WO2002034632A1

WO2002034632A1 - Transport container

Info

Publication number: WO2002034632A1
Application number: PCT/FI2001/000892
Authority: WO
Inventors: Keijo MÄKELÄ
Original assignee: Kelpo Kuljetus Fi Oy
Priority date: 2000-10-25
Filing date: 2001-10-15
Publication date: 2002-05-02
Also published as: FI20002342A0; FI109114B; AU2002210593A1; EP1334037A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a roll container comprising a carriage (1) and a box (2) to be placed on this. The carriage has holes (8, 9) and/or brackets (10, 11) and the box has holes (6, 7, 25) corresponding to these. The roll container has one or more separate intermediate bases (3), which are quipped with intermediate base brackets (4, 5) or intermediate base holes (12, 13) corresponding to the holes and/or brackets of the carriage. The carriage (1) and the box (2) can be fastened to each other by lowering the box (2) onto the carriage (1) and the intermediate base (3) onto the box base (2b) so that the brackets (4, 5, 10, 11) engage the holes (6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 25).

Description

Transport container

The invention relates to a roll container for use in goods transport, which comprises 5 a wheeled carriage and a box placed on this.

For the transport of goods, box solutions fastened to interchangeable pallets or store pallets are frequently used. The boxes can be fastened to the bases by riveting, gluing or using various binding straps, strings and webs. The box can also be fixed to 10 the base by means of fixing bolts pressed through mounting holes. A fastening method is also used, in which the fixing brackets of a cardboard box are bent into the fastening cavities in a store pallet. Wheeled pallets and roll cages equipped with stationary baskets are also used for goods transport.

15 A separate base member has also been used for fastening a box to an interchangeable pallet base, the box being fastened by its lower edges to the transport base (DK 152349, US 4,085,846). In these solutions, the base member comprises two parts foldable towards each other. The centre of the base member is fastened to the pallet base either by means of bolts or nails. The side parts of the upwardly folded base

20 member are inserted into the box through slots in the lower edge of the box and are fixed against the lower edges of the box and the pallet.

Currently used methods for fastening the boxes of a roll container are often laborious and slow, and also require special care and precision at the mounting stage of 25 the boxes. During use, they may also cause additional waste, which contributes to higher costs. Such fastening methods may also be unreliable.

General description of the invention

30 The purpose of the invention is to eliminate the inconveniences mentioned above and to provide a transport roll container, in which the box can be fixed to its base as swiftly and reliably as possible.

To achieve this purpose, the invention is primarily characterised by the features de- 35 fined in independent claims. In other claims some advantageous features of the invention have been described. The inventors found the solution of using a separate intermediate base to fasten the box to the carriage, the intermediate base being dimensioned such as to match the dimensions of the boxes and carriages used. Holes are provided in the box and the carriage and fixing brackets are provided at corresponding locations in the interme- diate base or correspondingly fixing brackets are provided in the carriage and the holes are provided at corresponding locations in the box and intermediate base.

The roll container of the invention may also be of the type in which the carriage has holes and brackets and the intermediate base has corresponding brackets and holes. The box has holes corresponding to the brackets of the carnage and the intermediate base for the fastening of the box to the carriage by means of the intermediate base.

In a roll container having fixing brackets in the carriage, the brackets may have a length equal to or smaller than the thickness of the intermediate base and that of the box bottom. In this manner, the brackets do not protrude from the upper surface of the intermediate base with the intermediate base fixed to the carriage, and thus the bottom of the roll container will be even.

In a roll container having fixing brackets in the carriage, the brackets may have a length greater than the thickness of the intermediate base and the box bottom. In that case, the brackets will protrude from the upper surface of the intermediate base. In some applications, these projections can be utilised in the fastening of goods to prevent the goods from sliding during transport.

The structure of the box bottom may be closed or partly open, equipped with a collar for instance. The box bottom may preferably have an open portion in the centre.

A wheeled roll container is easy to move. Part of the carriage wheels may be ro- tatable about their mounting shaft, and part of the wheels may such that can be locked, providing ease of handling of the roll container. The wheels may also vary in size two by two. Thus, for instance, large and supporting wheels can be used at the leading end and small wheels at the trailing end, the wheels being thus easier to turn.

