WO2016056912A1

WO2016056912A1 - Composite shelf for a rolling container, rolling container provided therewith and method therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2016056912A1
Application number: PCT/NL2015/050710
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harm Bouma
Original assignee: Hoza B.V.
Priority date: 2014-10-10
Filing date: 2015-10-09
Publication date: 2016-04-14

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shelf for a rolling container, a rolling container provided therewith and a method for transporting and/or storing goods. The shelf according to the invention comprises: - a loading surface suitable for placing goods thereon; - a support plate arranged in use on the underside of the loading surface for the purpose of supporting the loading surface; and - a number of connecting hooks arranged at or close to corner points of the loading surface and configured for attachment to the rolling container, wherein the loading surface and the support plate are connected to each other by means of one or more shaped edges.

Description

Composite shelf for a rolling container, rolling container provided therewith and method therefor

The present invention relates to a composite shelf for a rolling container. Such rolling containers are used to transport goods, including supply or discharge of products within and between businesses.

Diverse rolling containers for transporting goods are known in practice. These rolling containers make use of a carrier platform on which goods can be placed and wherein side walls, for instance in the form of a wire mesh, are placed at or on this carrier platform. Wheels are further provided in order to enable displacement of the rolling container. In order to arrange a plurality of loading levels therein, the rolling container is provided in practice with mesh profiles. Such mesh profiles are formed by girders over which a wire is fixed, for instance in loop form. This is relatively labour-intensive and not sufficiently stiff/strong for some applications. Also applied in practice are plastic shelves which are usually relatively costly to manufacture and likewise not always sufficiently stiff. Many shelves can in practice also not be attached easily or sufficiently firmly to the rolling container.

The present invention has for its object to obviate or at least reduce the above stated problems and to provide an effective and efficient shelf.

The present invention provides for this purpose a shelf for a rolling container according to the invention, the shelf comprising:

- a loading surface suitable for placing goods thereon;

- a support plate arranged in use on the underside of the loading surface for the purpose of supporting the loading surface; and

- a number of connecting hooks arranged at or close to corner points of the loading surface and configured for attachment to the rolling container,

wherein the loading surface and the support plate are connected to each other by means of one or more shaped edges.

By providing a loading surface suitable for placing goods thereon as well as a support plate arranged on the underside thereof a stable shelf is obtained which is preferably manufactured from a galvanized metal. It is optionally possible as alternative to galvanized metal to work with other materials, including so-called wire decking, shelves provided in other materials and shelves of metal provided with a coating or covering layer. The metal used is preferably thin high-strength steel with a thickness of preferably less than 1 mm in order to thereby nevertheless obtain, with a light construction, sufficient stiffness and tensile strength for a shelf compared to conventional aluminium or plastic shelving.

In a currently preferred embodiment the loading surface is manufactured using roll forming. The design of the loading surface and the support plate is preferably configured such that manufacture is possible in a roll forming process. In contrast to conventional shelves, this results in a cost-effective product.

The use of the form connection with shaping/bending of the relevant edges avoids use having to be made of other connecting methods such as soldering, welding, glueing. In a currently preferred embodiment the support plate and the loading surface are connected to each other solely with said form connection. An effective and efficient process for manufacturing shelves according to the invention is hereby made possible. A further advantage of assembling the shelf is that the dimensions of for instance the support plate can be adapted to the wishes of the user. It is thus possible for instance to apply a heavier support plate in combination with a standard loading surface in the case of anticipated heavier loads on the shelf.

Sufficient stiffness and strength are imparted to the loading surface by providing the shelf according to the invention with a support plate. A shelf with a composite loading surface and support plate is obtained by shaping the edge or edges such that the support plate and the loading surface are connected to each other with a form connection. The shelf assembled from loading surface and support plate is hereby placeable integrally into a rolling container.

The edges of the support plate are preferably folded or bent here after a loading surface has been arranged on the support plate. These edges are folded or bent round the edges of the loading surface such that the loading surface and the support plate can be deemed one whole. A sealing layer, which is also understood to mean a mastic layer or adhesive layer, is optionally provided between the loading surface and the support plate, preferably at or close to the edges thereof. Additional stiffness and strength is imparted by the sealing layer between the connecting surfaces. The sealing of the connection is also further improved and an additional protection is also realized against corrosion.

In a currently preferred embodiment the support plate is provided with a number of recesses.

Providing the support plate with recesses achieves a reduction in material and weight. Such a reduction can be realized without undesirable reduction in the strength, stiffness or other mechanical properties of the composite shelf. A cost-effective product can hereby be realized.

