WO2004050450A1

WO2004050450A1 - Side of a trolley

Info

Publication number: WO2004050450A1
Application number: PCT/IT2003/000800
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claudio Pedretti
Original assignee: Italfil Di Guerra Walter & C. S.N.C.
Priority date: 2002-12-05
Filing date: 2003-12-05
Publication date: 2004-06-17
Also published as: EP1567402A1; AU2003288538A1; ITBS20020126U1

Abstract

Trolley side for storing and carrying goods, wherein said trolley comprises a base resting on wheels and wherein said side comprises at least onepanel made of a plastic material. The panel is supported at the side by a pair of vertical uprights adapted for attaching into corresponding holes obtained in the trolley base.

Description

DESCRIPTION

"Side of a trolley"

[001] . The present invention relates to trolleys for storing and carrying goods, for example in warehouses, supermarkets, airports, and in particular it refers to the boards or sides of such trolleys.

[002] . These trolleys consist of a base resting on wheels, and of at least two vertical sides extending from said base. So far, the sides have been realised as an arc- welded steel wire grid, with the disadvantage of considerably affecting the overall weight that must be carried. This is even more evident in the anti-theft version, where the grid meshes are close, so as to prevent the introduction of a hand into the trolley. [003] . Moreover, such steel trolleys are affected by rust problems, since in most cases they are used outdoors and require the use of toxic substances for the coating. [004] . Finally, the grid wires could unsolder during use, thereby becoming hazardous for the operators' hands. [005] . Object of the present invention is that of providing a trolley for storing and carrying goods which, thanks to a new structure and combination of elements, should be capable of obviating the disadvantages of present trolleys mentioned above.

[006] . These and other objects and advantages of the finding are achieved by a panel, a side and a trolley for storing and carrying goods according to the following claims.

[007] . An example of embodiment of the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the attached indicative and non-limiting drawings wherein: [008] . figure 1 shows a perspective view of a trolley provided with a pair of boards or sides according to the present invention, in a first embodiment; [009] . figure 2 shows the two boards or sides of the trolley and a horizontal panel resting on said sides;

[0010] . figure 3 shows one of the trolley sides and a panel in separate view;

[0011] . figure 4 shows a perspective exploded view of a panelled board or side of a trolley according to a preferred variant of the invention; [0012] . figure 5 shows a further version of panel for the board or side of figure 4;

[0013] . figure 6 shows an enlarged detail of a mating portion of a panel of figures 4 and 5 to an upright;

[0014] . figure 7 shows a perspective view of a means for locking a panel at the base of the trolley; [0015] . figure 8 shows a partial section view of the anchorage of a panel at the base of the trolley by the locking means of the previous figure;

[0016] . figure 9 shows a perspective view of a trolley comprising two sides according to the invention and a horizontal surface.

[0017] . With reference to figures 1-3, the trolley proposed herein comprises a base 1 1 resting on four wheels 12 and at least two parallel boards or sides 13 attached to said base 1 1.

[0018] . Each of said boards or sides 13 consists of at least two plastic panels 14 provided with means for their reciprocal joint mating. Said mating means consists, for example, of a pair of teeth 15 provided along the side of a panel and of a pair of relative seats 16 obtained along the opposite side. Using two, three, four or more panels it is possible to obtain trolleys of different heights, according to the needs.

[0019] . Each panel 14 is provided with thorough holes 17 at the sides, so as to be inserted on a pair of support tubes 18 made of iron or aluminium, which are attached to the base 1 1 of the trolley, at the vertices. [0020] . To prevent the extraction of the upper panel from tubes 18, into said holes 17 it is possible to apply rivets, not shown.

[0021] . The panels are realised by blowing the plastic material so as to obtain an inside hollow space and a nice outside appearance, and they can exhibit a slotting 19 that allows seeing the goods into the trolley. The slots of said slotting, moreover, can be sized to prevent the passage of hands and thereby the risk of theft.

[0022] . In case of carriage of goods very sensitive to sudden changes in temperature, it is also possible to provide for a version of trolley with panels without slotting and where a thermo-insulating foam is injected in their hollow space.

[0023] . The trolley being discussed, moreover, can be provided with one or more horizontal panels 20, also made of a plastic material, provided for resting on the horizontal sides of slots 19.

