WO2016102612A1

WO2016102612A1 - Transport container and method for producing a transport container

Info

Publication number: WO2016102612A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/081068
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anselmo Garcia; Andrew Cope
Original assignee: Schoeller Allibert Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-12-23
Filing date: 2015-12-22
Publication date: 2016-06-30
Also published as: DE102014119626A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a transport container (2) comprising a base (4) and side walls (6) extending up from said base. At least the side walls (6) have a framework- and/or grid-type basic carrying structure (8). According to the invention, the inner and/or outer surface of the container (2) is/are completely lined or covered with an integrally formed film (10) lying against each surface of and in particular applied by bonding to the corresponding basic structure (8).

Description

Transport container and method for producing a transport container

description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a transport container according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular to a transport container, which is at least for the most part made of plastic and whose basic structure has frame-shaped elements. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for producing a transport container according to the invention.

State of the art

Generic transport containers are usually by means of

Injection molding process made of a thermoplastic material, have a bottom and extending from the bottom side walls and serve the

Transport of small-sized general cargo, food, fruit, vegetables, beverage bottles, cans or similar. For such transport containers, it is known in less heavily loaded areas of the side walls and / or the bottom openings or

Provide openings. These openings serve for aeration of the container interior and / or the reduction of the container weight, so that the transport of such containers is facilitated both in the loaded and in the empty state.

If the size of the apertures is determined solely as a function of a load applied, for example, when stacking the transport container on the side walls, a problem may be that the apertures are too large and thus the structure of the transport container is too permeable to the goods to be transported, and at least parts of the goods fall out of the transport container.

If, on the other hand, the size of the breakthroughs is determined as a function of this permeability, the breakthroughs may be too small and is the structure of the Transport container thus oversized in terms of expected load and relatively heavy.

Disclosure of the invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a transport container and a manufacturing method for such a transport container, which solves the problems described above and which is designed both in terms of its expected load and in terms of its permeability with respect to a Guts to be transported.

This object is solved by features of claim 1. advantageous

Further developments are the subject of the dependent claims. An independent claim is directed to a method for producing a transport container according to the invention.

An inventive transport container has a bottom and extending from the bottom side walls. In particular, the bottom and the individual side walls are each substantially rectangular. In this case, at least the side walls on a frame and / or lattice-like supporting basic structure.

In particular, the bottom and all side walls have such a basic structure. A frame and / or lattice-shaped basic structure in this context includes any open or non-closed wall structure or a floor or

Sidewall with a multitude of openings. According to the invention, the inner surface and / or outer surface of the container is completely lined or lined with a one-piece film, which in each case is applied in a planar manner to the corresponding basic structure, in particular integrally attached thereto. The film closes, so to speak, the openings in the bottom or in the side walls. The basic structure and the attached foil thus together form a closed floor or

Wall surface.

The floor or at least the side walls have a load-bearing basic structure with the outer contour of the basic structure defining frame. The floor or at least the side walls have a foil or membrane which is attached to the frame or the basic structure and which covers the entire container at its inner and / or outer side. It is a single film and not several pieces of film.

Like the floor or the individual side walls, so does the

corresponding frame on a particular rectangular outer contour, and extends along the edge of the bottom or the edge of the corresponding side wall.

In the context of this application, the film is understood to be any planar component which essentially absorbs only tensile forces under load. The thickness and / or the elasticity of the material of the planar component is thus such that the flexural rigidity of the planar component is very small compared to its tensile elasticity, in particular negligibly small. The film can also be implemented in the form of a membrane, a fabric or a braid. As long as the film is not attached to the frame, this is essentially limp. Once the film is attached to the frame, loading the film across the film surface will tend to stretch the film. Preferably, even without such a transverse load, the film is under a slight prestressing or tensile stress.

If the film is attached to the frame, the film is together with the

corresponding frame in a plane.

