The invention relates to a collapsible ring made of several side walls for a transportation container and a transportation container, wherein the collapsible ring can be positioned to stand on a palette base of a transportation container.
A transportation container for transporting or storing goods is known from EP 3 147 232 A1, said transportation container having a transportation palette having a palette base, on which several side walls forming a ring can be placed. A container interior delimited by the side walls extends upwardly from a palette base. A container upper part or a cover can be placed onto the side walls in order to close the container inner part. Such a collapsible ring has folding edges in the corner regions, such that the ring can be collapsed after use by folding, in particular an M fold. This can be placed onto the palette base for the space-saving return transportation.
A further transportation container having a palette base, side walls and a container upper part is known from DE 10 2013 013 744 A1. Foldable support elements are provided on the insides of the side walls. These support elements are aligned to be flush to the side wall in a non-usage position. In a usage position, these can be pivoted around 90°, such that these support elements protrude horizontally aligned into the container interior in order to place an intermediate base thereon.
With such transportation containers, the requirement for stability and also for the use of the transportation volume increasingly rises.
The object of the invention is therefore to propose a collapsible ring made of several side walls for a transportation container and a transportation container, in which one or more intermediate bases can be positioned easily inside a collapsible ring and enables an increase of the stability of the collapsible ring.
The object is solved by a collapsible ring having at least one intermediate base, which can be arranged therein, in which the intermediate base engages on the side walls by means of at least one releasable connection, wherein this connection simultaneously holds the intermediate base at a distance apart from the side wall and simultaneously positions the intermediate base at the height of the usage position in relation to the side wall. The intermediate base is fixedly held on at least two opposing and/or at least two adjacent side walls at a distance apart from the side walls and at the height in relation to the side walls. Thus, the side walls, on which the intermediate base engages, are held fixedly in relation to one another and reinforced. The collapsible ring, which is positioned between a transportation palette and a container upper part, can, in the event of several transportation containers being stacked one above the other, enable an improved load removal onto the lowermost transportation palette. A bulging of the side walls in the event an acting load when containers are stacked one on top of the other can be counteracted by the releasable connection between the side walls and the intermediate base.
The releasable connection preferably comprises the at least one holding element and at least one engagement element. The holding element and the engagement element can preferably be connected to each other in a force-fit and/or in a form-fit manner. On one hand, this enables a simple positioning of the intermediate base in the usage position in relation to the ring and, on the other hand, the force-fit and/or form-fit connection, by means of which the side wall is fixedly held at a fixed distance to the intermediate base.
It is preferably provided that the intermediate base having at least one engagement element provided on a side edge of the intermediate base or holding element is applied to a holding element or engagement element on the side wall and forms a first connection and can then be transferred into the usage position by a pivoting movement, in which usage position the at least one engagement element or holding element provided on a further, in particular opposite, side edge of the intermediate base engages on the holding element of the side wall. This enables a simple insertion of the intermediate base into the ring, such that the force-fit and/or form-fit connection between the side wall and the intermediate base can be created following on from two adjacent and, in particular, two opposite side edges.
The intermediate base is preferably held to be suspended in relation to the side walls. Because of the gravity of the intermediate base, this independently maintains the force-fit and/or form-fit connection between the holding elements and the engagement elements after the insertion and transfer into the usage position.
In the usage position of the intermediate base in relation to the side wall, it is preferably provided that the engagement element engages behind the holding element. Thus, the intermediate base forms a reinforcement or a kind of ribbing between two opposing and/or adjacent side walls. At the same time, a partition of the container interior into several chambers can be carried out.
An advantageous embodiment of the collapsible ring provides that several holding elements or engagement elements are arranged in a common vertical alignment and with a distance apart from one another on an inside of the side wall. This makes it possible for an intermediate base to be able to be inserted at various heights in relation to the palette base. Several intermediate bases can also be arranged in the container interior.
The holding element of the force-fit and/or form-fit as well as releasable connection preferably comprises a recess having an upper and lower engagement region, wherein the length of the upper engagement region in the vertical direction is greater than the width of the upper engagement region. This makes it possible for a connection between the holding element and the gripping element to be made possible by pivoting the intermediate base into the usage position.
