Transport rack for securing a receptacle

Abstract

Disclosed is a transport rack (1) for securing a receptacle (101) in a transport container (102), said transport rack (1) comprising a plurality of interconnected frame elements (2) which are arranged so as to form a reception space (11) for the receptacle (101) placed therein, the transport rack (1) further comprising a movable fastening means (3) for securing the receptacle (101) in the reception space (11).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a transport rack for fixing a container in a transport container according to claim 1.

[0002] Such a transport container could, for example, be a thermally insulated container for temperature-controlled transport of temperature-sensitive goods. In temperature-controlled transport, a predetermined temperature range is maintained throughout the transport period. Passive temperature control, in this context, involves the use of additional temperature storage elements, such as PCM (phase-changing material), molten storage elements, or dry ice.

[0003] Due to the use of vacuum insulation elements for thermal insulation, such transport containers are very well suited in practice for passively temperature-controlled transport and are therefore widely used.

[0004] Containers for transporting liquid active pharmaceutical ingredients are currently typically transported on pallets inside shipping containers. These pallets are transferred into the shipping container using a forklift. This is cumbersome and not only poses a risk to the integrity of the container and its contents, but can also lead to personal injury, as accidents can occur during loading and unloading due to unexpected tipping and the resulting shift in the center of gravity.

[0005] It is also known to fix containers individually in custom-made or welded transport racks and then transfer these racks into the shipping container. The disadvantage of this method is that it is very inflexible, especially with regard to different container sizes, and a new transport rack must be manufactured for each size.

[0006] Thermally insulated transport containers are known from WO 2004104498 A2, GB 2543047 A, JP 2019043649 A and DE 202018106306 U1.

[0007] A transport rack according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from US 2020 / 0062447 A1.

[0008] The object underlying the invention is to provide a transport frame that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and can be flexibly adapted to different container sizes.

[0009] This problem is solved by a transport frame according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the respective dependent claims.

[0010] The invention comprises a transport frame for securing a container within a shipping container. The transport frame includes several interconnected frame elements. These are arranged to form a receiving space for the container. The transport frame further includes a movable fastening means for securing the container within the receiving space. This fastening ensures improved and safer transport of containers and allows for flexible use with various container sizes. According to the invention, the fastening means is arranged directly or indirectly on an upwardly extending frame element. The fastening means comprises a fastening rod extending parallel or obliquely to the frame element.It is a mounting arm, which includes at least one movable mounting element, arranged on the mounting rod. The mounting element can be attached to the container, for example, by a tension strap. It is also conceivable that two opposing mounting devices clamp the container between them.

[0011] It is advantageous if the transport frame comprises a base element and four vertical (rod-shaped or flat) frame elements extending upwards from it. Horizontal frame elements are also present, arranged to connect the vertical frame elements. These additional horizontal braces stabilize the overall structure. Depending on the payload, stability can be further increased by additional cross braces between the horizontal and vertical frame elements. It is also possible for the frame elements to be equipped with fastening elements for securing the transport frame within a shipping container.

[0012] One advantage of the base element is its solid surface. This surface allows for easy movement of wheeled containers and their insertion into the rack. To reduce weight, the surface can also feature cutouts of various shapes. Similarly, recesses for the wheels of a roll container or pallet can be incorporated.

[0013] Preferably, the base element has a hollow profile extending across its entire width on each of the two opposite side sections. This hollow profile can accommodate forklift tines, thus enabling easy movement of the frame.

[0014] Another embodiment of the invention provides that the hollow profile includes at least one first opening at its end sections for receiving a forklift tine. Depending on the embodiment, it is also possible that the hollow profile is accessible to a forklift tine from the two opposite sides.

[0015] Additionally, the hollow profile includes at least one second opening on a longitudinal side located between the end sections for attaching a tension strap. These holes allow the container to be secured solely or additionally with tension straps. If multiple holes are present, the optimal fastening method can be selected based on the dimensions of the container. It is also possible to secure the transport frame inside a shipping container using these openings.

[0016] An alternative design provides that the base element has two parallel hollow profiles spaced apart in the middle, which are designed to accommodate transport tines (forklift tines). Separate strips with openings for a tensioning strap are arranged on the two opposite side sections.

[0017] Another option involves arranging a pallet structure, for example in the style of a standard Euro pallet, in the area of ​​the floor.

[0018] Another advantageous aspect is that the mounting arm is slidably and / or pivotably mounted on the mounting rod. This allows for individual adjustment to different container types. Furthermore, due to the length of the mounting rod, multiple mounting arms and consequently multiple mounting elements can be attached to a single rod.

[0019] Preferably, the fastening element is designed to accommodate a tension strap. This ensures that the container is securely fixed to the transport frame via the fastening element.

[0020] Preferably, each fastening element comprises two movable support elements. These support elements ensure that the fastening element can adapt optimally to different container geometries (container curvatures) and thus be used flexibly. It is not necessary to provide a separate transport frame for each container, since the transport frame according to the invention is suitable for different container diameters. The same applies, for example, to rectangular containers and correspondingly rectangular fastening elements.

