NL2025557B1 - Roll container with protective wall - Google Patents

Abstract

Roll container with protective wall A roll container, in particular a roll pallet (1) having a first lateral wall (2a) and a second lateral wall (2b) opposite the first lateral wall (2a) and a container bottom (3) on which the first 5 lateral wall (2a) and the second lateral wall (2b) are disposed, characterized by at least one at least partially elastic and flexible protective wall (10) which is disposed between the first lateral wall (2a) and the second lateral wall (2b) and which is detachably connected to the first lateral wall (2a) and the second lateral wall (2b) via fastening elements (13) disposed on the protective wall (10). 10 (Fig. 1 )

Description

Title: Roll container with protective wall The invention at hand relates to a roll container, in particular a roll pallet having a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall opposite the first lateral wall and a container bottom on which the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall are disposed. Generally, four rolls are dis- posed on the pallet bottom for moving the roll container.

Roll containers of this kind are known from the state of the art. They serve, for example, in grocery stores and supermarkets for transporting goods on motor trucks from the wholesale warehouse to the retail market and to the shelves in the retail market where the goods are stocked IO so as to be made available.

A common problem with the known roll containers of the type mentioned above is that the goods fall out of a roll container from between the two lateral walls of the roll container. Generally, the goods are disposed on the bottom of the roll container. Some roll containers also have several suprajacent transport shelves.

To prevent the goods from falling out of the roll container, rigid or non-flexible walls are known from the state of the art which are disposed between two lateral walls of a roll container and are connected to the lateral walls. These rigid walls, however, have multifold disadvantages. For instance, when a roll container 1s loaded, the lateral walls are often automatically pushed apart slightly by stackers in order to be able to stack goods on a container bottom, such as a pallet. Such a “bending open”, however, is only possible with the roll containers known from the state of the art when no protective wall 1s fastened to the lateral walls since the rigid protective wall would counteract such a “bending open”.

The object of the invention at hand is to provide a roll container of the type mentioned above which overcomes the disadvantages of the state of the art.

According to the invention, this object is attained by a roll container having a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall opposite the first lateral wall and having a container bottom on which the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall are disposed, the roll container characterized by an at least partially elastic and flexible protective wall which is detachably connected to the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall via fastening elements disposed on the protective wall.

Owing to the elasticity of the protective wall, it is nevertheless possible to slightly push apart the two lateral walls—i.e., the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall—when loading the roll container despite the protective wall being fastened to the lateral walls of the roll container. Owing to the protective wall being fastened to the lateral walls, goods are prevented from falling out of the roll container directly when loading the roll container. After the roll container has been loaded, the rigid lateral walls are no longer pushed apart so that they are reset in their initial position in which the lateral walls take up an essentially right angle with the container bottom. The elasticity of the protective wall, in particular its elasticity in the transverse direction, automatically resets the protective wall in its initial position owing to its resilience.

During this process, the protective wall pulls the two lateral walls back into their initial positions. This process is also described in the description of the figures below. After the roll container has been loaded, another protective wall can be added to the roll container (cf. Fig. 3).

Another advantage of the elastic and flexible protective wall of the roll container according to the invention is that the protective wall can be quickly and easily connected to the first and the second lateral wall in a detachable manner by means of fastening elements. After disassembling the protective wall from the roll container, the protective wall can be folded or rolled up owing to its flexibility and thus can be stowed with-out taking up much room.

With the known roll containers, the goods are often secured using plastic foil wrapped around the entire roll container to prevent the goods from falling out of the roll container. This procedure is no longer necessary with the roll container according to the invention, wherefore plastic waste is reduced.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the roll container according to the invention, the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall are each a lattice structure each having two vertical beams extending upward from the container bottom, the protective wall being connected to a vertical beam of the first lateral wall in the area of the first longitudinal side and to a vertical beam of the second lateral wall in the area of a second longitudinal side.

