Transport bag

Abstract

The present invention relates to a transport bag (10) comprising at least a first wall (12) having a connecting side and a second wall (14) having a connecting side, a closed state in which the first wall (12) and the second wall (14) are connected to each other in the region of the connecting sides, and an open state in which the first wall (12) and the second wall (14) are separated from each other, at least in sections, in the region of the connecting sides, and a closing device by means of which the first wall (12) and the second wall (14) can be connected to each other, wherein the closing device has an actuating device (30) with an actuating element and a closing system (32) remote from the actuating element, wherein the closing system (32) has a first closing component on the connecting side of the first wall (12) and a second closing component on the connecting side of the second wall (14), and wherein the first closing component has a first permanent magnetic closing element (44) displaceable by means of the actuating device (30), and the second closing component has a second permanent magnetic closing element (48).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Transport bag

[0003] Technical area

[0004] The present invention relates to a transport bag, in particular a transport bag for the automatic transport of objects according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Transport bags for the automatic transport of objects are primarily used in automatic conveyor systems. When the transport bag is closed, it is filled with objects. The filled bag is then transported by an automatic conveyor system to a destination where the object inside is unloaded. For this purpose, the bag is usually opened at the bottom so that the object inside falls out of the bottom of the bag. The bag is then closed again at the bottom to be ready for a new object.

[0007] Transport bags according to the preamble of claim 1 are known, for example, from DE 20 2017 105 508 U1.

[0008] While conventional carrying bags can be opened relatively easily by using a simple operating mechanism to release a locking system on the bag, closing the bag is usually more complicated. Often, more complex external tools are required to reconnect the free ends of the opened carrying bag and thus reseal the bag once it has been opened.

[0009] Description of the invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a transport bag that can be converted from a closed state to an open state without complex external aids and in particular from an open state to a closed state without external aids. According to the invention, the object is achieved by a device according to claim 1, in particular by a transport bag comprising at least a first wall with a connecting side and a second wall with a connecting side, a closed state in which the first wall and the second wall are connected to one another in the region of the connecting sides, and an open state in which the first wall and the second wall are at least partially separated from one another in the region of the connecting sides, a closing device by means of which the first wall and the second wall can be connected to one another,The locking device comprises an actuating device with an actuating element and a locking system located remote from the actuating element. The locking system comprises a first locking component on the connecting side of the first wall and a second locking component on the connecting side of the second wall. The first locking component comprises a first permanent-magnetic locking element displaceable by means of the actuating device, and the second locking component comprises a second permanent-magnetic locking element. The second locking component is preferably fixedly attached to the transport bag.

[0011] This transport bag has the advantage that, through the use of magnets, a magnetic interaction can be created between the first wall and the second wall. Because the first permanent magnetic closing element is movable, in particular sliding, the magnetic interaction can be used as needed and desired. This makes it possible to move the first wall and the second wall towards or away from each other depending on the orientation and arrangement of the permanent magnetic closing elements, so that it is possible to direct the first wall and / or the second wall in a desired direction. These options can be used to open or close a transport bag, so that complex external aids for opening or closing the transport bag can be dispensed with.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the first permanent-magnetic locking element and the second permanent-magnetic locking element form a magnetic connection in the closed state. This means that the first permanent-magnetic locking element and the second permanent-magnetic locking element are arranged and aligned such that, in the closed state, the first locking element and the second locking element attract each other. For example, the first locking element and the second locking element are plate-shaped with a round or square cross-section, or else cuboid or cylindrical, and lie opposite one another and, in particular, abut one another when the transport bag is closed. The mutually facing end faces of the first locking element and the second locking element therefore have different magnetic polarities.The magnetic forces emanating from the permanent magnets of the first locking element and second locking element can be the same or different.

[0013] For example, this allows an already opened transport bag to be transferred from the open state to the closed state and held in that closed state. To do this, the first wall and the second wall only need to be brought close enough together for the first and second closing elements to attract each other. Since the transport bag can be closed without external influence using the magnetic connection between the first and second walls in this embodiment, this makes it possible to dispense with additional closing stations in automatic conveyor systems.

[0014] Alternatively, the first permanent-magnetic locking element and the second permanent-magnetic locking element can repel each other in the open state. In contrast to the case described above, in which there is a magnetic connection between the first locking element and the second locking element, the locking elements here are arranged such that they have the same magnetic polarity on the mutually facing end faces. Here, too, the magnetic force emanating from the permanent magnet(s) of the first locking element and the permanent magnet(s) of the second locking element can be the same or different.

