A transport crate and kit for such a transport crate

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting element (100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600) designed and intended for use with a transport box (150; 250; 350; 450; 550; 650, 750), the connecting element comprising a handling section (102; 202; 302; 402; 502) which is configured to be handled by a user, and a connecting section (104; 204; 304; 404; 504) which is configured to connect, in a state mounted on the transport box, at least one box wall component (152; 252; 352; 452; 552; 652) of the transport box with at least one further box wall component (156; 256; 356; 456; 556; 656) of the transport box, in particular in a form-fitting manner, wherein the connecting section is designed such that it has a resting surface (106; 206; 306; 406; 506) which is designed and intended to engage with a corresponding counter-resting surface (164; 264; 364a, 364b; 464a, 464b;564) to engage at least one or at least one further box wall component, wherein the connecting element is arranged such that it can be mounted on and dismounted from the transport box without tools by means of actuation of the handling section (102; 202; 302; 402; 502) and has a self-locking feature in the mounted state. The invention further relates to a transport box comprising such a connecting element, and to a kit for such a transport box.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a transport crate. The invention further relates to a kit for such a transport crate.

[0002] Such transport boxes are often made of a wooden panel material, for example OSB (coarse particle board material) or the like, and are used particularly in the field of freight transport and logistics to provide a suitable storage solution for products in the form of goods and merchandise of various types during transport. A generic transport box generally comprises several box wall components in the form of at least two opposing head sections and two opposing side sections, as well as a base section and a lid section opposite the base section, so that when assembled, it has a substantially cuboid shape and defines a substantially cuboid transport space therein.

[0003] It is known from the prior art to first cover the headboard or lid, which may be made of OSB board material, with solid wood strips. This allows the individual box components to be firmly connected to one another using fasteners, such as nails or the like, which would not provide sufficient support in the OSB board material itself. This requires two processing steps, with a large number of fasteners, such as approximately 200-300 nails, being required to form a typical transport box. Furthermore, such boxes cannot be separated without causing damage.

[0004] Furthermore, such boxes must be transported to a place of use in an assembled state after their manufacture, so that a considerable amount of storage space must be provided not only for transport but also for later storage of the box.

[0005] To address this problem, demountable transport crates are already known from the state of the art. These crates are provided with aluminum profiles along the edges, allowing the crates to be assembled in a disassembled manner. However, it goes without saying that such aluminum profiles lead to high production costs, even considering continuously rising raw material prices. Furthermore, the aluminum profiles must be connected to the OSB components using nails or similar fasteners, making non-destructive separation of the aluminum profiles from the crates impossible, or at least not possible with reasonable effort. Consequently, any recycling process following the end of the transport crate's useful life is correspondingly more difficult.

[0006] The document WO 99 / 62777 A1 discloses a transport box according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, reference is made to the document US 5 555 980 A.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to remedy this situation. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to create a transport crate capable of enabling simple assembly and non-destructive disassembly of the components of the transport crate, while ensuring time- and cost-efficient production of the crate components.

[0008] This problem is solved by a transport box according to claim 1.

[0009] The connecting element of the transport box comprises a handling section which is designed to be handled by a user, and a connecting section which is designed to connect, in a state mounted on the transport box, the at least one box wall component of the transport box to the at least one further box wall component of the transport box, in particular in a form-fitting manner, wherein the connecting section is designed such that it has a latching surface which is designed and intended to engage, in the state mounted on the transport box, with a corresponding latching counter-surface of the at least one or the at least one further box wall component, wherein the connecting element is designed such thatthat it can be mounted on and removed from the transport box without tools by actuating the handling section and has a self-locking mechanism when mounted on the transport box.

[0010] According to the invention, the connecting element is configured such that it can be mounted without tools on the box wall components of the transport box to be connected in order to connect the box wall components, in particular in a form-fitting manner, and can also be dismantled again without tools in order to be able to disassemble the transport box again in whole or in part. As a result, a significantly simplified assembly and disassembly can be achieved compared to solutions from the prior art, which also requires a significantly reduced number of connecting elements. Furthermore, after disassembly from the respective transport box, the connecting element is completely separated again from other box components of the transport box, so that the connecting element and the box wall components of a box can be handled separately.This not only facilitates the transport and storage of the components of the transport crate in the disassembled state, but also the replacement of any worn or damaged connecting elements or crate wall components. Since the side and top sections, as well as the base and lid sections, can preferably be made of wood, in particular OSB board material, while the connecting element can be made of metal, in particular spring steel, these different materials are always separate from one another in the disassembled state of the transport crate, so that a disposal and / or recycling process following use of the crate can also meet high standards in this regard. It is not necessary, as in the prior art, to first separate the non-destructively separable materials, such as wood and steel / aluminum, in a complex manner.

[0011] Although the connecting element can be mounted on and removed from the transport box without tools according to the invention, it is nevertheless also possible, if desired, to attach the connecting element to or remove it from the transport box with the aid of a suitable auxiliary tool, for example a nail puller or a screwdriver.

[0012] Furthermore, the connecting element has a self-locking feature when mounted on the transport crate, i.e., for disassembly, it must be actively released from the locking counter-surface of the at least one or at least one further crate wall component, preferably by corresponding actuation of the handling section. The locking counter-surface can, for example, be designed in the form of a projection or the like on the at least one or at least one further crate wall component of the transport crate, with which projection the locking surface of the connecting element can be brought into engagement. Furthermore, the connecting element can comprise a support surface which, when mounted on the transport crate, is designed and intended to be supported on the other of the at least one or at least one further crate wall component on which the locking counter-surface is not formed.

