EP2767483B1 - Stackable transport container - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a transport container according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a transport container is made US 2002/079359 A known.

Another similarly constructed transport container is from the EP 0 674 595 B1 known. It has a bottom and four upstanding walls which bound an upwardly open container interior. The floor and the walls are made in one piece from a foldable container molding and are held together at the upper edge by a ring surrounding, stacked on the upper edge of the stack. The stacking edge has a downwardly open channel in which the upper edge of the walls is accommodated. Upwards, the stacking edge has a bearing surface, which is outwardly edged by means of an upwardly projecting outer wall. The support surface serves to stack a container of identical construction on the transport container, wherein the outer wall prevents slipping of the upper container. The upper container also forms a cover for the lower transport container. The stack edge also reinforces the container by stiffening it at its upper edge. Such containers have proven excellent in recent decades. However, there is more and more the requirement that even heavily loaded containers should be stacked on such transport containers, in particular when several transport containers are stacked, the lowest transport containers are exposed to an enormous weight load. In the case of the transport container mentioned above, corner parts of the peripheral, in cross-section U-shaped stack edge integrally sword-like down between double walls of the corner reinforcements projecting reinforcing elements.

It is an object of the invention to develop a transport container of the type mentioned in such a way that it is more stable.

This object is achieved by a transport container with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea that the reinforcing elements accommodated in the channel cause the forces exerted by the corner reinforcements on the stack edge to be distributed over a larger area, resulting in lower loading of the stack edge. The transport box is thus more stable. In particular, it is provided that the reinforcing elements consist of a harder material than the stack edge. While the stack edge preferably consists of a plastic, in particular of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polypropylene (PP), the reinforcing elements are preferably made of metal, in particular of the light yet sufficiently stable aluminum.

The stack edge expediently has a hollow-chamber profile with a second transverse wall having the support surface and a hollow chamber bounded below by the first transverse wall, wherein a second reinforcement element resting against both transverse walls is arranged in the hollow chamber in the region of the four container edges. The hollow chamber profile stiffens the stack edge in a direction transverse to the channel and thus also gives the transport container a higher rigidity. By the second reinforcing elements bear against both transverse walls of the stack edge, the hollow chamber profile is little or not deformed even at higher loads.

Suitably, the second reinforcing elements completely fill the cross section of the hollow chamber. They are thus not only on both transverse walls, but also to the one continuation of the channel side walls forming, the transverse walls interconnecting walls. As a result, a force distribution over the entire width of the hollow chamber profile is achieved and also results in a good clamping effect, the slipping of the first Reinforcement elements in the hollow chamber prevented. The second reinforcing elements are expediently in each case in two parts, wherein the two parts bear against one another at a miter. They can thus be subsequently inserted into the hollow chamber and yet completely fill it in the area of the container edges.

The first reinforcing elements, however, are preferably integrally formed as angle profiles. These can be inserted from below into the channel, so that a two-part design offers no advantages. One-piece angle profiles, however, can not slip in the channel.

It is possible that the first and / or the second reinforcing elements extend over the entire length of the hollow chamber or of the channel and completely fill this or these. However, it is sufficient in most cases when the reinforcing elements are arranged only in the region of the container edges, so that the first reinforcing elements are arranged at a distance from each other and / or so that also the second reinforcing elements are spaced apart. As a result, a sufficient stability of the transport container is achieved without this being too heavy. In this case, it is preferred that the second reinforcing elements in each case continue to extend to the adjacent container edges than the first reinforcing elements, that is, protrude slightly beyond the latter, resulting in a better force distribution.

The first reinforcing elements are expediently thicker than the legs of the corner reinforcements and preferably fill the channel in its entire width. This measure results in a better surface distribution of the forces acting. Furthermore, it is preferred that the first reinforcing elements extend at least over the entire length of the legs of the corner reinforcements, and preferably still project beyond them.