[0024] . In a preferred embodiment shown in figures 4-9, the trolley proposed comprises a base 101 resting on four wheels 102 and at least two parallel boards or sides 103 attached to said base 101. [0025] . Each of said boards or sides 103 consists of at least one plastic panel 104 with a substantially rectangular shape.

[0026] . Along its upper and lower sides, each panel exhibits complementary means for joint mating to other similar panels 104 for a height modularity of the boards or sides 103. [0027] . According to a preferred embodiment, said mating means comprises at least one tooth 105 that extends from the bottom side of the panel, preferably for its entire length, and at least one corresponding slit 106 obtained in the upper side and adapted for receiving said tooth 105.

[0028] . Slits 106 are also obtained in the base 101 for receiving the tooth 105 of the lower panel, that is, of the resting on the base, of each board or side. [0029] . Each panel is supported by a pair of vertical uprights 107 attached to corresponding holes obtained in base 101 of the trolley, at the vertices. [0030] . In particular, each panel 104 is crossed at its sides by thorough holes 108 for being fitted onto said uprights 107. [0031] . According to a preferred embodiment, at each of its vertices, each panel 104 exhibits a portion 109 for being mated with an upright 107, said portion being horizontally protruding relative to the two vertical sides. In the practice, holes 108 longitudinally pass through said protruding portions 109 only, rather than the entire side of the panel. [0032] . The vertical uprights 107 are presently available in two diameters, in particular of 20 and 25 millimetres, according to the country of use of the trolley. Advantageously, the holes 109 obtained in the mating portions 109 exhibit a diameter suitable for a larger upright, but at its bottom and top, each portion 109 is provided with a neck 109' delimiting a passage adapted for strictly surrounding also the smaller upright. So, if the panel is intended to be associated to the larger upright, neck 109' will be removed from the projection 109, otherwise it will be maintained, so as to strictly constrain the panel to the vertical uprights 107.

[0033] . Advantageously, the latter are mated with panels 104 through an anti- rotation geometrical coupling, that is, without the possibility of rotating into holes 108, so as to impart higher stiffness to the structure.

[0034] . In the example of embodiment described herein, the section of uprights 107, and consequently of the corresponding holes 108 in panels 104, is shaped as a C closed by a rectilinear segment. In other words, each upright exhibits a vertical flat surface 107'. [0035] . Preferably, moreover, holes 108 are obtained so that the flat surfaces 107' of the two support uprights of a side or board 103 face one another. [0036] . Advantageously, uprights 107 are made of aluminium and exhibit a honeycomb inside structure, that is, comprising a plurality of ribs 107", so as to combine stiffness and lightness. [0037] . According to a further embodiment of the invention, particularly advantageous, the structure of the trolley proposed herein also comprises locking means adapted for ensuring and further stabilising the mating between each board or side 103 and base 101. [0038] . In the example described and represented herein, each panel 104 exhibits a groove 120 obtained horizontally in each of its two inside and outside faces, in the proximity of the lower side.

[0039] . The lower panels of each board or side 103 are locked to base 101 by a plate-shaped elastic hook 121 shaped as an upturned U adapted for enclosing, passing through an aperture 125' obtained in the panel, a lower portion of it where grooves 120 are obtained. On the inside of its two vertical walls, hook 121 exhibits horizontal ribs 122 adapted for settling into grooves 120.

[0040] . The vertical wall 121 ' facing the outside of the trolley extends beyond the outside one, at the bottom, up to the level of base 101, and ends with a foot 123 facing inwards, so as to engage in the lower surface of said base 101 , obtaining the locking of the lower panel to it.

[0041] . As mentioned above, the height of the boards or sides 103 is determined by the number of panels 104 that can be superimposed to one another. In order to obtain intermediate heights, the trolley structure advantageously comprises a second panel version, indicated with reference numeral 124, having a lower height than panel 104, for example equal to about one third. [0042] . This second panel 124 exhibits the same features as the first one, except in that it is provided with only two protruding portions 109 rather than four.

[0043] . Panels 104, 124 are obtained through a blowing process so as to be sturdy and light at the same time and exhibit a pleasant appearance on both internal and external sides.

