Storage and / or transport device made of plastic for displaying goods, use thereof and associated method

Abstract

Flat, reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic (1) for presenting goods, comprising a flat support element (2) which has a goods carrier upper side (4) and a carrier lower side (6) facing away from the latter, the goods carrier upper side (4) and the carrier lower side (6) being connected to one another via at least one peripheral edge (8), a plurality of feet (1) which are formed integrally on the support element (2) and are at least partially designed as hollow bodies, the support element (2) having at least one elongated slot (14) on its peripheral edge (8) through which a free inner volume (16) extending laterally inwards is accessible from the outside, at least one inner wall (26) of the inner volume (16) having at least one retaining element (18).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic for the presentation of goods, its fastening mechanism for optional side walls and its use. background

[0002] In practice, so-called display pallets are known, which are used for product presentation in salesrooms. These display pallets feature so-called displays made of cardboard or plastic, which are positively connected to the pallet forming the base. For this purpose, the displays can, for example, have a fold that is then clamped between the top of the pallet and the product, so that the display is held in place by the product.

[0003] In practice, this design proves to be disadvantageous because such displays can only be inadequately fixed, particularly when pallets are unloaded or no longer sufficiently loaded. Task

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic for the presentation of goods, which enables a clean and resilient attachment of removable side walls.

[0005] Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to arrange detachable side walls securely and non-slip on the reusable storage and / or reusable transport device.

[0006] Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reusable storage and / or reusable transport device from which detachably arranged side walls can be separated again particularly easily and without residue. Solution

[0007] The object is achieved by the technical features specified in claim 1 and by a fastening method according to claim 9.

[0008] The core of the present invention is to provide a flat, reusable storage and / or transport device made of plastic for product presentation. This device comprises at least one flat support element, which has a product carrier top and a support bottom facing away from it, wherein the product carrier top and bottom are connected to one another via at least one peripheral edge. This is advantageous because it provides a stable receiving area for goods arranged on the support element.

[0009] Furthermore, the flat, reusable storage and / or transport device made of plastic for product presentation features several feet molded onto the support element, which are at least partially hollow. This is advantageous because it keeps the support element spaced from the floor and allows for easy repositioning by forklifts or pallet trucks.

[0010] Furthermore, the support element has at least one elongated slot on its circumferential edge, through which a free inner volume extending laterally inward is accessible from the outside, with at least one inner wall having at least one retaining element. This is advantageous because the at least one retaining element is intended to hold and fix a tab-like element of a side wall, which can optionally be arranged in the free inner volume, at least via a positive fit.

[0011] This is also advantageous because it provides an effective fastening mechanism. This fastening mechanism allows side walls, for example, made of cardboard or plastic, to be quickly and easily connected and removed from the flat, reusable plastic storage and / or transport device. Furthermore, it is now possible for the first time to securely and reliably connect such side walls to the flat, reusable plastic storage and / or transport device.

[0012] Advantageous further training can be found in the subclaims.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment, the retaining element has a wedge-shaped retaining element on at least one inner wall. This advantageous wedge shape allows for a simple and rapid positive and / or frictional connection with an insertable tab-like element of a side wall, which can be made of plastic or cardboard, for example.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment, the wedge shape increases from the elongated slot toward the interior volume. This is advantageous because, when subjected to compressive force, the insertable tab-like element is easily and quickly deflected over the height of the at least one wedge-shaped retaining element, which increases toward the interior volume, and can slide over it. At the end of the wedge-shaped retaining element, the tab-like element can be returned to its undeflected position and, in doing so, engages behind the rear of the wedge-shaped retaining element with a positive and / or non-positive fit. This ensures sufficient securing of the tab-like element.

[0015] Advantageously, inclines of the wedge-shaped element, starting from the elongated slot, in the range of 10° to 60°, more advantageously between 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50° and 55° are conceivable. These angular ranges, as well as the ranges in between, are also covered by the invention described here. At a lower incline, the retaining force provided by the at least one retaining element is too low, so that no secure fastening can be provided. At higher inclines, i.e. greater than 60°, the force required to insert the at least one tab-like element is too high, so that deformations or deformations of the tab-like element can occur. This can even render it unusable.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment, two wedge-shaped retaining elements are arranged on an inner base wall. This has proven particularly advantageous when inserting a tab-like element. This can thus be done quickly and easily. Furthermore, the provision of two retaining elements proves advantageous in that a symmetrical fastening can be achieved through positive and / or non-positive locking of the tab-like element. The provision of two retaining elements prevents the tab-like element from releasing on one side.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment, the retaining elements are arranged symmetrically and spaced apart from one another. This spacing is particularly advantageous because, when a tab-like element is fastened, it forms a positive and / or non-positive connection between the two retaining elements without deflection. The symmetrical design of the two retaining elements ensures secure fastening of the tab-like element.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment, the side wall has at least three elongated slots. This is advantageous because the at least three elongated slots interrupt the peripheral edge on one side each. Thus, a side wall having three sections, each with at least three tab-like elements arranged thereon, can be connected particularly easily and effectively to the flat, reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic.

