Transport pallet
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023814185
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-12-05
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-28
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing transport pallets often fail to provide sufficient security for transport containers, leading to potential slipping during transport, especially when smaller containers are placed on the support surface.
The transport pallet features a frame with toothing that interacts with a corresponding toothing on transport containers, preventing slipping, and can be designed as a one-piece injection molded part or split into upper and lower parts for easier production, with centering ribs to prevent pallets from slipping when stacked.
This design ensures secure positioning and stacking of transport containers, allowing for precise alignment and balancing of manufacturing tolerances, while preventing slipping and allowing for efficient space-saving stacking.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] Transport pallet
[0002] The invention relates to a transport pallet for transporting objects according to the preamble of claim 1, as well as to a transport device comprising such a transport pallet. Known transport pallets of the type mentioned above are used in particular to transport transport containers, which serve, for example, to transport piece goods. At least one transport container is placed on the support surface surrounded by the frame. However, it is also possible to place several smaller transport containers next to one another on the support surface and / or to place stacked transport containers on the support surface. The frame prevents the transport containers from slipping on the support surface. However, the frame often does not provide sufficient security for previously known transport pallets of the type mentioned above.
[0003] It is therefore an object of the invention to further develop a transport pallet of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that it better secures transport containers placed on it.
[0004] This object is achieved by a transport pallet having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The invention is based on the idea of providing the frame of the transport pallet with a toothing facing the support surface, which can interact with a corresponding toothing on a transport container placed on the support surface in order to prevent the transport container from slipping on the support surface from the outset. This also makes it possible to place transport containers on the support surface that are smaller than the area bordered by the frame without them colliding with the frame at any speed when slipping.
[0005] The transport pallet can be designed as a single piece and, in particular, manufactured as an injection-molded part or using a 3D printing process. However, it is also possible for the transport pallet to have an upper part containing the support surface and a lower part connected to the upper part and containing the installation surface. Both parts of the transport pallet can then be manufactured separately, which simplifies production. The single-piece transport pallet, on the one hand, or the upper part or the lower part, or both parts, on the other hand, are expediently made from a hard plastic, preferably polyolefin. In the latter case, it is particularly preferred for both parts to be made from the same hard plastic. Both parts can advantageously be manufactured as a single piece as an injection-molded part or using a 3D printing process. The access openings are expediently delimited at the top by the upper part and at the bottom by the lower part.Both parts are preferably firmly and inseparably connected to each other by means of a snap-in connection in the sense that if the two parts are separated, the snap-in connection is destroyed.
[0006] According to an advantageous development, centering elements protrude from the frame, between which an identical transport pallet can be centered on the frame. The centering elements can be in the form of centering ribs or can take on other shapes. Empty transport pallets can then be stacked on top of one another to save space, with the centering ribs preventing the transport pallets from slipping against one another during transport. The transport pallet according to the invention is particularly suitable for use with transport containers which have a base body with a base and side walls protruding from the base and surrounding a transport space, with the base having a tooth contour on its underside facing away from the transport space. This tooth contour has four rows of teeth which run parallel to one another in pairs at a distance and transverse to one another in pairs and which protrude laterally from a shoulder having a base underside resting on the support surface.The teeth engage at least partially between two teeth of the frame, creating a connection between the transport pallet and the transport container that prevents the transport container from slipping on the support surface. A transport pallet according to the invention, together with at least one such transport container, forms a transport device according to claim 11.
[0007] It is preferred that the teeth are arranged at a constant distance from one another in each of the frame sections of the transport pallet. Furthermore, it is preferred that the distances between the teeth are the same in all frame sections. This measure makes it possible to place transport containers of different sizes on the support surface, wherein a standard size for the teeth is expediently provided for the transport containers on the underside of the base. It is preferred that in the transport device according to the invention, for each transport container in each row of teeth, the width of the teeth measured in the longitudinal extent of the respective row of teeth is greatest in the middle of the row of teeth and smallest at the ends of the row of teeth. In particular, for each transport container in each row of teeth, the tooth with the greatest width engages precisely in the space accommodating it between two teeth of the frame.This enables very precise positioning of the respective container center on the transport pallet. "Precise fit" refers to an exact fit with a clearance in the order of magnitude of the manufacturing tolerances of a maximum of ± two-tenths of a millimeter. If the tooth centers in each row of teeth on each transport container are at a constant distance from each other, this measure, particularly in conjunction with the smallest teeth at the ends of the row, enables a good balance between the manufacturing tolerances of the transport pallet and the transport container(s).