[0015] With this arrangement, a carrying bag can be held in the open state.

[0016] It is advantageous that the second locking component has a third permanent-magnetic locking element, which is arranged next to the second permanent-magnetic locking element with opposite polarity relative to the second permanent-magnetic locking element, preferably at a short distance, and it is advantageous that the third permanent-magnetic locking element is arranged in a stationary manner. With this arrangement, it is possible to position the first locking element, depending on requirements, either opposite the second permanent-magnetic element or opposite the third permanent-magnetic element. Thus, states can be provided in which the opposing locking elements attract or repel each other.

[0017] If the first locking element is positioned opposite the second locking element, which has a polarity on its front side that is opposite to that of the first locking element, the two locking elements are attracted to each other, which means that the first wall and the second wall can be connected to each other and even held in a closed state. If the first locking element is positioned so that it meets the third locking element, which has the same polarity on its front side as the first locking element on its front side, the two locking elements are repelled from each other and the first wall and second wall are thereby separated from each other and can therefore even be held at a distance. Due to the variable arrangement of the first locking element relative to the second and third locking elements, it is possible to open and close a transport bag and even to hold it in the open or closed state.to remain closed. This has the advantage that additional complex external aids can be omitted, or at least simple aids can be used.

[0018] In kinematic reversal, the first locking component may alternatively comprise a third permanent-magnetic locking element which is arranged next to the first permanent-magnetic locking element with reversed polarity with respect to the first permanent-magnetic locking element and is displaceable together with the first permanent-magnetic locking element.

[0019] The first wall and / or the second wall can be rigid or flexible, although there are also mixed forms in which the first wall and / or the second wall have flexible and rigid sections.

[0020] Particularly in the case where the first wall and / or the second wall are flexible, it is advantageous for the first locking component and / or the second locking component to have a locking strip. Especially with flexible walls, the locking strip ensures that a secure and stable connection can be established between the first wall and the second wall.

[0021] In a preferred development, the first locking component has a first rigid locking strip and the second locking component has a second rigid locking strip, wherein the first locking strip and the second locking strip preferably engage with each other in a form-fitting manner at least in sections when closed. For example, the first locking strip and the second locking strip can be designed as hollow bodies which engage with each other at least in sections. The at least partially form-fitting connection between the first locking strip and the second locking strip means that, when the transport bag is closed, in addition to a magnetic connection acting in one spatial direction, there is a comparatively stable mechanical connection between the first wall and the second wall in a different spatial direction than the magnetic connection.This is particularly advantageous when a force acts perpendicular to the magnetic connection line. This occurs, for example, when the weight of an object stored above the locking bar in the carrying case acts on the locking system.

[0022] Especially for heavy objects contained in transport bags that open downwards, it is advantageous to have an additional mechanical locking device. This mechanical locking device prevents the locking device from accidentally opening if the weight of the objects in the transport bag exceeds the magnetic force exerted by the two magnetic elements.

[0023] For example, the mechanical locking device may comprise an actuating means such as a locking lever, which can preferably be actuated by means of the actuating device. The locking lever can extend through an opening and lock into place.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the actuating device comprises a rigid or flexible transmission system. A flexible transmission system is preferably provided, whereby the actuating device may comprise, for example, a Bowden cable. Alternatively, the actuating device may be a rigid rod or a flexible shaft. It is understood that different types of actuating devices can also be combined.

[0025] It has proven to be advantageous that the actuating element of the actuating device is a pivoting lever or comprises a pivoting lever, since with the aid of the pivoting lever it is comparatively easy to move the first locking element by means of the actuating device.

[0026] The first wall and the second wall typically have a lower side, an upper side, and two opposite lateral sides. The locking device can, in principle, be mounted on either side of the first wall and / or the second wall, although it is preferred that the first wall and the second wall be arranged one above the other and not butt-together.

[0027] However, it is advantageous that the first wall and the second wall form the front and rear walls of a transport bag, the front and rear walls each having a lower side and an upper side opposite the lower side, the lower side being the connecting side.

[0028] In this embodiment, it is particularly advantageous that the actuating element is provided in the upper side region of the front or rear wall. The actuating element can, for example, be mounted near a suspension device, allowing it to be easily actuated in the vicinity of a conveyor system.