[0019] This is of course not to be understood as limiting, so that depending on the size of the flat reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic, several long slots can also be formed per side wall section.

[0020] Furthermore, it is also conceivable for the elongated slot to be continuous, at least in some sections. This is advantageous because differently shaped side walls with tab-like elements can always be securely inserted into the elongated slot.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment, the flat reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic can also be referred to as a plastic pallet and / or display pallet

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment, the interior volume is designed as a continuous groove, at least in sections. This is advantageous because it allows several tab-like elements or tab-like elements of different sizes to be inserted into the interior volume. Advantageously, in this embodiment of the interior volume, the elongated slot is also designed to be correspondingly longer. This makes it possible to provide particularly high variability for differently designed side walls with tab-like elements arranged thereon. It has proven advantageous if the interior volume is designed to be flat, cuboid-shaped. The geometry of the interior volume is particularly advantageously designed such that the tab-like elements can be inserted quickly and easily, but can still be adequately held and fastened.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment, the interior volume is spanned horizontally or at an angle downwards. In the simplest embodiment, the interior volume extends horizontally within the carrier element and is bounded by the upper side of the goods carrier on the one hand and the underside of the carrier on the other. The horizontal design makes it possible to insert tab-like elements particularly easily and quickly into the interior volume and, by applying compressive force, to form a positive connection by engaging behind the at least one retaining element.

[0024] Of course, this is not to be understood as limiting; it is also conceivable for the interior volume to be inclined downwards. This can prove advantageous, as the tab-like elements can be inserted even faster and more easily into an interior volume inclined downwards. Advantageous inclinations can be, for example, 45° or 60°.

[0025] A further advantageous embodiment presents a flat, reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic for product presentation, which furthermore has at least one upwardly extending side wall for spanning a product presentation volume, which has at least one tab-like element on a lower edge which can be inserted into the at least one elongated slot under the application of force in the insertion direction and which engages behind the at least one retaining element. This is advantageous because it allows the creation of a complete display pallet. The side wall, which can have several pivotable sections, spans a volume suitable for receiving goods and products. For the first time, it is possible to propose a particularly stable design for a display pallet.

[0026] In a further advantageous embodiment, it has proven advantageous if the tab-like element has at least one projection. This projection can subsequently be deflected by applying a compressive force. To simplify this deflection, it is conceivable, for example, to provide a fold and / or perforations at least in sections along the pivot axis.

[0027] Advantageously, the tab-like element is further configured such that it can be deflected when subjected to a compressive force and, after the application of the compressive force has ceased, can be resiliently returned to its undeflected home position. The home position is advantageously understood to be the position assumed by the tab-like element, more advantageously the at least one projection, without being subjected to a preferred compressive force. This allows the positive and / or non-positive connection with the at least one retaining element to be formed.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment, the projection has at least one, advantageously two, symmetrically formed extensions. These extensions can be understood as locking means. Advantageously, the extensions extend laterally along the projection, at least in sections.

[0029] If the projection is guided along the wedge-shaped retaining elements by applying a compressive force, for example by inserting the tab-like element into the free internal volume, it is initially deflected from its basic position. The compressive force is applied until the projection has crossed the two retaining elements and is then guided back downwards towards the inner base wall after the end of the wedge-shaped retaining elements, for example by snapping into place. This creates a positive and / or non-positive connection between the two extensions and the respective rear wall of the wedge-shaped retaining element. A positive connection is particularly advantageous. The extensions of the projection engage behind the two rear walls of the retaining elements. This represents a secure and reliable attachment of the side wall to the flat, reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic.An unwanted slipping out of the inner volume is therefore no longer possible.

[0030] This advantageously creates a common contact surface between the tab-like element and the inner base wall. At the same time, the side wall arranged on the tab-like element closes the elongated slot.

