WO2023143840A1

WO2023143840A1 - Large load carrier

Info

Publication number: WO2023143840A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/087364
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthew DENT
Original assignee: Schoeller Allibert Gmbh
Priority date: 2022-01-28
Filing date: 2022-12-21
Publication date: 2023-08-03
Also published as: DE102022000336A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a large load carrier (2) with a base part (14), comprising a number of feet (20), and four side walls (4, 6), wherein the side walls (4, 6) comprise placement surfaces (36) for receiving feet (20) of a large load carrier (2) of the same design in the stacked position, wherein the placement surfaces (36) are disposed lower than edge portions (30) of the side walls (4, 6), wherein the edge portions (30) at least partially peripherally surround the feet (20) of a large load carrier (2) of the same design in the stacked position. Provision is thus made that, when large load carriers (2) of the same design are in the stacked position, the placement surfaces (36) are load-transferring and the edge portions (30) are load-free.

Description

Large Load Carrier

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a large load carrier having the features according to the preamble of claim 1 .

PRIOR ART

Large load carriers, which are also referred to as large containers or bulk containers, are known e.g. from DE 10 2008 047 857 A1 . The large container described therein can be formed with standard measurements of 800 mm x 600 mm, 1200 x 800 mm, 1200 mm x 1000 mm or 1200 mm x 1600 mm, and this may be irrespective of the desired holding capacity. The height of the large load carrier is typically 1000 mm, wherein this can be defined relatively freely, and wherein typically the optimal usage of the loading surface of a lorry has a decisive influence.

Up to 99 such large load carriers with dimensions of 1200 mm x 800 mm x 1000 mm can be disposed on a standard lorry, specifically in eleven rows of large load carriers disposed three next to one another and three above one another. Stable stackability of the large load carriers is massively important in the transportation of goods.

The side walls of such large load carriers are typically also collapsible so that a large load carrier in an empty transportation position has a height of about 300 mm, while retaining outer measurements of 1200 mm x 800 mm. In the empty transportation position up to 363 such large load carriers can be transported in a lorry. EP 1 473 240 A1 discloses a large load carrier with edges, which taper on the upper side, on the side walls, and feet which are connected to runners around the periphery. The runners are set back with respect to the feet and comprise a smaller placement surface than the feet. In the stacked position, the runners and the feet stand on the upper surface of the side wall. In this way, a reasonably slippage-free position for the upper large load carrier in the stacked position is achieved.

US 2006/0260976 A1 discloses a large load carrier corresponding to the preamble of claim 1 . The large load carrier comprises upper-side protrusions on the side walls in the corner regions, in which the side walls abut against one another, and apertures on the feet. In the stacked position, the feet of an upper large load carrier are placed with their apertures onto the upper-side protrusions of a lower large load carrier in a precisely fitting manner. The feet and runners otherwise lie on the side walls. In this way, once again, a reasonably slippage-free position for the upper large load carrier in the stacked position is achieved.

Furthermore, in the prior art, lattice box pallets standardised according to technical standard DIN 15155/8-UIC435-3 are known. The standard according to its 9th edition of September 2008 is cited hereinunder. The lattice box pallets have a pallet substructure with outer dimensions of 1200 mm x 800 mm in the foot region and typically have four steel lattice walls with outer dimensions of 1240 mm x 835 mm, which are rigidly connected to each other. Furthermore, in lattice box pallets, the inner dimension is also standardised, wherein a load length typically corresponds to 1210 mm and a load width typically corresponds to 800 mm. Lattice box pallets of such dimensions can be stacked one on top of the other at least partially in a nested manner so that a stable assemblage is achieved in the stacked position. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a large load carrier with peripheral side walls, which is highly versatile in use and is designed to be compatible both with lattice box pallets and also with Euro-pallets in the stacked position. Furthermore, the large load carrier should also be characterised by stable stackability.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object is achieved by a large load carrier having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are characterised by the features of the dependent claims.

In the case of a large load carrier in accordance with the invention, provision is made that the side walls comprise placement surfaces for receiving feet of a large load carrier of the same design in the stacked position, wherein the placement surfaces are disposed lower than edge portions of the side walls, and the edge portions at least partially peripherally surround the feet of a large load carrier of the same design in the stacked position, and that in a stack of large load carriers of the same design, the placement surfaces are loadtransferring and the edge portions are load-free.