[0044] . At least panels 104 can exhibit a slotting 125 that allows viewing the goods contained in the trolley. The slots of said slotting 125 moreover can be sized to prevent the passage of hands and avoid risks of theft.

[0045] . In case of carriage of goods very sensitive to sudden changes in temperature, it is also possible to provide for a version of trolley with panels without slotting and where a thermo-insulating foam is injected in their hollow space.

[0046] . The structure of the trolley proposed herein is completed by one or more horizontal panels 126, made of a plastic material, provided for resting on the horizontal sides of the slots of slotting 125. [0047] . The method for realising blown plastic panels according to the present invention provides for the injection of the plastic material into the mould and a blowing operation adapted for obtaining a thin wall delimiting a hollow space. Afterwards, each panel must be worked again for obtaining the openings that allow the mating with the uprights. In particular, at the lower and upper ends of the mating portions with the uprights, following the moulding operation, the panels exhibit bubbles 127 of plastic material that must be cut away to make holes 108 thorough. According to the type of upright that will be used, also neck 109' of the mating portion 109 can be removed along with each bubble 127.

[0048] . The trolley provided with the boards or sides of the present invention is considerably lighter than the present trolleys, is modular and customisable thanks to the possibility of realising coloured panels.

[0049] . Another particularly advantageous aspect of the trolley of the present finding is its recyclability. Since it is almost 90% made of plastic material, at the end of the use of the trolley it is possible to fully recover the raw material and reuse it to obtain a new trolley, saving about 50% on the cost of the raw materials.

[0050] . Finally, in the hollow space of the panels it is possible to house a satellite transmission system for the real-time detection of the trolley position, in the even it is carrying urgent or valuable goods.

[0051] . Further changes and variants can be made by a man skilled in the art to the trolley of the present invention in order to meet specific requirements, all falling within the scope of protection of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

Claims

I . Panel for side for realising a trolley for storing and carrying goods, characterised in that it is made of plastic material and is adapted for forming a trolley side associable to a base resting on wheels.

2. Panel according to claim 1 , associable to at least one upright protruding from said base.

3. Panel according to claim 2, made of a blown plastic material.

4. Panel according to claim 3, comprising at least one portion adapted for realising a seat for a respective upright following the formation of at least one opening into said portion.

5. Side of trolley for storing and carrying goods, wherein said trolley comprises a base (101) resting on wheels, said side being characterised in that it comprises at least one panel (104) according to any one of claims from 1 to 4.

6. Side according to claim 5, comprising at least one upright associable to said base.

7. Side according to claim 6, wherein said at least one panel is supported by at least one upright (107) extending from said base.

8. Side according to claim 7, wherein said at least one panel is supported at the side by a pair of vertical uprights.

9. Side according to claim 8, wherein said uprights are intended to attach into corresponding holes obtained in the trolley base.

10. Side according to any one of claims from 5 to 9, wherein each panel (104) is crossed by at least one hole for being fitted on said at least one upright ( 107).

I I . Side according to any one of claims from 5 to 10, wherein each panel ( 104) has a substantially rectangular shape and at the vertices of at least one vertical side, it exhibits a mating portion (109) to an upright ( 107), said mating portion being protruding relative to said vertical side.

12. Side according to claim 1 1, wherein each mating portion is vertically crossed by a thorough hole (108) intended to receive a corresponding upright.

13. Side according to claim 12, wherein at the lower and upper ends of each thorough hole (108), each panel exhibits a neck (109') having an opening with a smaller width than that of said thorough hole so as to allow a strict mating of the panel also with uprights with a smaller size than what expected to be introduced into the thorough holes (108).

14. Side according to any one of claims from 5 to 13, wherein each vertical upright ( 107) mates with panels ( 104) through an anti-rotation geometrical coupling.

15. Side according to claim 14, wherein each upright and relevant thorough hole exhibit a flat vertical surface (107').

16. Side according to any one of claims from 5 to 15, wherein the at least one upright (107) is made of aluminium.

17. Side according to claim 16, wherein each upright ( 107) exhibits a honeycomb inside structure, that is, comprising a plurality of ribs (107").