The film is preferably made of a thermoplastic, in particular

transparent, plastic and glued or welded to the frame. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the material or the material of the film differs from the material or the material of the frame. The frame is preferably also made of a thermoplastic material. To attach the film to the frame, this can be surrounded with the frame. The at least one film, for example, perforated for the purpose of ventilation or otherwise permeable, semipermeable or permeable. Advantage of the transport container according to the invention is that the supporting (ground) structure can be optimized by means of breakthroughs to an expected load without excessively increase the permeability of the transport container. The function of the basic structure is thus essentially to absorb a pressure applied to the transport container pressure. The function of the film is to keep goods stored in the transport container in the transport container. As a result of this division, the transport container according to the invention can be made very compact and / or very space-saving due to the small thickness of the film. Thus, the interior of the container is advantageously visible from the outside, the film may be transparent.

The transport container according to the invention is thus characterized by its lightweight construction and also by its cost-effective manufacturability. Thus, the container can also be used as a disposable container.

The sidewalls can each face outward into the plane of the floor

be pivotable, so that the inner surfaces and / or outer surfaces of the floor and side walls come to lie in a plane.

If floor and side walls lie in one plane or if the

Container structure is unwound, the film can very easily on the floor or the floor structure and the side walls or the side wall structures attach.

Furthermore, in this way the basic structural blanks can be stored in a very space-saving manner before the film is applied, but also after the film has been applied, more precisely stacked flat on top of each other.

According to one aspect, the basic structure can each have a frame and a grid or arch structure provided within the area spanned by the frame and connected to the frame.

The grid structure preferably consists of crosswise arranged, straight struts, which are integrally formed with each other. In particular, that is at least a lattice structure integrally formed with the at least one frame. A lattice structure in the form of a perforated plate or in the form of struts which are curved is likewise within the meaning of the present invention. According to a preferred

Embodiment of the invention is the material or the material of the grid structure equal to the material or the material of the frame.

The provision of a grid structure is advantageous because it forces, the

otherwise would act directly on the film, can be partially derived by means of the grid structure in the frame.

This support function of the lattice structure comes into play in particular when the foil rests flat against the lattice structure. In particular, the film thus formed may also be attached to edges of openings of the grid structure.

In this context, the term "planar contact" refers to contacting a side of the grid structure facing the film with a side of the film facing the grid structure Foil at the edges of the openings of the lattice structure becomes

preferably accomplished by gluing or welding.

The grid structure may be provided on the side of the film facing the interior of the transport container or on the side of the film facing the exterior of the transport container. For the purposes of the invention, the provision of two films on both sides of the lattice structure or two lattice structures on both sides of the film would also be provided.

If the film is connected to the edges of the grid structure, can

Shearing forces are advantageously derived from the film into the grid structure. This can result in improved stability of the transport container. According to one aspect, the basic structures of the side walls can each be integrally and pivotally connected to the floor, in particular via film hinges. In particular, the bottom and each side wall may each have a frame and may be formed integrally with the frame of the bottom, the frame of the side walls.

The fact that all the side walls and the bottom are formed according to the construction according to the invention, on the one hand, the advantages that already result in the implementation of the invention only the bottom or one of the side walls, multiplied. On the other hand, can be simplified by the respective one-piece design of the five frames production. In a preferred manner, a transport container according to the invention is therefore in particular two-piece and has a frame structure which defines the outer edges of the transport container, and a film structure which disguises recesses or openings of the frame structure.

According to another aspect of the invention, the soil and each

Side wall each having a frame and can be connected to the frame of the bottom by means of the film, the frame of the side walls.

By individual frame according to the invention are interconnected by means of a film according to the invention, the functionality of a film according to the invention can be expanded and thus the production cost of a transport container according to the invention can be reduced. The film not only serves to at least partially close apertures of the frames, but also to connect multiple frames.

According to one aspect of the invention, the frames of the side walls may be pivotally connected to the frame of the floor and / or releasably connected to the frame of the floor. In particular, the frames of the side walls and the frame of the floor can be brought into a position in which the frames of the side walls and the frames of the floor can form a plane surface. If the frames of the side walls, also called sidewall frames in the following, are designed to be movable relative to the frame of the floor, also referred to below as floor frames, the transport container according to the invention can be brought into a more compact condition if there is no item to be transported in its interior. For this purpose, the side wall frames in the direction of the interior of the transport container, at least partially above one another and / or be foldable in the direction of the exterior of the transport container.

