EP4442592A1 - Transport container - Google Patents

Abstract

A transport container (1) with a first container part (2) and a second container part (3) that can be connected to the first container part (2) in a joining direction has a closure (7) with a longitudinally displaceable drive rod (20). The drive rod (20) is guided on a faceplate (19) and has first closure elements (9). Second closure elements (10) are arranged in a fixed manner on the other of the container parts (2). As a result, the transport container (1) is particularly simple in construction and has a high level of stability.

Description

The invention relates to a transport container with a first container part and a second container part that can be connected to the first container part in a joining direction and with a closure that can be driven from an unlocking position into a locking position for the releasable, positive connection of the container parts, wherein the closure on one of the container parts has a longitudinally displaceable drive means with at least one movement-coupled first closure element and a second closure element arranged on the opposite container part.

Heavy goods with a total load of up to around 2000 kg are often transported on pallets, moved with forklifts and stored in high-bay racking systems. For this purpose, transport containers with high stability requirements are often used in which the goods are placed. Boxes, cases, security flight cases or chests are also known from the state of the art, which usually require high stability with the lowest possible weight.

The US 3 982 652 A reveals a closure for a collapsible container. The closure has two plungers that can be moved in opposite directions in a plate. A handle drives the plungers via a toggle lever. This closure is very complex in design.

From the CN 114 379 919 A A transport box has become known in which two side walls can be rotated upwards at the same time. A closure has shafts and gears that are difficult to mount.

From the WO 2021/243389 A1 is a transport container with a closure arrangement with an actuating mechanism and a Safety device has become known. The locking arrangement has a large number of components and is therefore complex to construct.

The invention is based on the problem of designing a transport container of the type mentioned above in such a way that it is particularly simple in construction and can be adapted to different requirements with regard to weight and stability.

This problem is solved according to the invention in that the drive means is designed as a drive rod guided on a fixed faceplate and that the faceplate is fastened to one of the container parts.

This design allows a large number of locking elements to be attached to the drive rod, which is required for the stability of the closure. The drive rod can be guided along the faceplate rail with high stability against mechanical loads on the transport container. The faceplate rail also helps to increase the area of the transport container in which the container parts meet. In the simplest case, the faceplate rail and the drive rod extend over an entire side of one of the container parts. The faceplate rail and the drive rod preferably each have constant cross-sections and can therefore be shortened to the dimensions of the container parts. This means that the transport container is particularly stable while being lightweight. Thanks to the stable design and shape of the container parts, the transport container is also suitable for pallet shipping for heavy goods weighing over 2000 kg, thanks to the invention.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the closure has a high structural stability in the locked state if the supporting edges of at least one of the two closure elements that correspond to one another are slightly inclined towards one another in the direction of movement of the first closure element. This design allows the closure elements to slide along one another on the supporting edges when moving into the locking position. Because the supporting edges are slightly inclined towards the If the edges are inclined in the direction of movement of the first closure elements, the container parts to be connected are pulled together when the closure is moved into the locking position. In the simplest case, the at least one supporting edge has the shape of a ramp.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, it helps to simplify the assembly of the closure on the transport container if the container part receiving the drive means has a receiving profile with a receiving groove for the drive rod. The receiving groove is preferably dimensioned according to the dimensions of the components of the closure and can be U-shaped or C-shaped in cross section.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, the connection of the closure to the container part that accommodates the drive rod is highly stable if the receiving groove has two opposing shoulders to support the faceplate and if the faceplate is flush with the receiving profile. As a result, the faceplate covers the receiving profile and reinforces the open end of the receiving profile. The receiving groove can be U-shaped in cross section with webs pointing radially inwards to form the shoulders. Alternatively, the receiving groove can also be C-shaped in cross section with an undercut.

Components of the closure are reliably secured against being pulled out of the receiving groove if the receiving groove has an undercut and if a support body connected to the faceplate rail engages behind the undercut. This design allows the components of the closure to have, for example, locking hooks or spring legs with which they engage behind the undercut created, for example, by the opposing shoulders during assembly. For assembly, the components of the closure can simply be pressed into the receiving groove and are thus mounted on the container part.

