FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The technical solution relates to a combi box for the transport and storage of goods
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ART
Different containers, crates or boxes in which the goods are stored are used to transport different types of goods. Among the most famous means of transporting goods are the “injection moulded crates”. These “injection moulded crates” are made by injection moulds and are made up of a uniform material. The disadvantage is the high initial investment in injection moulding tools, the higher weight, and the loss of internal loading dimensions with increasing height of the crate (bevels necessary for removing from moulds). The injection moulded crates have a finite service life. When the injection moulded material is damaged and is no longer useful, the entire crate is discarded and ground as a means to recycle plastic. Alternatively, the injection moulded crate can become obsolete or undesirable if the parts for which it was designed are no longer in use. Among other famous means of transporting goods are “construction crates”. These are composed of a base of cut sheet material (made using a cutting tool) and a stacking profile (made using an extrusion mould). Unlike injection moulded crates, they are mostly used for making atypical dimensions with less demanded quantities. The drawbacks of “construction crates” are higher series costs, often limited carrying capacity and more expensive recycling. EP application 2368683 discloses a crate made from a cut up injection moulded crate or construction crate. Such cut up crate forms the lower part (lower frame) and the upper part (upper frame) of the new crate, wherein the middle part referred to as the casing is inserted between the cut parts. This middle part connects by welding with the lower and upper parts of the cut up injection moulded crate. The disadvantage of these welded crates is the complexity of setting the lower and upper parts of the cut up injection moulded crate towards the middle part, when the position needs to be fixed before welding. The position is fixed by means of notches, which are formed on the middle part, wherein the ribs found on the cut parts of the injection moulded crates are inserted into these notches. Neither fixation of the position by means of ribs will ensure a trouble-free positioning of the middle part for welding the upper and lower parts of the cut up injection moulded crate, so the upper and lower parts must be mechanically secured before welding, which is very disadvantageous. Another disadvantage of this crate is that if damaged, it is no longer usable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The disadvantages of the known means of transporting and storing goods are eliminated by a combi box according to the technical solution. The combi box includes a lower part and an upper part which are formed from a used or a new cut up plastic injection moulded or construction crate. The middle part which is formed by a casing with two open sides slides (is inserted) onto this cut up parts of the crate, i.e. between the lower and the upper part, wherein the middle part can be of different heights. The essence of the technical solution is that the inserted middle part is by one open side connected with the lower part on the lower perimeter and by the second open side it is connected with the upper part on the upper perimeter, by means of locking joints. The locking joint comprises the first locking portion formed on a vertical rib of the lower part and on a vertical rib of the upper part. The vertical ribs, on which the first locking portion is formed, are the original ribs formed on the cut up injection moulded or construction crate. This first locking portion fits into the second locking portion, which is formed on the side of the lower perimeter and on the side of the upper perimeter of the casing of the inserted middle part.
According to the design of the second locking portion, the locking joint is either closed or open. The closed locking joint has solid-undivided surface on the middle part around the second locking portion. The open locking joint is formed so that a cut is provided from the second locking portion towards the open side of the middle part. This cut allows for easier joining and inserting of second locking portions into first locking portions formed on vertical ribs of the lower and upper parts, because the middle part with the cut is more pliable. We call the locking joint formed by one first locking portion and one second locking portion the single locking joint. Many times it is necessary to create a combi box, which will be larger in size and will carry a larger weight of transported goods, so it is necessary to double the locking joints. To create a double locking joint, two first locking portions are formed on the vertical ribs of the lower and upper parts, and two second locking portions are formed on the middle part. We call this type of locking joint as double closed or double open. The double closed locking joint has solid-undivided surface on the middle part around the second locking portion. The double open locking joint is formed so that a cut is provided from the second locking portions towards the open side of the middle part and the two second locking portions located one above the other are also connected with a cut. Though triple or multiple locking joints could be created, such design does not seem to be practical. In some combi box applications it will be required, particularly when storing goods, that at least one side of the connected parts is open, i.e. forms an open area through which the goods will be loaded into the box or removed from it. This may be the shorter front side or longer lateral side, or a combination thereof. Although the locking joints will provide sufficient strength to combi box parts connected by the locking joint, the strength of the connected parts may be further reinforced by welding at several points or by mechanical joint.