It is preferably provided that the engagement element is formed as a spigot or hook, which abuts on the opening edge of the recess and has a front-face end, which engages behind the opening edge. This spigot can be provided with a front plate, for example, whose diameter is greater than the periphery of the spigot. The spigot or hook can also have a groove, such that the opening edge of the recess can engage into the groove of the spigot or hook for positioning the intermediate base in the usage position. In both cases, there is an engagement behind of the engagement element in relation to the holding element.
Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the recess of the holding element has an upper engagement region and a lower engagement region attached thereto, which is tapered in relation to the upper engagement region. This enables a simple threading of the engagement element into the holding element for positioning the intermediate base in the usage position. In particular, the recess is formed in the shape of a keyhole or is funnel-shaped, wherein the narrowed engagement region is the lower two engagement regions.
A further preferred embodiment provides that in each case at least two holding elements arranged at a distance apart from the central longitudinal axis of the side walls are provided on opposite insides of the side walls. Thus, the intermediate base can be positioned and held in relation to the ring, for example by means of a 4-point bracket.
Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the intermediate base has a peripheral front side, which, in the usage position, lies opposite the inside of the side walls, from which the at least one engagement element outwardly extends. Thus, intermediate bases that can be stacked well can be created.
The engagement element can preferably be integrally moulded on the intermediate base. For example when producing the intermediate base as a twin sheet plate, the engagement element can be integrally moulded. Alternatively, the engagement element can also be introduced as an insert when producing the intermediate base. The engagement element can also be fixable to the intermediate base, such as, for example, by means of a screw connection, welding or a plug/latching connection.
Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the one holding element or several holding elements lying one above the other are formed as an injection moulded part and are fixed to the inside of the side wall. These can be fixed to the side wall by welding, adhering, riveting, stamping or similar, for example. Alternatively, it can be provided that the holding element or holding elements are integrally moulded on an inside of the side wall. This is the case, in particular, with side walls which are produced by thermoforming or deep-drawing, in particular as a twin sheet component.
According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the holding elements and the engagement elements engage in one another in a first alignment of the intermediate base for the side arrangement for adopting the usage position and are guided past one another in a further alignment of the intermediate position in relation to the side walls for adopting a stored position. This makes it possible for the intermediate bases to be able to be stacked one on top of the other on the palette base when transporting the transportation containers back to be refilled with goods, wherein a ring positions the intermediate bases stacked one on top of the other in alignment to the palette base. Thus, a secured return transport can be made possible. It is preferably provided that the intermediate base, based on the first alignment, which corresponds to the usage position, is rotated around 180° in a horizontal plane, such that subsequently the holding elements and engagement elements can be guided past one another to adopt the stored position.
According to a first embodiment for positioning the holding elements and the engagement elements, it is provided that at least two holding elements arranged at the same distance apart from the central longitudinal axis are provided on the inside of the one side wall, and at least two holding elements arranged with the same distance apart from the central longitudinal axis are provided on the inside of the opposite side wall, wherein the distance apart of the holding elements on the opposite side wall is shortened by the width of the respective holding element, and the engagement element of the intermediate base is provided opposite the holding elements in an alignment for adopting the usage position. This arrangement makes it possible for a few engagement elements between the holding elements and the opposite engagement elements outside the holding elements to be guided past the opposite side wall when rotating the intermediate base around 180° for adopting the stored position.
An alternative arrangement of the projections and engagement elements provides that at least two holding elements arranged at a distance apart from the central longitudinal axis are provided on the inside of the one side wall, wherein the one distance apart differs from the other distance in terms of the width of the holding element, and the holding elements are arranged on the inside of the opposite side wall point-symmetrically or in a mirror image to a central line between the side walls opposite one another, and the engagement elements of the intermediate base are provided opposite the holding elements with an alignment in the usage position. When rotating the intermediate base in a horizontal plane around 180°, a simple transfer from the usage position into the stored position can also be made possible as a result of this arrangement.
An advantageous embodiment of the intermediate base provides that notches are provided on at least two opposing front sides, said notches corresponding at least to double the width of the holding elements when seen in the vertical direction and having a depth which corresponds at least to the protrusion of the holding element into the container interior. This arrangement makes it possible for a gap between a peripheral front side of the intermediate base and the insides of the side walls to be made smaller or even to be sealed.
Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the insertion parts are positioned in the notches provided on the frontal sides of the intermediate base and extend within an envelope formed by the frontal side of the intermediate base. Thus, a particularly closed positioning of the intermediate base in relation to the side walls adjacent thereto can be procured.
Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the side walls are connected to an intermediate web to form a foldable corner region, and a folding edge is preferably provided, in particular impressed, between the side wall and the intermediate web. The intermediate web is formed in terms of width in such a way that, in the folded-together state of the ring, the length of the intermediate web at least corresponds to the depth of the holding element and engagement element protruding into the container interior.
Furthermore, the object of the invention is solved by a transportation container having a transportation palette, a container upper part and a ring in between consisting of several side walls for connecting the container upper part to the base, in which the collapsible ring having the at least one intermediate base is formed according to one of the preceding embodiments.
An advantageous embodiment of the transportation container provides that a first intermediate base in a stored position abuts on the palette base of the transportation palette and the first intermediate bases on the first intermediate base, and the stacked intermediate bases rest in alignment with the palette base by means of the collapsible ring placed on the transportation palette. Thus, the intermediate bases can be provided stacked in a space-saving manner for the return transportation. The further unnecessary transportation containers can be return-transported in a folded-together state, in which the collapsible ring abuts on the palette base and is covered by the container upper part.
The invention and further advantageous embodiments and developments thereof are described and explained below in more detail by means of the examples depicted in the drawings. The features that can be seen in the description and the drawings can be applied individually or in any combination according to the invention. Here are shown:
In
This transportation container 11 comprises a transportation palette 13 having a palette base 12 and a collapsible ring 14, which is formed, for example, from four side walls 15, 16, which are connected to one another in the respective corner region 17. The number of side walls 15, 16 and their allocation is adjusted to the base shape of the transportation palette 13 or the palette base 12. In the exemplary embodiment, a rectangular palette base 12 is provided, such that two long side walls 15 and two shorter side walls 16 form the ring 14. Alternatively, square palette bases 12 can also be provided with equal-length side walls 15, 16. Similarly, palette bases 12 can be provided which also form rings 14, for example, made of six or eight side walls. The ring 14 is preferably formed as a closed ring 14. All side walls 15, 16 are connected to one another by folding edges 28. In the corner region 17, an intermediate web 20 can be provided, which is connected on both sides to the side walls 15, 16 abutting thereon by means of folding edges 28. A side wall 16 can additionally have a folding edge 28. Thus, the ring 14 can be transferred to an M-fold for the return transport.
The side walls 15, 16 consist, for example, of plastic, in particular of multi-layer plates. Preferably, a structural chamber plate made of three plastic films, for example, can be provided, in which a structured or profiled film, which has nubs, in particular, is provided between two outer planar films. A hollow chamber plate can also be provided.
The folding edges can be introduced into the plates by impressing, in particular with a heated blade.
The transportation container 11 furthermore comprises a container upper part 18 or a cover, which can be placed onto the collapsible ring 14. A closed palette interior 19 is formed by the transportation plate 13, the ring 14 and the container upper part 18. The transportation plate 13 comprises, for example, nine feet 21, which can be moulded on directly.
The transportation plate 13 preferably comprises a peripheral trough 23 in the outer edge region. The trough 23 is surrounded by an edge 24 in the corner regions 17 of the palette base 12. This trough 23 runs along the edge region of the palette base 12. Advantageously, the edge 24 extends completely around the trough 23 and forms an outer closure of the palette base 12. A bearing surface 26 is provided inside the trough 23, said bearing surface being formed as a closed surface and being delimited by the trough 23. The edge 24 is preferably formed to be equal to or higher than the bearing surface 26. The plane of the completely closed bearing surface 26 of the palette base 12 is slightly above the trough 23, such that an indentation for the collapsible ring 14 is formed. The edge 24 is opposite this indentation, said edge having at least the level of the bearing surface 26 or being higher than the bearing surface 26.
An intermediate base 31 is provided in the container interior 19 in a usage position 32. The intermediate base 31 is positioned by means of a force-fit and/or form-fit connection 34 to the side walls 15, 16. The intermediate base 31 is positioned releasably in relation to the side walls 15, 16 and can be applied and removed as needed.
