WO2015172795A1

WO2015172795A1 - Stiffened transporting pallet made of plastics material and comprising at least two latchable pallet parts

Info

Publication number: WO2015172795A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/001307
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Rinderle
Original assignee: Schoeller Allibert Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-05-14
Filing date: 2014-05-14
Publication date: 2015-11-19

Abstract

Reinforcing profiles (12) are provided for a clip-action transporting pallet (1) formed from at least two pallet parts (23) connected by latching, and said reinforcing profiles can be pushed in from the side and are retained via projecting spacers (20).

Description

Stiffened transport pallet made of plastic from at least two lockable pallet parts

The invention relates to a transport pallet according to the preamble of claim 1.

Transport pallets are an integral part of logistics and are widely used worldwide for the transport of goods and goods of various kinds and in various industries. Pallets made of wood are available on the logistics market, but they are increasingly being replaced by plastic pallets. Pallets made of plastic have the advantage that they are robust and durable and weatherproof, so that the durability is much longer than that of wooden pallets even in rough use. Moreover, plastic pallets are easy to clean and are characterized by a manageable weight even with large dimensions.

Such transport pallets are available in various sizes, but with certain standardized pallets have prevailed, such as the so-called Euro pallets with dimensions of 1200 x 800 mm with a floor area of 0.96 m ² according to standard EN 13 698-1. In addition, however, many other pallet sizes are common, such as 600 x 800 mm, 1200 x 1000 mm, 1200 x 1200 mm, 1300 x 1000 mm and the like. The transport pallets made of plastic are usually prepared for load picking up to 1000 kg and above.

The pallet sizes ultimately depend on the respective pallet pool, which circulates the transport pallets, that is to say, delivers them to corresponding customers, optionally recycles transport pallets, cleans them and delivers them back to other customers. Such pallet pools are organized worldwide, so that millions of pallets are circulated worldwide every day. For example, the Euro pallet pool circulates around 500 million pallets and needs around 70 million new Euro pallets per year, with a steady increase in the number of pallets. Especially with transport pallets, which are intended for a large load bearing, additional stiffening measures are taken. It is known to arrange in the transport pallet rod-like preferably made of steel stiffening or reinforcing profiles, which are embedded in alignment with the arranged in series support legs of the pallet in the transport pallet. The embedding takes place either on the upper part or on the lower part of the pallet. For embedding the reinforcing profile groove-like recordings are used, in which the reinforcing profiles are arranged. Thereafter, the reinforcing profiles are covered by corresponding lids which are firmly locked to the pallet parts.

This makes it necessary to embed the stiffening profiles already during the production of the pallet parts, and in particular before mounting the clip palette by locking the upper part and lower part.

However, such embedding of reinforcing profiles very often causes problems, especially for large sized transport pallets, which can be partially designed for lengths of 1000 mm to 1300 mm. This is particularly due to shrinkage and distortion of the pallet parts, which can not be completely ruled out in such a large pallets after injection molding of the pallet parts. The semi-finished products can also have different tolerances depending on the quality of the reinforcing profiles and in some cases can not be exactly straight. This naturally complicates the assembly of the reinforcing profiles in the pallet parts, which can sometimes lead to damage to the semi-finished products, ie reinforcing profiles, or pallet parts themselves.

The object of the invention is to provide a transport pallet made of plastic from each other lockable pallet parts with stiffening elements that can be easily and permanently attached to the pallet also mindful of tolerance differences and possible shrinkage of the pallet parts. According to a further aspect of the invention, retrofitting of transport pallets by means of corresponding stiffening elements should also be possible in a simple manner.

This object is achieved by a transport pallet with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized by the features contained in the subclaims.

According to the invention, each preferably over the entire length or width of the range extending guide receptacle for the insertion of correspondingly long reinforcing profiles each provided along their length with spacers, which are arranged at a distance from each other and project into the guide receptacle for positioning the retractable reinforcement profiles , By on the one hand, even in a non-sufficient escape a perfect Insertion of the rod-like stiffening allows profiles that slide along the distance profiles, especially as the spaced distance profiles and the frictional resistance is reduced. In addition, a positionally true hold of the embedded or inserted reinforcing rod is ensured by the inwardly projecting spacers.