[0008] Conveniently, the frame sections of the transport pallet adjoin each other in pairs at four pallet corners and have a circumferential, upward-facing surface. If the transport container standing on the support surface has a shoulder that is limited at the bottom by the bottom surface standing on the support surface, a circumferential lower surface of the transport container can rest on this surface. In particular, in the transport device according to the invention, each side surface of the transport container or containers facing away from the transport space can be aligned with a lateral outer surface of the transport pallet.
[0009] Furthermore, it is preferred that each transport container has a circumferential edge on its upper side with a stacking contour complementary to the tooth contour on the underside of the base. In this way, several identical transport containers can be stacked on top of one another on the transport pallet. In particular, transport containers can be used whose base body is preferably made in one piece from a particle foam, in particular from expanded polypropylene (EPP) or expanded polyurethane (EPU), or by means of a 3D printing process. In this case, it is also preferred that each of the transport containers has a number of reinforcing elements embedded in the base body, each of which has an exposed upper and an exposed lower contact surface. The reinforcing elements are expediently each detachably connected to the respective base body and made of a harder material than the base body.In particular, hard plastic and / or metal and / or wood are preferred as materials for the reinforcement elements. The reinforcement elements are particularly advantageous when several transport containers are stacked on top of one another. The reinforcement elements of the stacked transport containers are arranged in rows one above the other and resting on top of one another, while the reinforcement elements of the transport container(s) standing on the support surface rest on the support surface or on the surrounding surface of the frame sections. The weight of the transport containers is then absorbed by the columns formed from the reinforcement elements, so that the base bodies made of particle foam are not compressed or deformed, or only slightly.
[0010] It is also advisable to provide a lid that closes the transport space of the uppermost transport container(s) at the top. The lid can be provided with a contour on its upper side facing away from the transport container, into which a contour on the underside of the transport pallet can engage in a complementary manner, so that several transport devices can be stacked on top of one another. The lid is preferably made of the same material as the transport pallet. The lid closes the uppermost transport container, while the other transport containers are each closed by the next transport container above.
[0011] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown schematically in the drawing.
[0012] Fig. 1a, 1b a transport pallet in perspective view from diagonally above and diagonally below;
[0013] Fig. 2a, 2b a transport device according to a first embodiment in a perspective view assembled and in an exploded view;
[0014] Fig. 3 shows a transport device according to a variant of the first embodiment in perspective view and
[0015] Fig. 4 shows a transport device according to a second exemplary embodiment in a perspective view in an exploded view. The transport pallet 10 shown in Fig. 1a, b is composed of an upper part 12 and a lower part 14, each of which is manufactured as a single piece as an injection-molded part from polyolefin. The upper part 12 and the lower part 14 are firmly connected to one another by means of a snap-in connection. The lower part 14 has a lower support surface 16 which is not continuous, but is divided into a plurality of partial surfaces. In the present exemplary embodiment, the lower support surface 16 is divided into three longitudinal skids 18a and two transverse skids 18b, which rest on a floor or a transport surface of a transport vehicle when the transport pallet 10 is stored. As can be seen in particular from Fig.As can be seen in Figure 1 b, the upper part 12 and the lower part 14 are not solid, but largely hollow with a large number of longitudinal and transverse ribs 20.
[0016] The transport pallet 10 has a top support surface 22 on its upper part 12, which is surrounded by a frame 24. The outer contour of the frame 24 is essentially rectangular in the sense that it forms a rectangle with rounded corners. The frame 24 has four frame sections 26, each arranged in pairs at a distance from one another, parallel to one another, and in pairs transverse to one another, and adjoining one another in pairs at four pallet corners 28. The frame sections 26 form a circumferential outer frame 30, and teeth 34 protrude from their inner sides 32 facing the support surface 22 and extend somewhat beyond the support surface 22. The teeth 34 of each frame section 26 are the same size and arranged at a constant distance from one another, so that all spaces 36 between the teeth 34 are the same size. A smooth surface 38 lying in one plane extends over the outer frame 30 and the teeth 34.Furthermore, integrally formed centering elements 40 protrude upwards outside the surface 38. These serve to center identical transport pallets 10 when they are stacked on top of one another and, in the illustrated embodiments, have the form of centering ribs. Finally, a support structure 42 is arranged between the lower support surface 16 and the upper support surface 22. The support structure 42 has engagement openings 44 into which a conveying device, such as a forklift, can engage. These openings are each partially defined by the upper part 12 and partially by the lower part 14. Drainage openings 46 through which liquid can drain away are located in the support surface 22.