[0021] Another embodiment of the invention provides that the transport frame comprises exactly four fastening means. Thus, a fastening means is attached to each vertical frame element, and the forces that occur are distributed across the transport frame in the best possible way.

[0022] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Reference numerals describe identical features. The drawings show: Fig. 1 Schematic drawing of the transport frame with a container fixed inside on a rolling base; Fig. 2 Schematic drawing of the transport frame without a container; and Fig. 3 Schematic drawing of the transport frame with a container with an alternative mounting for transport forks; and Fig. 4 Schematic drawing of the transport frame with a container inserted into a transport container.

[0023] In Fig. 1 The transport frame 1 according to the invention is for fixing a container 101 in a transport container ( Fig. 3 , reference number 102). The transport frame 1 comprises several interconnected frame elements 2 arranged to form a receiving space 11 for the container 101 located therein. The transport frame 1 also includes a fastening element 3 for securing the container 101 located in the receiving space 11. The size of the receiving space 11 is selected to accommodate a container with or without wheels, or with a (rolling) pallet. The transport frame 1 further comprises a base element 5 and four vertical frame elements 2 extending upwards from it. The transport frame 1 also includes horizontal frame elements 2 arranged to connect the vertical frame elements 2. The fastening element 33 is designed to receive a tensioning strap 6.

[0024] Fig. 2 Figure 1 also shows the transport frame 1 according to the invention, but without a container. It can be seen that the base element 5 has a hollow profile 52 extending across its entire width on each of the two opposite side sections. The hollow profile 52 comprises at least one first opening 521 for receiving a forklift tine at the end sections, and the hollow profile 52 has eight openings 522 for receiving a tensioning strap ( Fig. 1 , reference number 6) on a longitudinal side 523 located between the end sections. The fastening means 3 is arranged directly on an upwardly extending frame element 2. The fastening means 3 comprises a fastening rod 31 extending parallel to the respective frame element 2, wherein a fastening arm 32 is arranged on the fastening rod 31 and comprises at least one movable fastening element 33. The fastening arm 32 is slidably and pivotably arranged on the fastening rod 31. The fastening element 33 comprises two movable support elements 331. The transport frame 1 comprises exactly four fastening means 3.

[0025] Fig. 3 The transport frame 1 according to the invention is also shown in an alternative embodiment.

[0026] The alternative design provides that the base element 5 has two parallel hollow profiles 52 spaced apart in the center, which are designed to receive transport forks (forklift forks). Separate strips with openings 522 for receiving a tensioning strap are arranged. Ramps 7 are shown in this illustration; these can be attached to the transport frame when not in use and can be positioned against the transport frame for loading or unloading the container. In this way, the angle at which the container is moved into the transport frame can be reduced, making loading and unloading easier.

[0027] Fig. 4Figure 1 shows transport rack 1 as it is installed in transport container 102. Transport container 102 is equipped with suitable brackets to secure transport rack 1. If the dimensions of transport container 102 and transport rack 1 are matched, it is also conceivable that no additional connection between the two elements is necessary.

Claims

1. Transport rack (1) for securing a container (101) in a transport container (102), wherein the transport rack (1) comprises several interconnected frame elements (2) which are arranged in such a way as to form a receiving space (11) for the container (101) arranged therein, wherein the transport rack (1) further comprises a movable fixing means (3) for securing the container (101) arranged in the receiving space (11), characterized in that the fixing means (3) is arranged directly or indirectly on an upwardly extending frame element (2), wherein the fixing means (3) comprises a fixing bar (31) extending parallel or obliquely to the frame element (2), and wherein a fixing arm (32) is arranged on the fixing bar (31) and comprises at least one movable fixing element (33).

2. Transport rack (1) according to claim 1, wherein the transport rack (1) further comprises a base element (5) and four vertical frame elements (2) extending upwardly therefrom, and wherein the transport rack (1) further comprises horizontal frame elements (2) arranged in such a way as to connect the vertical frame elements (2).

3. Transport rack (1) according to claim 2, wherein the base element (5) comprises a closed surface (51).

4. Transport rack according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the base element (5) has a hollow profile (52) extending across the entire width on each of the two opposite side sections.

5. Transport rack (1) according to claim 4, wherein the hollow profile (52) comprises at least one first opening (521) for receiving a forklift tine at the end sections, and wherein the hollow profile (52) comprises at least one second opening (522) for receiving a lashing strap (6) on a longitudinal side (523) lying between the end sections.

6. Transport rack according to claim 1, wherein the fixing arm (32) is arranged on the fixing bar (31) in a manner that allows it to be moved and / or pivoted.

7. Transport rack according to claim 1 or 6, wherein the fixing element (33) is designed to accommodate a lashing strap (6).

8. Transport rack according to one of claims 1, 6, or 7, wherein the fixing element (33) comprises two movable abutment elements (331).

9. Transport rack according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport rack (1) comprises exactly four fixing means (3).

10. Transport rack according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising stacking elements which are designed in such a way that two transport racks can be stacked on top of each other.

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