[0013] Preferably, the connecting element is configured such that, when mounted on the transport crate, it rests flat against the at least one crate wall component and / or the at least one further crate wall component, in particular only flatly, wherein it preferably does not penetrate into a material of the at least one crate wall component and / or the at least one further crate wall component. This can further facilitate assembly and disassembly, since the connecting element does not require any pointed hook projections or the like, which are pressed into the material of the crate wall components with increased force during assembly and must be removed again with corresponding force during disassembly.This also ensures that the connection of the box wall components can be carried out, preferably completely, non-destructively, since the connecting element preferably does not leave any indentations or other damage on the box wall components after disassembly from the box wall components following assembly.

[0014] The self-locking action can preferably be achieved by further arranging the connecting element such that, when mounted on the transport box, it has a predetermined preload and / or is secured by a releasably attached securing element, in particular a locking washer. The securing element is preferably arranged such that it is attached to the connecting element after the connecting element has reached its mounting or intended position on the transport box.

[0015] Additionally or alternatively, the connecting portion may have an extension formed thereon, which is designed and intended to releasably engage with a recess also formed in the connecting portion. Consequently, the extension and the recess can be locked and released again by appropriate, preferably manual, actuation, which also provides a user-friendly solution for tool-free assembly and disassembly of the connecting element on the transport box.

[0016] The connecting element is preferably intended for use on a substantially cuboid-shaped transport crate. In order to be able to connect the at least one crate wall component and the at least one further crate wall component to one another in a butt-joint manner, according to a preferred exemplary embodiment the connecting section can comprise a first partial connecting section which has the locking surface, and a second partial connecting section which has the support surface, wherein the locking surface and the support surface face one another. The locking surface and the support surface can be designed such that they run substantially orthogonally to a clamping force applied to the respective crate wall component by the connecting element. Adjacent crate wall components can therefore be connected to one another in respective corner regions of the transport crate by means of a butt joint.They rest against each other and, when the connecting element is installed, are firmly connected to one another through the action of the mutually facing locking and support surfaces. Therefore, they do not need to be mitered first, as is necessary, for example, when using a miter or frame clamp or similar, where the components to be joined must first be cut to a miter angle of, for example, 45°.

[0017] In order to achieve the preload required for self-locking, according to one embodiment of the connecting element, the first partial connecting section, when not mounted on the transport box, can have a predetermined angle to the second partial connecting section, wherein the predetermined angle is preferably less than 90°, more preferably in a range between 89° and 45°, particularly preferably approximately 80°. In principle, sufficient preload can already be achieved with an angle of less than 90°. However, if the angle is less than 45°, the preload force can increase to such an extent that user-friendly assembly is only guaranteed to a limited extent. An angle of 80° represents a good compromise between sufficient preload and, at the same time, high ease of assembly and disassembly.

[0018] The prestressing of the connecting element can further be provided to fulfill a further function in addition to self-locking, namely tolerance compensation of a distance between the locking counter surface and an outer surface of a crate wall component, for example, a head part, against which the support surface of the connecting element rests. The predetermined angle between the first partial connecting section and the second partial connecting section can therefore be correspondingly larger when the connecting element is mounted on the transport crate than when it is not mounted on the transport crate, for example, up to approximately 90°, and thus compensate for dimensional tolerances of the crate wall components.

[0019] In order to be able to handle the handling section comfortably both during assembly and disassembly from the transport box, the handling section and the first partial connecting section preferably have an angle in the range of 100° to 170°, preferably of approximately 135°, to one another.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the connecting element, the connecting portion can have at least one recess, wherein the locking surface is formed at least partially on a perimeter of the recess. As a result, the preload can be introduced into the connecting element via the recess and the locking surface preferably formed thereon and can be transmitted to the remaining part of the connecting element via a corresponding non-recessed portion of the connecting portion.

[0021] In a further development of this exemplary embodiment, the connecting section can have only one recess, preferably formed centrally, so that the connecting element can be substantially O-shaped in plan view or have the shape of a substantially rectangular frame. Alternatively, the connecting section can have two recesses arranged opposite one another, so that the connecting element can be substantially I-shaped or double-T-shaped in plan view.

[0022] The connecting element of the transport box according to the invention can also be designed as a bent wire part, a stamped and bent part, an injection-molded part, or by means of a 3D printing process. The design as a bent wire part, a stamped and bent part, or an injection-molded part can enable consistently high quality with short production times, even with high volumes. For low volumes, the 3D printing process proves particularly advantageous, as it allows a wide variety of geometric designs of the connecting element to be produced quickly and with high precision, even without the need for a special tool.

[0023] According to the invention, the transport crate comprises a plurality of crate wall components, wherein the plurality of crate wall components are assembled in such a way that they delimit a substantially cuboid-shaped, and in particular closed, transport space which is designed and intended to receive at least one product to be transported, wherein the at least one crate wall component of the plurality of crate wall components is detachably connected in a non-destructive manner to the at least one further crate wall component of the plurality of crate wall components, which is adjacent to the at least one crate wall component, by means of at least one connecting element described above.

[0024] In this context, "non-destructively detachable" means that the at least one crate wall component and the at least one further crate wall component can be separated from each other again without causing damage by disassembling the at least one connecting element without the use of tools. The transport crate according to the invention can therefore be easily disassembled into its individual parts, or crate wall components and / or connecting elements can be replaced with corresponding spare parts at any time without having to completely or partially destroy the transport crate.

