Patent Application
20250100745
The present invention relates to a reusable transport container having folding and/or collapsible side panels or side panel sections, which can be brought into an upright position in which the side panels are substantially perpendicular to the ground, and into a non-upright position in which the side panels are folded or collapsed.
Reusable transport containers are applied in many areas of industry and logistics. Apart from reusable transport containers having rigid side panels, there are also those having folding and/or collapsible side panels.
Reusable transport containers of this type having folding and/or collapsible side panels offer the advantage over reusable transport containers having rigid side panels that, when empty, they can be stored and transported in a space-saving manner, which results in reduced storage and transport costs.
In order to ensure maximum possible utilization of the reusable transport containers and in this way to minimize logistics costs, it is necessary that it is known at any time how many of the reusable transport containers are still storing/stored and how many reusable transport containers are currently in use. For this purpose, it is currently necessary that a staff member, such as a warehouse clerk, manually books the reusable transport containers into and out of a system.
Such manual booking creates additional effort and increases the labor cost. In addition, it offers an error source which may result in the fact that there are no reusable transport containers in stock, although this is stored correspondingly in the system. This can result in delays in production cycles and, consequently, in considerable costs.
Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide an option which eliminates or at least reduces the above-mentioned drawbacks. Concretely, it is an object of the present invention to provide an option to ensure automatic checking as to how many reusable transport containers are in stock and how many reusable transport containers are in circulation, and in particular to be able to determine the current state of a reusable transport container.
Concretely, the object is achieved by a reusable transport container having a base and folding and/or collapsible side panel sections arranged on the base which can be brought into an upright position in which the side panel sections are substantially perpendicular to the base, and into a non-upright position in which the side panel sections are folded or collapsed. The reusable transport container further includes at least one sensor configured to distinguish between the upright position and the non-upright position of at least one side panel section. Furthermore, the reusable transport container includes a transmitting device coupled to or integrated in the at least one sensor which is configured to output different signals corresponding to the position detected by the sensor.
In other words, the reusable transport container includes the base and side panel sections articulated to the base. The side panel sections are designed to be folded relative to the base by means of hinges. A first folding end position constitutes the upright position in which an angle between the base and the side panel sections is substantially 90°. When all side panel sections are in the first folding end position, the reusable transport container is in a state in which it can receive material. A second folding end position constitutes the non-upright position in which the side panel sections are preferably arranged substantially in parallel to the base. When all side panel sections are in the second folding end position, the reusable transport container is in a state in which it can be transported and/or stored in a space-saving manner. The reusable transport container includes the sensor, the sensor detecting whether the at least one side panel section is in the first folding end position or in the second folding end position. The sensor is provided with or coupled to the transmitting device. The transmitting device is designed to output the state of the reusable transport container detected by the sensor as the signal. Preferably, the signal has at least two signal states, a first signal state indicating the first folding end position and a second signal state indicating the second folding end position.
The reusable transport container can have more than one sensor, where it can be advantageous if the reusable transport container has one sensor for each side panel section.
Accordingly, it is the gist of the invention to design the reusable transport container with the folding and/or collapsible side panel sections including the sensor, the sensor detecting whether the side panel sections are in a folded or unfolded state.
In this way, it can be recognized by means of the signal whether the reusable transport container is in the non-upright position and consequently in stock, or in the upright position and consequently in use. This makes it easy to query a number of reusable transport container in stock without a staff member having to manage this manually in a system. In this way, on the one hand labor costs can be reduced and, on the other hand, a risk of erroneous stocks of reusable transport container being stored in the system can be minimized.
In a first aspect, the sensor can be a position sensor configured in and/or on the at least one side panel section.
In other words, the at least one side panel section can be designed to include the sensor which is the position sensor. Accordingly, the sensor can be tightly connected to the side panel section. In other words, the sensor and the side panel section can be connected so that the orientation of the sensor in a mounted state corresponds to the orientation of the side panel section.