The receiving profile could, for example, be connected to the container part. Screw, rivet, adhesive and/or welded connections are suitable for this. However, according to another advantageous development of the invention, the transport container can be manufactured particularly cost-effectively if the receiving profile is manufactured in one piece with the container part.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, the drive rod can be easily guided in the receiving groove between the shoulders if the faceplate is wider than the drive rod and if the drive rod is narrower than the distance between the opposing shoulders of the receiving groove.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, the assembly of the locking device is particularly simple if the drive rod has an elongated hole for the support body to pass through to the faceplate. This design makes it easy to keep the faceplate and the drive rod with the locking elements in stock as a pre-assembled unit and assemble them together. The drive rod is held in the pre-assembled unit by the shape of the support body on the faceplate.

When the transport container is open, the number of moving components can be kept particularly low if the faceplate has elongated holes for the first locking elements to pass through. This design means that the drive rod and its guide are located behind the faceplate and are therefore protected from dirt. Furthermore, no moving components are accessible in the open transport container other than the locking elements, which keeps the risk of injury when handling the open transport container particularly low.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, the closure elements are loaded in the tensile direction and therefore have a particularly high stability when the first closure elements are arranged in the joining direction and have a radial widening at their free end.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, the closure elements can be reliably prevented from protruding from the opened transport container if the first closure elements are arranged transversely to the joining direction. This design also avoids the risk of injury when handling the opened transport container.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, the connection of the second closure elements to the respective container part is particularly stable if the second closure elements are U-shaped and if an edge of the container part is arranged between two legs of the second closure elements. This design allows the second closure elements to be easily pushed onto the edge of the container part and secured, for example, with a fastening means that penetrates the legs and the edge. Alternatively, the legs can also simply be locked to the edge. This leads to particularly simple assembly of the components of the closure on the transport container.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, the transport container is structurally particularly simple if the supporting edges are arranged on one of the legs of the second closure elements.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, the transport container is structurally particularly simple if the supporting edges are arranged on a base connecting the legs of the second closure elements.

The transport container could, for example, be made up of a large number of container parts that can be connected to one another. For example, a modular structure can be used to assemble transport containers of different lengths from standardised container parts. The transport container can be assembled according to another advantageous Further development of the invention, easy to open and close if the first container part is trough-shaped and the second container part is designed as a cover for the first container part. In this case, the trough-shaped container part and the container part designed as a cover can themselves each be composed of first and second container parts.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, the transport container can be easily transported with a forklift or the like if the trough-shaped first container part has protruding supports on its side facing away from the second container part. With this design, the protruding supports are designed with corresponding dimensions as with a commercially available pallet to accommodate a fork of the forklift. As a result, the transport container has components of a pallet on its underside.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, several transport containers can be easily stacked if the container parts, which are trough-shaped and designed as covers, have guide projections on their sides facing away from each other and guide recesses corresponding to the guide projections. With this design, the guide projections of the lower transport container located in the guide recesses of the upper transport container prevent the transport containers from slipping against each other.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, the connection of two container parts is further simplified if the container parts have corresponding centering pins and centering recesses on their facing sides. Furthermore, the centering pins accommodated in the centering recesses increase the stability of the transport container.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, the cover of the transport box can be designed to be removable or hinged if the closure has a pivot axis on a long side of two container parts to be connected to one another, around which the container parts can be pivoted against each other. Preferably, locking elements for locking and unlocking the container parts are arranged on the opposite long side.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, the control of the closure is particularly diverse if a drive unit of the closure has a slide, a rotary element or a motor for driving the drive rod.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, the secure locking of the transport container can be easily monitored if the closure has a sensor for detecting the unlocking position or locking position. Preferably, the data from the sensor can be signaled optically or read out, for example, via a radio connection.

According to another advantageous development of the invention, the transport container can be manufactured particularly cost-effectively and has a high level of stability if the container parts are made of plastic by injection molding or blow molding and the components of the closure are made of metal.

Fig. 1

einen Transportbehälter

Fig.2

einen Verschluss des Transportbehälters aus Figur 1,

Fig.3

perspektivisch einen Teilbereich des Verschlusses aus Figur 2,

Fig.4

einen Längsschnitt durch den Teilbereich des Verschlusses aus Figur 3,

Fig.5

eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Teilbereichs eines Verschlusses,

Fig.6

einen Querschnitt durch zwei Verschlusselemente des Verschlusses,

Fig.7

einen Querschnitt durch zwei Verschlusselemente einer weiteren Ausführungsform des Verschlusses,

Fig.8

einen Querschnitt durch den Verschluss aus Figur 2 im Bereich eines Stützkörpers,

Fig.9

perspektivisch ein an einem Behälterteil befestigtes zweites Verschlusselement,

Fig. 10

eine weitere Ausführungsform eines an einem Behälterteil befestigten zweiten Verschlusselements,

Fig.11

eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Transportbehälters,

Fig.12

vergrößert eine Schnittdarstellung durch einen Teilbereich eines Verschlusses des Transportbehälters aus Figur 11.