[0025] In addition, the transport crate according to the invention provides the transport space, which provides a receptacle for a product to be transported that is protected from external influences. The transport space can in principle be partially open to allow the crate to be loaded with a product to be transported, for example from above from one side of the transport crate. Thanks to the use of the connecting element according to the invention, which detachably connects at least two adjacent crate wall components of the plurality, the crate remains stable even in a partially open state and can be filled without any crate wall components bulging inwards or outwards. If, on the other hand, the transport space is designed as a closed transport space, particularly reliable protection of the product accommodated therein can be achieved.To also protect the product to be transported from moisture, the transport space can be designed as a substantially liquid-tight transport space. To achieve particularly reliable sealing, it is conceivable, for example, to optionally seal the edges of the box wall components with a preferably removable sealant or the like.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the plurality of crate wall components can comprise at least two opposing side parts, at least two opposing head parts, at least one base part, and optionally at least one lid part opposite the base part. Any adjacent crate wall components can be connected to one another by at least one, preferably two, connecting elements.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the at least two adjacent crate wall components can be positively connected to one another by means of a tongue and groove connection. The crate wall components can thus first be plugged together by means of the tongue and groove connection and subsequently fixed to one another by means of at least one connecting element according to the invention in order to be positively connected to one another. The tongue and groove connection can preferably be formed from the same material as the crate wall component. This not only proves to be advantageous from an economic point of view, but also leads to improved recycling properties of the transport crate according to the invention, since the crate wall components are formed or consist of only one material, preferably OSB board material, after removal of the connecting element.Particularly preferably, the tongue and groove connection and / or the box wall components are metal-free, which also leads to a significantly reduced risk of injury when handling the box wall components and thus the transport box.

[0028] In principle, it is conceivable, when assembling the transport crate according to the invention, to first pre-fix the crate wall components using a suitable aid and then to form-fit adjacent crate wall components to one another using at least one connecting element. However, in order to enable particularly simple assembly of the transport crate, which can preferably be accomplished by just one person, it is proposed according to one embodiment of the transport crate that a depth of an assembly groove formed on the base part, which is designed and intended to receive at least one assembly projection of the head parts and / or the side parts, is greater than a depth of an assembly groove formed on the lid part.As a result, the mounting projection of the head sections and / or side sections can first be inserted into the mounting groove of the base section and then released while maintaining their pre-assembled position in order to provide additional box wall components or to attach one or more of the connecting elements to them. In this context, it may also be advantageous if the wall thickness of the base section is greater than the wall thickness of the head section.

[0029] To further facilitate the assembly of the transport box, a mounting groove formed on the base part, which is designed and intended to receive at least one mounting projection of the head parts and / or the side parts of the transport box, can additionally or alternatively have a shape with an undercut. The shape can preferably be designed such that the mounting projection can be inserted into and / or removed from the mounting groove, in particular only by a pivoting movement about a pivot axis and / or can be inserted into and / or removed from the mounting groove by a translational movement that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal extent of the mounting groove. The mounting groove can therefore also be referred to as a so-called "pivoting groove." Furthermore, the mounting groove can preferably be dovetail-shaped in its cross-section.The assembly groove is further preferably designed such that the side parts and the head parts can be pivoted into the assembly groove from the outside inward, in particular from an outside of the transport box toward an inside of the transport box, about the pivot axis. This has the advantage that the side parts and / or the head parts can still be mounted even if a bottom surface of the bottom part is already loaded with the load, i.e., the product to be transported, without colliding with the load.

[0030] By providing the undercut on the assembly groove, it can be ensured that, after a head part and / or a side part has been inserted with its respective assembly projection into the corresponding assembly groove of the base part, the head part and / or the side part is connected to the base part in such a way that a connection between the head part and / or the side part and the base part is not severed, even when the still incomplete transport crate is lifted for further handling, i.e., for example, for further assembly. In other words, the still incomplete transport crate, consisting of at least the base part and one or two head parts and / or one or two side parts, remains in its pre-assembled configuration due to the formation of the undercut, even when handling, such as lifting, only one of its crate wall components.This can further facilitate assembly, since the still incomplete transport crate in its only partially assembled configuration, in particular before mounting one or more connecting elements according to the invention on adjacent crate wall components of the transport crate, can be easily lifted and / or rotated and / or relocated from one location to another, for example manually, without the pre-assembled crate wall components being separated from one another. Furthermore, the positive connection of the base part and / or the side parts and / or the head parts along the assembly groove can prevent the base part from exhibiting an undesirably strong sag due to the weight of the load.This is particularly important if the transport box is lifted from the outside, especially from below, using forklift forks, for example, because then a central part of the base section may no longer be sufficiently supported.

[0031] The mounting groove in the base part and / or the mounting projection on the side parts and / or the head parts can also be produced on a 3-axis system, preferably on a nesting system, as already explained above, in particular if the base part and / or the side parts and / or the head parts are machined from only one side.