The sensor detects, as the position sensor, the orientation of the side panel section. Accordingly, a first orientation is associated with the upright position and a second orientation is associated with the non-upright position. In this way, the sensor as position sensor can distinguish between the upright position and, thus, the first folding end position, and the non-upright position and, thus the second folding end position. A position sensor or tilt sensor is an active sensor which can detect its position/orientation independently with reference to the gravity field of the earth.
In another aspect, the orientations of the position sensor in the upright position of the at least one side panel section and in the non-upright position of the at least one side panel section can be different by approx. 90°.
In other words, the upright position of the at least one side panel section can differ by approx. 90° from the non-upright position of the at least one side panel section. Since the at least one side panel section and the position sensor can be tightly interconnected, the change of orientation of the side panel section corresponds to the change of orientation of the position sensor.
The clear distinction of the upright position from the non-upright position of the side panel sections or, resp., of the at least one side panel section ensures reliable state detection by the orientation sensor.
In another aspect, the sensor can be received completely and without any protrusion in the side panel section.
In other words, the sensor can be integrated in the side panel section so that the dimensions of the side panel section are not changed.
The complete integration of the sensor into the side panel section helps fold and/or collapse the side panel sections without the folding and/or collapsing being impeded by a protrusion caused by the sensor. In addition, the complete integration minimizes a risk of damage of the sensor.
In another aspect, the side panel sections and, resp., the side panels can be designed to be double-paneled as a double panel. The at least one side panel section including the sensor can include a sensor holder inside the double panel which is configured to hold the sensor.
In other words, the side panel sections and, resp., the side panels can feature a sandwich design which can comprise a first cover layer and a second cover layer which are connected by means of a support structure. In the support structure, the sensor holder can be formed between the first cover layer and the second cover layer. The sensor holder can be designed as an insertion that mounts the sensor in the form of the position sensor.
By designing the side panel section as a double panel, the sensor holder can be formed with simple tools at low cost.
In another aspect, an opening of the sensor holder can be formed at a narrow edge of the side panel section. The narrow edge is understood to be one of the edges which are not the cover layers of the double panel and which are preferably oriented substantially normal to the first cover layer and the second cover layer.
In another aspect, the opening of the sensor holder can be formed at a hinge edge of the side panel section.
In other words, the sensor holder includes the (preferably only) opening which is tailored to the dimensions of the sensor. The opening is formed at the hinge edge of the side panel section. The hinge edge is understood to be the edge of the side panel section which in the state when the side panel sections are in the upright position faces the base. In other words, in the upright position the hinge edge is oriented substantially in parallel to the base. In yet other words, the hinge edge is the edge of the side panel section which, in the upright position, is arranged most distant from the reusable transport container opening. Preferably, the opening can be closed by the base in the upright position.
Such orientation of the opening can help prevent the sensor from being inadvertently removed or falling out. In addition, the sensor can be efficiently protected against damage in this way.
In another aspect, a material thickness of the double panel, specifically a material thickness of cover layers of the double panel, can be reduced in an area of the sensor holder.
In other words, the cover layers of the double panel of the side panel section can be designed to be thinner in the area of the sensor holder than in a remaining panel area of the side panel sections.
Responsiveness and communication capability, resp., of the sensor can be increased by reducing the panel thickness. Further, the transmission power of the sensor and the transmitting device, resp., can be reduced without reducing a communication radius. In this way, the energy consumption of the sensor can be efficiently reduced.
In another aspect, in the area of the sensor holder at least one through-hole can be formed in the cover layer of the double panel. The at least one through-hole is configured so that the sensor cannot fall out of or be removed from the sensor holder through the through-hole.
It is a further object of the present invention to fasten a sensor in and/or on the reusable transport container.
This object is achieved by the reusable transport container comprising the base and folding and/or collapsible side panel sections arranged on the latter which can be brought into the upright position in which the side panel sections are substantially perpendicular to the base, and into the non-upright position in which the side panel sections are folded or collapsed. The reusable transport container includes the sensor that is configured to distinguish between the upright position and the non-upright position of at least one side panel section, the sensor being fixed in the sensor holder by means of an adapter. Furthermore, the reusable transport container includes the transmitting device coupled to or integrated in the at least one sensor which is configured to output different signals corresponding to the position detected by the sensor.