In this way, in a stack of large load carriers of the same design, nesting of the large load carriers one inside another and therefore a stable assemblage as a transport unit are possible.

The large load carrier in accordance with the invention is typically produced from individual injection-moulded parts, usually of PP and/or HDPE, and comprises a base part and a number of feet fastened thereto or formed as one piece with the base part, typically four, eight or nine feet. Within the scope of the present disclosure, the foot region of the large load carrier can be designed with a certain degree of freedom. For example, the large load carrier can have four corner feet or alternatively four corner feet and four further support feet disposed in the middle of the side walls and, additionally or alternatively thereto, also a support foot in the middle of the base part. The feet can be fixedly screwed or clipped to the base part or form one piece therewith.

The base part comprises e.g. flat side wall portions and typically a base plate formed as one piece.

The dimensions of the foot regions of the large load carrier preferably correspond to the standard requirements for a Euro-pallet according to EN 13698-1 :2003 and so the large load carriers can be handled using the same equipment as the Euro-pallets, in particular industrial trucks. The standard in its edition of January 2004 is cited hereinunder. In different embodiments, the foot regions can be connected to runners, in particular in order to improve stability. Between the base part and the runners, apertures are typically provided for the forks of industrial trucks. The runners can be fixedly screwed or clipped to the feet or form one piece with each other.

On the lower side, a pallet-like structure for the large load carrier is therefore formed, which, in particular corresponding to the Euro-pallet standardised according to EN 13698-1 , can comprise nine feet and runners each connecting three feet along the long side of the large load carrier.

Four side walls are articulated on the base part preferably so that they can be folded, e.g. by means of hinge elements, wherein the scope of the present invention also includes rigid embodiments for large load carriers with nonfoldable side walls, even e.g. peripheral side walls formed as one piece. The side walls are designed so that they can be folded, e.g. by means of hinges, but this is not to be understood to be limiting to the invention. Furthermore, in preferred embodiments, the side walls comprise foldable or removable side regions within a side wall, as in the case of a lattice box pallet. For example, one or both longer side walls can be fitted with side wall flaps which can be folded outwards over the lower side wall part. In the folded-open position, the large load carrier permits access to the content from the outside even in the stacked position and also when the lid is closed. The design of the flaps in the side walls can be as described e.g. in DE 10 2017 113 053 A1 .

The side walls comprise upper edge regions with placement surfaces, whereby the large load carrier is designed to receive feet of a large load carrier of the same design in the stacked position. The upper edge regions of the side walls also comprise edge portions which protrude with respect to the placement surfaces, preferably approximately vertically upwards. Therefore, the feet of a large load carrier of the same design in the stacked position are at least partially peripherally surrounded.

The feet are preferably provided with shoulders, wherein cross-sections of the feet above the shoulders are larger than cross-sections of the feet below the shoulders. The shoulders form recesses in the outer profile of the feet and can also be referred to as set-back areas.

The placement surfaces are preferably such that they can receive pallets with placement dimensions of a standard size, in particular Euro-pallets standardised according to EN13698-1 with the placement dimensions 1200 mm x 800 mm. In a corresponding manner, the placement surfaces in the region of the upper edge regions of the side walls have at least the standard size in particular 1200 mm x 800 mm. The feet of the large load carrier thus preferably also form a placement dimension of the standard size, in particular 1200 mm x 800 mm.

In a particularly preferred manner, the outer and inner dimensions of the large load carrier are compatible with outer and inner dimensions of a lattice box pallet standardised according to DIN 15155/8-UIC435-3 and so in a mixed stack of large load carriers and lattice box pallets, the large load carriers and lattice box pallets can nest inside one another. Accordingly it is preferred if the feet of the large load carrier have a placement dimension of the standard size of the feet of the lattice box pallet.

Since the standardised lattice box pallets in the foot region have dimensions of 1200 mm x 800 mm and in the upper side wall region 1240 mm x 835 mm with an inner dimension of 1200 mm x 800 mm, the large load carrier in accordance with the invention can be stacked on a lattice box pallet. However, conversely the lattice box pallet can also be stacked on the large load carrier, since the lattice box pallet comprises feet with the placement dimension of the standard size 1200 mm x 800 mm. By means of the invention, stable mixed stacking of lattice box pallets and large load carriers is thus possible.