The invention allows for numerous embodiments. To further illustrate its basic principle, several of them are shown in the drawing and are described below. This shows in

Fig. 1

a transport container

Fig.2

a closure of the transport container Figure 1 ,

Fig.3

perspective view of a part of the closure Figure 2 ,

Fig.4

a longitudinal section through the part of the closure Figure 3 ,

Fig.5

another embodiment of a partial area of a closure,

Fig.6

a cross-section through two closure elements of the closure,

Fig.7

a cross-section through two closure elements of another embodiment of the closure,

Fig.8

a cross-section through the closure Figure 2 in the area of a support body,

Fig.9

perspective view of a second closure element attached to a container part,

Fig. 10

a further embodiment of a second closure element attached to a container part,

Fig.11

another embodiment of a transport container,

Fig.12

enlarged a sectional view through a portion of a closure of the transport container from Figure 11 .

Figure 1 shows a transport container 1 with a first, trough-shaped container part 2 and a second container part 3 designed as a cover. The first container part 2 has protruding supports 4 on its lower side facing away from the second container part 3. These supports 4 are dimensioned to grip the forks of a forklift truck, so that the transport container 1 can be moved by a forklift truck and loaded into a rack warehouse or a truck, for example. Since the bottom area of the transport container 1 thus has the shape of a pallet, no further pallet is required for this. Furthermore, the first, trough-shaped container part 2 and the second container part 3 designed as a cover have guide projections 5 on their sides facing away from each other and corresponding guide recesses 6 with the guide projections 5. This means that identical transport containers 1 can be easily stacked and are protected against slipping. The container parts 2, 3 are made of plastic, for example by injection molding or blow molding.

In an embodiment not shown, the transport container 1 can also be designed as a box, suitcase, security flight case or chest. In a further embodiment not shown, the container parts 2, 3 themselves can also be assembled from further, for example flat, container parts in order to enable a modular construction of transport containers 1.

Figure 2 shows a closure 7 of the transport container 1 from Figure 1 The closure 7 has a surrounding frame 8, with which it is fastened in the second container part 3, which is designed as a cover. A number of first closure elements 9 protrude from this surrounding frame 8. Second closure elements 10 are arranged in the first container part 2. The closure 7 has two protruding drive units 11 for driving the first closure elements 9 from a locking position, which creates a positive connection with the second closure elements 10, into an unlocking position, which releases the positive connection. The drive units 11 protrude from the second container part 3 for their manual operation. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the second container part 3 is placed vertically on the first container part 2 to close the transport container. The joining direction of the container parts 2, 3 is in Figure 1 marked with a double arrow.

Figure 3 shows in perspective a portion of the closure 7 from Figure 2 with one of the first closure elements 9 and one of the second closure elements 10 before joining the container parts 2, 3. It can be seen that the first closure element 9 is designed in a pin-shaped manner with a radial widening 12 arranged at its free end. The radial widening 12 forms a supporting edge 13, which is designed to correspond with a supporting edge 14 of the second closure element 10. The closure 7 has a receiving profile 15. The receiving profile 15 is arranged in a schematically shown fitting groove 16 of the second container part 3, so that only the first closure elements 9 can be removed from the protrude from the container part 3 designed as a cover. Furthermore, Figure 3 that the second container part 3 has a centering pin 17 arranged in the joining direction, which is opposite a centering recess 18 of the second container part 2, also shown schematically. Overall, the container parts 2, 3 have several centering pins 17 and centering recesses 18 that correspond to one another.