Preferably, the spacers are formed of plastic and that of a thermoplastic, which also allows a deformation of the purpose of deformation behavior correspondingly thin trained spacers during insertion of the reinforcing profile. Appropriately, in this case the spacers are formed integrally with the respective pallet part. This leads to a firm clamping and secure positioning of the profiles.

In a particular way, it is expedient that the spacers are contoured and / or designed material such that they are correspondingly deformed by the inserted into the receptacle reinforcing profile in particular in the case of misalignment or tolerant deviations. It is expedient to design the contour of the spacers so that they are formed to taper to the inside for receiving, in particular tapered, wherein the tips may be formed rounded. By this corresponding contouring the spacer can be deformed during insertion of the reinforcing profile, so that tolerance differences due to the vibration behavior of the pallet parts, so to speak can be compensated by the deformation of the spacers.

The fact that the spacer members are preferably made of a thermoplastic, it comes in this deformation to build up restoring forces, so that then the inserted reinforcing profile is held with fixed and / or clamping fit in the recording.

Optionally or additionally, the spacer may also be designed according to material, be formed in the case of subsequently used spacers with softer material than the pallet itself, so that the spacer can be deformed accordingly by inserting the reinforcing profile and, if necessary, resilient restoring forces purpose fixed clamping of the reinforcement profiles can be constructed.

In particular, it is also expedient to contour the spacers in such a way, ie to taper inwardly or form with projecting tips that when inserting the reinforcing profile depending on the size of the shrinkage behavior, the spacers can also be sheared off by the reinforcing profile and then nevertheless with tight fit in the Recording are held. In the case of this embodiment, it is endeavored to design the spacers in particular as ribs. form and preferably so thin-walled or thin that a shearing in the front region of the spacer members by the inserted spacer profile is possible.

In an expedient embodiment, the spacers are formed on the opposite side walls of the guide receptacle, wherein the spacers seen in mirror image to each other in alignment or may be offset from each other, preferably with regular spacing of the spacers to each other.

As spacers are particularly suitable rib-like structures or knob-like projections, wherein the inwardly projecting tips may also be rounded.

In an expedient embodiment, however, the spacers each extend over the height of the side walls.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the spacer members are provided from the insertion side with a run-up slope in the manner of an oblique ramp, which favors the insertion of the elongated reinforcing profile, especially considering that the profile for large pallets over a length up to 1300 mm must be inserted into the pallet.

Advantageously, the spacers are formed by ribs, in particular thin-walled ribs, which taper expediently in the direction of the guide receptacle in its cross-section, which favors the deformation or the shearing. In particular, the ribs are contoured V-shaped, wherein the angles of the V-legs may be formed differently.

Conveniently, the receptacles are each formed continuously over the entire pallet length or pallet width and expediently extend the receptacles in each case by mutually aligned support legs.

In particular, in the field of support legs, it is expedient that the stiffening profiles are also fully absorbed. For this purpose, expediently provided in the support legs or the corresponding Stützfußabschnitten wall-side apertures, which are arranged in alignment and which are expediently designed in the opening cross-section complementary to the reinforcing profile and thereby hold the inserted or inserted reinforcing profile over the entire circumference. Additionally or alternatively, ribbed baskets can be provided which are formed integrally with the pallet parts and, together with the same, like the wall passage openings, form a channel-like area for receiving the inserted reinforcement. form profiles. Also by the rib baskets thus takes place a full inclusion of the reinforcing profile. These are preferably formed within the support feet.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Show:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a transport pallet formed from two pallet parts by means of a clip composite, FIG.

2 shows a partial view of a corner region of the lower part of the pallet shown in Fig.l.

3 is a sectional view through a corner region of the transport pallet shown in Figure 1,

4 shows a schematic view of a corner region of the lower part of the pallet reinforcing profile,

5 shows a view corresponding to that in Fig.l, but from the opposite corner region of the lower part,

6 is a partial view corresponding to Figure 4, but with recorded gain profile and

7 shows a view of the corner region shown in Figure 6 with reinforcing profile, but seen from the outside.