The edge portions can be formed locally in the corner region of the large load carrier and/or along the side walls. In particular, it is possible to provide peripheral edge portions on the upper edge regions of the large load carrier.

In order to stabilise the stack assemblage, provision can be made for the placement surfaces and the edge portions together to have a thickness which is widened at least in regions compared to a thickness of the side wall below the upper edge region.

In an advantageous embodiment, the side walls are provided with vertically extending ribbing in the upper region, in particular in the region of the edge portions. The edge portions preferably taper upwards in the cross-sectional profile, wherein they are in particular chamfered with respect to a plane of the side wall. In this way, e.g. easy release of a lid from the large load carrier is possible. Furthermore, water is advantageously prevented from being drawn upwards and inwards between the lid edge and side wall by reason of a capillary action. The chamfering still more effectively counteracts the penetration of water by reason of capillary force.

The large load carrier can be provided with a lid which lies on the edge portion and at the same time on the placement surface of the upper edge region in order to achieve a good load transfer of a container stacked above it.

In an advantageous embodiment, the lid comprises a peripheral flange region which lies on the edge portion. Owing to the fact that, in a stack of large load carriers of the same design, the placement surfaces are load-transferring and the edge portions are load-free, the lid cannot be jammed or wedged with the edge portion in the flange region during stacking, and so the lid remains easily releasable.

In an advantageous embodiment, the lid comprises a peripheral apron which is chamfered in particular on a side facing the inner side of the large load carrier and, after placement, hugs the chamfered vertical ribs of the edge portion. This design is particularly effective in reducing the possibility of the penetration of water by capillary forces.

The large load carrier in accordance with the invention is suitable in particular for receiving unit loads such as voluminous foodstuffs and, in the non-food industry, e.g. in the automobile industry. In comparison to conventional fruit and vegetable containers, the large load carrier is thicker and also heavier as a whole and so the transportation of the filled large load carriers is generally carried out mechanically, in particular by forklift trucks and the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Exemplified embodiments of the invention will be explained in greater detail hereinunder with reference to schematic drawings.

In the drawing: figure 1 shows a perspective view of a large load carrier according to one embodiment of the invention, figure 2 shows a side view of the large load carrier illustrated in figure 1 , figure 3 shows a further side view of the large load carrier illustrated in figure 1 , figure 4 shows two of the large load carriers illustrated in figure 1 stacked one above the other, figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a contact region of the two large load carriers of figure 4 stacked one above the other, figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a contact region when the large load carrier of figure 1 is stacked with a Euro-pallet, figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a contact region when the large load carrier illustrated in figure 1 is stacked on a lattice box pallet, figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a contact region of a lid with the large load carrier of figure 1 and figure 9 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the contact region of figure 8.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Hereinunder, like elements are provided with like reference signs. There will be no repeated description of the same elements in the individual figures.

Figure 1 shows a large load carrier 2 according to one embodiment of the invention.

The large load carrier 2 comprises a first side wall 4 and a second side wall 6, wherein the first side wall 4 forms a narrower side of the large load carrier and the second side wall 6 forms a longer side of the large load carrier 2.

A side wall flap 8 is located in the second side wall 6 and, in this case, purely by way of example, is articulated to the second side wall 6 via hinge devices 10. The side wall flap 8 is to be opened manually via a latching and displacement mechanism and a gripping opening 18 so that it is possible to grasp the inside of the large load carrier 2 from the outside. In this case, the lid 40, shown in figure 1 , is generally removed but in some embodiments provision is made for the side wall flap 8 also to be opened when the lid 40 is in place. In embodiments which are not illustrated, removable side wall flaps 8 can be provided.

In this case, e.g. two label holders 12 are provided on the side walls 4, 6 in each case, as is generally known from the prior art. The side walls 4, 6 are substantially closed, this not being limiting to the invention. The side walls 4, 6 can also comprise an open rib structure which is in particular open to the outside, as known in the prior art. In the lower region, the large load carrier 2 comprises feet 20, there being four feet 20 disposed at the corners purely by way of example in the illustrated exemplified embodiment, this not being limiting to the invention.