[0032] Alternatively, to facilitate assembly of the transport crate, the at least one crate wall component, in particular the base part, can be provided with a plurality of elongated holes arranged along a circumference of the at least one crate wall component, in particular the base part, and designed and intended to engage with corresponding pins formed on the at least one further crate wall component, in particular the side parts and / or the head parts. Consequently, when assembling the crate, the pins can be inserted, for example, into the elongated holes in the base part and subsequently released while maintaining their pre-assembled position in order to complete the assembly of the transport crate.In this case, the wall thickness of the base part can also be made the same as the wall thickness of the head part, which can save material on the one hand and labor time on the other hand by eliminating the need to change materials during production of the crate wall components. According to a preferred embodiment of the transport crate, the at least one crate wall component of the plurality of crate wall components, in particular at least one side part or at least one head part, has at least one recess, in particular a pocket, which is designed and intended to receive the connecting section, and preferably at least partially the handling section, of the connecting element. The recess can be formed, for example, by milling. The recess is preferably arranged such that it is located on an outer side of the respective crate wall component with respect to the closed transport space.This ensures, on the one hand, simple assembly and, on the other hand, prevents damage or accidental disassembly of the connecting element during transport, since the connecting element only partially protrudes outwards, preferably not beyond, a respective box wall component.

[0033] For mounting the connecting element, the at least one or at least one further crate wall component of the plurality of crate wall components has, according to the invention, at least one passage, in particular an elongated hole, which is designed and intended to allow insertion of the at least one connecting element therethrough. Preferably, the passage, in particular the elongated hole, is arranged substantially flush with the other of the at least one or at least one further crate wall component, which is connected to the at least one or at least one further crate wall component by means of the at least one connecting element, so that the transport space of the transport crate is closed, and in particular liquid-tight, despite the formation of the elongated hole.

[0034] Preferably, the at least one connecting element, when mounted on the transport crate, is arranged in the passage such that it is offset inward toward the transport space with respect to a corner region of the transport crate formed by the at least one crate wall component and the at least one further crate wall component, so that it preferably does not span the corner region on the outside. As a result, it can be prevented that the connecting element is damaged or even loosened by impacts in the corner region of the transport crate during use of the transport crate, which could reduce the stability of the transport crate and, in the worst case, lead to an undesired separation of adjacent crate wall components.However, this can be prevented according to this embodiment, since the connecting element is not guided outside around the corner region, but can run through the passage in the corner region within the at least one or at least one further box wall component.

[0035] Additionally or alternatively, when mounted on the transport crate, the at least one connecting element can be guided, in particular only, through the passage, in particular the elongated hole, in a direction substantially opposite to a locking direction of the connecting element. As a result, the lateral guidance of the connecting element, i.e. in the direction substantially opposite to the locking direction of the connecting element, can be ensured. Furthermore, the connecting element can thereby be guided in the direction substantially opposite to the locking direction of the connecting element without the connecting element having to penetrate into a material of the crate wall component or the at least one further crate wall component by means of pointed hook projections or the like, wherein the at least one connecting element preferably only bears flatly against the crate wall components.This can further facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the connecting element and thus the transport box. The locking direction can be a direction in which the connecting element can be actuated to lock onto the locking counter surface when the locking surface is substantially aligned with the locking counter surface, preferably when the locking surface rests against the locking counter surface.

[0036] Preferably, the at least two opposing side parts and / or the at least two opposing head parts and / or the at least one base part and / or the at least one lid part, and more preferably all of the box wall components of the transport box, are machined from only one side. "From only one side" means, for example, that only one of the main surfaces, i.e., the surfaces with the greatest extension in the longitudinal and transverse directions, of the box wall components is machined, while the other main surface can be unmachined. As a result, particularly time- and cost-efficient production of the box components can be achieved, since the components can be manufactured, for example, on a 3-axis system, without the need for intermediate turning of the respective component or a tool change.

[0037] Furthermore, it is preferred that the inner surfaces of the crate wall components that define the transport space be free of metal. This is particularly advantageous for delicate transported goods, as they cannot be damaged by sharp edges or the like.

[0038] It should also be added that the transport box can further comprise a pallet part which is attached to an underside of the transport box and which is designed and intended for transport, for example loading and / or unloading operations, of the transport box by means of a transport device, preferably a fork of a forklift truck.

[0039] To further secure the crate wall components of the transport crate during transport in addition to the effect of the connecting element, at least one of the plurality of crate wall components, in particular the lid part and / or the base part, can have at least one strap recess designed and intended to receive a strapping band. It should be noted that it is entirely conceivable to secure the lid part and / or the base part only by means of the strapping band, while adjacent side and head parts are connected to one another by at least one connecting element according to the invention.

[0040] Furthermore, the transport box can correspond to the standard dimensions of a Euro pallet. The transport box can have dimensions of 120 cm x 80 cm x 80 cm in terms of length (L) x width (W) x height (H). Half, quarter, or double the aforementioned pallet dimensions are also conceivable.

[0041] According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a kit for the transport box according to the invention, comprising the plurality of box wall components, comprising the at least two side parts, the at least two head parts, the at least one base part, and optionally the at least one lid part, as well as at least four, preferably at least eight, of the connecting elements described above.

[0042] With regard to the effects and advantages of the kit according to the invention, reference is made to the above statements regarding the transport box according to the invention.

[0043] The present invention will be explained in more detail below using some exemplary embodiments. They show: Fig. 1a and 1b connecting element according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 1c - 1g a transport box according to the invention according to a first embodiment, comprising the connecting element according to the first embodiment, Fig. 2a and 2b the connecting element according to the invention according to a second embodiment, Fig. 2c - 2e the transport box according to the invention according to a second embodiment, comprising the transport element according to the second embodiment, Fig. 3a and 3b the connecting element according to the invention according to a third embodiment, Fig. 3c - 3g the transport box according to the invention according to a third embodiment, comprising the connecting element according to the invention according to the third embodiment, Fig. 4a and 4b the connecting element according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment, Fig.4c - 4e the transport box according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment, comprising the connecting element according to the invention according to the fourth embodiment, Fig. 5a and 5b the connecting element according to the invention according to a fifth embodiment, Fig. 5c - 5e the transport box according to the invention according to a fifth embodiment, comprising the connecting element according to the invention according to the fifth embodiment, Fig. 6a and 6b the transport box according to the invention according to a sixth embodiment, Fig. 7a and 7b a base part and a side part of a transport box according to the invention, which are connected to one another via a mounting groove in the form of a pivoting groove, according to a seventh embodiment, Fig. 7c an enlarged detailed view of . Fig. 7b , Fig. 7 enlarged detailed view of Fig. 7a , and Fig. 7e an enlarged detailed view, which essentially Fig. 7d corresponds, but with an alternative variant of the pivoting groove.