Fig.l shows a transport pallet 1 formed from two parts of a pallet, which has an upper part 2 and a lower part 3, which are connected to each other along the dividing plane 4 by a clip-like Astverbund to the transport pallet and can also be referred to as upper or lower deck. The lower part has runners 7, which extend along the pallet edge, but can also be provided, for example, in a cross arrangement within the pallet edge.

The upper part 2 has a support surface 5 for receiving the goods to be transported. This is structured open in the illustrated embodiment, that is provided with a plurality of openings, but may also be formed closed-walled or largely closed-walled.

Both the upper part 2 as well as the lower part 3 have circumferentially spaced support leg sections 8 and 9, via which the upper part and the lower part are connected by clip-like locking members together by Rastverbund to the transport pallet. The respective ones Support leg sections 8 and 9, which are aligned with one another, form in a compound position support legs 10 which form between them engagement openings for the engagement of engagement members of floor conveyors, such as forks of a fork-lift truck or lift truck. The support legs 10 are arranged distributed in a conventional manner at a distance above the peripheral edge and are located in the corner areas and in intermediate areas. Here, the support feet 10 located on each side are aligned in line with each other according to the course or the arrangement of the skids 7, which also connect the intermediate areas arranged support legs 10 in the illustrated embodiment. The transport pallet shown in Fig.l has a total of nine support legs 10, of which four are provided on the pallet corners and the other support legs 10 in conjunction with the skids in a cross-shaped arrangement on the pallet. The structure of such a pallet is known per se as well as the clip-like latching compound, wherein the clip-like latching members, for example, from the following figures, but not described here as per se known latching members for the composite clips of the upper part and lower part need not be described separately.

Clearly shows the Stützfußabschnitt 9 located in the corner support leg 10 can be seen, which is provided with not described in detail upwardly projecting particular clip-like locking members and support members. The rod-shaped reinforcing profile 12 embedded here in the lower part 2 of the pallet can clearly be seen in FIG. 2, which is arranged continuously through the supporting leg section 9 and over the pallet at the upper side of the cover part of the lower part 3 of the pallet.

3 shows a cross section through the corner region and thus by a support leg 10 with the upper and lower Stützfußabschnitt 8 and 9. Generally, the reinforcing profiles in the upper part and / or lower part 2 and 3 may be arranged. From Figure 3 is quite clearly the reinforcing profile 12 can be seen in section, which is shown here as a hollow reinforcing profile with a square cross-section, but this is in no way limiting. Although closed hollow sections are preferred for the reinforcing profile, however, profiles which are open on one side, such as U-profiles or C-profiles and the like, may also be provided, if required, or also full profiles. Advantageously, the profiles are formed of steel, but may also be formed of other material with reinforcing or stiffening effect, such as fiber-reinforced plastic.

From Figure 4, which represents the corner region of the lower part 3 seen from below in a perspective partial view, as well as the upper part would be seen from below, is clearly the groove-like and here in particular U-shaped guide receptacle 14 for receiving the reinforcing profile 12th seen. The guide receptacle 14, which in particular in the region of the support legs, as described in more detail below, has channel-shaped areas, extends over the Whole width or length of the transport pallet 1 and extends in particular by the three each in alignment with each other arranged Stützfuße 10, namely by the arranged in Fig.l on the long side of the pallet three Stützfuße 10. In addition or alone, but also the recordings on the Ready side of the pallet 1 extend. In the illustrated embodiment according to FIG. 4, the receptacle (s) (14) are expediently provided on the side of the runner (s) facing the upper part (2), but may also be provided on the upper part (2), in particular on its underside, be provided, or alone in the upper part instead of the lower part. An assignment on the underside of the lower part or in the upper part is suitable.

In the receptacle 14 are provided on each of the two side walls 16 and 18 oppositely disposed spacer profiles 20 which protrude into the interior of the receptacle 14 and serve for holding and clamping the inserted from one side of the pallet forth reinforcing profile 12, which in Fig. 4 is not shown. Between the support feet and within the support legs 10, the receptacle is formed as a groove open on one side, but in the region of the two opposite walls 22 of the Stützfußanschnittes 8 in the form of channel-shaped areas formed by the apertures 24 in the walls 22 of the Stützfußabschnitte or Stützfuße are. In the illustrated embodiment, a channel-shaped region in the form of a rib cage 26 or the like is arranged within the support foot, which is integrally formed on the pallet part and is formed by two ribbed arches 28 arranged crosswise. These rib bows 28 define with the bottom surface of the pallet a channel-like passage which is in alignment with the receptacle 14 and the apertures 24 in the walls 22 of the support leg 10 and which also like the apertures 24 fully encloses a received in the receptacle 14 reinforcing profile 12 and thus stops in all directions.