The feet 20 are fastened to a peripheral base part 14, e.g. by screwing or clipping. The side walls 4, 6 are disposed on the base part 14 so that they can be folded by means of further hinge devices 10, wherein the capacity for complete inwards folding is achieved by the base part 14 being of different heights in the region of the hinges.

Figure 1 illustrates a closed state of the large load carrier 2, wherein in particular the side walls 4, 6 are erect and hooked into one another by means of a latching mechanism 16 not to be described in more detail. The side wall flap 8 is closed and in addition the lid 40 is placed on the upper side.

Figures 2 and 3 show the large load carrier 2 of figure 1 in the respective side views, wherein in this case the feet 20 are shown to be provided with shoulders 22, whereby upper regions 24 of the feet 20 are provided with a larger crosssection than lower regions 26 of the feet 20.

Figure 3 shows ribbing 32 formed in an upper region of the side wall 4, further detail of which ribbing will be given hereinunder.

As shown in figure 4, two large load carriers 2 according to figure 1 of the same design can be nested one inside another in the stacked position. The feet 20 of a large load carrier 2 disposed above are partially lowered into the inner space of the large load carrier 2 disposed below. For this purpose, the large load carriers 2 comprise corresponding receivers in an upper edge region 34 of the side walls 4, 6, as shown in particular by the detail view in figure 5. Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a contact region of the two large load carriers 2 of figure 4 stacked one above the other. The foot 20 of the large load carrier 2 disposed above can be placed on a placement surface 36 on the upper edge of the side wall 6. For this purpose, the side wall 6 comprises the placement surface 36 at the upper side, having an edge portion 30 adjoining same, which peripherally houses the foot 20 of a large load carrier 2 placed thereon. Lateral slipping of the large load carriers 2 in the stacked position is accordingly prevented. It is obvious that in the stacked position, the placement surface 36 is load-dissipating and the edge portion 30 is load-free.

The edge portion 30 preferably tapers in the upwards direction. In the illustrated exemplified embodiment, the edge portion 30 comprises a lower region, which is initially coplanar with the plane of the side wall 6, and an upper tapering region 33. The tapering region 33 is chamfered both in the direction of the inside and also in the direction of the outside of the large load carrier and in this case comprises a first slope 35 and a second slope 37. The first slope 35 is located on the inside of the large load carrier 2 and serves in particular as a stacking aid for the foot 20 of the large load carrier disposed above. By means of the slope 35 the foot 20 can be placed with little play and is guided in the direction of the placement surface 36.

The function of the second slope 37 is described in more detail in particular with reference to figures 8 and 9.

Figure 6 shows stacking of a Euro-pallet 50 on the large load carrier 2. The matching of the outer dimensions of the feet of the large load carrier 2 to the dimensions of the Euro-pallet 50 and corresponding matching of the placement surface 36 in this case permit mixed stacking of large load carriers 2 and Europallets 50. Figure 6 also shows by way of example that a thickness d₂ of the placement surface 36 and of the edge portion 30 is enlarged compared to a thickness d! of the side wall 4, 6 below the upper edge region 34, in particular by up to 50%, preferably from 10% to 30%, in order to permit stable stacking one on another.

Figure 7 shows a stacked arrangement of a large load carrier 2 with a lattice box pallet 52, wherein the foot 20 of the large load carrier 2 lies on a corresponding placement surface 36. Stable mixed stacking with the large load carrier 2 can be achieved owing to the fact that the lattice box pallet 52 is standardised.

Figure 8 shows a contact region of the lid 40 with one of the side walls 4, 6 in figure 1. The lid 40 comprises a large-surface rib structure 42 on the underside, which endows it with an inherent stiffness. At least one rib 43 of the rib structure 42 of the lid 40 lies on the placement surface 36 in the “closed lid” condition.

On the upper side, the lid 40 comprises a further placement surface 39 which has the same dimensions as the placement surface 36 in order to be able to receive above it a further large load carrier 2, a further Euro-pallet 50 or a lattice box 52 in the stacked position (not shown).