The carriages can be stacked tightly on top of each other when the location and the height of the wheels and the height and design of the carriage frame have been adequately chosen. They will thus require a minimum of space and will also be easy to move. The operating height of the box can be varied using one or more carriages stacked on top of each other.

An intermediate base is easy and rapid to fasten, it can be reused, and the fastening method does not result in extra waste. In addition, the intermediate base may increase the stability of the roll container structure. Unloading is also rapid, since no nails, bolts or similar solid fastening means need to be released. The brackets of the intermediate base and the carriage base are adequately dimensioned to avoid their being blocked in interlocking relationship.

The carriage and the box bottom may have supplementary holes to provide lighter constructions and to facilitate mounting. The design and the shape of the carriage may be selected as a function of the object of use. The carriage frame may be reinforced or lightweight, massive or hollow. In some applications, carriages with large wheels can be used, for instance.

The sizes of the carriages and the intermediate bases can be selected to match standard box sizes, and then the method will be easy to apply also to other boxes than the special boxes of a roll container. The shape, number and position of the holes and the brackets can be selected according to the purpose of use.

The brackets and/or holes of the intermediate base can be selected so as to form mutually a mirror image. Then the intermediate base can be mounted in position in two directions. This makes the intermediate base easier to use. In a square roll container, all the sides of the intermediate base and the corresponding carriage parts may by mutually symmetric, allowing the intermediate base to be arbitrarily mounted in the roll container in alignment with any of the container sides.

In one embodiment, the holes and the brackets may be asymmetrically located in the roll container, and then the intermediate base can be mounted in one single direction in the roll container.

The bracket length can be selected as a function of the object of use. The brackets may extend through the bottom of the carriage frame, for instance. The brackets may pass only partly into the corresponding holes. Thus, for instance, a roll container can be manufactured, in which the holes of the intermediate base accommodate simultaneously both the carriage brackets and the brackets of a second inter- mediate base fitted on top of the first intermediate base to form the mirror image of this.

The brackets may be hollow. The brackets may have the shape of wedges. An intermediate base can be manufactured, in which the hollow and wedge-like brackets intermesh and the frames of the intermediate base are positioned tightly overlapping. Intermediate bases can also be manufactured, in which, when piled on top of each other, the brackets of the uppermost intermediate base engage the frame of the lowermost intermediate base.

The intermediate base may vary in thickness and material. The intermediate base may for instance be a disposable cardboard sheet, in which suitable brackets have been folded from the cardboard sheet. It may also be e.g. a sheet made of recyclable plastic material, to which separate fixing brackets have been connected.

The intermediate base itself may comprise holes, for instance to provide a lightweight structure. Part of the opening positions can be selected so as to match the bracket positions as a mirror image. If the bracket length is then selected equal to or smaller than the sheet thickness of the intermediate base, intermediate bases can also be stacked on top of each other in alternating mounting directions.

The intermediate base may preferably have borders, which allow it to be used alone as a deposit base on top of the carriage or the stacked roll container. The borders of the intermediate base may be shaped for instance obliquely so as to allow interme- diate bases to be stacked tightly on top of each other.

The box and its parts can be made of different materials. In one embodiment of the invention, cardboard sheet with a 5-10 mm thickness is used in the box portion of the roll container. The box preferably comprises cardboard with a thickness of 6-8 mm, such as 7 mm. The use of cardboard provides a roll container that is lightweight and stable at the same time. Cardboard components are also collapsible and easy to assemble.

In one embodiment of the invention, the brackets comprise fastening means for fas- tening the intermediate base and the box to the carriage. The fastening means then engage the carriage holes. The fastening means may preferably consist of a flexible fastening claw, which fastens the bracket to the carriage base. The fastening claw may be given a shape that releases its grip when the intermediate base is raised and/or the bracket is pushed. The fastening claw may also be such that is pressed opened. The fastening claw may also be for instance a winged nut or a butterfly bolt, which is screwed into threads provided at the end of the bracket. The fastening means may also be a fastening sleeve, a lock pin, a wire or a bar, which is fitted in the bracket.