In other words, the sensor can be fixed in the sensor holder by means of an adapter.
In yet other words, the adapter can be provided and designed to mount the sensor by force fit and/or form fit and/or material fit. A resulting sensor-adapter unit can be inserted in the sensor holder of the reusable transport container.
The adapter ensures easy mounting of the sensor. Additionally, the adapter can be adjusted flexibly to different sensors of different dimensions without the reusable transport container and, resp., the sensor holder of the reusable transport container having to be adjusted. It is possible in this way to save costs, as, when a sensor model of differing dimensions is replaced, exclusively the adapter and not the whole reusable transport container including the sensor holder has to be adjusted. In this way, tool costs can be saved.
In one aspect, the adapter can include a positioning aid by which the adapter can be inserted into the sensor holder in exclusively one defined inserting orientation.
In other words, the adapter can comprise the positioning aid the geometry of which ensures that the adapter can be inserted into the sensor holder in exactly one orientation. In yet other words, the adapter can be designed according to the Poka Yoke principle.
Providing a positioning aid on the adapter ensures that the sensor can be inserted into the sensor holder exclusively in the defined inserting orientation. This can efficiently prevent the sensor from being inserted in a misorientation which may result in erroneous signals of the sensor.
In another aspect, the adapter can positively lock, preferably reversibly, in the sensor holder of the at least one side panel section.
In other words, the adapter can be designed with locking lugs or locking hooks which lock in dedicated projections of the sensor holder. The locking lugs or locking hooks can be preferably elastic and/or resilient.
By fixing the adapter in the sensor holder by locking lugs or locking hooks, insertion of the sensor into the sensor holder without tools is safeguarded, which reduces assembly effort. In the case of reversible locking, the sensor and, resp., the adapter including the sensor contained therein can be released from the sensor holder for purposes of maintenance and/or repair in particular non-destructively and without damaging the reusable transport container or the adapter.
The object to fasten the sensor in and/or on the reusable transport container is furthermore also achieved by a reusable transport container comprising a base and folding and/or collapsible side panel sections arranged on the base which can be brought into the upright position in which the side panel sections are substantially perpendicular to the base, and into the non-upright position in which the side panel sections are folded or collapsed. The reusable transport container includes the sensor that is configured to distinguish between the upright position and the non-upright position of at least one side panel section, the sensor being fastened by at least one fastener to the at least one side panel section. In addition, the reusable transport container includes the transmitting device coupled to or integrated in the at least one sensor which is configured to output different signals corresponding to the position detected by the sensor.
In other words, the sensor can be fastened by at least one fastener to the at least one side panel section.
In yet other words, the sensor can be fixed, preferably on reinforcing elements of the side panel section, to the side panel section, specifically to a surface of the side panel section, using at least one fastener, such as in the form of screws, rivets, adhesive, at least one fixing bracket or the like.
By fixing the sensor to the side panel section, specifically to the surface of the side panel section, the sensor can be easily mounted and dismounted. In particular, in such a configuration the sensor can be accessed even in a state in which the side panel sections of the reusable transport container are in the upright position.
In one aspect, the side panel section can have at least a holding geometry that is provided and designed to hold the sensor in exactly a particular orientation.
In other words, the side panel section can be configured so that the sensor can be fastened to the side panel section exclusively in the particular orientation. In yet other words, the holding geometry can be designed according to the Poka Yoke principle.
The holding geometry can help prevent the sensor from being fastened to the side panel section in an orientation deviating from the particular orientation and prevent the sensor from outputting erroneous signals.