[0029] To securely keep a transport bag closed, it is advantageous to provide a plurality of first locking elements and second locking elements, each of which interacts with a first and a second locking element. Additionally, a plurality of third locking elements can be provided, each of which has the opposite polarity to the second locking elements, with a third locking element being arranged adjacent to a second locking element, and the third locking element interacting with the same first locking element as the adjacent second locking element.

[0030] Especially for the automatic transport of objects, it is advantageous that the transport bag has a hanging device.

[0031] The present invention also relates to a method for actuating a transport bag according to the invention, wherein the first permanent magnetic closing element and the second permanent magnetic closing element are designed to form a magnetic connection and wherein the closing of the first wall and the second wall by means of the first permanent magnetic closing element and the second permanent magnetic closing element takes place automatically, in particular without additional external influence.

[0032] As a rule, known automatic conveyor systems require a locking device to connect the first and second walls, so that the transport bag is subsequently closed again. Since the first permanent-magnetic locking element and the second permanent-magnetic locking element attract each other due to magnetic forces to create a connection between the first and second walls, there is no longer any need to provide an additional locking device to bring the first and second walls together and close them. The transport bag is automatically reclosed without any additional external influence by means of the first permanent-magnetic locking element and the second permanent-magnetic locking element, which form a magnetic connection. Brief description of the drawings

[0033] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the attached figures, in which:

[0034] Fig. 1 a transport bag in the closed state,

[0035] Fig. 2 a transport bag in the open state,

[0036] Fig. 3 a section of the transport bag in a first functional position,

[0037] Fig. 4 the transport bag in a second functional position,

[0038] Fig. 5 shows the functioning of a closing device of the transport bag shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

[0039] Ways of implementing the invention and industrial applicability

[0040] Fig. 1 shows a transport bag 10 in a closed state. Fig. 2 shows the transport bag 10 in an open state.

[0041] The carrying bag 10 comprises a first wall in the form of a rear wall 12 and a second wall in the form of a front wall 14. The rear wall 12 and the front wall 14 are made of a flexible material. Each rear wall 12 and each front wall 14 have a bottom side, a top side, and two opposite lateral sides. The rear wall 12 and the front wall 14 have the same size, in particular the width between the two opposite lateral sides. The distance between the top side and the bottom side, i.e., the length, is shorter for the rear wall 12 than for the front wall 14.

[0042] The rear wall 12 and the front wall 14 are connected to each other at their upper sides by means of a pivoting retaining bracket 16. The retaining bracket 16 has a substantially rectangular basic structure with two parallel and spaced-apart longitudinal struts 18. The rear wall 12 is arranged on one longitudinal strut 18, and the front wall 14 is arranged on the other longitudinal strut 18. A retaining device 20 with a hook 22 is located on the upper side of the rear wall, allowing the transport bag 10 to be inserted into an automatic conveyor system (not shown).

[0043] The rear wall 12 and the front wall 14 are detachably connectable to one another at their lower sides. The lower sides thus form the connecting sides in this embodiment. For detachably connecting the rear wall 12 and the front wall 14, a locking device with an actuating device 30 and a locking system 32 is provided, with the locking system 32 being located on the lower side of the rear wall 12 and the lower side of the front wall 14.

[0044] The actuating device 30 comprises a Bowden cable 34, which extends from the holding device 20 on the upper side of the front wall 14 to the locking system 32 on the lower side of the front wall 14. A pivot lever 36 is provided on the holding device 20 to actuate the Bowden cable 34. As can be seen particularly in Fig. 5, the Bowden cable 34 serves to actuate a locking sliding element 38 on the locking system 32.

[0045] A first locking strip 40 is provided on the lower side of the front wall 14 and a second locking strip 42 is provided on the lower side of the rear wall 12. The locking strips are made, for example, from a plastic. The first locking strip 40 extends on the lower side of the front wall 14 along the entire width of the front wall 14. The second locking strip 42 also extends on the lower side of the rear wall 12 across the entire width of the rear wall 12. Since the rear wall 12 and the front wall 14 are of equal length between the two opposite lateral sides and thus have the same width, this results in the first locking strip 40 and the second locking strip 42 being almost of equal length.

[0046] The first locking strip 40 is formed as a hollow profile with an upper wall surface, a lower wall surface, a rear wall surface, and two end surfaces, with the side surface facing the rear wall 12 omitted. The front wall 14 is attached to the upper wall surface of the locking strip 40.