[0044] In Fig. 1a A connecting element according to the invention is generally identified by the reference numeral 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting element 100 is designed in the form of a clip, which can be made, for example, from spring steel or the like. The connecting element 100 according to the illustrated embodiment comprises a handling section 102, which is designed to be handled by a user, and a connecting section 104, which is designed to be mounted on a transport box (see, for example, Fig. 1g ) to connect at least one box wall component of the transport box with at least one further box wall component of the transport box, in particular in a form-fitting manner. For this purpose, the connecting section 104 has at least one locking surface 106, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a first locking surface 106a and a second locking surface 106b, which are each formed on a border of two oppositely arranged recesses 108a and 108b. The locking surfaces 106a and 106b are designed and intended to engage, in the state mounted on the transport box, with a corresponding locking counter-surface 164 (see Fig. 1f ) of at least one box wall component of the transport box. Furthermore, the connecting element 100 has a support surface 110 facing the locking surfaces 106a and 106b.

[0045] In Fig. 1c a transport crate according to the invention according to a first embodiment is generally identified by the reference numeral 150. The transport crate 150 comprises, in the illustrated embodiment, two opposing head parts 152 and 154 as well as two opposing side parts 156 and 158. Furthermore, the transport crate 150 comprises a base part 160 and a lid part 162, so that the crate wall components 152 to 162 delimit a substantially cuboid-shaped transport space T. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the head parts 152 and 154 is connected to the adjacent side parts 156 and 158 via two connecting elements 100. As can be seen in the detailed views C and D according to Fig. 1f und 1g As can be seen, in the state mounted on the transport box 150, the locking surfaces 106a, 106b are engaged with a locking counter surface 164 formed on the side part 156. The assembly of the connecting element 100 takes place by inserting the connecting element 100 through an elongated hole 166 formed on the head part 152 and a gap 168 formed between the head part 152 and the side part 156. As soon as the locking surfaces 106a, 106b are substantially aligned with the locking counter surface 164 on the side part 156, the connecting element 100 can lock onto the locking counter surface 164 by actuating the handling section 102 in a direction substantially parallel to a direction B. The direction B can also be referred to as a locking direction.As a result, a mounting projection 156a of the side part 156 is pressed into a mounting groove 170 formed on the head part 152, so that the head part 152 and the side part 156 are preferably positively connected to one another. By actuating the handling section 102, starting from the position shown in . Fig. 1f shown position, in a direction substantially parallel to, but opposite to, direction B, the connecting element 100 or its locking surfaces 106a, 106b can be brought out of engagement with the locking counter surface 164, so that the connecting element 100 can be removed again through the gap 168 and the elongated hole 166. As a result, the box wall components 152 and 156, ie in the illustrated embodiment the head part 152 and the side part 156, can again be separated from one another non-destructively and without tools. The same applies to other box wall components which are connected by at least one connecting element 100.

[0046] In the state mounted in the transport box 150, the connecting element 100 has a self-locking feature, ie, after a corresponding manual assembly, it must again be actively removed manually by actuating the handling section 102. The self-locking feature of the connecting element 100 is achieved in the illustrated embodiment by a predetermined pre-tension, which the connecting element 100 has in the state mounted on the transport box 150. For this purpose, the connecting element 100, as shown in the Fig. 1b illustrated plan view of the connecting element 100, a first partial connecting section 104a and a second partial connecting section 104b. According to the illustrated embodiment, the first partial connecting section 104a and the second partial connecting section 104b have an angle α to one another in a state not mounted on the transport box 150, which angle is approximately 80° in the illustrated embodiment. After the head part 152 and the side part 156 of the transport box 150 are arranged abutting, ie have an angle of substantially 90° to one another, the connecting element 100 is prestressed accordingly when it Fig. 1f reached position, whereby the partial connecting section 104b is elastically deformed relative to the partial connecting section 104a such that it assumes an angle α' which is greater than the angle α in the state not mounted on the transport box 150.

[0047] As also in Fig. 1b As shown, the connecting element 100 can have a thickness d of approximately 1 mm and a height h of approximately 30 mm. Furthermore, the handling section 102 and the connecting section 104 can have an angle β of, for example, approximately 135° to one another. However, it is understood that the above numerical values ​​are merely examples and can be modified to suit specific requirements, as long as the basic function of the connecting element 100 is maintained.

[0048] In order to accommodate the connecting element 100, in particular the connecting section 104 and at least partially the handling section 102, a corresponding recess 172 in the form of a pocket is formed on the side part 156 in the illustrated embodiment, which recess is preferably produced by milling.