If the side wall frames detachably connected to the bottom frame, recesses for receiving the bottom frame of the dissolved sidewall frame may be provided at the bottom of the transport container.

Sidewall frames movable relative to the bottom frame may also be advantageous in that the production of the invention

Transport container can be simplified. This comes into play when a first position of the side wall frame relative to the bottom frame is well suited for the production of the frame of the side walls and the floor, but for the application (gluing, welding, etc.) of the film is rather unsuitable. For applying the film, the frame of the side walls can thus be brought into a correspondingly provided second position. In this second position, a flat surface is preferably formed by the side wall frame and by the bottom frame, to which the film can be applied planar surface.

According to one aspect, the edges of the basic structures of two

adjacent side walls can be connected via in the plane of the floor pivotable corner pillars. As a result, in particular, a gain of the stronger

claimed corner portions of the container achieved without affecting the ease of manufacture of the container.

The present invention further relates to a method by means of which a transport container according to the invention can be produced. The inventive method is used to produce a transport container having a bottom and extending from the bottom side walls, wherein at least the side walls of a frame and / or lattice-like supporting

Basic structure have. With the invention can in particular a

Inventive transport container can be manufactured according to one of the above aspects. The inventive method comprises the following steps:

Manufacture of the supporting basic structures of the container, in particular in

Injection molding process, as a development of the container contour in a plane; Completely cladding the inner surface and / or outer surface of the container with a one-piece sheet; Flat, in particular cohesive, attaching the one-piece film to the corresponding basic structures; and folding up and connecting adjacent side walls.

By processing the container structure in a plane can be both the

Manufacture of the container base structure as well as the attachment of the film to this Behälterg round structure simplify. Only after the production of the

Behälterg round structure and attaching or attaching the film, the container can be brought by folding the side walls in a substantially vertical position in its actual use form.

In one aspect, first, the one-piece sheet may be cut from a sheet of sheet-like material before the cut sheet is attached (adhered, welded) to the respective base.

Alternatively, first a portion of a sheet of film-shaped material to the corresponding base structures of the bottom and side walls are attached (glued, welded), and in a second section over the outer contour of the side walls and / or the bottom protruding sheet-like material are separated.

The film may preferably be punched or cut out of the sheet of sheet material. Advantage of the method according to the invention is that the inventive

Transport container in a simple manner, at least partially by meter goods and thus inexpensive to produce.

In one aspect, portions of the film may be cast from the frame and / or grid structure by injection molding. Thus, a particularly advantageous connection of the film to the frame and / or the grid structure can be achieved.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will be described below with reference to preferred

Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings described in more detail. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a supporting structure of a first

Embodiment of the invention in a planar position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the supporting structure shown in FIG. 2 with a foil attached thereto; FIG.

4 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 with side walls not completely folded up;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a supporting structure of a second

Embodiment of the invention in a planar position;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the supporting structure shown in Fig. 5 with a foil attached thereto; 7 shows a perspective view of a plurality of stacked, unfolded transport containers according to the second embodiment; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the second embodiment with fully folded side walls.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

FIG. 1 shows a transport container 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The transport container 2 according to the invention generally has a substantially rectangular bottom 4 and four, provided at the edges of the bottom 4, extending from the bottom 4, also substantially rectangular side walls 6. The outer contour of the transport container 2 thus has the shape of a cuboid.

The side walls 6 are pivotable with respect to the bottom 4. More specifically, the side walls 6 can be pivoted outwards and brought into a plane with the bottom 4 (see Fig. 2). Then, the bottom 4 and the side walls 6 form a flat cross-shaped arrangement.

The structure of the transport container 4 can be divided into a supporting structure 8 and a film structure 10. The supporting structure 4 has a frame structure 12, which respectively define the outer contour of the bottom 4 and the side walls 6. The frame structure 12 is defined by a bottom frame 14 and four

Sidewall frame 16 is formed.

