WO2006120113A1

WO2006120113A1 - Method for transporting objects and carrier provided for said purpose

Info

Publication number: WO2006120113A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/061697
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christoph Rohr
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2005-05-11
Filing date: 2006-04-20
Publication date: 2006-11-16
Also published as: DE102005021824A1; DE102005021824B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for transporting objects comprising the following steps: provision of a carrier (10), which is designed to be displaced by means of a transport machine (12); arrangement of at least one object (14) on the carrier; and displacement of the latter together with the object or objects by means of a transport machine. To achieve a cost-effective and safe transport of objects, the carrier consists of a tarpaulin (10), said tarpaulin is spread out on a fixed supporting base during the provision step and the displacement of the carrier involves the pulling of said tarpaulin. The invention also relates to a tarpaulin for carrying out said method.

Description

Method for transporting objects and supports provided therefor

The invention relates to a method for transporting objects according to the preamble of claim 1 and a support provided therefor.

For the transport of goods, in particular household appliances, which are manufactured and stored in large quantities, conventional pallets are used. On such pallets several devices can be arranged and stacked. The devices can then be lifted together by means of the pallet by a forklift and transported to another location. Due to the heavy weight of large home appliances, such as

Washing machines, the number of simultaneously transportable devices is limited. Only small quantities can be transported simultaneously, which makes it necessary to cover large distances. Also, the stacking height is limited to pallets, on the one hand also because of the highest weight that can be lifted, but on the other hand due to the risk that the stacked objects overturn when lifting the pallet. Furthermore, the pallets themselves take up some storage space, which is undesirable, and they are expensive to purchase.

The invention has for its object to provide a method for transporting objects and a support provided therefor, so that the problems mentioned are at least partially overcome, in particular, the simultaneous transport of a large number of pieces on the basis of a low-cost carrier should be possible.

This object is achieved with the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the generic method in that the carrier is a tarpaulin, that providing the carrier comprises spreading the tarpaulin on a solid base and that moving the carrier comprises pulling the tarpaulin. It is used a tarpaulin made of extremely tear-resistant and abrasion-resistant material. This makes it possible to stack a large number of devices on a tarpaulin, for example a tower of 4 x 3 x 3 or more washing machines, and at the same time to move this arrangement by pulling the tarpaulin over the ground. It is therefore no longer necessary to lift the devices during transport, for example to move them from one place to another within a warehouse. As a result, overturning of the stacked objects is also precluded or unlikely, since pulling causes fewer swaying motions than lifting stacked devices. Furthermore, a tarpaulin is cheaper to buy than a pallet, and the tarpaulins themselves occupy virtually no storage space.

Usefully, it is provided that the tarpaulin has at least one substantially rectilinear edge on which means for pulling the tarpaulin are arranged and that the pulling of the tarpaulin is effected by using the means for pulling. These means can be designed so that they can interact optimally with the particular traction devices provided.

In this context, it is useful that the transport machine is a forklift. Since forklifts are available anyway in warehouses and delivery areas, the method according to the invention can be realized easily using forklifts. In this context, it is of particular advantage that the forklift is also suitable for arranging the object on the tarpaulin. This makes it possible to accomplish loading, towing and unloading with a single machine. Of course, it is also possible to use each optimized for the individual processes machines.

According to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention it is provided that the transport machine comprises a winch. Such a winch, for example, be permanently installed in a warehouse, and it is particularly advantageous for use when always the same transport routes are overcome.

It is of particular advantage that the fixed base, the tarpaulin and the article are such that the friction of the article on the base is greater than the friction of the tarp with arranged thereon object on the base.

Both the static friction of the tarpaulin and the sliding friction of the tarpaulin on the base should be low. A low static friction prevents a jerky initiation in the movement of the objects. Due to the low sliding friction, a small amount of force is needed to pull the objects. It is also usefully provided that the article is stackable and several stacked articles are protected against falls by at least partially wrapping it with a film. Even if overturning due to the fundamental design of the method according to the invention is already unlikely, additional security can be provided by this measure. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention it is provided that the tarpaulin is loaded together with the at least one object in a transport vehicle and the arrangement of the object is maintained on the tarpaulin during transport of the article by the transport vehicle. It is therefore not necessary to remove the tarpaulin if the transport vehicle, for example a truck, a ship or an airplane, brings the objects to another location. In this context, it is also useful that the tarpaulin for loading the transport vehicle is pulled together with the at least one object over a loading area of the transport vehicle.