Advantageously, the fastening elements of the protective wall are fastening hooks or fastening clamps for fastening the protective wall to the vertical beams of the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall, the shape of the fastening elements being adapted in such a manner tothe shape of the vertical beams that the fastening elements are connectable to the vertical beams in an essentially form-fit manner, the fastening elements at least partially enclosing the vertical beams in the fastened state. Using such fastening means makes it easily and quickly possible to fasten the protective wall to the lateral walls by hooking the fastening elements onto the vertical beams. Generally, the vertical beams have a circular cross section, the shape of the fastening elements being adapted to the circular shape (cf. Figs. Sa — Sc, for example). Generally, the width of the protective wall is sized such that the entire width and the entire length of the protective wall are spanned between the lateral walls in the fastened state, the protective wall generally being slightly stretched in the fastened state so that it is suspended at the lateral walls via its tension force, which acts on the fastening elements. A further embodiment of the fastening elements, in particular the fastening hooks or the fastening clamps, is realized such that a snap or click connection can be produced between a fastening element and a vertical beam of a lateral wall. Owing to such a connection between a fastening element and a vertical beam, the protective wall can be suspended solely by such a connection at the vertical beams of the lateral walls.

Advantageously, the fastening elements realized as fastening hooks or fastening clamps at least partially comprise a closing element, in particular a locking wedge, the closing elements being connectable to the fastening elements in a preferably detachable manner and inducing a stabilized seat of the corresponding vertical beam in the corresponding fastening elements. The term “stabilized seat” is understood to be such a form-fit connection between a fastening element and a vertical beam which can only be detached after removing the closing element. This prevents the form-fit connection between a fastening element and a vertical beam from being detached by inattentiveness, for example. Such an inattentive detachment of the form-fit connection can result in injuries by a fastening means recoiling and hitting a user, for example, due to the prevailing tension force of the protective wall. In addition, the protective wall is secured against theft or unintended disassembling.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the roll container according to the invention, the protective wall is made at least partially of stretch fabric which preferably comprises polyamide fibers, in particular poly-amide 6/6 and/or elastane. Such a stretch fabric 1s, among other things, preferable when fastening the protective wall to or disassembling it from the lateral walls. Such fabric is also very resilient and robust and securely keeps the goods on the roll container. Moreover, such a stretch fabric can be easily and quickly stowed away, for example by being rolled up, without taking up much storage space.

Advantageously, the protective wall comprises at least one section made of polyester, in particular coated polyester fabric. Advertisements, lettering or the like can be printed particularly advantageously on such a polyester fabric, for example. In addition, the polyester fabric is flexible and adds to the ease with which the protective wall can be stowed.

Advantageously, a fastening element is disposed at least in the area of each of the four corners of an essentially rectangular protective wall, two fastening elements which are disposed opposite each other at the same height preferably being connected to one another via an elastic band, in particular a rubber band. This elastic band can preferably be stretched by at least 130 %. Such elastic bands between two opposite fastening elements enable fastening the protective wall at two opposite lateral walls in a particularly quick, easy and secure manner. For this purpose, only two opposite fastening elements need to be pulled apart at the corresponding rubber band and hooked at the lateral walls, in particular the vertical beams of the lateral walls, like an expander.

Advantageously, a stabilizing bar, which 1s preferably made of glass fibers and is preferably sewn into the fabric of the protective wall, is provided in the area of each of the two longitudinal sides of the protective wall. These stabilizing bars make the protective wall inherently stable across the entire surface.

Advantageously, a recess is provided in the area of each of the two longitudinal sides of the protective wall. For instance, spreading tines of a spreading tool can be inserted into these recesses when loading the roll container according to the invention.

The invention at hand further relates to a protective wall for being fastened at two opposite lateral walls of a roll container, in particular a roll pallet, the protective wall being made at least partially of elastic fabric and comprising fastening means for detachably fastening the protective wall to the lateral walls of the roll container. Advantageous further embodiments and advantages of the protective wall according to the invention have been described above in conjunction with the protective wall of the roll container according to the invention and they all also apply to the protective wall according to the invention.