According to a preferred embodiment, the bottom and the walls are made in one piece from a uniformly strong, foldable container molding. In this case, it is also preferred that at least two mutually opposite walls have tabs which are folded down, wherein the respective fold forms a part of the upper edge, and that the stacking edge has at least on one of the channel side walls in the channel extending hooks which the tabs engage under the free edges. The transport container can then, before it is filled, be transported to save space to its place of use by the container molding transported lying flat and folded just before filling. The stack edge is then placed on the folded container molding and forms when grasping the tabs by means of its hooks an easy-to-produce latching connection. It is also preferred that two of the walls have extension-forming end flaps bent at right angles and arranged parallel to the respective adjacent wall and that one of the legs of each corner reinforcement is inserted between one of the end flaps and the adjacent wall. The end flaps then form a reinforcement of each parallel to them wall and allow accurate placement of the corner reinforcements.

According to an advantageous refinement, at least one of the walls has a grip hole through which a person can reach through and engage in the container interior, wherein a plurality of elastically flexible, opposite in the direction of one of the first edge portion second at a first edge portion of the at least one handle hole Edge of the handle hole extending fibers are arranged. The grip hole allows easy gripping and lifting of the transport container. The elastically flexible fibers close the handle hole at least partially and at least make it difficult to penetrate dust or dirt into the container interior. Furthermore, the fibers scarcely limit the manageability of the transport container since they do not have to be removed from the respective handle hole in a complex manner in a first operation, for example a cover covering the handle hole, so that only in the second operation in the grip hole can be intervened. Rather, it is possible to intervene simply and without delay in bending the fibers into the respective grip hole by simply pushing the fibers aside by the user's hand. If the user's hand is pulled back out of the grip hole after use, the fibers return at least approximately to their original position covering the grip hole due to their elasticity, which in turn increases the dust and dirt-tightness compared to known containers. Such a feature of handle holes was also in the post-published EP 2 735 520 A described. It is possible that the fibers do not extend all the way to the second edge part, but are arranged with their free ends at a distance from the latter. Then a narrow gap remains free through which even a limited penetration of dust or dirt is possible. It is therefore preferred that the fibers extend at least to the second edge part and preferably a little way beyond this. If the fibers extend as far as the second edge part, they lie with their free ends against the latter or, owing to manufacturing tolerances, are located at a very small distance therefrom. When the fibers extend a distance beyond the second edge portion, their free ends protrude slightly into the interior of the container, and the fibers abut at a location on the second edge portion which is a distance from their free end.

It is both possible to arrange the first edge part over the second edge part, ie farther from the bottom, and vice versa. However, the latter variant is preferred, since then the fibers extend from bottom to top and the user when engaging in the handle hole and lifting the container does not attack the fibers, but at the second edge portion. This may conveniently have a gripping surface to allow comfortable carrying of the container.

It is possible to attach the fibers directly to the wall in question. However, it is preferred to insert a support member into each handle hole and connect it to the respective wall, the fibers being respectively fixed to the support member. In general, the support member and the walls are made of different materials, wherein a one-piece design of the support member made of plastic, for example polypropylene, and in this case, in particular the formation of an injection molded part, is preferred. The walls may be made of a completely different material, for example, in containers that are exposed to only low loads, made of cardboard, or of plastic or metal. The support member and the walls can then be made separately, and the fibers can be attached to the support member before it is inserted into the respective handle hole. However, it is also possible to dispose of carrier part and container when worn separately or to replace the worn part with a new one.

Suitably, the carrier part dresses the relevant grip hole and forms the edge of the handle hole which surrounds the first and the second edge part. For stable connection of the support member with the wall in question, it expediently applied to the interior of the container facing the inner wall facing first contact plate and on the side facing away from the container interior wall outer second contact plate.