[0049] As can be seen from the detailed view in Fig. 1f which shows a detailed view of the sectional view of Fig. 1e represents, the transport space T of the transport box 150 is closed despite the formation of the elongated hole 166 on the head part 152, which leads to increased protection of products accommodated in the transport space T. Also, in the state mounted on the transport box 150, the connecting element 100 only runs outside the transport space T delimited by the box wall components 152 to 162, which not only allows the connecting element 100 to be mounted on the outside of the transport box 150, but also allows the inner surfaces of the box wall components 152 to 162 delimiting the transport space T of the transport box 150 to be free of metal.

[0050] The assembly of the further connecting elements 100, which are in Figur 1c are shown, is carried out analogously to the connecting element 100 described above. The same applies to their disassembly from the transport box or the corresponding box wall components.

[0051] As in Fig. 1d As shown, to facilitate assembly, a depth t 1 of a mounting groove formed on the base part 160, which is designed and intended to receive at least one mounting projection of the head parts 152 and 154 and / or the side parts 156 and 158 of the transport box 150, can be greater than a depth t 2 of a mounting groove correspondingly formed on the cover part 162.

[0052] With reference to the Figuren 2a bis 2e The second embodiment of the connecting element and the transport box according to the second embodiment will now be described. It should be noted at this point that analogous parts are provided with analogous reference numerals as in the first embodiment, but increased by the number 100. Furthermore, the second embodiment will only be described to the extent that it differs from the first embodiment; otherwise, reference is made to the above explanations.

[0053] The connecting element 200 according to the second embodiment differs from the connecting element 100 according to the first embodiment essentially in that it has a single centrally formed recess 208 which is provided with a locking surface 206 (see Fig. 2a ). As in Fig. 2b As can be seen, the connecting element 200, like the connecting element 100, can have a thickness d and angles α and β, which can correspond in magnitude to those of the connecting element 100. Likewise, the connecting element 200, like the connecting element 100, can be made of spring steel.

[0054] For example, in Fig. 2e As can be seen, the connecting element 200, in the state mounted on the transport box 250, can be arranged in the passage 266 in such a way that it is offset inwards towards the transport space T with respect to a corner region 267 of the transport box 250 formed by the head part 252 and the side part 256, so that it preferably does not span the corner region 267 on the outside.

[0055] The transport box 250 according to the second embodiment also essentially corresponds to the transport box 150 according to the first embodiment. As shown, for example, in Fig. 2e As can be seen, only the pocket 272 formed on the transport box has a modified shape from the first embodiment, which corresponds to the central recess 208 of the connecting element 200. Otherwise, both the assembly and disassembly of the connecting element 200 on the transport box 250 for connecting corresponding box wall components are carried out analogously to the first embodiment, to the detailed description of which reference is hereby made.

[0056] The Figuren 3a bis 3g now show a connecting element 300 and a transport box 350, each according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, parts analogous to the first and second exemplary embodiments are again provided with analogous reference numerals, but with respect to the first exemplary embodiment, increased by the number 200.

[0057] The connecting element 300 according to the third embodiment also has a handling section 302 and a connecting section 304. Corresponding locking surfaces 306a, 306b are formed on the connecting section 304, which are designed and intended to engage with corresponding locking counter surfaces 364a, 364b (see Fig. 3f ), which are formed on the transport box 350 at a pocket 372 formed therein by milling. When mounted on the transport box 350, the connecting element 300 is further secured by a securing element 380, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a locking washer. The locking washer 380 can also preferably be attached to the connecting element 300 without tools, so that it is inserted into the opposite securing element recesses 312a and 312b of the connecting element 300. As soon as the securing element 380 is inserted, adjacent box wall components, such as the box wall components 352 and 356, are connected to one another, preferably in a form-fitting manner.To disassemble the connecting element 300 from the transport box 350, the locking washer 380 can first be removed by slightly pushing the arms 305a and 305b of the handling section 304 away from each other, so that the locking washer 380 can be disengaged from the locking element recesses 312a and 312b and removed from them. Subsequently, the arms 305a and 305b can be manually pressed toward each other so that they can be passed through the recess 370 and the elongated hole 366, and the connecting element 300 can be disassembled from the transport box 350.

[0058] As in Fig. 3b As shown, the connecting element 300 may have dimensions l 1 of, for example, approximately 22 mm, l 2 of approximately 40 mm, h 1 of approximately 13 mm, and h 2 of approximately 40 mm. An angle α at the arms 305a and 305b may be approximately 80°.

[0059] The Figuren 4a bis 4e now show the connecting element 400 and a transport box 450 according to the fourth embodiment. Analogous components are again provided with analogous reference numerals, but with the number 300 added to the first embodiment.

[0060] In comparison to the connecting element 300 according to the third embodiment, the connecting element 400 according to the fourth embodiment is characterized in that, in the state mounted on the transport box 450, the locking surfaces 406a and 406b are securely held on the locking counter surfaces 464a and 464b by an extension 409a formed on the arm 405b (see, for example, Figur 4b ) is locked into a recess 409b formed on the arm 405a. As soon as the arms 405a and 405b engage the recesses Figuren 4d or 4e, the adjacent box wall components 452 and 456 are accordingly connected to one another, in particular in a form-fitting manner, by the connecting element 400. The same applies to the other adjacent box wall components, which can be connected by an analogous connecting element 400.

[0061] To disassemble the connecting element 400, starting from the Fig. 4d In the configuration shown, only the extension 409a can be actuated in a direction away from the box wall component 452, so that the extension 409a and the recess 409b of the arms 405a and 405b can be disengaged and the arms 405a and 405b can be elastically deformed accordingly such that they can be removed through the recess 470 or the elongated hole 466. Fig. 4d is a detailed sectional view, which, in terms of its reference position, corresponds to that of Fig. 3f corresponds.