[0047] The second locking strip 42 is designed as a hollow profile with an upper wall surface, a lower wall surface, a front wall surface, and two end surfaces, wherein the rear wall 12 is fastened to the upper wall surface of the second locking strip 42, so that the second locking strip 42 protrudes at least partially towards the front wall 14 and the front wall surface points towards the rear wall. The first locking strip 40 is slightly wider than the second locking strip. Furthermore, the first locking strip 40 is designed to be complementary to the second locking strip 42, so that the second locking strip 42 engages positively with the first locking strip 40.

[0048] As can be seen particularly in Fig. 5, the first locking bar 40 contains two locking elements 44 arranged at a large distance from one another, each comprising a permanent magnet. The permanent magnet is cylindrical and has one end face and one pole with a predetermined polarity pointing toward the front wall 12. Each of these first locking elements 44 is displaceably mounted and connected to a locking sliding element 38, so that the first locking element 44 can be moved in the first locking bar 40 between a first position and a second position. The locking sliding element 38 has a locking hook 45 pointing toward the rear wall 12 (see Fig. 5).

[0049] In the second locking strip 42, two openings 46 arranged at a large distance from one another and two pairs of a second permanent-magnetic locking element 48 and a third permanent-magnetic locking element 50 are provided in the front wall surface facing the front wall 14. The permanent magnets provided in the second permanent-magnetic locking elements 48 and in the third permanent-magnetic locking elements are each cylindrical and point with one end face and one pole with a predetermined polarity toward the front wall 14 and are immovably attached to the locking strip 42.

[0050] The second permanent-magnetic locking element 48 and the third permanent-magnetic locking element 50 are arranged such that the end faces facing the front wall 14 have different polarities, wherein the polarity of the second locking element 48 on the side facing the front wall 14 is selected to be opposite to the polarity of the first locking element 44 on the end face facing the rear wall 12. The first locking element 44 and the second locking element 48 thus attract each other and form a magnetic connection, while the first locking element 44 and the third locking element 50 repel each other.

[0051] The two first locking elements 44 are positioned in the front wall 14 such that they are opposite a pair of second and third locking elements 48, 50. Similarly, the openings 46 in the second locking bar 42 are arranged such that they are opposite the locking sliding elements 38 of the first locking bar 40. The operation of the locking device is explained in more detail in Figs. 3 to 5.

[0052] Figure 3 shows a first position of the actuating device 30, in which the pivot lever 36 is in a first position. In the first position of the actuating device 30, the first locking element 44 is located opposite the second locking element 48. In this case, the rear wall 12 and the front wall 14 are connected to each other by means of the magnetic connection. The transport bag 10 is in the closed state in the first position of the actuating device 30.

[0053] Fig. 4 shows a second position of the actuating device 30, in which the pivot lever 36 is deflected relative to the first position. The carrying bag 10 is in the open state when the actuating device 30 is in the second position.

[0054] Fig. 5 illustrates the change between the first position and the second position of the actuating device 30 and its effects on the state of the transport bag 10. This illustration initially assumes that the transport bag 10 is in a closed state (step a).

[0055] In the closed state, the first locking bar 40 lies in a form-fitting manner in the second locking bar 42, wherein the first locking element 44 of the first locking bar 40 rests against the second locking element 48 located on the second locking bar 42 such that the first locking element 44 and the second locking element 48 attract each other. The locking sliding elements 38 engage through the corresponding openings 46, wherein the locking hook 45 of each locking sliding element 38 engages behind the front wall surface of the first locking bar 40, so that not only a firm magnetic connection but also a mechanical connection exists between the first locking bar 40 and the second locking bar 42.

[0056] If the pivoting lever 36 is pivoted from its basic position into the operating position as shown in Fig. 4, the locking sliding element 38 is actuated via the Bowden cable 34, which results in the first locking element 44 being pushed from the second locking element 48 to the third locking element 50 (step b). At the same time, the locking sliding element 38 is moved such that the locking hook 45 is freely movable in the opening 46. Since the third locking element 50 and the first locking element 44 have the same magnetic polarity, the first locking element 44 and the third locking element 50 repel each other, which results in the rear wall 12 and the front wall 14 being repelled from one another (step c). The locking lever can be guided out of the opening. The transport bag 10 is now in the open position. For example, an object located in the transport bag 10 can deliberately fall downwards out of the transport bag 10.

[0057] If the pivot lever is pivoted back to its original position, namely the first position, the first locking element 44 slides back to its original position (step d), so that the first locking element 44 faces the second locking element 48. The first locking element 44 and the second locking element 48 attract each other (step e), the locking sliding elements 38 reach through the opening 46 and engage behind the front wall surface of the second locking strip 42, so that the transport bag 10 is closed again (step f).