The object of fastening the sensor in and/or on the reusable transport container is also achieved by a reusable transport container comprising a base and folding and/or collapsible side panel sections arranged on the base which can be brought into the upright position in which the side panel sections are substantially perpendicular to the base, and into the non-upright position in which the side panel sections are folded or collapsed. The reusable transport container includes the sensor that is configured to distinguish between the upright position and the non-upright position of at least one side panel section, wherein the sensor holder is closed by a lid and the lid in a mounted state is flush with the side panel section. Furthermore, the reusable transport container includes the transmitting device coupled to or integrated in the at least one sensor which is configured to output different signals corresponding to the position detected by the sensor.
In other words, the sensor holder can be closed by a lid, in a mounted state the lid being flush with the side panel section.
In yet other words, the sensor holder can be accessible through one of the surfaces of the side panel section and can be closed by the lid. Explicitly, each of the surfaces of the side panel section can be designed as the surface that holds the lid. When the lid is mounted on the sensor holder, the area consisting of the surface of the side panel section and the lid is a planar surface. For example, the lid can be formed on one of the cover layers of the side panel section. Alternatively, the lid can also be formed at the hinge edge of the side panel section.
The sensor can be protected against environmental influences by the sensor holder being closed. The flat design does not hinder folding or collapsing of the side panel sections.
In another aspect that can be applied to all described variants and aspects, respectively, the sensor holder can be designed to be fluid-tight against an interior of the at least one side panel section preferably inside the double panel.
In other words, the sensor holder can be connected exclusively to an environment surrounding the reusable transport container and can be closed to the interior of the preferably double-paneled side panel section surrounding the sensor holder.
It can be ensured in this way that fluid, such as water when the reusable transport container is cleaned, does not penetrate into the interior of the side panel section through the sensor holder. This prevents an undesired increase in the weight of the reusable transport container due to the fluid, sloshing movements during a transport and a potential unpleasant odor which might be created by the fluid.
In another aspect that is applicable independently of the way of fastening the sensor, the sensor can be provided with an energy storage.
In other words, the sensor can include an energy storage or can be connected to an energy storage. Preferably, the energy storage can be a rechargeable energy storage, such as in the form of an accumulator. Further preferably, a charging device, preferably in the form of a charging plug or a charging connector, of the energy storage can be arranged so that the energy storage can be charged without the sensor having to be removed from the sensor holder.
By providing an energy storage, the reusable transport container can be moved and positioned freely without a static energy supply, such as in the form of a cable, having to be considered.
In another aspect that is applicable independently of the way of fastening the sensor, the sensor can be designed with a wireless communication module.
In other words, the sensor can have a wireless communication module or can be connected to a wireless communication module. The wireless communication module can replace or be connected downstream of the transmitting device. The wireless communication module can be provided and designed to wirelessly communicate the position detected by the sensor and/or the signal output by the transmitting device. Accordingly, all common types of wireless communication can be used. Examples of possible wireless types of communication are Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11 mobile communications or the like.
The wireless communication module can help transmit wirelessly the position detected by the sensor so that the reusable transport container can be moved and positioned freely.
In another aspect that is applicable independently of the way of fastening the sensor, the transmitting device can be designed in the form of the wireless communication module separately from the sensor in the base of the reusable transport container in a communication module holder.
As an alternative, the communication module can be designed in a stand or skid of the reusable transport container. The stand or skid can be part of the base. Preferably, the communication module can be insertable through an opening oriented toward a base of the reusable transport container by an adapter, a flap or in any other suitable manner.
Such a design allows the communication module to be well protected in a larger space. Further, a larger energy storage can be formed at/in the communication module than this would be possible in the side panel thinner as compared to the base. Moreover, by accommodating the communication module and the sensor separately, the technology according to the invention can be applied in reusable transport containers in which this would not be possible, if the sensor and the communication module were combined, for reasons of space. The opening toward a base can help prevent or at least impede manipulation of the communication module.
In a further aspect, the sensor can wirelessly transmit the detected orientation to the communication module. Concretely, the communication module can query the orientation detected by the sensor at predetermined intervals (in this case, the sensor detects actively its orientation, but transmits passively the detected orientation). As an alternative, the sensor can actively transmit the detected orientation to the communication module at the predetermined intervals.