According to the invention a shelf is provided at or close to corner points of the loading surface with arranged connecting hooks configured for attachment to the rolling container, in particular to the wire mesh or to an upright which is usually fixed directly or indirectly to the bottom surface of the rolling container.

In a currently preferred embodiment the connecting hooks are provided here with a hook element and a support surface which are manufactured integrally, on which support surface the loading surface is placeable. A loading surface can in this way be attached to the rolling container with the connecting hook as a single component. Compared to connecting hooks consisting of several components, the complexity of such a shelf is hereby reduced, as are the costs thereof.

In a possible embodiment according to the invention the connecting hook is connected fixedly to the shelf. In another currently preferred embodiment according to the invention the connecting hook is provided as separate component and in use is connected releasably to other parts of the shelf.

Owing to this configuration the connecting hook according to the invention also contributes toward strengthening of the corner of the shelf. Manufacturing the hook element and support surface integrally makes possible a strong connecting hook for the purpose of

complementing the load-bearing capacity of the loading surface of the shelf according to the invention.

The connecting hook is preferably configured such that the hook element is attachable to different side walls or uprights of the rolling container. A flexibly attachable connecting hook is in this way provided so that the shelf can be attached in diverse ways to the rolling container. This enhances the utility of the shelf according to the invention. The connecting hook is preferably provided such that it is arrangeable on an upright in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of the rolling container. In an advantageous embodiment according to the invention the rolling container is provided for this purpose with a number of recesses configured to receive a part of the connecting hooks, wherein the recesses are provided substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of the rolling container. This is further elucidated in the present description relating to the rolling container according to the invention.

In the configuration of the connecting hook the hook element is preferably provided with a U-shaped profile, the legs of which are pinched together over at least a part of the height and over at least a part of the length of the U-shaped profile. A greater stiffness is imparted to the hook element by this pinching, pressing or folding together of a part of the legs. A greater stiffness and strength can hereby be realized while the weight remains the same or, conversely, a lighter weight of material can suffice while the strength and stiffness remain the same. An effective and also cost- effective connecting hook is in this way provided for the shelf according to the invention.

In a currently preferred embodiment the hook element is provided with a sound-damping material. Such a sound-damping material is preferably a rabber material. Sound caused by placing and removal of goods onto and from the shelf according to the invention and or displacement of the rolling container is hereby reduced significantly. Working conditions for people involved in the displacement of goods is hereby greatly improved.

In an advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention the loading surface is configured such that liquid is drainable to the edges, and the edge or edges are also provided with an outlet or outflow for discharge of the liquid. By embodying the loading surface such that liquid can be discharged no liquid, including water, remains lying on the loading surface. This is better for the loading surface itself, and also better for the goods placeable thereon. The configuration of the loading surface can be provided for this purpose in slightly convex form and/or at an angle such that the liquid runs off to the edges. From the edges of the shelf the liquid can be discharged in relatively simple manner from an opening or outlet. The lifespan of the shelf according to the invention as well as the goods possibly placed thereon is in this way not jeopardized, and preferably even increased.

In an advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention the loading surface is provided with a number of grooves and/or openings.

Among other effects, providing a number of grooves and/or openings reduces the weight of the shelf without causing a significant reduction in the strength and/or stiffness of the shelf. This further increases the user-friendliness of the shelf according to the invention. The grooves and/or openings can also have the additional function of draining liquid from the shelf.

In a further advantageous preferred embodiment according to the present invention the shelf further comprises an RFID identifier.

Providing an RFID identifier considerably increases the traceability of the shelf according to the invention. It is thus possible to track a shelf and/or monitor origin and destination.

Additionally, or in combination with an RFID identifier or RFID tag, an identifier is preferably arranged during the process of manufacturing the shelf, such as a relief, or embossing, and/or a print.

This increases the identifiability of the shelf and combats copying or confusion with other shelves. The traceability of the shelf is hereby also made possible and/or further increased. The identifiability of such shelves is hereby also increased. It has been found that applying such identifiers, preferably in combination with manufacture of the shelf using a roll forming process, provides a cost-effective and identifiable shelf.

Owing to the identifiability and traceability of the shelf according to the invention the shelves are highly suitable for use in a pool system. This considerably increases the utility of the shelves.

Provided in a currently preferred embodiment of the shelf according to the invention is a shelf with a four-point suspension which is manufactured from preferably one piece of sheet steel preferably having a thickness between 0.45 and 0.65 mm formed by means of roll forming and optionally folding. Particularly by providing a number of elements as described above, including one or more of providing a relief/embossing optionally running onto or over the edges of the shelf, a print on metal preferably wholly or partially in combination with an applied relief/embossing, a use of ink provided with so-called micro-tags, a tag such as an RFID tag, barcode and the like, an identifiable and traceable product is obtained which cannot be easily copied. The print is preferably arranged on the relief/embossing such that incidence of light generates an additional visual effect for further identifiability of the shelf according to the invention. The product hereby becomes extremely suitable for use in a pool system in which the use of shelves can be managed in effective manner.