18. Side according to any one of claims from 5 to 17, wherein along their upper and lower sides, each panel exhibits complementary means for joint mating to other similar panels (104) and/or with the base.

19. Side according to claim 18, wherein said mating means comprises at least one tooth (105) that extends from the bottom side of a panel for inserting into a corresponding slit (106) obtained in the upper side of an underlying panel and/or in the base.

20. Side according to any one of claims from 5 to 19, wherein each panel exhibits a slotting ( 125) adapted for viewing the trolley contents.

21. Side according to any one of claims from 5 to 19, wherein a thermo-insulating foam is injected in each panel.

22. Base for trolleys, wherein each trolley comprises at least one side according to any one of claims from 18 to 21 , said base exhibiting mating means to the lower panel, that is, resting on the base, of each side.

23. Base for trolleys according to claim 22, wherein said means comprises at least one groove (106) adapted for receiving a complementary tooth (105) that extends from the bottom side of the panel.

24. Hook for coupling a panel according to any one of claims from 1 to 4 to a base according to claim 22 or 23, comprising a plate-shaped upturned U element provided in its upper side with means for coupling snap-wise with said panel and in its lower side with means adapted for engaging the lower surface of the base.

25. Trolley for storing and carrying goods comprising at least one side according to any one of claims from 5 to 21.

26. Trolley according to claim 25, comprising at least one base according to claim 22 or 23.

27. Trolley according to claim 25 or 26, also comprising locking means adapted for ensuring and stabilising the mating between each side (103) and the base (101).

28. Trolley according to claim 27, wherein said locking means comprises at least one plate-shaped elastic hook (121) having means for a snap- wise locking to the base and to the lower panel resting on the base.

29. Trolley according to claim 28, wherein each panel exhibits at least one thorough opening and wherein said hook exhibits an upturned U shape adapted for enclosing a lower portion of the panel passing through said opening, the vertical wall of said hook facing the outside of the trolley ending at the bottom with a foot (123) facing inwards to engage in the lower surface of the trolley base.

30. Trolley according to claim 21 , wherein each panel (104) exhibits a groove (120) obtained horizontally into each of its two inside and outside faces, below the thorough opening, and wherein on the internal side of its two vertical walls the hook (1 1) exhibits horizontal ribs ( 122) adapted for settling into the grooves ( 120).

31. Trolley with at least two parallel sides according to claim 20, further comprising at least one horizontal panel (126) configured for resting on the sides of the slots of the panels of said sides.

32. Trolley according to any one of claims from 25 to 31 , comprising a base (1 1) resting on wheels (12) and at least two parallel sides or walls (13) attached to said base (1 1), characterised in that each side or wall (13) consists of at least two panels ( 14) of plastic material, joint fixed to one another and constrained at the side to a pair of tubular support elements (18) attached to said base.

•33. Trolley according to claim 32, wherein for its joint fixing to other panels, each panel exhibits at least one pair of teeth (15) on its side and at the opposed side, corresponding seats ( 16) adapted for receiving said teeth.

34. Trolley according to claim 32 or 33, wherein each panel ( 14) is crossed at the side by thorough holes (17) wherein the pair of tubular support elements (18) is inserted.

35. Trolley according to any one of claims from 32 to 34, wherein the panels are obtained by blowing the plastic material so as to be hollow.

36. Trolley according to any one of claims from 32 to 35, wherein a plurality of slots

(19) is obtained into the panels for viewing the trolley contents.

37. Trolley according to claim 35, further comprising at least one horizontal panel

(20) configured to rest on the sides of the slots of the panels of the sides or side walls.

38. Trolley according to claim 35, wherein a thermo-insulating foam is inserted into the internal hollow space of the panels.

39. Trolley according to any one of claims from 35 to 38, wherein a satellite transmission system is housed into the hollow space of a panel for the real-time detection of the trolley position.

40. Method for producing a blown plastic panel according to claim 4, without mechanical processing and/or use of cores for the realisation of the upright seats, comprising the steps of:

- providing for a mould;

- injecting plastic material into the mould; - blowing the plastic material to obtain a thin wall delimiting a hollow space; and

- realising at least one opening in at least one portion of the pressed panel for obtaining at least one seat for the respective upright.