Further features of the invention can be derived from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the drawings and the dependent claims. The individual features can be realized on their own or in combination with each other.

In the figures, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a roll container according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows an enlarged section of the roll container according to Figure 1 in the area of a fastening element; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the roll container of Figure 1 having a second protective wall; Fig. 4 shows protective wall according to the invention; Fig. Sais a perspective view of a fastening element; Fig. Sbis a top view of the fastening device according to Fig. Sa; Fig. Scis a cut along line A—A through the fastening device ac-cording to Fig. 5b; Fig. 5d shows a fastening wedge for being fastened to the fastening element according to Fig. Sa.

In the following, elements which are the same or fulfil the same function will have the same reference numeral.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a roll container according to the invention in the form of a roll pallet 1. Roll pallet 1 comprises a first lateral wall 2a and a second lateral wall 2b opposite first lateral wall 2a. Roll pallet 1 further comprises a pallet bottom 3 which is essentially rectangular. Rolls 27 are disposed on the underside in the area of the corners of pallet bottom 3.

Both lateral walls 2a and 2b are disposed in the area of two opposite lateral areas 4a, 4b of bottom 3, lateral walls 2a and 2b being tightly connected to pallet bottom 3. Both lateral walls 2a and 2b are realized as lattice structures. Thus, lattice structure 2a comprises a frame 5 having two outer vertical framing rods 6a and 6b. Both vertical framing rods 5 6b and 6a are connected via a horizontal connective rod 7, vertical framing rods 6b, 6a and horizontal connective rod 7 being connected so as to form one piece and forming a contiguous frame which has a circular cross section. Further-more, a plurality of horizontal rods 8 and a plurality of vertical rods 9 are suspended between lattice frame 5. Second lattice structure (second lateral wall) 2b is designed like first lattice structure 2a and also com-prises a lattice IO frame 5’ having two vertical framing rods 6a’, 6b’ and a horizontal connective rod 7°, which all have a circular cross section. Horizontal rods 8’ and vertical rods 9’ are also disposed in lattice frame 5’. Both lattice frames 2a and 2b are made of steel.

Roll pallet 1 according to the invention, which is shown in Figure 1, comprises a protective wall 10 which is disposed between first lattice structure 2a and second lattice structure 2b.

Protective wall 10 comprises two outer fabric strips 11a, 11b and a middle fabric strip 12 disposed between fabric strips 11a and 11b. Fabric strip 12 is sewn to fabric strips 11a and 11b. Fabric strips 11a and 11b consist of an elastic blended fabric made of 90 % polyamide and 10 % elastane. Fabric strips 11a and 11b are transversally elastic with an elasticity of approximately 30%. Fabric strip 12 disposed between fabric strips 11a and 11b is made of coated polyester fabric which is ideally suited for being printed with colorant. Protective wall 10 is essentially rectangular. A holding clamp 13 is disposed at each of the four corners of protective wall 10. There are also two further holding clamps 13 disposed between the holding clamps disposed at the corners. Two holding clamps 13 which are dis-posed at the same height are each connected to each other via an elastic rubber band 14. Elastic rubber bands 14 are—starting from a basic state—stretchable by 130 %. Holding clamps 13 are adapted to the shape and size of vertical framing rods 6a, 6a’, 6b, 6b’ and are connected thereto via a snap connection in a form-fit manner. In this instance, holding clamps 13 partially enclose vertical framing rods 6a, 6a’, 6b, 6b’.

Three of six holding clamps 13 are connected to vertical framing rod 6b of lateral wall 2a.

Corresponding opposite holding clamps 13 are connected to vertical framing rod 6b’ of lateral wall 2b.