The advantages of present technical solution are the low cost of series production, the almost zero cost of extending the product line, the use of already worn, partly broken or otherwise unused injection moulded or construction crates, low weight, and the necessary load resistance that can be obtained depending on the type of material used. The material of the individual parts of combi box will be plastic in most cases, neither its combinations with other materials are excluded. Combi box can be used for transporting industrial goods, for example in the automotive, mechanical and electrical engineering and other industries, as well as for transporting foodstuffs, medicines, toys, and similar goods.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The technical solution is explained in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which show:
FIG. 1 Assembled combi box connected by a single closed locking joint, with vertical ribs inserted into the connected middle part
FIG. 2 Disassembled parts of combi box of FIG. 1 in a wired design
FIG. 3 Detail of the single closed locking joint between the lower frame and the middle part of the combi box of FIG. 3
FIG. 4 Detail of the single closed locking joint between the upper frame and the middle part of the combi box of FIG. 3
FIG. 5 Assembled combi box connected by a single closed locking joint in a wired design
FIG. 6 Disassembled parts of combi box of FIG. 5
FIG. 7 Detail of the single open locking joint between the upper frame and the middle part of the combi box, with a cut provided from the second locking portion
FIG. 8 Detail of the single open locking joint between the lower frame and the middle part of the combi box, with a cut provided from the second locking portion
FIG. 9 Detail of the single closed locking joint between the upper frame and the middle part of the combi box, with lowered second locking portion
FIG. 10 Detail of the single closed locking joint between the lower frame and the middle part of the combi box, with raised second locking portion
FIG. 11 Detail of the single open locking joint between the upper frame and the middle part of the combi box, with lowered second locking portion and a cut provided from the second locking portion
FIG. 12 Detail of the single open locking joint between the lower frame and middle part of the combi box, with raised second locking portion and a cut provided from the second locking portion
FIG. 13 Detail of the double closed locking joint between the upper frame and the middle part of the combi box
FIG. 14 Detail of the double closed locking joint between the middle part and the lower frame of the combi box
FIG. 15 Detail of the double open locking joint between the upper frame and the middle part of the combi box, with a cut provided in the second locking portion
FIG. 16 Detail of the double open locking joint between the middle part and the lower frame of the combi box, with a cut provided in the second locking portion
FIG. 17 Assembled combi box connected by a single open locking joint, with one side open
FIG. 18 Disassembled parts of combi box of FIG. 17
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The combi box 10 for the transport and storage of goods depicted in FIGS. 1 to 18 is made from a conventional or used injection moulded or construction crate. This conventional injection moulded or construction crate is cut approximately in half to create a lower part 1 (hereinafter referred to as a lower frame 1) and an upper part 2 (hereinafter referred to as an upper frame 2). The middle part 3, which is formed by a casing with two open sides, is inserted between the lower frame 1 and the upper frame 2, wherein this middle part 3 may be of different height depending on the type of transported or stored goods. The shape of this middle part 3 corresponds to the shape of the lower frame 1 and the upper frame 2. The middle part 3 is by open sides connected with the lower frame 1 and with the upper frame 2 by means of locking joints 4. Locking joints 4 are formed on the surfaces of the lower perimeter 3.1 and on the surfaces of the upper perimeter 3.2 of the middle part 3 and on the vertical ribs 1.1 of the upper frame 1 and on the vertical ribs 2.1 of the upper frame 2. According to embodiment variants and the number of locking joints 4 formed between the connected middle part 3 and the lower frame 1 and the upper frame 2, the connected parts may be used without any other securing or may be secured against separation by welding or by a mechanical dismountable or non-dismountable joint. Therefore, all embodiments described below assume a combi box 10 comprising a structurally adapted lower frame 1 and upper frame 2 made from an injection moulded or construction crate, to which the middle part 3 (middle casing) is connected by means of the locking joint 4.