The lid 40 comprises a flange region 46 with an apron 44 on the outside. On the inside, the apron comprises a third slope 48 which is designed to hug the second slope 37 of the edge portion 30.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the contact region of figure 8. The edge portion 30 of the side wall 4, 6 comprises a continuous inner wall 38 with the described first slope 35 as well as the ribbing 32 with the described second slope 37. By reason of the inclined position and setting-back of the edge portion 30, the lid 40 lies with its apron 44 flush with the side wall 4, 6, which, inter alia, also reduces a risk of injury. The inclined position and the rib structure in the edge portion 30 also reliably prevent ingress of water into the inner space of the large load carrier 2 closed with the lid 40. The invention is not limited to the exemplified embodiments described herein. It is rather the case that a large number of modifications are possible within the scope of knowledge in the art. LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

2 large load carrier; 4 first side wall; 6 second side wall; 8 side wall flap; 10 hinge device; 12 label holder; 14 base part; 16 latching mechanism; 18 gripping opening; 20 foot; 22 shoulder; 24 upper region; 26 lower region; 28 aperture for forks of an industrial truck; 30 edge portion; 32 ribbing; 33 tapered region; 34 upper edge region; 35 first slope; 36 placement surface; 37 second slope; 38 inner wall; 39 further placement surface; 40 lid; 42 rib structure; 43 rib; 44 apron; 46 flange region; 48 third slope; 50 Euro-pallet; 52 lattice box pallet

Claims

1. Large load carrier (2) with a base part (14), comprising a number of feet (20), and four side walls (4, 6) wherein the side walls (4, 6) comprise placement surfaces (36) for receiving feet (20) of a large load carrier (2) of the same design in the stacked position, wherein the placement surfaces (36) are disposed lower than edge portions (30) of the side walls (4, 6), wherein the edge portions (30) at least partially peripherally surround the feet (20) of a large load carrier (2) of the same design in the stacked position, characterised in that, when large load carriers (2) of the same design are in the stacked position, the placement surfaces (36) are load-transferring and the edge portions (30) are load-free.

2. Large load carrier (2) as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the feet (20) are provided with shoulders (22), wherein cross-sections of the feet (20) are larger above the shoulders (22) than cross-sections of the feet (20) below the shoulders (22).

3. Large load carrier (2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the placement surfaces (36) are formed to receive pallets with placement dimensions of a standard size, and the feet (20) of the large load carrier (2) likewise form a placement dimension of the standard size, in particular to receive a Euro-pallet (50) standardised according to EN13698-1 with the placement dimensions 1200 mm x 800 mm.

4. Large load carrier (2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outer and inner dimensions of the large load carrier (2) are compatible with outer and inner dimensions of a lattice box pallet (52) standardised according to DIN 15155/8-UIC435-3 and when large load carriers (2) and lattice box pallets (52) are in the stacked position, the large load carriers (2) and lattice box pallets (52) can nest inside one another.

5. Large load carrier (2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the edge portions (30) are formed in the region of the corners of the large load carrier (2) and/or along the side walls (4, 6).

6. Large load carrier (2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the placement surfaces (36) and the edge portions (30) together have a thickness (d₂) which is widened at least in regions compared to a thickness (d-i) of the side wall (4, 6) below the upper edge region (34).

7. Large load carrier (2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the side walls (4, 6) are provided with vertically extending ribbing (32) at least in an upper region, in particular in the region of the edge portions (30).

8. Large load carrier (2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the edge portions (30) taper upwards in the cross-section profile, wherein the edge portions (30) are chamfered in particular with respect to a plane of the side wall (4, 6).

9. Large load carrier (2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, having a lid (40) which lies on the edge portion (30) and on the placement surface (36) of the upper edge region (34).

10. Large load carrier (2) as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that the lid (40) comprises a peripheral flange region (46) which lies on the edge portion (30).

11. Large load carrier (2) as claimed in claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the lid comprises an apron (44) which is provided with third slopes (48) on a side facing the inside of the large load carrier (2).

12. Large load carrier (2) as claimed in claim 11 , characterised in that the side walls (4, 6) in the region of the edge portions (30), in particular the vertical ribs (32), are provided with second slopes (37), wherein the third slopes (48) of the apron (44) and the second slopes (37) of the edge portion (30) hug each other.

13. Large load carrier (2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the side walls (4, 6) can be collapsed by means of hinge devices (10).

14. Large load carrier (2) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that some or all feet (20) can be connected to each other by means of runners.