The bottom frame 14 extends along the outer contour of the bottom 4, is therefore substantially rectangular. The side wall frames 16 each extend along the outer contour of the corresponding side walls 6, are therefore each substantially rectangular.

The frame structure 12 of the transport container 2 thus has a total of twelve struts which extend along the edges of a cuboid. The four aspirations of Floor frame 14 are each part of the corresponding adjacent at the same time

Side wall frame 16. The four struts of the frame structure 12, which extend perpendicular to the bottom 4 and each at the same time are part of two adjoining side wall frame 16, are referred to below as corner supports 22. The four struts of the frame structure 12, which can be assigned to only one side wall frame 16, are referred to below as upper struts 24.

The bottom frame 14 has, in particular, a different extent than the

Sidewall frame 16.

The side wall frames 16 of two opposite side walls 6 are symmetrical to each other and in particular have a different extent than that

Side wall frame 16 of the two other, opposite side walls 6. The side wall frame 16 can thus in small and large or in short and long

Sidewall frame 16 can be distinguished. The side wall frames 16 of two adjacent side walls 6 form in the erected state of the side walls 6 each have a corner support 22. The container 2 thus has a total of four corner supports 22.

The upper struts 24 have on their inner side a circumferential stacking edge 24, with which a on the side facing the bottom of the bottom frame 14 of a stacked on the transport container 2, identical (not shown)

Transport container can frictionally cooperate, thus preventing displacement of the upper transport container relative to the lower transport container 2 or at least complicate.

On the frame structure 12 of the transport container 2, a grid structure 30 is provided, which divides the principle defined by the frame structure 12 fan. At the bottom 4, a grid structure 30 is provided in the form of a bottom grid structure 32 and on the side walls 6 is a grid structure 30 in the form of

Sidewall grid structures 33 are provided.

The floor grid structure 32 extends over the entire floor box 16 and has cross-arranged floor grid struts 34, which are diamond-shaped Border spaces 36 border. Instead, a perforated plate with holes can be provided.

The bottom grid struts 34 of the bottom grid structure 32, which

Define floor spaces 36 can be distinguished into thick and thin floor grid struts 34. Sidewall lattice struts 35 of sidewall lattice structure 33, which define sidewall spacings 37, can be distinguished into straight and arcuate sidewall lattice struts 35, with the arcuate sidewall lattice struts 35 being thicker than the straight ones

Sidewall lattice struts 35. These different shapes of the

Lattice struts 34 and 35 is the transport container 2 in terms of expected

Adjusted loads.

The side wall frames 16 are integrally formed with the bottom frame 14, with the respective hinged connections between the individual

Side wall frame 16 and the bottom frame 14 are accomplished by means of film hinges 42. The basic structure consisting of the frame structure 12 and the grid structure 30 is integrally by means of the injection molding of a

made of thermoplastic material. Alternatively, the frame structure 12 and the grid structure 30 may also be assembled or plugged from a plurality of individually manufactured parts.

In order that a good, which is smaller than the openings in the lattice structure 30, can be transported with the transport container 2 without falling through the bottom frame 14 or one of the side wall frames 16, the film structure 10 at the

Frame structure 12 attached. The one-piece and cross-shaped film 10 has a bottom portion 38 and four side wall portions 40. The film 10 is formed as a plastic film, which for better visibility in the

Transport container 2 is transparent. Embodiments with non-transparent films would also be within the meaning of the invention.

The cross-shaped film 10 is on the inside of the supporting structure, ie the bottom frame 14 together with floor grid structure 32 and on the side wall frame 16 together Seitenwandgittersirukiur 33, applied and connected by adhesive. The film 10 can also be welded by means of, for example, by means of thermal welding. The film 10 may also be provided additionally or alternatively on the outside of the container 2.

In the production of the transport container 2, a load-bearing structure 8 is first produced, which has a frame structure 12 consisting of a base frame 14 and four side frames 16.