The force-fit and/or form-fit connection has at least one holding element 36 and one engagement element 37. In the embodiment, the at least one holding element 36 is provided on an inside of the side wall 15, 16. The at least one engagement element 37 is provided on the intermediate base 31. Alternatively, the holding elements 36 and engagement elements 37 can also be exchanged.
According to a first embodiment, it is provided that the holding element 36 has three recesses 41, which are aligned at a distance apart from one another and one above the other in the same vertical direction. Alternatively, holding elements 36 can also be provided, which only have one recess or two recesses or several recesses. The holding element 36 is preferably formed as an injection moulded part. This holding element 36 can be fixed on the inside of the side wall 15, 16 by an embossment and/or welding. Alternatively, a rivet connection or a screw connection or a clip/latching connection can also be provided. Preferably, the holding element 36 is fixed on the side wall 15, 16 in such a way that an outside of the side wall remains flat.
The recess 41 of the holding element 36 has an upper engagement region 43 and a lower engagement region 44 attached thereto. The lower engagement region 44 is formed in terms of width to be smaller than the upper engagement region 43. Preferably, the upper engagement region 43 is at least double as long as the lower engagement region 44 in the vertical alignment. Preferably, a keyhole-shaped recess 41 or funnel-shaped recess 41 can be provided.
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The intermediate base 31 can be formed as a plate made of plastic. The intermediate base 31 can also be produced as a hollow chamber plate or structured chamber plate and also by means of two plastic films as a Twin Sheet plate. During the production of the intermediate base 31, in particular according to the Twin Sheet method, the engagement element 37 can be integrally moulded thereon. The engagement part 37 can also be formed as an inlay part when producing the intermediate base 31. This inlay part, which is formed, for example, from plastic or metal or similar, can be screwed on, adhered, welded, pressed on or similar.
In the embodiment of the intermediate base 31 depicted in
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The opposing force-fit and/or form-fit connections 34, in which a back-engagement of the engagement elements 37 in the holding elements 36 is carried out, make it possible for a bulging of the side walls 15, 16 to be prevented. Instead, a reinforcement of the side walls 15, 16 in relation to one another is achieved, i.e. the side walls 15, 16 are held in a parallel alignment in relation to one another.
By way of example, for inserting the intermediate base 31, this is gripped at the handling openings 63. A first longitudinal side of the intermediate base 31 is positioned by the engagement elements 37 in relation to the desired recess 41 of the holding element 36. The engagement elements 37 are inserted into the upper engagement opening 44 of the holding elements 36 and transferred into the lower engagement opening 43. The intermediate base 31 is positioned on a slant pointing upwards in an intermediate position. Then, a pivot movement into a horizontal plane is carried out, such that the opposing engagement elements 37 engage on the opposing holding elements 36. Firstly, the engagement elements 37 are guided into the upper engagement region 43, in order to then transfer the engagement elements 37 into the lower engagement region 44, as is depicted in
A release of the connections 34 on a side wall 15, 16 is carried out by a pivot movement to transfer the intermediate base 31 from the usage position 32 into a stored position 64. Then, the intermediate base 31 is raised easily, such that the engagement elements 37 can be freely guided out via the upper engagement region 43 on the opposite side wall 15, 16. The intermediate base 31 is then rotated around 180° in its horizontal alignment and, in turn, positioned in the ring 14. Here, the intermediate base 31 can be guided past the holding elements 36 until it abuts on the palette base 12 or an intermediate base 31 already placed thereon.
For this, according to this first embodiment, it is provided that the distance A of the first connection from a central longitudinal axis 66 of the side wall 15 is greater than the distance B to a second connection 34 on the same side wall 15. This is carried out analogously on the opposite side wall 15. The engagement elements 37 on the intermediate base 31 are adjusted to these distances A and B. This results in the engagement elements 37, 38 each being positioned adjacent to the holding elements 36 when rotating the intermediate base 31 around 180° out of the usage position 32. Thus, the engagement elements 37 can be guided laterally past the holding elements 36.
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Alternatively, it can also be possible that the holding elements 36 on a side wall 15 have the distance A and the distance B starting from the central longitudinal axis 64 and, on the opposite side wall 15, comprise the distance B and the distance A from the central longitudinal axis 66. This also enables the arrangement of the intermediate base 31 both in the usage position 32 and in the stored position 64.
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Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2019 105 062.6 | Feb 2019 | DE | national |