In one embodiment of the invention, the intermediate base may comprise shift means to facilitate shifting of the intermediate base, such as lifting or lowering. The shift means may preferably be a lift hole provided in the frame or at the edge of the intermediate base and giving at the same time the intermediate base a lighter structure. The shift means may also be e.g. a lifting handle, a lift border or a lift lug.

In one embodiment of the invention, the box has grip means to facilitate movement of the roll container. The grip means may preferably be a grip opening. The grip means may also consist of e.g. a grip handle, a grip rib or a grip lug. The shift means preferably such that a packaging strip used to seal the box can be connected to these.

The carnage, box and intermediate base of the roll container may comprise identification data and/or operation data. The data may be e.g. product data, dimensional data, a logo, an advertisement, contents data or handling data. Such data may be printed or glued, for instance.

The colours of the parts, especially those of the carriages and boxes, are also usable for identification, thus facilitating sorting. The colour can also be used as a well distinguishable advertisement.

Special description of the invention

A number of embodiments of the invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a top view of parts of the roll container of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of parts of the roll container of figure 1.

Figure 3 shows the roll container of figures 1 and 2 in assembled state. Figure 4 shows the carriage bases of the roll container stacked on top of each other.

Figure 5 shows a roll container equipped with a removable front wall.

Figure 6 is a top view of parts of another roll container of the invention.

Figure 7 is a top view of parts of a third roll container of the invention.

Figure 8 is a side view of parts of the roll container of figure 6.

Figure 1 shows a wheeled 16 carriage 1, a cardboard box 2 with open front, and an intermediate base 3. The frame 15 of the carriage 1 is rectangular and its base 15b has carriage holes 8, 9 and carriage pins 10,11. The carriage 15 is enclosed by side walls 15 s. The box base 14 has box holes 6. 7. The intermediate base has intermediate base pins 4.5 and intermediate base holes 12.13.

The intermediate base comprises mutually differently shaped pins 4/5 and holes 12/13. The box holes 6/7 are also mutually differently shaped and the carriage holes 8/9 and the carriage pins 10/11 are mutually differently shaped.

At the fastening stage, the box 2 is first lowered onto the frame 15b of the carriage 1 and within the side walls 15a, so that the box holes 6 of the box base 14 engage the corresponding carriage pins 10. After this, the intermediate base 3 is lowered onto the box base 14 with the intermediate base pins 4, 5 directed downwardly so that the intermediate base pins 4.5 engage the corresponding box holes 6.7 and the corresponding carriage holes 8.9. At the same time, the carriage pins 11 engage the corresponding intermediate base holes 12.13. In this manner, the parts of the roll container are fastened to each other in a swift and particularly solid way.

The intermediate base 3 has holes 12.13 at locations corresponding to the locations of the pins 4.5 as a mirror image. This allows intermediate bases to be stacked tightly on top of each other.

The base 14 of the box 2 is here formed of folds of the side walls and the back wall bent inwardly as a collar and of overlapping folds. This allows the unloaded boxes to be piled tightly as a stack. A separate front wall can be connected to the box. The frame 15 of the carriage 1 is box-like, and it comprises vertical side walls 15s. The wheels 16 of the carriage 1 may be solidly mounted or removable if necessary. The wheels 16 may also be rotatable relative to their mounting shaft or have a fixed direction. On the other hand, the wheels 16 may be such that can be locked or freely rotating.

Figure 2 is a side view of the wheeled 16 carriage 1 of the roll container of figure 1, of a box 2 with a wall 2s and of an intermediate base 3 equipped with brackets 4.

Figure 3 shows the wheeled container of figures 1 and 2 in assembled state. The base 2b of the box 2 has been lowered onto the base 15b of the frame 15 of the carriage 1 and on these the intermediate base 3 has subsequently been lowered with the intermediate base brackets 4, 5 downwardly directed. The brackets 4.5.10.11 have engaged the corresponding holes 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13 and the intermediate base 3 has fastened the box 2 tightly to the carriage 1. The box base 2b and the base of the carriage frame 15 are tightly fitted together.