The supporting structure 8 of the transport container 2 is shown in FIG. The

Sidewall frames 16 are pivotable with respect to the bottom frame 14 so that the supporting structure 8 can be brought into a first, planar position in which the supporting structure 8 has a cross-shaped outer contour (see FIG. 2).

As shown in Figure 3, a one-piece cross-shaped film 10 is adhered or welded to the supporting structure 8 in its first, planar position. Alternatively, it would also be possible to insert the cross-shaped film structure 10 in an injection mold and then to cast the supporting structure 8 around the film 10 by means of the injection mold.

The supporting structure 8, together with the foil structure 10, can be brought from the first, level position to a second position, in which the side walls 6 are oriented essentially perpendicular to the bottom 4 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). So that the side walls 6 remain in their erect position, are on

Portions of the sidewall frames 16 in contact with corresponding portions of adjacent sidewall frames 16 when the sidewalls 6 are in their erected position provide locking means 44. The

Locking means 44 are formed such that two adjacent side walls 6 can be connected to each other by means of a clamping connection.

In the transport container 2 according to the first embodiment, the

Foliestruktur 10 relative to the supporting structure 8 arranged inside. This means that for lifting the transport container 2, the supporting structure 8 can be gripped directly from the outside, without contacting or deforming the film structure 10. FIGS. 5 to 8 show a transport container 2 'according to a second embodiment of the invention.

The transport container 2 'according to the second embodiment is like the

Transport container 2 according to the first embodiment can be folded such that it can be brought into a first, planar position (see Figure 6). As shown in Figure 7, such transport container 2 '(or 2) can therefore be very space-saving

stacked on each other when in an unloaded state.

The transport container 2 'according to the second embodiment differs from the transport container 2 according to the first embodiment in that side panels 16' have tabs 46 '.

As the transport container 2 according to the first embodiment, the

Transport container 2 'according to the second embodiment, a bottom 4' and four of the bottom 4 'extending, pivotable side walls 6' on. Of the

Transport container 2 'is at least substantially composed of a supporting structure 8' and a film structure 10 ', wherein the supporting structure 8' again has a frame structure 12 'and a grid structure 30'. In contrast to the first embodiment, the frame structure 12 'only the side wall frame 16', since the bottom 4 'does not have a frame according to the invention, but is formed by a conventional, non-perforated bottom plate. At upper struts 24 'and perpendicular to the upper struts 24' aligned struts of

Side wall frames 16 'are the substantially rectangular tabs 46' are formed, which are rolled together or rolled into a rectangular profile when the side walls 6 'are in their upright position (see Figure 8). The hollow profiles formed by the lugs 46 'rolled together serve the purpose of

Stabilization of the transport container 2 '.

To produce the transport container 2 'is first by means of a

Blown film plant produced a first blown film. By means of a punching machine S is off the first blown film, the contour of the supporting structure 8 'of the transport container 2' punched out and grooves are punched into the supporting structure 8 ', which serve as folding edges of the tabs 46' and as film hinges of the side walls 6 '(see Figure 5). Subsequently, a transparent, second blown film produced by means of the blown film system, which is considerably thinner than the first blown film, is adhered to the supporting structure 8 '. Finally, by means of the punching machine S, the sections of the second blown film projecting beyond the edges of the supporting structure 8 'are cut off. The bottom plate of the bottom 4 'is thus also with the second

Blown film coated. Alternatively, the outer contour of the supporting structure 8 'could be punched out of the second blown film before the second blown film is attached to the supporting structure 8' so that precisely fitting or congruent sections of the second blown film are applied to the supporting structure 8 '.

The transport container 2 'thus produced is initially in its first, planar position. At the corresponding grooves of the supporting structure 8 ', the tabs 46' can be rolled up to the stabilizing hollow profiles and the side walls 6 'can be erected perpendicular to the bottom 4'. through

Locking means 44 'on the side wall frame 16', the side walls 6 'can be held in their erected position.

The embodiments of the transport container according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 and described above only represent two possible embodiments

Implementations of the claimed invention.