An exemplary holding clamp 13 is shown in an enlarged view in Figures 2 and Sa to Sc. Holding clamp 13 comprises a holding section 15 for a form-fit connection to a vertical framing rod 6a, Ob, 6a’, 6b’. Holding clamp 13 further comprises a connective section 16 having an oblong cutout 17 for passing a rubber band 14. A rubber band 14 is passed through cutout 17,

free end 18 of rubber band 14 being sewn onto a rear section of rubber band 14 so that a loop 19 forms in which holding clamp 13 is held. Holding clamp 13, elastic fabric 11b, rubber band 14 and glass fiber rod 25 are held together by a non-elastic strap 28. Weaved strap 28 is sewn to fabric 11b and the strap. A locking wedge 21 is disposed in transition area 20 between connective area 16 and holding section 15. Locking wedge 21 is connected to transition area 20 by means of connective pins (not illustrated) which are inserted in recesses 22 in transition area

20. Locking wedge 21 can be removed using an appropriate tool. Locking wedge 21 shown separately in Figure 5d also comprises two cutouts 23 for receiving the connective pins. Locking wedge 21 ensures being able to securely suspend a vertical framing rod 6a, 6a’, 6b, 6b” in holding clamp 13, the connection between holding clamp 13 having locking wedge 21 and a vertical framing rod 6a, 6a’, 6b, 6b’ only being able to be reversed if locking wedge 21 is removed again. This prevents the connection between holding clamp 13 and a vertical framing rod from being reversed unintentionally.

A glass fiber rod 25 is sewn into fabric strip 11a and fabric strip 11b in the area of both of longitudinal sides 24, 24’ of protective wall 10. Furthermore, cutouts 26 are provided in the area of both of longitudinal sides 24, 24’ of protective wall 10. Glass fiber rods 25 are exposed in the area of cutouts 26. Spreading tines of a spreading tool can engage in cutouts 26 from the outside when loading the roll pallet so that lateral walls 2a and 2b can be pushed slightly outward by means of the spreading tool. Cutouts 26 prevent the fabric of protective wall 10 from be-coming tom.

When mounting protective wall 10, the following procedure generally takes place: first, three holding clamps 13, which are disposed on longitudinal side 24 of protective wall 10, are connected to vertical framing rod 6b by clicking framing rod 6b into connective sections 15 of holding clamps 13. Then, protective wall 10 is pulled in the opposite direction of its tension force toward vertical framing rod 6b’ so that protective wall 10 stretches in the transverse direction by stretching fabric strips 11a and 11b. Subsequently, holding clamps 13 are connected to vertical framing rod 6b’ in a form-fit manner on opposite longitudinal side 24° of protective wall 10. Finally, locking wedges 21 are connected to holding clamps 13 via connective pins.

Holding clamps 13 are made of a thermoplastic.

Figure 3 shows roll pallet 1 which now comprises a second protective wall 10 disposed between vertical framing rods 6a and 6a’. A container closed on all four sides has been realized with the roll pallet shown in Figure 3, goods being able to be safely transported in this container, with the risk of goods falling out of the roll pallet being virtually pre-cluded. Figure 4 shows a protective wall 10 when disassembled, though already stretched. The elasticity of protective wall 10 ideally makes it possible to also stretch protective wall 10 when loading and pushing apart lateral walls 2a and 2b so that goods can be loaded onto roll pallet 1 from the opposite side when protective wall 10 1s fastened. The elasticity of protective wall 10 also helps prevent damage to protective wall 10 if goods, which are already on pallet bottom 3, slide toward protective wall

10. In this instance, protective wall 10 can be slightly resilient owing to its elasticity and still prevent goods from falling out of roll pallet 1.

Claims (10)

Conclusies

1. Rolcontainer, in het bijzonder rolpallet (1) met een eerste zijwand (2a) en een tweede zijwand (2b) tegenover de eerste zijwand (2a) en een containerbasis (3) waarop de eerste zijwand (24) en de tweede zijwand (2b) aangebracht zijn, gekenmerkt door ten minste één ten minste gedeeltelijk elastische en flexibele beschermingswand (10) die is aangebracht tussen de eerste zijwand (2a) en de tweede zijwand (2b) en die met de eerste zijwand (2a) en de tweede zijwand (2b) afneembaar is verbonden via op de beschermingswand (10) aangebrachte bevestigingselementen (13).