It is then particularly advantageous that the tarpaulin for unloading the transport vehicle is pulled together with the at least one object over a loading area of the transport vehicle. When unloading the transport vehicle thus are without further conditions, to transport the objects according to the inventive method.

Furthermore, it is useful that the tarpaulin is folded after loading of the transport vehicle in its projecting beyond the at least one object area. As a result, the loading area can be optimally utilized. For example, if you work on transport systems based on the first-in-first-out principle, it is important that items that have been loaded later are not placed on the tarpaulin of previously loaded items. This would make it more difficult or impossible to unload the previously loaded items earlier. However, besides loading objects in a transport vehicle, the invention is particularly useful in the context that the tarpaulin, together with the at least one article, is pulled through a warehouse to transport the article to its storage location.

The inventive method shows its particular advantages in connection with the fact that the at least one object is a household appliance. Domestic appliances, in particular those of the so-called "white goods" have a considerable weight, and they are still produced in large quantities. The transport possibilities provided by the method are thus particularly advantageous with regard to these devices. The invention further relates to a tarpaulin for carrying out a method according to the invention. In this regard, it is useful that the tarpaulin is made essentially out

Polypropylene fabric consists. Polypropylene fabric can be provided with the requisite tear and abrasion resistance so that the tarpaulin remains usable over a large number of transport operations.

Usefully, it is provided that the tarpaulin has at least one essentially rectilinear edge on which means for pulling the tarpaulin are arranged. The relevant advantages have already been explained in connection with the method according to the invention.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the edge is defined by an envelope and that the means for pulling the tarpaulin are secured at least in the region of the envelope. The envelope defines a straight border of the tarpaulin and the attachment of the tarpaulin-pulling means becomes more stable as more material enters the attachment due to the envelope.

In this connection, it is particularly advantageous that the means for drawing the tarpaulin are several along the substantially rectilinear edge tabs and that the tabs are sewn at least in the area of the tarpaulin on the tarpaulin by means of the tabs and the tarp penetrating stitches having seams. Such tabs provide a simple way to pull the tarpaulin, for example by means of a forklift. If the tabs are applied on both sides of the tarpaulin cover, so penetrate the stitches four layers of material, so that a stable connection between the tabs and the tarpaulin can be provided.

It is also useful that the tarpaulin cover be secured by at least one tarpaulin-penetrating seam that at least partially does not penetrate the tabs. This improves the handling of the tarpaulin, both during the further manufacturing process as well as during their use according to the invention. The invention will be explained according to the present disclosure using the example of the transport of household appliances. It should be noted, however, that the invention is not limited thereto. Wherever objects of high weight must be moved, the invention can be used. As another example of a field of application of the invention may be mentioned moving ships in a shipyard. The inventive method unfolds its advantages whenever large masses are to be transported, but the weight per unit area is such that pulling of the object by means of the tarpaulin over the existing substrate is possible.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference to preferred embodiments.

Show it:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective plan view of a tarpaulin according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of part of a tarpaulin according to the invention; FIG. 3 a snapshot during the performance of a method according to the invention; and

FIG. 4 shows a tarpaulin according to the invention with a device stack arranged thereon.

In the following description of the particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, like reference characters designate like or similar components.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective top view of a tarpaulin according to the invention. The tarpaulin 10 has a size such that a plurality of household appliances, for example washing machines or packaged vacuum cleaners, can be arranged side by side on it. At least one lateral boundary of the tarpaulin 10 has an envelope 22, which is fixed by means of a seam 26. The envelope 22 defines an im Essentially rectilinear edge 16. In the area of this envelope lugs 18 are angeord-net, which are also secured by seams 24 on the tarpaulin.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of a part of a tarpaulin 10 according to the invention. It can be seen that the envelope 22 is fixed by a seam 26 penetrating both the envelope-forming tarpaulin sections. The tab 18 is secured by seams 24 on the tarpaulin 10, wherein the stitches of these seams 24 penetrate both the tabs 10 surrounding tab sections and both the envelope 22 forming plan sections. In the present embodiment, the tab 18 continues over the envelope 22, as well as the seam for attaching the tab 18 to the tarpaulin 10th