[0031] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method for mounting side walls on a flat reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic for the presentation of goods, comprising at least the following steps: a. Inserting a tab-like element of a side wall into the elongated slot of the device; b. Applying a compressive force to the tab-like element during insertion into the elongated slot in the insertion direction until the tab-like element is guided over the at least one retaining element and engages behind it at least in a positive and / or non-positive fit.

[0032] Only when a compressive force is applied does the tab-like element, or more precisely, its at least one projection, deflect. When the compressive force is no longer applied, i.e., when the projection is guided over at least its retaining element, the projection springs back from the deflected position and is guided against the inner base wall. In doing so, it engages behind the respective rear wall of the retaining element, advantageously with lateral extensions, and forms a positive and / or non-positive connection with it. This is advantageous because it provides a particularly fast assembly method in which side walls can be reliably and securely connected to the flat, reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic.Particularly advantageously, no load from goods is required during fastening, so that the flat reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic disclosed here can also accommodate side walls without goods or products being placed or stored on the flat reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic.

[0033] Finally, the present invention also relates to the use of a flat reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic for sales promotion and presentation of products and / or as a display pallet.

[0034] Further advantages, features and design options emerge from the following description of figures of non-limiting embodiments. Brief description of the drawings

[0035] In the drawings shows: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a flat reusable storage and / or transport device made of plastic; Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows a side view of a side wall with a tab-like element; Figure 4 shows a first arrangement position; Figure 5 shows a second arrangement position; Figure 6 shows a third arrangement position; and Figure 7 shows an enlarged section of the fastening mechanism from Figure 6 .

[0036] In the drawings, elements provided with the same reference numerals essentially correspond to one another unless otherwise stated. Furthermore, components that are not essential to understanding the technical teaching disclosed herein are omitted. Reference numerals will not be repeated for all elements already introduced and illustrated, provided that the elements themselves and their function have already been described or are known to a person skilled in the art. Detailed description of implementation examples

[0037] Figure 1 shows a flat reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic 1.

[0038] This is formed by a flat support element 2, which has a goods carrier upper side 4 and a carrier lower side 6. The goods carrier upper side 4 and the carrier lower side 6 are firmly connected to one another via a circumferential edge 8. For improved transportability, for example by means of a forklift or pallet truck, at least one, advantageously several, support feet 10 are provided on the carrier lower side 6 and / or on the support element 2. To reduce weight, these feet are advantageously at least partially designed as hollow bodies. This is also advantageous because this allows the entire flat, reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic 1 to be stackable and / or nestable.

[0039] To improve the load-bearing capacity and to stabilize the support element 2, it can have numerous interruptions 12, for example in the form of a lattice structure or honeycomb structure.

[0040] Furthermore, in Figure 1 shown that the circumferential edge 8 here has two elongated slots 14. The elongated slots 14 are designed such that they simultaneously represent an opening into an internal volume 16. This internal volume 16 is advantageous in that, if side walls are required (not shown here), these can be introduced into the internal volume 16 in sections via the respective elongated slot 14. It has proven particularly advantageous if the internal volume 16, which is spanned by several internal walls, has a groove-like geometry.

[0041] In this embodiment, two retaining elements 18 are arranged in the spanned inner volume 16.

[0042] For better understanding, Figure 2An enlarged sectional view of the fastening mechanism. Here, it can be seen that the elongated slot 14 interrupts the circumferential edge 8. Starting from the elongated slot 14, the free inner volume 16 is connected, which extends inwards. The inner volume 16 shown here is only partially delimited at the bottom by a bottom wall 26. The inner bottom wall 26 forms part of the elongated slot 14 on its front side. The bottom wall 26 advantageously has at least one retaining element 18. The sectional view shown here only shows one retaining element 18.

[0043] The retaining element 18 is wedge-shaped and, in this embodiment, has a pitch angle α of 15°. Furthermore, it can be seen that the pitch is progressively increasing, i.e., rising, from the elongated slot 14 toward the interior volume 16.

[0044] In Figure 4An exemplary side wall 22 is shown. It has a total of three sections that can be pivoted relative to one another. The embodiment shown here is not limited and should be understood as such, so it is also conceivable that more than the three tab-like elements 24 and / or sections are provided. The side wall 22 shown here can be made of plastic or cardboard.

[0045] In this embodiment, the tab-like element 24 is itself designed as a projection 32, at the free end of which two laterally extending wedge-shaped extensions 33 are arranged.

[0046] Figure 4shows a starting position for reliably and securely attaching a side wall 22 to the flat, reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the side wall 22 has three tab-like elements 24, each of which has a pivoting aid 34. This pivoting aid 34 can be formed, for example, by means of a fold and / or perforations. This allows for easier pivoting of the tab-like element 24, for example, about the pivot axis A.