[0017] The transport pallet 10 serves to accommodate transport containers 50a, 50b to form a transport device 100, as shown in Fig. 2a, 2b, 3. The transport devices 100 of the two exemplary embodiments differ only in that in the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 2a, 2b, only one transport container 50a stands on the transport pallet 10 and completely covers its support surface 22, whereas in the second exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 3, two transport containers 50b, each approximately half the size of the transport container 50a according to the first exemplary embodiment, stand on the transport pallet 10 and together cover its support surface 22. Each of the transport containers 50a, 50b has a base body 52 which is made in one piece from a particle foam such as expanded polypropylene (EPP) or expanded polyurethane (EPU).The base body 52 has a base 54 and four side walls 56 projecting up from the base 54, which together with the base 54 delimit a transport space 58 that is open at the top. The base 54 has a tooth contour 62 on its underside 60 facing away from the transport space 58, which in turn has four rows of teeth 64 running parallel in pairs at a distance from one another and transversely in pairs. Each of the rows of teeth 64 has a plurality of teeth 66 projecting laterally outwards from a shoulder 68 having a base lower surface that stands on the support surface 22. The tooth centers of each row of teeth 64 are arranged at a constant distance from one another, and the width of the teeth 66, measured along the longitudinal extent of the respective row of teeth 64, is greatest in the middle of the respective row of teeth 64 and decreases continuously towards the ends of the respective row of teeth 64.A lower surface 72 of the transport container 50a, 50b is arranged circumferentially around the shoulder 68 and the teeth 66 and rests on the surface 38. Each of the transport containers 50a, 50b also has on its upper side 74 a circumferential edge 76 with a stacking contour 78 that is complementary to the tooth contour 62 on its underside, so that, as shown by way of example in Fig. 3, several transport containers 50a can be stacked on top of one another. The lowest transport container 50a stands on the support surface 22, and each of the transport containers 50a, with the exception of the uppermost one, is covered by the next upper transport container 50a, so that its transport space 58 is also closed off at the top. The uppermost transport container 50a is covered by the lid 80, so that its transport space 58 is closed off at the top. It goes without saying that such stacking of transport containers can also be used in the second embodiment.In addition, the transport containers 50a, 50b can be provided with reinforcing elements, particularly in their container corners where the side walls 56 adjoin one another in pairs, which are embedded in the base body 52 and each have an exposed upper and an exposed lower contact surface. If several transport containers 50a, 50b are stacked on top of one another, the weight of the container stack does not rest on the soft base body 52 made of particle foam, but rather on columns formed by the reinforcing elements. The lowest of the reinforcing elements rest on the support surface 22 or the surface 38 of the transport pallet 10. The reinforcing elements are not explicitly shown in the drawing.The teeth 66 of the rows of teeth 64 each engage in a gap 36 of the frame 24, with the tooth 66 in the center of each row of teeth 64 being dimensioned such that it can engage precisely in the respective gap 36 with a maximum clearance of two-tenths of a millimeter. The other teeth 66 have a greater clearance in the gaps 36 that accommodate them.
[0018] In both exemplary embodiments, a lid 80 is also provided which closes the transport space 58 of the transport container 50a or the transport spaces 58 of the transport container 50b at the top and has a contour 84 on its upper side 82 into which the contour formed by the runners 18a, 18b on the underside support surface 16 can engage, so that several transport devices 100 can be stacked on top of one another and are secured against mutual slipping.
[0019] In summary, the following can be stated: The invention relates to a transport pallet 10 for transporting objects, in particular transport containers 50a, 50b, with an upper support surface 22 for the objects, with a frame 24 projecting upwards over the support surface 22 and surrounding the support surface 22, with a lower support surface 16 for placement on a surface, and with a support structure 42 arranged between the support surface 22 and the support surface 16, which support structure has engagement openings 44 for a conveyor device. According to the invention, the frame 24 has an outer frame 30 extending all the way around the support surface 22, with four frame sections 26 arranged in pairs at a distance parallel to one another and in pairs transverse to one another, and with teeth 34 projecting from an inner side 32 of each of the frame sections 26 facing the support surface 22 and arranged at a distance from one another.