In one aspect, the communication between the sensor and the communication module can take place via Bluetooth.
In particular for passive transmission of the orientation of the sensor to the communication module, the sensor is very compact and long-lasting as there a low power consumption by the sensor.
In another aspect, the sensor and the communication module can be coupled/paired wirelessly. In other words, the sensor and the communication module can be configured so that the sensor communicates exclusively with the related/coupled communication module. In yet other words, the sensor and the communication module are programmed, preferably before being installed, such that the communication module detects exclusively transmitted orientations/orientation data of the coupled sensor as being related.
In this way, it can be ensured that in particular in a warehouse where a plurality of reusable transport containers are stored side by side, exclusively the sensor and the communication module of one single reusable transport container communicate with each other and there is no (undesired) communication of the sensor of a first one of the reusable transport containers with the communication module of a second one of the reusable transport containers, which might result in wrong stocks and in production losses.
In another aspect, exactly one of the communication modules and more than one of the sensors can be formed in the reusable transport containers, wherein all sensors in the reusable transport container communicate with the communication module. Preferably, one of the sensors can be formed in each side panel of the reusable transport container or in a defined number of side panels of the reusable transport container.
Such a redundant design can prevent an incorrectly detected state of the reusable transport container from occurring.
In another aspect, in addition to the sensor in the side panel, a sensor can be formed in the base of the reusable transport container.
In this way, tilting/falling of the reusable transport container can be distinguished from collapsing of the reusable transport container.
In another aspect that is applicable independently of the way of fastening the sensor, the sensor can communicate a detected position to an external device by means of the communication module.
In other words, the communication module can send the detected position wirelessly to an external device by means of a (radio) signal, the device preferably being a server. The device can preferably determine based on the transmitted signal how many reusable transport containers are in a storing state and how many of the reusable transport containers are in a filled state.
In another aspect that is applicable independently of the way of fastening the sensor, the detected position can be communicated to the external device at a defined interval. Alternatively, the detected position can be transmitted to the external device only when the external device outputs a query/trigger.
In other words, the wireless communication module can communicate the detected position to the external device at a defined time interval. For example, the wireless communication module can communicate the detected position to the external device every 30 seconds, every ten minutes or every two hours.
Energy can be saved by sending the detected position at defined intervals, which ensures that the sensor can work independently for a longer period of time without maintenance. The interval can be tailored to the intended use and the operating environment of the reusable transport container.
In another aspect that is applicable independently of the way of fastening the sensor, the sensor can be arranged in a third of the at least one side panel section facing the base in which the sensor is formed.
In an alternative aspect of the present invention, a position sensor is used in a reusable transport container to establish a storage state/a filling state/a filling/a stock level of the reusable transport container.
In other words, the position sensor is used to establish whether the side panels or, resp., the at least one side panel of the reusable transport container is in the upright position or in the non-upright position. Then, it can be determined from said established value of the position sensor in which state the reusable transport container is and if it is available for logistics, for example.
In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the related Figures.
First, based on
The base includes stand skids 10 aligned/oriented in the direction of the long side of the base 4. First fork openings 12 are formed between the stand skids 10. The first fork openings 12 are configured so that the reusable transport container 2 can be received and transported by means of a forklift, a lifting truck or the like. Second fork openings 14 are formed at the long sides of the base 4.
An opening rim 16 is formed on a side of the first side panels 6 and the second side panels 8 remote from the base 4. The opening rim 16 encloses an opening of the reusable transport container 2. At the opening rim 16 locking edges 18 are formed which extend from the opening rim 16 in a direction away from the base 4. The locking edges 18 enable plural identical reusable transport containers 2 to be stacked in a shift-safe manner.
A first small flap 20 is formed centrally in one of the first side panels 6. The first flap 20 extends from the opening rim 16 approximately over half the height of the first side panel 6. The first flap 20 is hinged to an edge oriented toward the base 4 on the first side panel 6. A second large flap 22 is formed in one of the second side panels 8. The second flap 22 extends from the opening rim 16 approximately over half the height of the second side panel 8. The second flap 22 is hinged to an edge oriented toward the base 4 on the second side panel 8.