Figure 4 shows a longitudinal section along the receiving profile through the partial area of the closure 7 from Figure 3 The lock 7 has a drive rod 20 which is guided longitudinally on a fixed faceplate 19 and has the first locking elements 9 fastened thereto. The faceplate 19 closes off the otherwise U-shaped receiving profile 15 and forms a guide for the drive rod 20. These first locking elements 9 protrude perpendicularly from the drive rod 20. The drive unit 11 has a protruding slide 21 and is positively coupled to the drive rod 20. The slide 21 is guided in a housing 22 and has teeth 24 which penetrate into recesses 23 in the drive rod 20. By moving the slide 21, the drive rod 20 and thus the first locking elements 9 are driven. The faceplate 19 has elongated holes 25 for the first locking elements 9 to pass through.

Figure 5 shows a longitudinal section of a closure 107 with a further embodiment of a drive unit 111. The drive unit 111 has a drive wheel 126 with a square socket 127 for attaching a handle (not shown). The drive wheel 126 is rotatably mounted in a housing 122 and has a row of protruding teeth 124 on its edge. The teeth 124 mesh with a row of recesses 123 of a drive rod 120, on which a first closure element 109 is fastened. As a result, when the drive wheel 126 rotates, the drive rod 120 with the first closure elements 109 is displaced. Furthermore, the closure has a stabilizing cuff 138 for reinforcement in addition to a faceplate rail 119. Otherwise, the closure 107 is like the one from Figure 3 built.

Figure 6 shows a sectional view through the closure 7 from Figure 2 in the area of two locking elements 9, 10 which engage with each other.

The drive rod 20 is arranged perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in this section. The first closure element 9 protrudes from the drive rod 20 in the joining direction of the container parts 3, which is marked with a double arrow. The support edge 14 of the second closure element 10 has a ramp 28, over which the support edge 13, designed as a radial widening of the first closure element 9, slides into the locking position when the closure 7 is driven. This causes the two Figure 1 shown container parts 2, 3 are pulled against each other. The container part 3 designed as a cover holds the receiving profile 15 with a U-shaped receiving groove 29. The faceplate 19 is supported on shoulders 30 projecting into the receiving groove 29 and closes the receiving groove 29 flush. The fastening of the faceplate 19 in the receiving groove 29 is in Figure 8 explained in more detail.

In an alternative embodiment not shown, the container part 3 is manufactured in one piece with the receiving profile 15, so that the receiving groove 29 is formed directly in the container part 3.

Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of a closure 207, which differs from that of Figure 6 in that a first closure element 209 is arranged transversely to the joining direction of the container parts 202, 203. A drive rod 220 is, as in the closure 207, made of Figure 6 guided in a receiving profile 215. A second closure element 210 is also designed as a profile piece and is connected to the container part 202. Like the closure 7 from Figure 6 the closure elements 209, 210 have corresponding support edges 213, 214.

Figure 8 shows a sectional view through the closure 7 from Figure 2 in the area of a fastening of the faceplate 19 in the receiving profile 15. The faceplate 19 is connected to a support body 31. The support body 31 has a rivet pin 33 penetrating the drive rod 20 in the area of a slot 32 for the positive connection with the faceplate 19. Spring legs 34 of the support body 31 engage behind the shoulders 30 protruding into the receiving groove 29. Against these shoulders 30 This pre-tensions the faceplate rail 19 and flush with the receiving groove 29.

Figure 9 shows an enlarged embodiment of second closure elements 310. The second closure elements 310 are U-shaped and encompass an edge 336 of the first container part 302 with two legs 335. Support edges 314 are arranged on one of the legs 335 of the second closure elements 310.

Figure 10 shows a further embodiment of second closure elements 410. This differs from that of Figure 9 in that supporting edges 414 are arranged on a base 437 connecting two legs 435. The legs 435 encompass, as in the embodiment according to Figure 9 an edge 436 of the second container part 402.

Figure 11 shows a further embodiment of a transport container 501 with a first container part 502 and a second container part 503 that can be connected to the first container part 502. The container parts 502, 503 are pivotally connected to one another via a bearing axis shown in dash-dotted lines. The joining direction of the container parts 502, 503 is marked with a double arrow. The first container part 502 has supports 504 for gripping the forks of a forklift truck. On a long side of the container parts 502, 503 opposite the bearing axis, a Figure 12 The closure 507 is shown in more detail. The closure 507 has a stabilizing sleeve 538 arranged on the outside of one of the container parts 503. Furthermore, a drive unit 511 for the closure 507 is accessible when the transport container is closed.