The invention further relates to a rolling container provided with a shelf as described above.

Such a rolling container provides the same advantages and effects as described for a shelf. In a currently preferred embodiment according to the invention the rolling container comprises a number of uprights provided with a number of recesses configured to receive a part of the connecting hooks, wherein the recesses are provided substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of the rolling container.

Providing the recesses in the uprights for the connecting hooks substantially at right angles to the usual direction of movement of the rolling container, therefore usually in width direction of the rolling container, achieves that during insertion of the shelves, in particular the connecting hooks thereof, the rolling container is not pushed away. Insertion of the shelves hereby becomes simpler. A further additional advantage is that insertion of the connecting hooks on a short side, i.e. the width direction of the rolling container, can be carried out in still more ergonomic manner. A further ergonomic advantage is that during placing of the shelf in the uppermost position, therefore in connection with the uppermost holes/recesses in the uprights for the connecting hooks, it is necessary to reach less high. This makes use of the shelf according to the invention more effective in practice.

The present invention further also relates to a method for providing an additional platform in a rolling container, comprising the step of placing a shelf in a rolling container as described above.

Such a method provides the same effects and advantages as described for the shelf and/or the rolling container. It has been found that such a method provides one or more additional platforms or loading surfaces in a rolling container in effective manner so that a significant quantity of goods is placeable in simple manner in a rolling container. Providing connecting hooks comprising a hook element and a support surface which are manufactured integrally and on which support surface the loading surface is placeable makes it possible for a user of a rolling container to arrange a shelf at the desired position/height in effective manner in a rolling container. This significantly enhances the user-friendliness of the rolling containers provided with shelves according to the invention.

Particularly provided is a shelf with four-point suspension which is manufactured from preferably one piece of sheet steel preferably having a thickness between 0.45 and 0.65 mm formed particularly by means of roll forming and optionally folding. A cost-effective product is obtained by manufacturing the loading surface of the shelf using roll forming. In a currently preferred embodiment the support plate is likewise and preferably simultaneously manufactured with the loading surface in the roll forming process. An

identification is preferably also arranged in, on or at the shelf in the manufacturing process. Such an identification is for instance an RFID tag, a relief or embossing and/or a print. This increases the identifiability of the shelf and combats copying or confusion, resulting in a copy-proof product and other advantages.

The invention further also relates to a method for managing shelves for a rolling container as described above.

Such a method provides the same effects and advantages as described for the shelf and/or the rolling container. Particularly by providing a number of elements as described above, including one or more of providing a relief/embossing optionally running onto or over the edges of the shelf, a print on metal preferably wholly or partially in combination with an applied relief/embossing, a use of ink provided with so-called micro-tags, a tag such as an RFID tag, barcode and the like, an identifiable and traceable product is obtained which cannot be easily copied. The print is preferably arranged on the relief/embossing such that incidence of light generates an additional visual effect for further identifiability of the shelf according to the invention. The product hereby becomes extremely suitable for use in a pool system in which the use of shelves can be managed in effective manner.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- figure 1 shows a view of a rolling container with shelves according to the invention;

- figure 2 shows a view of a connection of a first shelf to an upright;

- figure 3 shows a view of a connection of a second shelf to an upright; and

- figures 4-8 show views of the shelf according to the invention.

Rolling container 2 (figure 1) comprises a support frame or bottom sheet 4 on which a number of wheels 6 are arranged. Also arranged on bottom sheet 4 are connecting elements in the form of profiles 8 in which uprights 10 are arrangeable. In the shown embodiment bottom sheet 4 serves as first loading surface. For additional loading surfaces the shown rolling container 2 is provided with shelf 12 of a first type and with a shelf 14 of a second type. It will be apparent that shelves 12, 14 of a single type will usually be applied in practice in one rolling container 2.

Shelves 12, 14 (figures 2-3) are attached using connecting hooks 16 to uprights 8. In the shown embodiment connecting hook 16 is the same for both types of shelf 12, 14. Connecting hook 16 consists of hook element 18 and support surface 20. Hook element 16 is attachable to upright 10. Loading surface 22 of the shelf is placeable on support surface 20. Hook element 16 comprises a U-shaped profile 24 with two legs. Legs 26 are pressed together along a height H and along a length L.