2. Rolcontainer volgens conclusie 1, met het kenmerk, dat de eerste zijwand en de tweede zijwand (2b) elk een vakwerkframe (2a, 2b) zijn met twee zich vanaf de containerbasis (3) naar boven uitstrekkende verticale steunen (6a, 6b, 6a’, 6b"), de beschermingswand (10) in het gebied van een eerste lange zijde (24) met een verticale steun (6b) van de eerste zijwand (2a) en in het gebied van een tweede lange zijde (24') met een verticale steun (6b') van de tweede zijwand (2b) 1s verbonden.

3. Rolcontainer volgens conclusie 2, met het kenmerk, dat de bevestigingselementen van de beschermingswand (10) bevestigingshaken of bevestigingsclips (13) zijn voor het bevestigen van de beschermingswand (10) aan de verticale steunen (6a, 6b, 6a’, 6b') van de eerste zijwand (2a) en de tweede zijwand (2b), waarbij de vorm van de bevestigingselementen (13) bij voorkeur zodanig is aangepast aan de vorm van de verticale steunen (6a, 6b, 64’, 6b"), dat de bevestigingselementen (13) in hoofdzaak vormgesloten met de verticale steunen koppelbaar zijn, waarbij de bevestigingselementen (13) de verticale steunen (6a, 6b, 6a’, 6b') in de bevestigde toestand ten minste gedeeltelijk omvatten.

4. Rolcontainer volgens conclusie 3, met het kenmerk, dat de bevestigingselementen (13) althans gedeeltelijk een sluitelement, in het bijzonder een veiligheidswig (21) omvatten, welke afsluitelementen bij voorkeur losneembaar koppelbaar zijn met de bevestigingselementen (13) en een ontsnappingsbestendige zitting van de betreffende verticale steun (6a, 6b, 6a', 6b') in de respectievelijke bevestigingselementen (13) bewerkstelligt.

5. Rolcontainer volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat de beschermingswand (10) ten minste gedeeltelijk is gemaakt van rekbaar weefsel (11a, 11b), dat bij voorkeur polyamidevezels en / of elastaan omvat.

6. Rolcontainer volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat de beschermingswand (10) ten minste een sectie (12) van polyesterweefsel omvat, in het bijzonder gecoat polyesterweefsel of nylonweefsel.

7. Rolcontainer volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat er althans in het gebied van de vier hoeken van een in hoofdzaak rechthoekige beschermingswand (10) telkens een bevestigingselement (13) is voorzien, waarbij telkens op dezelfde hoogte tegenover elkaar liggende bevestigingselementen (13) bij voorkeur met een elastische band, in het bijzonder een rubberen band (14), met elkaar zijn verbonden.

8. Rolcontainer volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat in het gebied van de twee langszijden (24, 24') van de beschermingswand (10) een stabilisatiestang (25) is voorzien, die bij voorkeur is gemaakt van glasvezels en bij voorkeur in het weefsel van de beschermingswand (10) is genaaid.

9. Rolcontainer volgens één van de voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat ter hoogte van de beide langszijden (24, 24') van de beschermingswand (10) een uitsparing (26) is voorzien.

10. Beschermingswand (10) voor bevestiging aan twee tegenover elkaar liggende zijwanden (2a, 2b) van een rolcontainer, in het bijzonder een rolpallet (1), waarbij de beschermingswand (10) althans gedeeltelijk is gemaakt van elastische stof (11a, 11b) en bevestigingsmiddelen (13) omvat voor het afneembaar bevestigen van de beschermingswand (10) aan de zijwanden (2a, 2b) van de rolcontainer (1).