In the first embodiment, a sensor 24 is formed in the first side panel 6 which contains no first flap 20. The sensor 24 in the first embodiment is a position sensor or an orientation sensor, respectively. The sensor 24 is formed in a section of the first side panel 6 facing the base 4. Preferably, the sensor 24 is held in a sensor holder 26 (see
In a transport configuration of the reusable transport container 2, both of the first side panels 6 and both of the second side panels 8 are aligned/oriented substantially in parallel to the base 4. In the illustrated first embodiment, the second side panels 8 are hinged at a larger distance from the base 4 than the first side panels 6. In this way, the second side panels 8 can be folded onto the first side panels 6, and both the first side panels 6 and the second side panels 8 are aligned substantially in parallel to the base 4 in the non-upright position or in the transport configuration, respectively.
The first side panel 6 includes the sensor holder 26 which is provided and designed to hold the sensor 24. The sensor 24 is preferably completely enclosed by the sensor holder 26. The sensor holder 26 in the here shown first embodiment with the double-paneled side panel section and, resp., the double-paneled first side panels 6 and second side panels 8 is a cavity in the first side panel 6. Accordingly, the sensor holder 26 is tailored to dimensions of the sensor 24.
The sensor 24 is fixed in the sensor holder 26 so that the sensor 24 is efficiently prevented from moving relative to the first side panel 6 including the sensor 24. In other words, a sensor orientation at any point in time at which the sensor 24 is located in the sensor holder 26 of the first side panel 6 corresponds to a side panel orientation of the first side panel. Hence, when the first side panel 6 is in the upright position 6.1, also the sensor 24 is in the upright position 6.1.
This can be detected by the sensor 24 and can be communicated using a transmitting device. Preferably, the transmitting device is a wireless communication module permanently installed in the sensor 24. Therefore, if the sensor 24 detects that the sensor 24 and, thus, the first side panel 6 are in the upright position 6.1, said position can be communicated using the transmitting device.
If the upright position 6.1 is communicated, it can be concluded therefrom that the reusable transport container 2 is in use and/or is filled. In other words, it can be concluded therefrom that the reusable transport container 2 is not in storage or in a storing state and, thus, is not available.
If the first side panel 6 is in the non-upright position 6.3, the sensor 24 also is in the non-upright position 6.3. This can be detected by the sensor 24 and can be communicated by means of the transmitting device. Therefore, if the sensor 24 detects that the sensor 24 and, thus, the first side panel are in the non-upright position 6.3, said position can be communicated by means of the transmitting device. If the non-upright position 6.3 is communicated, one can conclude therefrom that the reusable transport container 2 is in storage or, resp., in the storing state. In other words, one can conclude therefrom that the reusable transport container 2 is not in use and thus is available.
The reusable transport container 2 shown in
Each of the sensors 24 preferably communicates, apart from its current position, also its installation position and, resp., an individual identifier which can be associated with the installation position. In this way, it cannot only be detected whether the reusable transport container 2 is in use or in the storing state, but it can be concluded from the position of the first flap 20 and the second flap 22 whether the reusable transport container 2 is currently loaded or unloaded, or whether the reusable transport container 2 is filled in a resting situation. Thus, one can conclude from the transmitted position of the first flap 20 and the second flap 22 in which state of use the reusable transport container 2 is when the first side panels 6 and, resp., second side panels 8 are in the upright position.
A redundancy can be achieved by providing the sensor 24 both in the first side panel 6 and in the second side panel 8, allowing the determination of the state of the reusable transport container 2 to be rendered more reliable and less error-prone. In addition, it can also be detected by means of plural sensors 24 whether a reusable transport container 2 is defective. In this way, if there are plural sensors 24 which communicate positions different from each other both in first side panels 6 and in second side panels 8 of a defined reusable transport container 2, one can conclude therefrom that one of the side panels 6, 8 may have collapsed and cargo stored in the reusable transport container 2 may come out.