[0062] The Figuren 5a bis 5e now show a connecting element 500 and a transport box 550 according to the fifth embodiment. Analogous components are again provided with analogous reference numerals, but with the number 400 added to the first embodiment.

[0063] The connecting element 500 according to the fifth embodiment essentially corresponds in its shape and function to the connecting element 100 according to the first embodiment, but differs in that it is designed as a bent wire part. Like the previous embodiments, the fifth embodiment of the connecting element 500, which is designed as a bent wire part, can also be made of spring steel.

[0064] It should also be added that all of the transport boxes 150, 250, 350, 450, and 550 can optionally have at least one strap recess 190, 290, 390, 490, or 590, which is preferably formed on the respective lid part and / or base part and is designed and intended to receive a strapping band (not shown). Furthermore, a pallet part (not shown) can be provided on an underside of each of the transport boxes 150, 250, 350, 450, and 550, which is designed and intended for transporting the transport box by means of a transport device, for example, a fork of a forklift truck.

[0065] Furthermore, the transport crates of the above-described embodiments can correspond to the standard dimensions of a Euro pallet. The transport crates can have dimensions in terms of length L x width W x height H of 120 cm x 80 cm x 80 cm (see, for example, Fig. 1c Half, quarter, or double the pallet dimensions mentioned above are also conceivable.

[0066] In the Figuren 6a and 6b The transport box 650 according to the invention is shown according to a sixth exemplary embodiment. The transport box 650 essentially corresponds to the transport boxes 150 to 550 according to the previous exemplary embodiments, which is why analogous components are provided with analogous reference numerals, but with the number 500 added to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0067] The transport box 650 is characterized in particular by a modified connection between the base part 662 and the head parts 652 and 654 or side parts 656 and 658. To facilitate the assembly of the transport box 650, the base part 660 is provided with a plurality of elongated holes 692, which are arranged along a circumference of the base part 660 and are designed and intended to engage with corresponding pins 694a, 694b, 694c, 694d, which are provided on the side parts 656 and 658 (see Figur 6b ) and / or the head parts 652 and 654. The pins 694a, 694b, 694c, 694d can thus be inserted into the elongated holes 692 of the base part 660 during assembly of the transport box 650 and subsequently released while maintaining their pre-assembled position in order to complete the assembly of the transport box 650. The inserted connecting element 600 can correspond to one of the connecting elements 100, 200, 300, 400, or 500.

[0068] In the Figuren 7a and 7b A bottom part 760a and a side part 756b of a transport box 750 according to the invention are connected to one another via a mounting groove 796a in the form of a pivoting groove. The transport box 750 can essentially correspond to the transport boxes 150 to 650 according to the preceding embodiments, which is why analogous components are provided with analogous reference numerals, but with reference to the first embodiment increased by the number 600.

[0069] According to the Figuren 7a bis 7d In the exemplary embodiment of the transport box 750 shown, one or more mounting grooves 796a formed in the base part 760a can be provided to facilitate the assembly of the transport box 750, which mounting grooves are designed and intended to receive at least one mounting projection of the head parts and / or the side parts of the transport box 750, wherein in the Fig. 7a and 7b only the mounting projection 798a of the side part 756a is shown. The mounting groove 796a has a shape with an undercut, which can be designed such that the mounting projection 798a, in particular only, can be pivoted about a pivot axis S (see Fig. 7c ) can be inserted into and / or removed from the mounting groove 796a. Additionally or alternatively, the mounting projection 798a can be inserted into and / or removed from the mounting groove 796a by a translational movement, which can be substantially parallel to a longitudinal extent of the mounting groove 796a or substantially parallel to the pivot axis S.

[0070] By providing the undercut, it can be ensured that, after the side part 756a has been inserted with its mounting projection 798a into the mounting groove 796a of the base part 760a, the side part 756a is connected to the base part 760a in such a way that a connection between the side part 756a and the base part 760a is not severed even when the still incomplete transport box 750 is lifted at the side part 756a for further handling.

[0071] In Fig. 7eFinally, an alternative variant of a mounting groove 796b is shown, which differs in its shape from the mounting groove 796a and can therefore be produced by a correspondingly modified tool, but can essentially correspond to the mounting groove 796a in terms of its function, to the description of which reference is hereby made.

Claims

1. Shipping crate (150; 250; 350; 450; 550; 650), comprising a plurality of crate wall components, wherein the plurality of crate wall components is assembled in such a way that the crate wall components delimit a substantially square-shaped shipping space (T) which is configured and intended to receive at least one product to be shipped, at least one crate wall component (152; 252; 352; 452; 552; 652) of the plurality of crate wall components being non-destructively detachably connected by means of at least one connecting element (100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600) to at least one further crate wall component (156; 256; 356; 456; 556; 656) of the plurality of crate wall components, which is adjacent to the at least one crate wall component (152; 252; 352; 452; 552; 652), the connecting element comprising: • a handling portion (102; 202; 302; 402; 502) adapted to be handled by a user, and • a connecting portion (104; 204; 304; 404; 504) adapted to connect, in a state mounted on the shipping crate, the at least one crate wall component (152; 252; 352; 452; 552; 652) of the shipping crate to the at least one further crate wall component (156; 256; 356; 456; 556; 656) of the shipping crate, the connecting portion being arranged such that it has a latching surface (106; 206; 306; 406; 506) which is configured and intended to engage with a corresponding latching counter-surface (164; 264; 364a, 364b; 464a, 464b; 564) of the at least one or of the at least one further crate wall component, the connecting element being configured such that it can be mounted on the shipping crate and removed therefrom without tools by actuating the handling portion (102; 202; 302; 402; 502) and having a self-locking effect in the state mounted on the shipping crate, characterised in that the at least one or the at least one further crate wall component of the plurality of crate wall components has at least one passage (166; 266; 366; 466; 566) which is configured and intended to allow insertion of the at least one connecting element (100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600) through the same.