FIGS. 1 to 4 show combi box 10 of a rectangular shape with four locking joints 4, which are formed on the opposite long sides of the connected parts. The locking joints 4 are arranged so that the lower frame 1 has the first locking portion 4.1 formed on each longer side on one original vertical rib 1.1, comprising a recess 4.11 and a protruding portion 4.12, which remained from the original vertical rib 1.1 of the cut up crate. First locking portions 4.1 on the lower frame 1 are positioned diagonally relative to each other (FIGS. 2 and 3). Also the upper frame 2 has the first locking portion 4.1 formed on each longer side on one original vertical rib 2.1, comprising a recess 4.11 and a protruding portion 4.12, which remained from the original vertical rib 1.1 (FIGS. 2 and 4). The second locking portions 4.2 are formed on the lower perimeter 3.1 and on the upper perimeter 3.1 of the middle part 3 opposite the first locking portions 4.1, and form an opening passing through the wall of the middle part 3. This opening is shaped so that protruding portions 4.12 of the first locking portion 4.1 fit into it. The second locking portion 4.2 is surrounded by a solid wall of the middle part 3, therefore we call this locking joint 4 closed. Because the locking joint 4 is formed by one first locking portion 4.1 and one second locking portion 4.2, we call this locking joint 4 single closed (NOTE: e.g. FIGS. 13 and 14 show the double closed locking joint, see the description for these figures below). For better stabilization of connected parts, structural adaptations are made on the lower frame 1 and on the upper frame 2 of the cut up crate and the vertical ribs 9 are retained, which are inserted into the grooves 11 made on the lower perimeter 3.1 and on the upper perimeter 3.1 of the connected middle part 3. Two grooves 11 are made on the short sides of the connected parts and one groove 11 is made on long sides. When connecting the middle part 3 with the lower frame 1 and with the upper frame 2, the middle part 3 extends towards the lower frame 1 and the upper frame 2 until the first locking portion 4.1 fits into the second locking portion 4.2, thereby creating the locking joint 4. Connection of the middle part 3 with the lower frame 1 and with the upper frame 2 by means of four locking joints 4 ensures a sufficiently precise position of the connected parts for their possible subsequent fixation by means of a mechanical joint, e.g. by welding in points 12, or they are secured by a dismountable or non-dismountable joint in points 13 on shorter sides of the combi box 10.
FIGS. 5 and 6 show the combi box 10 of a rectangular shape, of which each side of the middle part 3 is connected on the lower perimeter 3.1 and on the upper perimeter 3.1 with the lower frame 1 and with the upper frame 2 by means of two locking joints 4; in total, the lower frame 1 is connected with the perimeter side 3.1 of the middle part 3 by means of eight locking joints 4 and the same number of locking joints 4 has also the connection of the perimeter side 3.2 of the middle part 3 with the upper frame 2. In this embodiment, the locking joints 4 are constructed in the same way as in example from FIGS. 1 and 2, i.e. on vertical ribs 1.1 of the lower frame 1 and on vertical ribs 2.1 of the upper frame 2, the first locking portion 4.1 is formed, which fits into the second locking portion 4.2 formed on the middle part 3. This number of locking joints ensures a sufficiently strong connection between the frames 1 and 2 connected with the middle part 3, therefore no further fixation of the connected parts is necessary. Also in this exemplary embodiment, the locking joint 4 is formed as single closed, i.e. the second locking portion 4.2 on the middle part 3 is surrounded by a solid surface. Not even this variant of connection by means of 16 locking joints excludes additional fixation, e.g. by welding.
FIGS. 7 to 16 show different variants of embodiment of the locking joint 4.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show the embodiment of the single open locking joint 4. This single open locking joint 4 is formed so that a cut 6 is provided from the second locking portion 4.2 on the lower perimeter 3.1 and on the upper perimeter 3.2 of the middle part 3 towards the open sides of the middle part 3. The first locking portion 4.1 on the upper frame 1 and on the lower frame 2 is formed similarly as in the previous exemplary embodiments. This cut 6 facilitates the insertion of the second locking portions 4.2 into the first locking portions 4.1 formed on the vertical ribs 1.1 of the lower frame 1 and on the vertical ribs 2.1 of the upper frame 2.
FIGS. 9 and 10 show the embodiment of the single closed locking joint 4, which is formed on the vertical rib 2.1 to connect the upper frame 2 with the middle part 3, wherein the recess 4.11 of the first locking portion 4.1 is shaped on the longer section of the vertical rib 2.1, while the protruding portion 4.12 is shaped on the shorter section of the vertical rib 2.1. The second locking portion 4.2 formed on the upper perimeter 3.1 of the middle part 3 is made deeper in the wall of the middle part 3 (FIG. 9). Also for connecting the lower frame 1 with the middle part 3, the locking joint 4 is formed on the vertical rib 1.1 of the lower frame 1, wherein the recess 4.11 is shaped on the longer section of the vertical rib 1.1 and the protruding portion 4.12 on the shorter section of the vertical rib 1.1. The second locking portion 4.2 formed on the lower perimeter 3.1 of the middle part 3 is made deeper in the wall of the middle part 3 (FIG. 10).
FIGS. 11 and 12 show the embodiment of the single open locking joint 4 with the same constructional solution as described for examples in FIGS. 9 and 10. The difference in this locking joint is that a cut 6 is provided from the second locking portion 4.2 towards the open sides of the middle part 3, which facilitates the insertion of the second locking portion 4.2 into the first locking portion 4.1 on the lower frame 1 and on the upper frame 2.
FIGS. 13 and 14 show the embodiment of the double closed locking joint 4, which connects the middle part 3 with the lower frame 1 and with the upper frame 2. The constructional solution of the double closed locking joint contains the same elements as the solution described in the previous examples, but on the vertical rib 1.1 of the lower frame 1 and on the vertical rib 2.1 of the upper frame 2, two first locking portions 4.1 are formed, containing the recess 4.11 and the protruding portion 4.12. On the connected middle part 3, two second locking portions 4.2 are formed one above the other on the lower perimeter 3.1 and on the upper perimeter 3.2, into which two first locking portions 4.1 are inserted. If the rectangular combi box contains on each side two double locks on two lower vertical ribs 1.1 and on two upper vertical ribs 2.1, then the total number of locking joints along the perimeter of the combi box will be 32. This embodiment of the locking joint is particularly suitable for larger combi boxes with a higher permissible load.
FIGS. 15 and 16 show the embodiment of the double open locking joint 4, which connects the middle part 3 with the lower frame 1 and with the upper frame 2.1. It is constructively the same solution of the locking joint as described for the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 13 and 14. This locking joint 4 differs in that a cut 6 is provided from the second locking portion 4.2 towards the open side of the middle part 3, and a cut 7 is also provided between the two second locking portions 4.2 placed one above the other. These cuts 6 and 7 facilitate the insertion of second locking portions 4.2 into the first locking portions 4.1 on the lower frame 1 and on the upper frame 2.
FIGS. 17 and 18 show the combi box 10 of a rectangular shape consisting of the middle part 3 and the lower frame 1 and the upper frame 2, wherein the middle part 3 is connected to the lower frame 1 and to the upper frame 2 by means of the single open locking joint 4. The construction of the single open locking joint 4 is identical to the exemplary embodiment described and shown, e.g. in FIGS. 7 and 9. But one shorter side of connected parts 1, 2, and 3 forms an open side 8. This solution is especially suitable for storing goods in shelves, where the open side 8 provides access to the stored goods. The open side 8 may also be formed on two opposing short sides or on the adjacent shorter and longer sides, etc. To improve the strength of connected parts 1, 2, and 3, these parts are welded together at points 12.
Although several variants of the connection of the lower frame 1 and the upper frame 2 with the middle part 3 of the combi box have been described and illustrated, various other combinations are not excluded, e.g. one combi box will be connected on the lower frame with the middle part by means of the double closed locking joint and on the upper frame by means of the single open locking joint, etc. Not even additional improvement of the strength of connected parts, e.g. by welding or mechanical joint is excluded.
Patent Application
20190161236