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the transport bag 10 can be opened at the bottom. However, the described closing device can also be used for bags, particularly transport bags, that open at the side or even at the top.

[0059] Instead of the Bowden cable shown in Figures 1 to 5, a rigid actuating device or a flexible shaft can also be used. The front and rear walls can also be made entirely or partially of a rigid material. In the case where the front and rear walls are made of a rigid material, the locking strips could even be omitted. In this case, the first, second, and third locking elements, as well as the opening and the locking-sliding elements, could be incorporated directly into the connecting sides, particularly on the lower side of the front and rear walls.

[0060] For the functionality of the invention, it is not absolutely necessary for the locking bars to be hollow profiles. The locking bars can also be designed as simple bars. Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment, the permanent magnets can have a different geometric shape. They can have any round or square cross-section.

[0061] The pivot lever can be operated mechanically, for example, in an automatic conveyor system. Alternatively, it is also possible to control the pivot lever electrically and operate it via a remote control.

[0062] The invention also includes embodiments in which individual features of the illustrated embodiments have been omitted or combined in another way.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. A transport bag (10) comprising at least a first wall (12) with a connecting side and a second wall (14) with a connecting side, a closed state in which the first wall (12) and the second wall (14) are connected to one another in the region of the connecting sides, and an open state in which the first wall (12) and the second wall (14) are at least partially separated from one another in the region of the connecting sides, a locking device by means of which the first wall (12) and the second wall (14) can be connected to one another, wherein the locking device has an actuating device (30) with an actuating element and a locking system (32) located remote from the actuating element, wherein the locking system (32) has a first locking component on the connecting side of the first wall (12) and a second locking component on the connecting side of the second wall (14), characterized in thatthat the first locking component has a first permanent-magnetic locking element (44) which can be displaced by means of the actuating device (30) and the second locking component has a second permanent-magnetic locking element (48).

2. Transport bag according to claim 1, characterized in that in the closed state, the first permanent magnetic closing element (44) and the second permanent magnetic closing element (48) form a magnetic connection.

3. Transport bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second closing component has a third permanent-magnetic closing element (50) which is arranged with reversed polarity next to the second permanent-magnetic closing element (48), or in that the first closing component (44) has a third permanent-magnetic closing element (50) which is arranged with reversed polarity next to the first permanent-magnetic closing element (44) and is displaceable together with the first permanent-magnetic closing element (44).

4. Transport bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first closing component and / or the second closing component have a closing strip (40, 42).

5. Transport bag according to claim 4, characterized in that the first closing component has a first closing strip (40) and the second closing component has a second closing strip (42), wherein the first closing strip (40) and the second closing strip (42) engage with each other in a form-fitting manner at least in sections in the closed state.

6. Transport bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a mechanical closure device is additionally provided.

7. Transport bag according to claim 6, characterized in that the mechanical closure device comprises an actuating means such as a locking lever (45), which can preferably be actuated by means of the actuating device (30).

8. Transport bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating device (30) has a rigid or a flexible transmission system.

9. Transport bag according to claim 8, characterized in that the actuating device comprises a Bowden cable (34), a flexible shaft or a rigid rod.

10. Transport bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element is a pivoting lever (36) or comprises a pivoting lever.

11. Transport bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first wall (12) and the second wall (14) form the front wall and the rear wall of the transport bag (10), wherein the front wall and the rear wall each have a lower side and an upper side opposite the lower side, wherein the lower side is in each case the connecting side.

12. Transport bag according to claim 11, characterized in that the actuating element (36) is provided in the region of the upper side on the front wall or the rear wall.

13. Transport bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of first closing elements (44) and second closing elements (48) are provided, of which in each case a first closing element (44) interacts with a second closing element (48), wherein preferably a plurality of third closing elements (50) are provided which have a reverse polarity to the second closing elements (48), wherein in each case a third closing element (50) is arranged adjacent to a second closing element (48) and the third closing element (50) interacts with the same first closing element (44) as the adjacent second closing element (48).

14. Transport bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a hanging device (22) is provided.

15. A method for operating a transport bag according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first permanent magnetic closing element (44) and the second permanent magnetic closing element (48) are designed to form a magnetic connection and that the closing of the first wall (12) and the second wall (14) by means of the first permanent magnetic closing element (44) and the second permanent magnetic closing element (48) takes place automatically.

Images