For components of the various embodiments described above, which are substantially the same or similar, reference is made to the same reference numerals. Belonging to the second (') embodiment is indicated by apostrophes.

Instead of a dense film 10, a film with small (ventilation) openings can be used. In addition to a perforated foil come too

Embodiments with corresponding tissues or braids in question. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2; 2 "transport container

4; 4 'floor

6; 6 'sidewall

8th; 8 'carrying structure

10; 10 'film structure

12; 12 'frame structure

14; 14 'floor frame

16; 16 'sidewall frame

22; 22 'corner support

24; 24 'upper strut

26 stacking edge

30; 30 'grid structure

32; 32 'floor grid structure

33 ', 33' sidewall grid structure

34; 34 'floor grate strut

35 '; 35 'side wall lattice strut

36; 36 'floor space

37; 37 'sidewall gap

38; 38 'bottom section

40; 40 'side wall section

42; 42 'film hinge

44; 44 'locking means

46 'tab

S punching machine

Claims

claims

1 . Transport container (2, 2 ') with a bottom (4, 4') and from the bottom (4, 4 ') extending from side walls (6, 6'), wherein at least the side walls (6, 6 ') a frame and have / lattice-shaped supporting basic structure (8; 8 '),

characterized in that

the inner surface and / or outer surface of the container (2) completely with a one-piece and at the corresponding base structure (8; 8 ') each area

adjacent, in particular cohesively attached, foil (10, 10 ') is lined or lined.

2. Transport container (2, 2 ') according to claim 1, characterized in that the side walls (6, 6') in each case outwardly in the plane of the bottom (4, 4 ') are pivotable, so that the inner surfaces and / or outer surfaces from ground (4; 4 ') and

Side walls (6, 6 ') lie in a plane.

3. Transport container (2, 2 ') according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the basic structure (8, 8') each have a frame (12, 12 ') and an inside of the frame (12, 12') spanned surface and provided with the frame (12, 12 ') connected to grid and / or arch structure (30, 30').

4. Transport container (2, 2 ') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the film (10, 10') on the, in particular complete, inner surface and / or outer surface of the frame frame (12, 12 ') and the grid - and / or arch structure (30; 30 ') cohesively, in particular by means of gluing or

Thermo-welding, is attached.

5. Transport container (2; 2 ') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic structures (8; 8') of the side walls (6; 6 ') each in one piece and pivotally, in particular via film hinges, with the bottom (4; 4 ') are connected.

6. transport container (2, 2 ') according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the basic structures (8, 8') of the side walls (6, 6 ') via the film (10, 10') with the bottom ( 4, 4 ') are connected.

7. Transport container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edges of the basic structures (8; 8 ') of two adjacent side walls (6; 6') each form a corner column (22; 22 ') or pivotable about in the plane of the bottom Corner pillars are connectable.

8. A method of manufacturing a transport container (2, 2 ') having a bottom (4, 4') and side walls (6, 6 ') extending from the bottom (4, 4'), at least the side walls (6; ') have a frame-and / or lattice-like supporting basic structure (6, 6'), in particular a transport container (2, 2 ') according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the steps:

- Producing the supporting base structures (8, 8 ') of the container (2, 2'), in particular in the injection molding process, as a settlement of the container contour in a plane;

- Completely disguising the inner surface and / or outer surface of the container (2, 2 ') with a one-piece film (10, 10');

- surface, in particular cohesive, fixing the one-piece film (10, 10 ') to the corresponding basic structures (8, 8'); and

- Fold up and connecting adjacent side walls (6, 6 ').

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized by the steps:

- Cutting the one-piece film (10, 10 ') of a sheet of sheet-like material; and

- Attaching the one-piece film (10, 10 ') to the corresponding

Basic structures (8; 8 ').

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized by the steps:

- Attaching a portion of a sheet of sheet-like material to the respective basic structures (12, 12 ', 12 ", 12"') of the bottom (4, 4 ') and

Side walls (6; 6 '); and - Separating over the outer contour of the side walls (6, 6 ') and / or the bottom (4, 4') projecting film-shaped material.