In figure 4, carriages 1 have been stacked for storage and transfer to form a special stacked roll container 17. The position and height of the carriage wheels 16 and the shape of the carriage frame 15 are such that carriages can be stacked tightly on top of each other. Then the height of the carriage frame 15 is higher than the height of the wheels 16 and the wheels 16 will be located outside the carriage frame 15 or inside the carriage frame 15 without touching or bearing against the frame 15 or wheels 16 of another carriage l.The frames 15 of the carriage 1 are in tight mutual contact.

On top of a stacked roll container 17 with the desired height, a box and an intermediate base can be placed if necessary, and then the carriages act as an elevated stand for the box. On top of a pile of carriages with the desired height, an intermediate base equipped for instance with a side wall can be directly placed for use as a display base, for instance.

In figure 5, the roll container is assembled and equipped with a front wall 18. The box has two solid side walls 22 and a solid back wall 23. The front wall 18 is re- movable. The upper portion 19 of the front wall can be bent open downwardly. The box 2 has belts 20, 21 extending horizontally around it, by means of which the front wall can be fastened. The figure shows the upper portion 19 of the front wall opened by the front band of the upper belt 20 being released. The front band of the lower belt 21 is closed, so that the corresponding front wall part is closed. The fastening belts 20, 21 may be plastic belts fastened to the cardboard by means of a plastic spike.

Figure 6 shows the carriage 1 and the cardboard box 2 of the roll container, and the intermediate base 3 with protruding pins 5. The frame 3b of the intermediate base 3 is surrounded by a side wall 5s.

The base 24 of the box 2 is assembled from the box parts 24b, 24c, 24d. The base parts 24b, 24c, 24d are not overlapping when folded as a base 24, and box holes 25 are formed between the parts. The base 24 additionally comprises an open portion 24a at the centre.

The base 15b of the frame 15 of the carriage 1 has carriage holes 9. The base 15 is surrounded by side walls 15s rising from the base 15b.

Figure 7 shows the carriage 1 and the cardboard box 2 of the roll container, and the intermediate base 3 with intermediate base holes 13. The box base 27 has been formed by folding from parts 27b, 27c, 27d of the parts of the cardboard box 2. Box holes 7 are provided in the front part 27d and rear part 27b of the box base 27. The side parts 27c of the box base 27 have no box holes. The carriage 1 has carriage pins 11. At the fastening stage, the box 2 is first lowered on top of the carriage 1 so that the carriage pins 11 engage the corresponding box holes 7. After this, the intermediate base 3 is placed on the box base 27 with the carriage pins 11 engaging the corresponding intermediate base holes 13.

The intermediate bases 3 in figures 6 and 7 have lift holes 26 to be gripped by hand to facilitate shifting of the intermediate base. The lift holes 26 also provide a more lightweight structure of the intermediate base.

The front wheels 16a in figures 6 and 7 are larger than the idling wheels 16b. The idling wheels 16b rotate relative to their axes. Owing to this solution, the roll container is easier to move, among other things.

Figure 8 is a side view of the roll container of figure 6. The carriage has side walls 15s rising from the carriage base 15b. The intermediate base 3 has side walls 3s rising from the base 3b of the intermediate base. The intermediate base pins 5 have fastening claws 33, which engage the carriage holes 9 the carriage 1. The front wall 2sf of the box 2 has grip holes 28 to facilitate shifting of the roll container. A packaging string 29 has been connected to the grip holes 28 for the closing of the box front wall 2sf. At the same time, the packaging string reinforces the structure of the box 2 of the roll container. The front wall 2sf has a folding line, relative to which it can be folded. The box front wall 2sf also comprises identification data 30, 31. The identification data 30, 31 may be printed or glued, for instance, and their basic colour and text colour may vary freely.

At the fastening stage, the box 2 is first placed upright on the base 15b of the frame 15 of the carriage 1, and then the intermediate base is lowered onto the box base 2b with the pins 5 directed downwardly. The intermediate base pins 5, 13 engage the box holes 25 in the box base 2b and the carriage holes 9 provided at the same locations in the carriage.