The fibers can be fastened individually to the carrier part or to the respective wall. However, it is preferred that the fibers be secured with their respective first ends to a common retaining strip. The retaining strip can then be inserted into a guide profile of the carrier part or the wall, in particular inserted into the guide profile. This further simplifies the manufacturing process. In particular, the retaining strip as well as the fibers made of plastic, so that a fixing of the fiber ends in the retaining strip can be done by heating and melting of the plastics. It is preferred that the fibers of polyamide or polypropylene, while the retaining strip is made of polyvinyl chloride. However, it is also possible that the fibers are glued to the retaining strip.

Of course, it is preferred that not only is there a handle hole provided with the fibers, but at least two thereof, which are preferably arranged in mutually opposite walls. A further improvement in the handling of the container results when all the walls are provided with such a fiber-containing handle hole.

Fig. 1

einen Transportbehälter in perspektivischer Darstellung;

Fig. 2

den Transportbehälter gemäß Fig. 1 in Explosionsdarstellung;

Fig. 3a, 3b

zwei Teilansichten des Transportbehälters gemäß Fig. 1 im Schnitt im Bereich nahe einer Behälterkante und in der Mitte einer Seitenwand und

Fig. 4a, 4b

ein Trägerteil mit eingesetzten Fasern in Draufsicht und in einem Schnitt entlang der Linie A-A.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown schematically in the drawing. Show it

Fig. 1

a transport container in perspective view;

Fig. 2

the transport container according to Fig. 1 in exploded view;

Fig. 3a, 3b

two partial views of the transport container according to Fig. 1 on average in the area near a container edge and in the middle of a side wall and

Fig. 4a, 4b

a carrier part with inserted fibers in plan view and in a section along the line AA.

The transport container 10 shown in the drawing has a folded container molding 12 made of plastic and also made of plastic, namely PVC or PP, stacking edge 14. The container molding 12 is folded so that it has a bottom 16, extending from the bottom 16 vertically extending side walls 18, disposed between the side walls 18, four container edges 20 abutting the side walls 18 end walls 22 and integrally formed on the side walls 18 end flaps 24, on a container interior 26 for receiving Piece goods facing away from the outside parallel to the end walls 22 are arranged. In the area of the container edges 20 corner reinforcements 28 are arranged, each having two legs 30 arranged at right angles to each other, which rise with a lower edge 31 on the ground. One of the legs 30 is received in each case between one of the end walls 22 and one of the end flaps 24, while the other leg 30 bears against an inner side of one of the side walls 18 facing the container interior 26. The lower edges 31 protrude from the bottom of the end flaps 24 and are, in order to minimize the risk of injury, deburred and rounded at the free corners.

The side walls 18 each have a tab 32 which is folded away downwards, so that the respective fold 34 forms a part of a circumferential upper edge 36 of the walls 18, 22. On the upper edge 36 of the stack edge 14 is placed by a downwardly open, limited by two vertical channel side walls 38 channel 40 receives the upper edge 36. In the region of the tabs 32, the inner channel side wall 38 is also provided with hooks 42, which engage under the free edges 44 of the tabs 32 and thus produce a stable latching connection between the container fitting 12 and the stack edge 14.

The stacking edge 14 has a hollow chamber profile with a hollow chamber 50 delimited by a lower, first transverse wall 48 and an upper, second transverse wall 46 (cf. Fig. 3a, 3b ). In each case a first reinforcing element 56 in the form of an angle profile made of aluminum is arranged below the first transverse wall 48 in the region of the container edges 20, which is formed in one piece and extends from the respective container edge 20 to the two adjacent container edges 20. In addition, second reinforcing elements 52 are inserted into the hollow chamber 50 in the region of the container edges 20. The second reinforcing elements 52 each consist of two parts which bear against one another along a miter cut 54 and are made of aluminum. Each of the two parts extends a distance from the respective container edge 20 to the adjacent container edge 20 and fills the cross section of the hollow chamber 50 completely. The extent of the second reinforcing elements 52 to the respective adjacent container edge 20 is greater than that of the first reinforcing elements 56. The first reinforcing elements 56 in turn rest on the upper edges of the legs 30 of the corner reinforcements 28.