The spacer members 20 are arranged in the illustrated embodiment, preferably at the same distance from each other over the length of the receptacle 14 and formed in the respective side wall 16 and 18 and expediently integral with the corresponding pallet part, ie upper part 2 or lower part 3. The spacer members 20 are in Type of ribs according to the embodiment of Figure 4 formed and preferably with V-contour, wherein the V-tip is directed inwardly into the receptacle 14. As is quite clear from Fig.4 shows, each in the section triangular-shaped spacer member 20 has a run-on slope 30, the wall seen from the side at a shallower angle to the tip of the spacer member 20 increases toward than on the opposite side of the spacer profile 20th The chamfers 30 are preferably located on the side of the spacer profile 20, which is the feed side of the reinforcing profile trimmed, which is the right side in Figure 4. 5 shows the opposite corner area with Stützfußabschnitt 8, which is aligned with the support leg of Figure 4 and, accordingly, the receptacle 14 can be seen, which also extends through the support shown in Figure 5, but by the in Fig.5 shown wall 22 of the support leg 10 is closed at its end. Optionally, a breakthrough opening 24 may also be present here, so that, if necessary, the reinforcing profile can also be inserted from the left side according to FIG. However, it is preferred to provide only one insertion opening 36 for the reinforcing profile on one side of the pallet, which can then be closed by inserting the reinforcing profile 12 through a cover 32 shown in FIG. The lid is designed as a plug cover and has corresponding locking members 34, so that the lid can be clipped into the corresponding insertion opening 36. The insertion opening 36 also emerges from the upper part of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows the corner area shown in FIG. 4, but with the reinforcing profile 12 pushed in from the right now being received in the receptacle 14 and being held in place within the pallet by means of the respective mirror-inverted distance profiles 20 while being clamped. In no way is it imperative that the spacer profiles 20, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, are formed mirror-invertedly opposite to the two opposite side walls 16 and 18; rather, an offset or other arrangement would also be possible.

As can be seen, the reinforcing profile 12 is inserted from the right via the still unlocked insertion opening 36 according to FIG. 7, first through the channel-shaped areas and the receptacle within the support leg 10 and then into the receptacles 14 open on one side outside the support foot and thus aligned.

The fact that the spacers are made of thermoplastic material such as the pallet itself, in particular by injection molding with the corresponding pallet part, and consequently also the rib-like structure with an inwardly projecting, tapered tip, can also with production-related tolerance deviations, on the one hand by the assembly On the other hand caused by the injection molding of the pallet parts, or even in consequence of irregularities in the reinforcing profile that are properly moved along the spacers, which also lead the reinforcing profile 12 during insertion. In case of inaccurate alignment, which can not be completely avoided as a result of the length or large Already the pallets of up to 1300mm, the reinforcing profile 12 runs in constraints on the run-on slope 30 and possibly deforms the inward tip of the spacer members 20 and in particular then, if they are made thin accordingly, the tip can be sheared off. By these spacers 20, which can be deformed depending on the presence of tolerance differences in the reinforcement profile and in the pallet part and / or possibly sheared in the top region, in any case, the inserted profile 12 in the receptacle 14 and the channel-shaped areas, which are provided in particular in the Stützfußbereich, held firmly and true to position. That is, even if it can come to tolerances due to a shrinkage behavior after the injection process and warping of the pallet parts, which may also apply to the semifinished product, including the reinforcing profile, a simple insertion would be ensured by the spacers, which possibly also deformed or sheared off in the tip region, so that even with inaccurate alignment of the recording as a result of tolerance differences or a delay of the injection-molded components secure insertion and especially a positionally stable mounting is ensured under clamping. This is a considerable advantage for the assembly of a lockable from a shell with a lower part of the pallet, because in a simple way insertion of the reinforcing profile is made possible from one side and indeed in the pallet parts, ie upper part and / or lower part before mounting to the pallet or even after assembly by raster composite. As a result, a very high flexibility is ensured for the assembly. Moreover, the pallet can be equipped so that it can be equipped without reinforcing members, depending on the required load bearing, but if necessary, when receiving higher loads, so when aligning for a higher load bearing, subsequently readily on site the corresponding reinforcing profiles can be used. At any time, a retrofitting of a pallet is readily possible in such with reinforcing profiles.