Claims

1. A roll container comprising a wheeled (16) carriage (1) and a box (2) with a base (2b) to be placed on the carriage, characterised in that the carriage (1) is equipped with carriage holes (8, 9) and/or carriage brackets (10, 11) and the box base (2b) is equipped with accordingly located box holes (6, 7, 25) and that the roll container has one or more separate intermediate bases (3), which are equipped with intermediate base brackets (4, 5) and/or intermediate base holes (12, 13) engaging respectively the box holes (6, 7, 25) and the carriage holes (8, 9) and/or the carriage brackets (10, 11) for fastening the carriage (1) and the box (2) to each other by lowering the box (2) on the carriage (1) and the intermediate base on the box base (2b) so that the brackets (4, 5, 10, 11) of the carriage (1) and the intermediate base (3) engage corresponding holes (8, 9, 12, 13) in the carriage (1) and in the intermediate base (3) and the box holes (6, 7, 25) in the box (2).

2. A roll container as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the height of the carriage frame (15) is greater than the height of the wheels (16), and when carriages (1) are piled as a stacked roll container (17), the wheels (16) can be set outside the carriage frame (15) or inside the carriage frame (15) so as not to touch or bear against the frame (15) or the wheels (16) of another carriage (1), the carriage (1) frames (15) being fitted tightly together.

3. A roll container as defined in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the carriage (1) has a side wall (15s) rising from the carriage base (15b).

4. A roll container as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the intermediate base (3) has a side wall (3s) rising from the frame (3b) of the intermediate base.

5. A roll container as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the intermediate base brackets (4, 5) have a wedge-formed shape, and when intermediate bases (3) are stacked on top of each other, the brackets (4, 5) can be inserted into the brackets (4, 5) of the lower intermediate base and/or into the frame (3b), with the frames (3b) of the intermediate base (3) being fitted tightly together.

6. A roll container as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the box (2) has parts (24b, 24c, 24d), which can be folded to form the bottom (24) of the box such that, folded as a bottom (24), these parts (24b, 24c, 24d) are not overlapping and that box holes (25) are formed in the bottom (24) between these parts (24b, 24c, 24d).

7. A roll container as defined in claim 6, characterised in that the box (2) consists of a front wall (18) that can be opened, of two side walls (22), of a rear wall (23) and of a base (2b, 24, 27).

8. A roll container as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base (24, 27) of the box (2) has one or more open portions (24a, 27a).

9. A roll container as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least part of the box (2) is made of cardboard with a 5-10 mm thickness.

10. A roll container as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the intermediate base (3) comprises one or more shift means (26), such as a lift opening or a lift handle.

11. A roll container as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the brackets (4, 5, 10, 11) have one or more fastening means (33), such as a fasten- ing claw, a fastening sleeve, a winged nut, a butterfly bolt, a lock pin, a wire or a bar for fastening the brackets (4, 5, 10, 11) in the holes (8, 9, 12, 13).

12. A roll container as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the box (2) comprises one or more gripping means (28), such as a grip opening, a grip handle, a grip rib or a grip border.

13. A roll container as defined in claim 12, characterised in that the grip means (28) is at least partly open, and that a packaging string (2) can be connected to it for use in the sealing or support of the box (2).

14. A method for manufacturing a roll container comprising a wheeled (16) carriage (1) and a box (2) with a base (2b) to be placed on top of it, characterised in that the carriage (1) is equipped with carriage holes (8, 9) and/or carriage brackets (10, 11) and the box base (2b) is equipped with accordingly located box holes (6, 7, 25) and that one or more separate intermediate bases (3) are connected to the roll container, the intermediate bases being equipped with intermediate base brackets (4, 5) and/or intermediate base holes ( 12, 13) engaging respectively the box holes (6, 7, 25) and the carriage holes (8, 9) and/or the carriage brackets (10, 1 1 ) for fastening the car- riage (1) and the box (2) to each other by lowering the box (2) on the carriage (1) and the intermediate base on the box base (2b), with the brackets (4, 5, 10, 11) of the carriage (1) and the intermediate base (3) engaging the corresponding holes (8, 9, 12, 13) in the intermediate base (3) and the box holes (6, 7, 25) in the box (2).

15. A method for using a roll container having a wheeled (16) carriage (1) and a box (2) with a base (2b) to be placed on top of this, characterised in that the roll container of claims 1-13 or the roll container manufactured according to claim 14 is used as a transport roll container, a wheeled storage cage, a shopping cart and/or a stacked roll container.