Claims
Claims 1. Transport pallet for the transport of objects, in particular transport containers (50a, 50b), with an upper support surface (22) for the objects, with a frame (24) projecting upwards over the support surface (22) and surrounding the support surface (22), with a lower support surface (16) for being placed on a surface and with a support structure (42) arranged between the support surface (22) and the support surface (16) and having engagement openings (44) for a conveyor device, characterized in that the frame (24) has an outer frame (30) running all the way around the support surface (22) and having four frame sections (26) arranged in pairs at a distance parallel to one another and in pairs transverse to one another, and teeth (34) projecting from an inner side (32) of each of the frame sections (26) facing the support surface (22) and arranged at a distance from one another.
2. Transport pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that in each of the frame sections (26) the teeth (34) are arranged at a constant distance from one another.
3. Transport pallet according to claim 2, characterized in that the distances between the teeth (34) are the same in all frame parts (26).
4. Transport pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame parts (26) are attached in pairs to four pallet corners (28) adjoin one another and have a circumferential, upwardly directed surface (38). Transport pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that centering elements (40) protrude from the frame (24), between which centering elements a structurally identical transport pallet (10) placed on the frame (24) can be centered. Transport pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is formed in one piece and is produced in particular as an injection-molded part or by means of a 3D printing process. Transport pallet according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by an upper part (12) having the support surface (22) and a lower part (14) connected to the upper part (12) and having the installation surface (16). Transport pallet according to claim 7, characterized in that the upper part (12) and / or the lower part (14) is produced in one piece as an injection-molded part or by means of a 3D printing process.Transport pallet according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the one-piece transport pallet (10) on the one hand or the upper part (12) and / or the lower part (14) on the other hand are made of a hard plastic, preferably of polyolefin. Transport pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the engagement openings (44) are delimited at the top by the upper part (12) and at the bottom by the lower part (14). Transport device with a transport pallet (10) according to one of the preceding claims and with at least one transport container (50a, 50b) standing on the support surface (22), which has a base body (52) with a base (54) and a transport space projecting up from the base (54). (58) has side walls (56) surrounding it, wherein the base (54) has, on its underside (60) facing away from the transport space (58), a tooth contour (62) with four rows of teeth (64) running parallel and transverse to one another in pairs at a distance from one another, with teeth (66) projecting laterally from a shoulder (68) having a base undersurface resting on the support surface (22) and engaging at least partially between two teeth (34) of the frame (24). Transport device according to claim 11, characterized in that for each transport container (50a, 50b), in each row of teeth (64), the width of the teeth (66), measured in the longitudinal extent of the respective row of teeth (64), is greatest in the middle of the row of teeth (64) and smallest at the ends of the row of teeth (64).Transport device according to claim 12, characterized in that for each transport container (50a, 50b) in each row of teeth (64), the tooth (66) with the greatest width engages precisely in the space (36) accommodating it between two teeth (34) of the frame (24). Transport device according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that for each transport container (50a, 50b), the tooth centers in each row of teeth (64) are at a constant distance from one another. Transport device according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that each transport container (50a, 50b) has on its upper side (74) a circumferential edge (76) with a stacking contour (78) complementary to the tooth contour (62) on the underside (60) of the base (54). Transport device according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the base body (52) of each transport container (50a 50b) is made of a particle foam, in particular of expanded polyp. propylene (EPP) or expanded polyurethane (EPU), or made of plastic using a 3D printing process. Transport device according to claim 16, characterized in that each of the transport containers (50a, 50b) has a number of reinforcing elements embedded in the base body (52), each having an exposed upper and an exposed lower contact surface. Transport device according to claim 17, characterized in that the reinforcing elements are each detachably connected to the respective base body (52). Transport device according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the reinforcing elements are made of hard plastic and / or metal and / or wood.Transport device according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that several transport containers (50a, 50b) are stacked one above the other, and in that the reinforcing elements of the stacked transport containers (50a, 50b) are arranged in rows one above the other and resting on one another. Transport device according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the reinforcing elements of the transport container(s) (50a, 50b) standing on the support surface (22) rest on the support surface (22) or on the circumferential surface (38) of the frame sections (26). Transport device according to one of claims 11 to 21, characterized by a lid (80) closing the transport space (58) of the uppermost transport container(s) (50a, 50b) at the top. Transport device according to claim 22, characterized in that the lid (80) has on its upper side (82) facing away from the at least one transport container (50a, 50b) a contour (84) which is complementary to a contour on the underside of the transport pallet (10).