In the following, the reusable transport container 2 comprising an adapter 36 will be described based on
The adapter 36 is provided and designed to receive the sensor 24. The adapter 36 is shown in detail in
The positioning aid 42 is formed at a second end of the adapter 36 which is opposite to the first end of the adapter 36 in a longitudinal direction of the adapter. In other words, the positioning aid 42 is formed on a side of the adapter remote from the locking hooks 44. In the area of the positioning aid 42, the adapter base 50 is upwardly offset. In other words, the adapter base 50 has a step 54 toward an extension direction of the adapter side panels 52 in the area of the positioning aid 42. Furthermore, the adapter side panel 52 is designed to be retracted in the area of the positioning aid 42. In other words, a distance between opposite sections of the adapter side panels 52 is reduced in the area of the positioning aid 42.
Hereinafter, the reusable transport container 2 comprising a mount geometry 56 provided and designed to receive the sensor 24 in exactly a specific orientation will be described based on
In the following, based on
In detail, the
The sensor holder 26 of the fourth embodiment is closed by the lid 92. In particular, the lid 92 closes the sensor holder opening 30.
In a preferred development of the fourth embodiment, the lid 92 and, resp., the geometry of the lid 92 can be adjusted to the dimensions of the sensor 24 so that the sensor 24 is positively fixed in the sensor holder 26 substantially without play.
The fourth embodiment described here has the lid 92 at an edge of the first side panel 6. The lid 92 can be formed explicitly also in the first cover layer 38 and/or in the second cover layer 40.
A panel thickness of the lid 92 may be smaller than the panel thickness of the first cover layer 38 and the panel thickness of the second cover layer 40.
In the reusable transport container 2 of the fifth embodiment, the (position/orientation) sensor 24 and the communication module 94a; 94b are designed separately from each other.
In the first alternative of the fifth embodiment, the communication module 94a is designed in the central stand skid 10 of the reusable transport container 2 and communicates wirelessly with the sensor 24 formed in the side panel 8. The communication module 94a is arranged, in a longitudinal direction of the central stand skid 10, spaced apart from the side panel 6 to protect the communication module 94a against lateral impacts.
In the second alternative of the fifth embodiment, the communication module 94b is formed in the base 4 of the reusable transport container. In the embodiment shown here, the communication module 94b is formed in an area between two stand skids 10 in the base 4.
As a matter of course, the communication module 94a, 94b may be configured at any other suitable position in or on the base 4. In this way, the communication module 94a, 94b may be formed in one of the stand skids in an embodiment in which the base 4 is designed with, specifically nine, independent stand skids.
Both the sensor 24 and the communication module 94a, 94b can be formed/fixed in/on the reusable transport container 2 in any described type of fastening. In the fifth embodiment, one sensor 24 is formed in the side panel 8. As a matter of course, more than one sensor 24 may be formed in different side panels 6, 8 of the reusable transport container.
In another embodiment (not shown), the sensor 24 including the communication module can be designed, according to any one of the first four embodiments, in a first one of the side panels 6, 8, and a sensor having no separate communication module can be designed in a second one of the side panels 6, 8.
The above-described embodiments are meant to be examples, and features which are described in combination with a particular embodiment here can be applied to a different embodiment.
Furthermore, a reusable transport container comprising first and second side panels rigidly connected to the base can be provided with a sensor only in the first flap and/or in the second flap.
In another embodiment (not shown), the sensor holder can be produced by mold blowing.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22150077.0 | Jan 2022 | EP | regional |
This application is the United States national phase entry of International Application No. PCT/EP2023/050019, filed on Jan. 2, 2023, and claims priority to European Application No. 22150077.0, filed on Jan. 3, 2022. The contents of International Application No. PCT/EP2023/050019 and European Application No. 22150077.0 are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2023/050019 | 1/2/2023 | WO |