The top of the second transverse wall 46 forms a bearing surface 58, on which a structurally identical transport container can be placed. As an extension of the outer channel side wall 38 is an encircling outer wall 60 up above the support surface 58, which prevents slipping of stacked transport containers. In order to be able to handle the transport container 10 simply, it has in the side walls 18 and the end walls 22 handle holes 62, can be accessed by the lifting of the transport container 10 and intervened in the container interior 26.

In the handle holes 62 in the side walls 18 each one integrally made of plastic support member 64 is used, which has a peripheral edge and the handle hole 62 completely lines. The carrier parts have two contact plates 66, 68 which are arranged at a spacing parallel to each other, of which a first abuts against the inside of the wall facing the container interior 26 and a second wall outside facing away from the container interior. The first abutment plate 66 is thus arranged at a distance from the second abutment plate 68, which corresponds approximately to the thickness of the side wall 18. The support member 64 also has a lying in the plane of the second abutment plate 68 retaining rib 70, from the ends of each a transverse rib 72 extends in the direction of the first abutment plate 66. Between the first abutment plate 66, the retaining rib 70 and the transverse ribs 72 a downwardly projecting tongue of the side wall 18 is received, so that the support member 64 is secured against falling out and slipping.

Each of the carrier parts 64 has a guide profile 74 into which a retaining strip 76 formed as a C-profile can be inserted ( Fig. 4b ). In the retaining strip 76, the first ends of elastically flexible plastic fibers 78 are inserted adjacent to each other and fused by heat application with the retaining strip 76. The fibers 78 are thus adjacent to each other from a lower, mostly horizontally extending first edge portion 80 of the peripheral edge to an upper, in a central portion to the first edge portion 80 parallel second edge portion 82 high and close the respective grip hole 62. The second edge portion 82 points a flat gripping surface 84 on which a person can easily attack when lifting the transport container 10. The first edge portion 80 and the second edge portion 82 are connected to each other at curved side portions 86 to form the circumferential edge. In this case, at least one of the lateral sections 86 is provided with a slot 88 which extends to the guide profile 74 and which allows the lateral insertion of the holding strip 76 provided with the fibers 78.

The fibers 78 are arranged so that they abut each other as far as possible, so that they cover the respective grip hole 62 substantially completely, whereby a good dust tightness is achieved. The fibers 78 each have a length such that they extend exactly from one edge portion 80 to the opposite edge portion 82 upwards. From the point of view of ease of manufacture, however, it may be advantageous if the fibers 78 are slightly longer and then project with their free ends 90 a little way into the container interior 26. The other two handle holes 62 of the transport container 10 according to Fig. 1 Although provided with handle parts 92 made of plastic, but not equipped with fibers 78. This is for illustrative purposes only. Of course, it is preferred that all handle holes 62 are closed by fibers 78 dust-proof or dirt-tight as possible.

In summary, the following should be noted: The invention relates to a transport container 10 with a rectangular or square bottom 16, with four extending from the bottom 16, in pairs adjacent to each other, a container interior 26 enclosing, forming a distance from the bottom 16 peripheral edge 36 forming walls 18th , 22, with a peripheral stacking edge 14 which is mounted on the walls 18, 22 and connected thereto, wherein the stacking edge 14 extending between two channel side walls 38, downwardly open channel 40 in which the upper edge 36 is received, a top-side Supporting surface 58 and an upwardly extending from the support surface 58, the support surface 58 bounding outer wall 60, and arranged at the four container edges 20, at which two of the walls 18, 22 abut each other, arranged corner reinforcements 28, each two in the right Have angle to each other arranged legs 30, each of which e iner rests on one of the two respective walls 18, 22, and each extending from the bottom 16 into the channel 40. According to the invention, a respective first reinforcing element 56, which rests on the respective corner reinforcement 28 and extends up to a first transverse wall 48 delimiting the channel 40, is arranged in the channel 40 in the channel 40, and in that the first reinforcing elements 56 each extend from the respective container edge 20 at least partially to both adjacent container edges 20.