How Figure 12 in a sectional view through the closure 507, closure elements 509 that can be controlled via the drive unit 511 are arranged on one container part 503 and fixed, second closure elements 510 are arranged on the other container part 502. The first closure elements 509 and the drive unit 511 are connected to one another via a drive rod 520. In contrast to the embodiment according to Figure 1 the first closure elements 509 have a retracted A pivoting bolt 540 can be pivoted from the unlocking position into a protruding locking position. A drive wheel 526 drives a slide 521 coupled to the drive rod 520.

Claims (22)

Transport container (1, 501) with a first container part (2, 202, 302, 402, 502) and a second container part (3, 203, 503) connectable to the first container part (2, 202, 302, 402, 502) in a joining direction and with a closure (7, 107, 207, 507) that can be driven from an unlocking position to a locking position for the releasable, positive connection of the container parts (2, 202, 302, 402, 502, 3, 203, 503), wherein the closure (7, 107, 207, 507) on one of the container parts (3, 203, 503) has a longitudinally displaceable drive means with at least one movement-coupled first closure element (9, 109, 209) and a second closure element (10, 210, 310, 410, 510) arranged on the opposite container part (2, 202, 302, 402, 502), characterized in that the drive means is designed as a drive rod (20, 120, 220, 520) guided on a fixed faceplate (19, 119, 219, 519) and that the faceplate (19, 119, 219, 519) is fastened to one of the container parts (3, 203, 503). Transport container according to claim 1, characterized in that mutually corresponding supporting edges (13, 14, 314, 414) of at least one of the two closure elements (9, 10, 109, 209, 210, 310, 410, 509, 510) are slightly inclined towards one another in the direction of movement of the first closure element (9, 109, 209, 509). Transport container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the container part (3, 203) receiving the drive means has a receiving profile (15, 215) with a receiving groove (29) for the drive rod (20, 220). Transport container according to claim 3, characterized in that the receiving groove (29) has two mutually opposing shoulders (30) for supporting the faceplate rail (19) and that the faceplate rail (19) closes flush with the receiving profile (15). Transport container according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the receiving groove (29) has an undercut and that a support body (31) connected to the faceplate (19) engages behind the undercut. Transport container according to at least one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the receiving profile (15, 215) is manufactured in one piece with the container part (3, 203). Transport container according to at least one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the faceplate (19) is wider than the drive rod (20) and that the drive rod (20) is narrower than the distance between the opposing shoulders (30) of the receiving groove (29). Transport container according to at least one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the drive rod (20) has an elongated hole (32) for passing the support body (31) through to the faceplate (19). Transport container according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the faceplate (19) has elongated holes (25) for the passage of the first closure elements (9). Transport container according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first closure elements (9, 109) are arranged in the joining direction and have a radial widening (12) at their free end. Transport container according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first closure elements (209) are arranged transversely to the joining direction. Transport container according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the second closure elements (310, 410) are U-shaped and that an edge (336, 436) of the container part (302, 402) is arranged between two legs (335, 435) of the second closure elements (310, 410). Transport container according to at least one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the supporting edges (314) are arranged on one of the legs (335) of the second closure elements (310). Transport container according to at least one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the supporting edges (414) are arranged on a base (437) connecting the legs (435) of the second closure elements (410). Transport container according to at least one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the first container part (2, 502) is trough-shaped and the second container part (3, 503) is designed as a cover for the first container part (2, 502). Transport container according to claim 15, characterized in that the trough-shaped first container part (2, 502) has protruding supports (4, 504) on its side facing away from the second container part (3, 503). Transport container according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the container parts (2, 3) designed as troughs and covers have guide projections (5) on their sides facing away from one another and guide recesses (6) corresponding to the guide projections (5). Transport container according to at least one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the container parts (2, 3) have centering pins (17) and centering recesses (18) corresponding to one another on their facing sides. Transport container according to at least one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the closure (507) has a pivot axis on a longitudinal side of two container parts (502, 503) to be connected to one another, about which the container parts (502, 503) can be pivoted against one another. Transport container according to at least one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that a drive unit (11, 111, 511) of the closure has a slide (21), a rotary element (126) or a motor for driving the drive rod (20, 120, 520). Transport container according to at least one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the closure (7, 107, 207, 507) has a sensor for detecting the unlocking position or locking position. Transport container according to at least one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the container parts (2, 202, 302, 402, 502, 3, 203, 503) are made of plastic by injection molding or blow molding and the components of the closure (7, 107, 207, 507) are made of metal.

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