2. Shipping crate according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting element is furthermore configured such that, in the state mounted on the shipping crate, it has a predefined preload and / or only runs outside a shipping space (T) delimited by the crate wall components of the shipping crate.

3. Shipping crate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting portion (104; 204; 504) comprises a first partial connecting portion (104a; 204a; 504a) having the latching surface (106; 206; 506) and a second partial connecting portion (104b; 204b; 504b) having a support surface (110; 210; 510), the latching surface and the support surface facing each other, and / or wherein the connecting portion (404) has an extension (409a) formed thereon, which is configured and intended to releasably engage with a recess (409b) also formed on the connecting portion (404).

4. Shipping crate according to claim 3, wherein the first partial connecting portion (104a; 204a; 504a), in a state not mounted on the shipping crate, is at a predefined angle (α) to the second partial connecting portion (104b; 204b; 504b), the predefined angle (α) being preferably less than 90°.

5. Shipping crate according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the handling portion (102; 202; 502) and the first partial connecting portion (104a; 204a; 504a) are at an angle (β) to each other in the range of 100° to 170°, preferably approximately 135°.

6. Shipping crate according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting portion (104; 204; 504) has at least one recess (108a, 108b; 208), the latching surface (106; 206; 506) being formed at least partially on a border of the recess, the connecting section preferably having only one, preferably centrally formed recess (208), or two recesses (108a, 108b) arranged opposite one another.

7. Shipping crate according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of crate wall components comprise at least the following: • at least two side parts (156, 158; 256, 258; 356, 358; 456, 458; 556, 558; 656; 658; 756a; 756b) arranged opposite one another, • at least two top parts (152, 154; 252, 254; 352, 354; 452; 454; 552, 554; 652; 654) arranged opposite one another, • at least one bottom part (160; 260; 360; 460; 560; 660, 760), and • optionally at least one cover part (162; 262; 362; 462; 562; 662) arranged opposite the bottom part.

8. Shipping crate according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one (152; 252; 352; 452; 552; 652) and the at least one further (156; 256; 356; 456; 556; 656) crate wall component are connected to one another in a form-fitting manner by means of a tongue and groove connection (156a, 170, 160, 161; 256a, 270), and / or the at least one crate wall component, in particular the bottom part (660), is provided with a plurality of elongated holes (692) which are arranged along a circumference of the at least one crate wall component, in particular the bottom part (660), and are configured and intended to engage with corresponding tabs (694a, 694b, 694c, 694d) which are formed on the at least one further crate wall component.

9. Shipping crate according to claim 7 and, if desired, claim 8, wherein a depth (t1) of a mounting groove (161) formed on the bottom part (160), which is configured and intended to receive at least one mounting projection (163) of the top parts and / or the side parts of the shipping crate, is greater than a depth (t2) of a mounting groove (165) formed on the cover part, and / or wherein a mounting groove (796a; 796b) formed on the bottom part (760a; 760b), which is configured and intended to receive at least one mounting projection (798a; 798b) of the top parts (756a; 756b) and / or the side parts of the shipping crate, is shaped with an undercut, the shape being configured such that the mounting projection (798a; 798b) can be inserted into and / or removed from the mounting groove (796a; 796b) by a pivoting movement about a pivot axis (S).

10. Shipping crate according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one crate wall component of the plurality of crate wall components has at least one recess (172; 272; 372; 472; 572) which is configured and intended to receive the connecting portion (104; 204; 304; 404; 504) of the connecting element.

11. Shipping crate according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one passage (166; 266; 366; 466; 566) is an elongated hole.

12. Shipping crate according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the passage (166; 266; 366; 466; 566) is arranged substantially in alignment with the other of the at least one and the at least one further crate wall component, and / or the at least one connecting element (100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600), in the state mounted on the shipping crate, is arranged in the passage (166; 266; 366; 466; 566) in such a way that, with respect to a corner region (267) of the shipping crate formed by the at least one crate wall component and the at least one further crate wall component, it is offset inwards towards the shipping space (T), so that it preferably does not span the corner region (267) on the outside.

13. Shipping crate according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the at least one crate wall component and / or the at least one further crate wall component is / are machined from only one side, and / or wherein the inner surfaces of the crate wall components bounding the shipping space (T) of the shipping crate are free of metal.

14. Shipping crate according to any of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a pallet part which is attached to an underside of the shipping crate and which is configured and intended for transporting the crate by means of a transport facility, and / or wherein at least one crate wall component of the plurality of crate wall components has at least one strap recess (190; 290; 390; 490; 590), which is configured and intended to receive a strapping band.

15. Kit for the shipping crate according to any of claims 7 to 14, comprising the plurality of crate wall components, including • the at least two side parts (156, 158; 256, 258; 356, 358; 456, 458; 556, 558; 656; 658), • the at least two top parts (152, 154; 252, 254; 352, 354; 452; 454; 552, 554; 652; 654), • the at least one bottom part (160; 260; 360; 460; 560; 660), and • optionally the at least one cover part (162; 262; 362; 462; 562; 662), and at least four of the connecting elements (100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600).

Images