Shelf 12 (figure 2) is provided with two long side edges 28 and two short side edges 30. In the shown embodiment loading surface 22 of shelf 12 is provided with a number of grooves 32 and openings 34 for the purpose, among others, of draining liquid from loading surface 22. Liquid can be drained from loading surface 22 to edges 30. Edges are provided with outflow 36 for discharging the liquid.

Shelf 12 is further provided with long side edges 28 which extend in longitudinal direction of shelf 12. Form connection 38 connects the separate parts of shelf 12.

In another embodiment shelf 14 (figure 3) is provided with a number of form connections 38. Shelf 14 comprises long side edges 40 at or close to loading surface 22. In the shown embodiment shelf 14 is provided short side edges 42.

Shelves 12, 14 are optionally provided with longitudinal grooves 43 which are preferably realized by roll forming.

In the shown embodiment connection 38 is also provided with an adhesive layer for better fixing and sealing. An RFID chip 44, barcode 45, print 47 and/or other identifier is also provided. It is possible if desired to additionally apply a relief or embossing to shelf 12, 14 for the purpose of further identification by a user and/or owner. An additional recess or fold can also be added to for instance end profile 30, 42 in order to increase ease of handling of shelves 12, 14 for the user. It will be apparent that the different measures are applicable to the diverse possible embodiments of the shelf according to the invention. Shelf 12, 14 is manufactured from sheet material, in particular from a galvanized metal.

The connecting hook is provided with rubber part 49 for the purpose of providing a sound- damping. Provided close to the corner points of shelf 12, 14 is recess 46 in which upright 10 can be received.

Shelf 50 (figures 4A-C) is shown as a generic shelf embodiment which also includes shelves 12, 14, and is provided with loading surface 52 and support plate 54. Shelf 50 is placeable with connecting hooks 16 on rolling container 2. In the shown embodiment support plate 52 is provided with recesses or deepened portions 60. Connections 38 (figures 5A-B) are obtained via shaping, more specifically folding or bending, of edges such that loading surface 52 and support plate 54 are connected to each other.

In the shown embodiment support plate 54 (figures 6, 7) is provided with a number of recesses 56 and a number of raised support edges 58. The number and form of recesses 56 and edges 58 can be adapted to the anticipated load on shelf 50. Loading surface 52 (figure 8) is optionally provided with a relief or deepened portions 60.

It is expressly noted that individual measures shown in one or more of the figures can also be applied in the other embodiments shown in other figures. For the purpose of transporting goods rolling container 2 is in a position of use in which bottom surface 4 functions as first loading surface and a number of additional shelves 12, 14, 50 are arranged on rolling container 2. Goods are subsequently placed on loading surface 20 and if desired transported, after which goods are once again removed. When rolling container 2 is not in use, rolling container 2 can be stored with shelves 12, 14 in position. It is however usually preferred to remove shelves 12, 14 from rolling container 2 after use and to store and/or transport them separately.

The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.

Claims

1. Shelf for a rolling container, comprising:

- a loading surface suitable for placing goods thereon;

2. Shelf as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the shaped edge is such that the loading surface and the support plate are placeable integrally into a rolling container.

3. Shelf as claimed in claim 2, wherein the shaped edge is provided on the support plate and following connection is arranged around an edge of the loading surface.

4. Shelf as claimed in claim 1. 2 or 3, wherein the support plate is provided with recesses.

5. Shelf as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the connecting hooks are provided with a hook element and a support surface which are manufactured integrally, on which support surface the loading surface is placeable.

6. Shelf as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the connecting hooks are connected releasably to other parts of the shelf.

7. Shelf as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the connecting hook is configured such that the hook element is attachable to different side walls of the rolling container.

8. Shelf as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the hook element comprises a U-shaped profile, the legs of which are pinched together over at least a part of the height and over at least a part of the length of the U-shaped profile.

9. Shelf as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the hook element is provided with a sound-damping material.

10. Shelf as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the loading surface is configured such that liquid is drainable to the edges, and the edge or edges are provided with an outlet or outflow.

11. Shelf as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the loading surface is provided with a number of grooves and/or openings.

12. Shelf as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, further comprising an RFID identifier.

13. Shelf as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, further comprising a relief and/or a print.

14. Shelf as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the shelf is manufactured substantially from galvanized metal.

15. Rolling container provided with a shelf as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims.

16. Rolling container as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a number of uprights provided with a number of recesses configured to receive a part of the connecting hooks, wherein the recesses are provided substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of the rolling container.

17. Method for providing an additional platform in a rolling container, comprising of placing a shelf in a rolling container as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims.

18. Method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising of roll forming of the loading surface.

19. Method for managing shelves for a rolling container as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims.