The invention concerns a container sidewall for containers as well as a container with at least one such container sidewall. Moreover, the invention concerns of product-transporting receptacle comprising such a container.
The container sidewall functions as a stabilizing means. Such stabilizing means, for example, so-called sandwich structures, are generally known and are utilized in different fields of application, for example, insulation technology, truck superstructures, industrial construction, advertisement boards, stage construction, furniture building etc. Sandwich structures comprise in general two stiff cover layers between which a more light-weight core material, for example, honeycomb structures of paper, lightweight wood, polyurethane, styrofoam or the like is arranged. When producing such sandwich structures, for example, first the cover layers are placed into a mold and are secured in place from the exterior by means of pressure plates at the desired spacing or are maintained in the desired shape and subsequently filled with polyurethane foam, for example. Alternatively, in case of shape-stable core materials the cover layers can be clamped together with the core material in a mold and pressed, glued or welded. This manufacture is relatively labor-intensive and cost-intensive and requires additional molds and machines that, for example, must also be matched in a complex way to the shape to be produced of the sandwich structure or to the form of the starting materials; this makes the production of the sandwich structures even more expensive.
Containers for bulk material and corresponding sidewalls are also generally known. An example for such containers are barrels or kegs, cardboard packages or intermediate bulk containers (IBC) that are rigid and often heavy (rigid intermediate bulk container, RIBC) or lightweight and flexible (flexible intermediate bulk container, FIBC) wherein the latter are also referred to as “big bag” and are essentially in the form of large bags with rectangular or round cross-section. The RIBCs that often are comprised of metal or plastic material are used frequently for transporting liquid or pasty materials and FIBCs are used frequently for transporting flowable bulk material, for example, construction materials such as sand, gravel, or rocks but also pharmaceutical substances, foodstuff or their intermediates. The specifications of such FIBCs can be found in DIN EN standard 1898 (Specifications for flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)).
As a result of the flexibility of the FIBCs, in particular of their lateral surfaces, bulk material filled into such an FIBC that is resting on solid ground force the lateral surfaces outwardly so that they are caused to assume a convex shape and the FIBC even assumes a spherical shape in case of suspended transport. In this way, on the one hand, as a result of a reduced footprint the stability of the filled FIBC is negatively affected and, on the other hand, an efficient space utilization during transport or storage is worsened as a result of bulging of the FIBC.
Up to now, for reducing bulging rigid wooden or plastic pallets have been inserted into the FIBCs. In this case, however, the plates contact the bulk material or transported goods and the plates must be secured with regard to tilting or toppling over; this makes more difficult handling before and during the filling process and increases costs. Alternatively, for stabilizing the FIBC corner-to-corner bracing is used also but such bracing also contacts the bulk material or transported goods. Also, the plates must be provided with through openings because otherwise a uniform filling of the FIBCs is made more difficult. Moreover, by means of these measures only a mediocre straightening of the outer shape of the FIBCs is achievable because the pressure forces generated by the bulk material or transported goods are essentially received and/or transmitted only locally and this also reduces the stability and makes difficult handling of the FIBCs. Moreover, the FIBCs are also stabilized by means of rigid plates that are placed or inserted between inner and outer surfaces, for example, made of wood or metal; however, as a result of excess material required for the inner and outer surfaces in order to enable placement or insertion, i.e., a play between these surfaces, handling of such FIBCs, in particular before the filling process, is made difficult and the stability is reduced.
An object of the invention resides therefore in that a lightweight, stable, easily producible and inexpensive container sidewall for containers is to be provided. Moreover, a lightweight and easy-to-use container with at least one such container sidewall is be provided which in particular is foldable and is distinguished by excellent shape stability especially in the filled state. Moreover, a product-transporting receptacle is to be provided that comprises at least one such container.
This object is solved in accordance with the invention by a container sidewall with the features of claim 1. For this purpose, on a container sidewall with two parallel oriented boundary surfaces that delimit at least partially a cavity at least one connecting means for the two boundary surfaces is provided in the area of the cavity wherein the cavity is filled or fillable at least partially with a shape-stabilizable material. In this way, a simple manufacture and customizing of the container sidewall are enabled because the shape of the container sidewall can be determined by means of the shape of the cavity. The labor, material and cost expenditures are thus reduced because the use of complex molds or machines is no longer required. Moreover, the container sidewalls can be flexible, expandable or both. In addition, high cutting and puncture resistance are provided as well as high tear resistance.
For example, a least one container sidewall that is stiffened and/or shape-stabilized by means of the shape-stabilizable material can be connected to at least one flexible element, for example, a flexible container sidewall, for example, by sewing, gluing, welding or the like.
With respect to the container, this object is solved according to the invention in that the container provided for receiving goods to be transported comprises a plurality of sidewalls wherein at least one of the sidewalls is embodied as a container sidewall of the aforementioned and subsequently described kind. In this way, a lightweight construction of the container results which container is also flexible, i.e., at least partially foldable. Moreover, an excellent shape stability, for example, after erecting the container, is ensured, in particular in the filled state. For example, a container having a fill volume of 1,000 cm3 could weigh 5 to 15 kg.
In regard to the product-transporting receptacle, this object is solved in that the container comprises at least one first container and one second container of the aforementioned and subsequently described kind. The product-transporting receptacle is thus, on the one hand, lightweight and flexible, i.e., at least partially foldable and, on the other hand, is stable, in particular in the filled state. For example, a high lateral stability, particularly in case of filling with liquid or pasty materials, is provided. Moreover, the manufacture of the product-transporting receptacle is simple and inexpensive because essentially the same machines used for the manufacture of the first and the second containers are used and/or similar working steps are carried out in this connection.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the object of the respective dependent claims. The employed claim dependencies in this connection refer to the further embodiment of the object of the independent claims by the features of the respective dependant claims; the dependencies are not to be understood as a waiver in regard to obtaining an independent object protection for the feature combinations of the subordinate dependent claims. Moreover, with regard to the interpretation of the claims for a detailed concrete embodiment of a feature in a dependent claim, it is to be understood that such a limitation is not present in the preceding claims.
In a preferred embodiment of the container sidewall at least one of the boundary surfaces is comprised at least partially of a fabric. In this way, a high flexibility as well as minimal weight are ensured. Moreover, an excellent force uptake and force distribution are ensured by means of the fabric.
Especially preferred is a polymer tape fabric, fiber fabric or a combination of both. In this connection, the fabric can comprise, for example, monofilament fibers, multi-filament fibers or a combination thereof.
Preferably, the fabric comprises at least partially a synthetic and/or a natural polymer, in particular a biopolymer. Moreover, the fabric can at least partially be coated with such polymer. In this way, in accordance with the selection of the polymer an excellent stability as well as, for example, resistance with regard to solvents can be achieved and moreover an inexpensive manufacture is ensured.
In this connection, the polymer can be selected from a group that comprises polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides or a combination thereof. In this way, weather resistance, excellent foodstuff compatibility or excellent hygiene properties are ensured. The polymer polypropylene is especially preferred.
When the natural polymer is a biopolymer, for example, a biopolymer of a group comprising a polyhydroxy alkanoate, polylactate or a combination thereof, after use an excellent biodegradability or recyclability is ensured, for example.
Preferably, a web, a seam, a rivet, a button, an adhesive connection, a weld connection or a combination thereof are provided as connecting means. When the connecting means is a web, it can be particularly in the form of a tie, a thread, a monofilament fiber, a multi-filament fiber, or a binding warp of the fabric; this ensures a simple manufacture of the container sidewall.
It is especially preferred that the cavity is structured by means of a plurality of webs into communicating fields. In this way, a substantially more uniform fillability is ensured and the manufacturing expenditure is thus reduced and costs are reduced. Moreover, a uniform force uptake and force transmission as a result of a substantially uniform material strength are ensured.
It is moreover preferred that the shape-stabilizable material is, for example, a granular material, a liquid, a gel, a gas, a foam or a combination thereof. This material can therefore be filled simply and inexpensively into the cavity, for example, by being poured, cast, injected, blown, sucked in or the like. Moreover, in this way a substantially uniform fillability of the cavity and/or distribution of the shape-stabilizable material in the cavity is provided. For example, the material can comprise polyurethane, a resin, bentonite or the like.
It is especially preferred that the shape-stabilizable material is a polyurethane hard foam. Such a material is lightweight and after solidification is shape-stable; this provides, on the one hand, minimal weight and, on the other hand, excellent stabilization properties. Moreover, an excellent thermal insulation with regard to heat and cold is ensured.
Especially preferred, the shape-stabilizable material in the cavity is at least temporarily transferable into a substantially shape-stable form. This can be realized, for example, by polymerization, curing, solidification, fusing, gluing or the like, can be provided for a limited time or can be permanent.
The shape-stabilizable material can be filled, for example, by means of a fill opening that is in particular closable, into the cavity. When the fill opening after introduction of the shape-stabilizable material into the cavity is closable, it is ensured that in case of a material that slowly assumes its shape-stable state the material remains in the cavity until at least a partial stabilization has been reached. Moreover, the closability makes it possible that the shape-stabilizable material can be distributed easily in the cavity, for example, by inverting, pivoting or the like.
Preferably the edges of a first boundary surface are connected at least partially to edges of a second boundary surface in order to form the cavity. In this connection, the edges can be connected for example by means of a seam, a weld connection, an adhesive connection or a combination thereof. In this way, the cavity can be easily and inexpensively formed and a seal-tightness of the connection relative to the shape-stabilizable material is ensured.
Preferably, the container sidewall has a rod-shaped or flat geometry and can be additionally deformable or shaped along at least one axis. In this way, excellent adaptability to a shape, for example, of transported goods and/or stored goods can be ensured. For example, a flat container sidewall can be provided as a pallet, for example, for packaged goods or the like, and/or can also be used in case of goods arranged on such a pallet (or a conventional pallet) for lateral stabilization of the goods.
In a preferred embodiment of the container the container comprises at least one first opening adjoining at least one sidewall for introducing or filling in the goods. Additionally or alternatively, the first opening can be an integral component of the boundary surface or the first opening can replace a sidewall, in particular an upper sidewall, at least partially.
The container can comprise, for example, a second opening that adjoins at least one boundary surface for removing transported goods. In this way, a simple removal of the transported goods, for example, in that it pours, falls, flows, runs or the like from the container. In this connection, it can be provided that the removal opening is integrated into a bottom side of the container.
When the container comprises a first opening, it can be closable, for example, by means of a closure flap of flexible or non-flex material, for example, a fabric. When the container comprises a first opening and a second opening, the first opening, the second opening or both openings can be closable. Additionally or alternatively, for at least one opening an introducing or filling aid and/or a removal aid, for example, a socket, a funnel, a chute, a projection of the like can be provided. Such aid can be realized at least partially of a flexible material, for example, a fabric. When, for example, a socket or a funnel of flexible material is present, it can be closable, for example, by a clamp, a clip, a tie, a strap, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, the removal opening can be generated at the time of removal, for example, by means of a cut. In this connection, on the surface of a container sidewall a preferred location can be provided and can be marked for locating it more easily, for example, by color.
It is especially preferred that the first and second openings are arranged opposite one another so that a simple and substantially complete introduction and/or filling and removal of the transported goods is ensured. For example, the first and second openings can be arranged on an upper sidewall and a lower sidewall.
Preferably, the container comprises at least one suspension means; in this way a simple transport, for example, a suspended transport, is ensured. For example, the container comprises one, two, four or more suspension means. In this connection, the suspension means can be connectable, for example, to at least one boundary surface or a connecting location of at least two boundary surfaces. Additionally or alternatively, the suspension means can be an integral component of the boundary surface and/or the connecting location. In this way, a safe, simple and inexpensive realization of the suspension means can be ensured.
It is especially preferred that the container is at least partially foldable, in particular in a substantially empty state. In this way, it is ensured that the container can be stored and transported in a space-saving and inexpensive way.
In a preferred embodiment of the product-transporting receptacle according to claim 27 an outer contour of the first container is matched to an inner contour of the second container in such a way that the second container receives the first container or can receive the first container. In particular, the first container can be provided for receiving the goods. The first container will also be referred to here and in the following as an inner part and the second container as an outer part.
It is especially preferred in this connection that at least one container sidewall of the first container and/or of the second container is effective for shape stabilization of the product-transporting receptacle. In this way, material savings as well as simplification of the manufacture and thus cost reduction are achieved.
It is especially preferred that two oppositely positioned container sidewalls of the first container and two oppositely positioned container sidewalls of the second container are effective for shape stabilization of the product-transporting receptacle wherein the opposite container sidewalls of the first container relative to the oppositely positioned container sidewalls of the second container are arranged such that, as a whole, four shape-stabilizing container sidewalls result.
In this connection, the product-transporting receptacle can comprise at least one support, for example, of metal, wood, plastic material, biopolymer composite material or the like for stabilization. The at least one support can be, for example, tubular, rod-shaped, flat or the like, for example, an angle piece. Additionally or alternatively, the support can be arranged in at least one corner area.
In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the container sidewall according to the invention has at least one mobility strip that extends about the entire height of the sidewall and that operates as a hinge; the mobility strip is free of stabilizable material and its width corresponds at least to the length of the connecting means. Advantageously, both boundary surfaces at least partially are comprised of fabric and the fabrics are connected in the area of the mobility strip across the entire height of the container sidewall in an impermeable way for the shape-stable material. The connection is realized in particular by sewing or interweaving of the two fabrics. When filling the container sidewall with the shape-stabilizable material, the thus formed mobility strip is free of shape-stabilizable material and maintains thus its flexibility so that the mobility strip can operate as a hinge. In this way, it is achieved that the container sidewall is foldable even in the state filled with the shape-stabilizable material. Advantageously, the container sidewall has at two opposed ends a mobility strip, respectively, as well as a third mobility strip between the two first mobility strips. In this connection, the strips are also free of shape-stabilizable material and their width corresponds at least to the length of the connecting means. By means of this configuration an even more improved folding of the container sidewall is achieved when it is connected with further container sidewalls to form a container. In an especially preferred configuration of a container according to the invention, at least two opposite container sidewalls are provided with one of several configurations of the aforementioned mobility strips. Advantageously, the container has in this connection a substantially cubical shape with four container sidewalls according to the invention of which at least two opposed sidewalls each have three mobility strips of the aforementioned kind. In this way, a space-saving folding of the container in the empty state is possible. The bottom and the top of the container are preferably formed by a fabric with a closable opening for filling or emptying the container.
Embodiments of the invention will be explained in the following with the aid of the drawing in more detail. Objects or elements that correspond to one another are identified in the Figures with same reference numerals.
The, or each, embodiment is not to be understood as a limitation of the invention. Instead, in the context of the present disclosure, numerous variations and modifications are possible, in particular such variants, combinations and/or materials that, for example, by combinations or modification of individual features or elements, described in connection with the general or special description part as well as in the claims and/or the drawings, are apparent to a person skilled in the art with regard to the solution of the object and, by combinable features lead to a new object, also in regard to the manufacturing processes. It is shown in:
a, 6b, 6c schematic cross-sections of different embodiments of a container according to the invention;
a, 10b a semi-transparent schematic illustration of an outer part of a further embodiment of a container according to the invention;
In the following, elements that function in the same way are identified with the same reference numeral, should this be beneficial.
Additionally, the cavity 18 is fillable with a shape-stabilizable material 18a, for example, a polyurethane foam, in particular polyurethane hard foam. In this connection, the shape-stabilizable material 18a will be distributed in the fields 24 because they communicate with one another (communicating fields) so that after solidification of the foam a substantially stiff container sidewall 10 with the capability of force uptake and force distribution results. A shape of the container sidewall 10, for example, a flat shape, results in principle from the shape of the cavity 18, the spacing of the boundary surfaces 12a, 12b, and the fill volume. In this connection, the length of the webs 22 determines the thickness of the container sidewall 10 but in the areas that are not connected by means of webs 22a, 22c, 22c, 22b pillow-like bulges of the fields 24 can occur within certain limits. Filling of the cavity 18 with the shape-stabilizable material 18a is realized, for example, by means of an at least partially open edge 16 or a fill opening 26. In the case of a fill opening 26, the fill opening can be closed, for example, tied off, sewn shut or the like, after the shape-stabilizable material has been filled in or after solidification of the shape-stabilizable material 18a.
All support elements 30a-30g, 36 illustrated in
a shows a schematically simplified cross-section of an embodiment of a container 38 according to the invention with flexible sidewalls 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d and an interior 42 delimited by them wherein the sidewalls 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d correspond in their configuration to the configuration of the spaced-apart double fabric 25 as illustrated in
The basic configuration corresponds to that illustrated in
On the upper corner 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d of the container 38 there are suspension means 56a, 56b, 56c, 56b, for example, loops which are connected to the connecting locations 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, for example, are sewn in or the like. Additionally, or alternatively, the suspension means 56a, 56b, 56c, 56c can also be connected to the sidewalls 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, for example, by sewing, or can even be formed by them.
Moreover, the second opening 34 can comprise a removal aid, for example, a removal socket, and the first, the second or both openings 34, 50 can be closable by means of a closure means, for example, a clip, a clamp, a tie, or the like and/or can be covered by means of a web of flexible material.
Moreover, two further container sidewalls 10c, 10d are movably connected at an edge 16b, 16c to the connecting locations 44b, 44d and in this way, like a hinge, are foldable so that a foldability of the container 38 results. Additionally or alternatively, upper, lower or both sidewalls 48, 46 (shown in
a shows a semi-transparent schematic illustration of an outer part 58 of a further embodiment of a container 38 according to the invention. It corresponds substantially to the container 38 illustrated in
The outer part 58 illustrated in
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2007 036 914.1 | Aug 2007 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP2008/006406 | 8/4/2008 | WO | 00 | 2/5/2010 |