Instead of the illustrated lower part 3 with skids, the lower part could also be formed as the upper deck 2, which has a closed surface 5 as a supporting surface, except for openings according to FIG. 1 largely, which is manufacturing technology advantageous.

All the features disclosed above, even if they are specified and explained in connection with other features, in particular in combinatorial interaction, such as in connection with the exemplary explanation of an exemplary embodiment or variants thereof, are each as an expedient embodiment and thus as erfindungswesentüch as Individual feature claimed so that even a single picking out this feature is explicitly claimed, even if this feature alone disclosed and explained in a substantive relationship among other features and is not specifically useful and advantageous in itself called.

Claims

claims

Transport pallet (1) made of plastic, which is formed from at least two fixed to each other latchable pallet parts (2, 3), an upper part (2) with a pallet support surface (5) for the load bearing and a lower part (3) latched thereto, wherein upper part ( 2) and lower part (3) by support legs (10) are interconnected by a preferably clip-like latching compound, which form between them engagement openings for the intervention of Flurfordergeräten, and in the pallet elongated, in particular metallic reinforcing profiles are embedded in preferably grooved and / or channel-like guide receptacles (14) are arranged, characterized in that the guide receptacles (14) are each provided over their length with spacers (20) which are each arranged at a distance from each other and in the guide receptacle (14) for positioning the reinforcing profiles (12 ) protrude.

Pallet according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the spacer members (20) are formed of plastic and are preferably formed integrally on the respective pallet part, in which the or the reinforcing profile (12) is embedded or are.

Pallet according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that

the spacer members (20) are contoured or materially designed so that they are deformable by the in the receptacle (14) inserted reinforcing profile (12).

Pallet according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the spacer members (20) have a contour that the in the interior of the receptacle (14) projecting areas, in particular tips of the spacer members (20) are sheared by the inserted into the receptacle reinforcing profile (12).

Pallet according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

of the in the receptacle (14) positioned in the end position reinforcing profile (12) in the receptacle by the spacer members (20) is clamped.

6. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the spacer members (20) on the side walls (16, 18) of the receptacle (14) are arranged, preferably opposite each other.

7. Pallet according to claim 6,

characterized in that

arranged on the opposite sides (16, 18) of the receptacle (14) spacer members (20) are arranged in mirror image opposite each other or offset from each other.

8. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the spacers (20) extend over the height of the side walls (16, 18).

9. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the spacer members (20) are provided with a run-on slope (30).

10. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the Dämmglieder (20) are formed by rib-like or knob-like projections, wherein the knob-like projections are preferably formed teilkugelkalottenförmig.

11. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the spacer members (20) are formed in the direction of the receptacle (14) in their cross-section tapered ribs, in particular V-shaped ribs.

12. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the guide receptacle (14) is formed continuously through the pallet part,

wherein one end of the guide receptacle (14) closed by a wall (22) of the pallet part and the other end as an open insertion opening (36) for the reinforcing profile (12) and preferably by a lid (32), in particular clip-like lid is closable.

13. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the receptacle (14) extends through the respective support legs (10) arranged in series and in alignment with one another.

14. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the receptacle (14) in the fußfußfußfreien areas on one side, formed open, and at least in the support feet partially channel-shaped, so that the reinforcing profile (12) is held over the kanalfbrmigen areas over its entire circumference.

15. Pallet according to claim 14,

characterized in that

the Kanalfbrmigen areas are formed by aligned openings (24) in the Stützfußwänden (22) and the kanalfbrmigen areas formed on the pallet part inside open ribbed baskets (26), which are formed in particular by cross rib ribbons (28).

16. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the lower part (3) is designed corresponding to the upper part (2).