Claims (15)

1. Transport container having a rectangular or square bottom (16), having four walls (18, 22), which extend from the bottom (16), bound each other in pairs, enclose a container interior (26), form a peripheral upper edge (36) at a distance from the bottom (16), having a peripheral stacking edge (14), which is placed onto and connected to the walls (18, 22), the stacking edge (14) having a channel (40), which runs between two channel side walls (38) and is open at the bottom and in which the upper edge (36) is held, an upper rest face (58) and an outer wall (60), which extends upwards from the rest face (58) and borders the rest face (58), and having corner reinforcements (28), which are arranged on the four container edges (20) at which each pair of walls (18, 22) meet and which each have two sides (30) arranged at right angles to each other, of which, in each case, one bears against one of the two walls (18, 22) in question, and which each extend from the bottom (16) into the channel (40),
   in each case one first reinforcement element (56) being arranged in the channel (40) in the region of the four container edges (20), said first reinforcement element extending as far as a first transverse wall (48) that delimits the channel (40) at the top,
   the first reinforcement elements (56) each extending from the container edge (20) in question at least a little towards both adjacent container edges (20),
   characterised in that
   the first reinforcement elements (56) rest on the respective corner reinforcement.
2. Transport container according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the stacking edge (14) has a hollow chamber profile with a hollow chamber (50), which is delimited at the top by a second transverse wall (46) having the rest face (58) and at the bottom by the first transverse wall (48), and in each case one second reinforcement element (52), which bears against both transverse walls (46, 48) is arranged in the hollow chamber (50) in the region of the four container edges (20).
3. Transport container according to Claim 2,
   characterised in that
   the second reinforcement elements (52) completely fill the cross-section of the hollow chamber (50).
4. Transport container according to Claim 2 or 3,
   characterised in that
   the second reinforcement elements (52) are each in two parts and the two parts bear against each other at a mitre (54).
5. Transport container according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the first reinforcement elements (56) are each formed integrally in the form of angled profiles.
6. Transport container according to any one of Claims 2 to 5,
   characterised in that
   the second reinforcement elements (52) each extend further towards the adjacent container edges (20) than the first reinforcement elements (56).
7. Transport container according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the first reinforcement elements (56) are each thicker than the sides (30) of the corner reinforcements (28) and preferably fill the channel (40) across its full width.
8. Transport container according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the first reinforcement elements (56) extend at least over the entire length of the sides (30) of the corner reinforcements (28).
9. Transport container according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the first reinforcement elements (56) are arranged at a distance from each other.
10. Transport container according to any one of Claims 2 to 9,
    characterised in that
    the second reinforcement elements (52) are arranged at a distance from each other.
11. Transport container according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the bottom (16) and the walls (18, 22) consist integrally of a uniformly strong, foldable shaped container piece (12).
12. Transport container according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    at least two walls (18) opposite each other have tabs (32), which are folded down, wherein the respective fold (34) forms part of the upper edge (36), and, at least on one of the channel side walls (38), the stacking edge (14) has hooks (42), which extend into the channel (40) and fit under the free edges (44) of the tabs (32).
13. Transport container according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    at least one of the walls (18, 22) has a handle hole (62), through which a person can grasp and reach into the container interior (26), and a plurality of elastically flexible fibres (78) are arranged on a first edge part (80) of the at least one handle hole (62), said fibres extending in the direction of a second edge part (82) opposite the first edge part (80) of the handle hole (62).
14. Transport container according to Claim 13,
    characterised in that
    the fibres (78) extend at least as far as the second edge part (82) and preferably a little beyond same.
15. Container according to any one of Claims 13 or 14,
    characterised in that
    at least two of the walls (18, 22), preferably two mutually opposite walls (18, 22), each have a handle hole (62), wherein in each case a plurality of elastically flexible fibres (78) are arranged on a first edge part (80) of each handle hole (62), said fibres extending in the direction of a second edge part (82) opposite the first edge part (80).

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