FIG. 3 shows a snapshot during the performance of a method according to the invention. On the tarpaulin 10 several household appliances 14 are arranged, for example 36 washing machines. The tarpaulin 10 is led up to the household appliances 14 at an end region 28 and fastened there, for example, with an adhesive strip 30. Comparable fasteners may be provided on the other edges of the tarpaulin 10. At one edge 16 of the tarp fastening means 18 are provided, via which the tarpaulin 10 can be pulled together with the articles 14 by means of a transport machine 12. In order to avoid falling of the objects, at least the topmost articles 14 are tied together by means of a band 32. It is also possible to wrap the objects 14 with films, for example in the border regions of the respective plane.

FIG. 4 shows a tarpaulin according to the invention with a device stack arranged thereon. FIG. 4 shows that the projecting region 20 of the tarpaulin having fastening means can likewise be fastened to household appliances 14 by means of, for example, an adhesive strip 34. This allows a tight setting up of the individual arranged on tarpaulins 10 towers. The features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description, in the drawings and in the claims may be essential to the realization of the invention both individually and in any combination.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 tarpaulins

12 transport machine

14 Household appliance / article 16 edge

18 tab

20 projecting area

22 envelope

24 seam 26 seam

28 end area

30 adhesive strips

32 band

34 adhesive strips

Claims

claims

A method of transporting objects, comprising the steps of: providing a carrier (10) intended to be moved by means of a transport machine (12), arranging at least one article (14) on the carrier, and moving the article Carrier together with the at least one object by means of a transport machine, characterized in that - that the carrier is a tarpaulin (10), - that the provision of the carrier comprises the spreading of the tarpaulin on a solid base and - that the moving of the carrier pulling the Tarpaulin covers.

A method according to claim 1, characterized in that - the tarpaulin has at least one substantially rectilinear edge (16) on which means (18) for pulling the tarpaulin are arranged, and - pulling the tarpaulin using the means to pull done.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transport machine is a forklift (12).

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the forklift (12) is also suitable for arranging the object on the tarpaulin.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transport machine comprises a winch.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solid base, the tarpaulin (10) and the article (14) are such that the friction of the article on the pad greater than the friction of the tarpaulin with arranged thereon object is on the pad.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the article (14) is stackable and a plurality of stacked objects are protected by at least partially wrapping with a film against falls.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tarpaulin (10) is loaded together with the at least one object (14) in a transport vehicle and the arrangement of the object is maintained on the tarpaulin during transport of the article by the transport vehicle.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the tarpaulin (10) for loading the transport vehicle together with the at least one object

(14) is pulled over a loading area of the transport vehicle.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the tarpaulin (10) for unloading the transport vehicle together with the at least one object (14) is pulled over a loading area of the transport vehicle.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the tarpaulin (10) after loading of the transport vehicle in its over the at least one article projecting area (20) is handled.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the tarpaulin (10) together with the at least one object (14) is pulled through a warehouse to transport the object to its storage location.

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one object (14) is a household appliance.

14. A plan for carrying out a method according to any one of the preceding claims che.

15. A tarpaulin according to claim 14, characterized in that the tarpaulin (10) consists essentially of polypropylene fabric.

16. A tarpaulin according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the tarpaulin (10) has at least one substantially rectilinear edge (16), are arranged on the means (18) for pulling the tarpaulin.

17. A tarpaulin according to claim 16, characterized in that the edge (16) by an envelope (22) is defined and that the means (18) for pulling the tarpaulin (10) are fastened at least in the region of the envelope.

18. A tarpaulin according to claim 16, characterized in that - the means for pulling the tarpaulin (10) are several along the substantially rectilinearly extending edge tabs (18) and - that the tabs (18) at least in the area of the tarpaulin cover (22) on the tarpaulin by means of the tabs and the tarpaulin penetrating stitches having seams (24) are sewn.

19. A tarpaulin according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the tarpaulin cover (22) by at least one plane (10) penetrating seam (26) is fixed, which at least partially does not penetrate the tabs.