the plate; - The sections being at a lower N2 level, also have a wider connection portion 12B, which also contributes to the rigidity of the plate; the studs 17, at an intermediate level N5 = N3, and the shoulders 15, 19, at an intermediate level N3, create vertical surfaces which also contribute to the overall rigidity of the plate 1, without increasing the quantity of material necessary for the manufacture of the plate 1; and, the material of the plate is less stretched vertically to achieve the lowest elements 14-19, so that their walls 12A are thicker and thus bring greater rigidity to the plate 1.

In addition, the sections 14, 16, 18, at a level N2 lower, as well as the recesses 20, allow the shelves 3 fit more easily into their housing 2 and prevent them stay stuck.

The shapes of the plate 1, as previously described, also have advantages in manufacture. In particular, the metal inserts needed to mold the partitions 8, 9 have a reduced volume, so that they cool more easily and quickly.

Because of its draft, each intermediate pad 17 being located above the adjacent intermediate sections 16, 18, the connecting portion which connects its walls in its upper part is narrower than the level N5 is higher; that is to say that the thickness L17 of the stud 17, measured transversely to the wall 9, decreases as one passes from the level N2 of the intermediate sections to the level N5 of the stud 17. Therefore, the stud allows to have a larger available horizontal space, the fifth level N5, to introduce a shelf.

This arrangement allows a facilitated descent of the shelf in its housing, even if, when it is released, it is not perfectly aligned with the walls of this housing, even if, at that time, it does not. is not perfectly centered with this accommodation. This arrangement is particularly advantageous when two studs 17 are facing each other, each on a different partition, as for the housing noted 2A, in Figures 1 and 2.

The walls of the partitions then guide the shelf to the bottom 11 of the corresponding housing and ensures that it comes to rest flat on the bottom 11.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments which have just been described but, on the contrary, the invention is defined by the following claims.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above, in the light of the teaching that has just been disclosed.

Thus, the longitudinal partition may also have a configuration comprising shoulders and / or pads, as previously described with reference to the transverse walls.

The number of accommodations may be different. For example, it is possible to have nine housings divided into a 3 × 3 matrix, the plate comprising in particular two longitudinal partitions and four cross-shaped studs. In another embodiment, a plate according to the invention may not comprise a longitudinal partition, that is to say it may comprise only one alignment of housings separated by transverse partitions.

In another embodiment, the fourth and fifth levels may be identical, so that all the pads are at the same level. The peripheral edge may not be at the same level as a central stud or an intermediate stud.

The fifth level, that is the level of the intermediate pads, can be below the third level. This fifth level, that of the intermediate pads, may instead be located above the level of the central pads and / or the level of the peripheral edge. For example, the level of the intermediate pads may be the highest level of a plate according to the invention.

The same partition may comprise several intermediate pads alternating with intermediate sections. Thus, a partition may comprise three intermediate sections and two intermediate blocks, each intermediate block separating two intermediate sections.

Such a plate is particularly suitable for the mechanization and automation of the storage of plants in pots together in shelves, and their transportation and stored.

Claims (5)

claims 1. Plate (1) for transporting shelves (3), comprising housings (2) separated and individualized by at least one first partition (9) forming between two adjacent housing at least two intermediate sections (16, 18) separated by an intermediate block (17), said intermediate sections having a level (N2) less than a level (N5) of said intermediate pad (17), and said pad having a thickness (L17), measured transversely to said partition (9), which decreases progressively from the level (N2) of the intermediate sections to the level (N5) of said stud, said levels being measured relative to a level (NI) of funds (11) of said housings, characterized in that the housings ( 2) are separated and individualized by at least a second partition (8) forming an intersection (13) with the at least one first partition (9), said first partition (9) forming on either side of said intersection , at least two inter sections calais (16,18) separated by an intermediate stud (17). 2. Plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a peripheral edge (7) such that the level (N5) of the intermediate pad (17) is at least substantially equal, preferably greater, at ( N4) of said edge (7). 3. Plate (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises a peripheral edge (7) such that the level (N2) of each intermediate section (16,18) is below the level ( N4) of said edge (7). 4. Plate (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the intersection of the partitions (8,9) forms a central stud (13), the interspecial sections having a level (N2) less than a level (N4) of said central stud (13) and a level (N5) of said intermediate stud (17). 5. Plate (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one second partition (8) forms on either side of the intersection (13) and preferably on the rest the length of each housing, a current section (14) having a level (N3) less than the level (N4) of the intersection (13).