[0047] In Figure 5The same flat, reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic 1 is also shown. In this exemplary embodiment, the tab-like elements 24 are advantageously pivoted upwards by 90° and advantageously assume a horizontal position. This allows for particularly easy insertion of the tab-like elements 24 through the elongated slots 14 into the interior volume (not shown here).

[0048] In Figure 6 Finally, the fastening mechanism is shown, in which the side wall 22 with its three sections is firmly and securely connected to the flat, reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic 1 via the fastening mechanism. The tab-like elements 24, shown here as a partial section, are inserted within the free volume 16 and engage behind the two retaining elements 18.

[0049] This is enlarged again in Figure 7shown. For the sake of simplicity, the side wall 22 is not shown here, but only the tab-like element 24 arranged on the side wall. This is shown here in the fastening position, in that it is inserted completely through the elongated slot into the free internal volume 16. The two lateral, wedge-shaped extensions 33 of the tab-like element 24 engage behind the two retaining elements 18. The two extensions 33 each form a common contact surface with the rear wall 20 in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. The extension 33 thus bears against the rear wall 20. Due to the advantageous wedge-shaped design of the retaining elements 18, the rear wall 20 is so high that an unintentional sliding out or snapping back of the tab-like element is no longer possible. It is securely and reliably fastened and held.In this embodiment, too, when the fastening position is assumed, as shown in Figure 7, the elongated slot 14 (not shown here) is spanned and covered by the side wall 22 (not shown here). This prevents unwanted contamination of the elongated slot 14.

[0050] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the advantageous embodiments, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples. Other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the invention is not limited to the feature combinations specified below; rather, other combinations and subcombinations that are obvious to those skilled in the art can also be formed from the disclosed features. List of reference symbols

[0051] 1 flat, reusable storage and / or transport device made of plastic 2 support element 4 goods carrier top 6 support bottom 8 surrounding edge 10 base 12 interruptions 14 long slot 16 interior volume 18 retaining element 20 rear wall 22 side wall 24 tab-like element 26 base wall 32 projection 33 extension 34 pivoting aid A swivel axis

Claims

1. A flat, reusable storage and / or transport device made of plastic (1) for presenting goods, at least comprising a. a flat support element (2) which has a goods carrier upper side (4) and a carrier lower side (6) facing away from the latter, the goods carrier upper side (4) and the carrier lower side (6) being connected to one another via at least one peripheral edge (8), b. a plurality of feet (10) formed on the support element (2), which feet are at least partially designed as hollow bodies, c. the support element (2) having at least one elongated slot on its peripheral edge (8) through which a free inner volume (16) extending laterally inwards is accessible from the outside, at least one inner wall (26) of the inner volume (16) having at least one retaining element (18).

2. Flat reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic for product presentation according to claim 1,characterized in that this has a wedge-shaped retaining element (18) on at least one inner wall (26).

3. Flat reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic for product presentation according to claim 2, characterized in that the wedge shape is increasingly developed from the long slot (14) towards the inner volume (16).

4. Flat reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic for product presentation according to claim 3, characterized in that two wedge-shaped retaining elements (18) are arranged on a bottom wall (26).

5. Flat reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic for product presentation according to claim 4, characterized in that the retaining elements (18) are arranged symmetrically and spaced apart from one another.

6. Flat reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic for the presentation of goods according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that which has at least three long slots (14).

7. Flat, reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic for product presentation according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one upwardly extending side wall (22) for spanning a product presentation volume, which has at least one tab-like element (24) on a lower edge, which can be inserted into the at least one elongated slot (14) under the application of force in the insertion direction and which engages behind the at least one retaining element (18).

8. Flat reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic for product presentation according to claim 7, characterized in thatthe tab-like element (24) has at least one projection (32).

9. A method for arranging side walls on a flat, reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic for product presentation according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, comprising at least the following steps: a. inserting a tab-like element (24) of a side wall (22) into the elongated slot (14) of the device (1); b. exerting a compressive force on the tab-like element (24) during insertion into the elongated slot (14) in the insertion direction until the tab-like element (24) is guided over the at least one retaining element (18) and engages behind it at least in a positive and / or non-positive connection.

10. Use of a flat reusable storage and / or reusable transport device made of plastic (1) for product presentation according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 8 for sales promotion and presentation of products and / or as a display pallet.

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