Pallet dryer apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for drying or curing objects made of clay or concrete, for example building bricks, paving stones or paving bricks, comprising a pallet with a storage area for the objects having upper longitudinal edges, from which side walls project downwards, which have lower longitudinal edges. In order to enable replacement of parts of the device damaged through use, the invention provides that the device has, in addition to the pallet (1), at least one head piece (2) which is designed for detachable connection to the pallet (1), and that the pallet is designed to detachably and preferably captively receive the head piece on at least one of its head sides.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for drying or curing objects made of clay or concrete, for example bricks, paving stones or paving bricks, comprising a pallet with a storage surface for the objects with upper longitudinal edges, from which side walls project downwards, which have lower longitudinal edges, from which optionally support surfaces project below the storage surface, which are aligned parallel to the storage surface.

[0002] Such metal pallets have traditionally been used for drying bricks or paving stones. The metal pallets are predominantly made of hot-dip galvanized sheet metal. The pallets' storage areas for the objects are perforated to allow moisture from the bricks to be drained away from the underside of the pallet. They are often equipped with an additional longitudinal reinforcement profile centered under the storage area to reduce longitudinal deflection. In many cases, the storage area is curved upwards in the transverse direction when unloaded to counteract drying deformation of the bricks.

[0003] DE 28 45 524 A1 discloses a pallet consisting of a continuous sheet of metal with a rectangular storage area for bricks, which has support profiles bent along opposite longitudinal edges. Each support profile consists of a sheet of metal that runs approximately vertically downwards and is bent horizontally inwards at the lower edge to form an elongated standing area. In this case, an extension of the sheet is bent 180° at the inner edge of the standing area and runs adjacent to the inside of the support profile down to below the rectangular storage area, resting against it at the edge. Resistance to bending of the pallet is achieved by connecting the adjacent, vertically running sheets, i.e. of the support profile, to one another at certain points by spot welds.

[0004] There is no reinforcement provided in the transverse direction, so that the storage area between the two longitudinal folds can bend under the load of the bricks to be dried.

[0005] DE 297 05 369 U1 discloses a dry goods carrier for ceramic preforms such as bricks or roof tiles, which can be designed as flat and / or accessory tiles, with a frame formed from profile strips and cross strips and / or cross profiles. The frame is equipped with support surfaces made of perforated metal sheets for at least partial areas of the preforms. At least the storage surfaces for the preforms are designed as expanded metal connected to the frame.

[0006] DE 81 24 305 U1 discloses a metal pallet for drying blanks made of ceramic masses. The pallet consists of perforated sheet metal with U-shaped or triple bevels on the longitudinal edges or on all four sides. The pallet has transverse ribs evenly spaced in the area of ​​the perforations to reduce transverse deflection under the load of the material being dried.

[0007] There are also known devices for drying objects in which the sheets are folded twice on all four sides to ensure sufficient stability. The edges of the sheets are stamped at the corners to create a flat underside, allowing the pallet to rest neatly on conveyor belts, for example. To increase stability, the folded edges are welded together at the corners.

[0008] From EP 1 906 124 a metal pallet for drying objects is known in which the double bevelled sides are butt-jointed in the corner area of ​​the underside with a solder weld and are formed with a recess.

[0009] A disadvantage of all pallets that are folded on all sides is their relatively sharp corners, which can cause snagging and damage and malfunctions during automatic transport through a drying system. In addition, if the pallet is damaged due to a mechanical fault or corrosion, the entire pallet must be scrapped. Furthermore, this design does not allow for uniform pre-curvature in the transverse direction along the entire length of the pallet, which would partially counteract the drying warp of the bricks. Another disadvantage is that the necessary welds can lead to localized burn-off of the zinc surface, which promotes local corrosion. The evaporation of the zinc puts a strain on the workplace during production. Since the pallets repeatedly collide with each other lengthwise or at the end during automatic transport, there is a risk of mechanical damage.

[0010] The invention is therefore based on the object of developing a known device, in particular a known pallet for drying objects, in such a way that it enables the replacement of its parts damaged by use.

[0011] This object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of claim 1. This is characterized in that at least one head piece is provided, which is designed for connection to the pallet; and that the pallet is designed to releasably and preferably captively receive the head piece on at least one of its head sides.

[0012] The detachable and preferably captive connection offers the advantage that the headpiece can be easily replaced in the event of damage or wear. This eliminates the need to scrap the entire device, including the pallet, in the event of damage or wear.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the corners of the headpiece are rounded. This reduces damage to dryer trolleys, into which the devices are placed for transport to a dryer, i.e., a drying system. The rounded corners, especially when they protrude beyond the side wall of the pallet, also advantageously reduce damage to the pallet and conveyor equipment, as well as disruptions to daily operations.

[0014] According to a further embodiment, the head piece has at least one tab for at least partial engagement with pockets on the pallet, or vice versa. This means that the pockets can also be formed on the head piece, and the tabs can also be formed on the pallet. In this way, for example, the claimed detachable and captive connection between the head piece and the pallet is realized. The claimed detachable insert construction advantageously does not require welding between the storage surface and the head piece.

[0015] The head piece is designed in such a way that it - optionally together with its tabs and / or one or more other tabs - engages underneath and supports the pallet's storage surface on the underside when the head piece is inserted onto the head side of the pallet. The head piece can be curved upwards on its top side or its upper edge. The pallet's storage surface then also experiences an upward curvature due to the inserted head piece. The still damp and deformable objects placed on the storage surface then initially adapt to the curvature; i.e. they are initially curved downwards on their underside. During the drying process, however, the edges of the objects automatically lift up so that the objects are straight once the drying process is complete. In this respect, the upward curvature of the storage surface counteracts any upward warping of the objects to be dried.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, the pallet, especially its storage area, is given the necessary transverse rigidity, at least locally, by the head piece with the additional flap. This ensures that – even when the pallet is loaded with the items to be dried – no or only uniform curvature in the transverse direction occurs.

[0017] The use of different materials or sheet thicknesses for the pallet or the storage area and for the head piece advantageously enables different functions of these components.

[0018] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims.

[0019] Three figures are included with the description. They show: Fig. 1: the head end of the device with the headpiece attached; Fig. 2: the head end of the device with the headpiece not attached, in a three-dimensional view, top side; and Fig. 3: the head end of the device with the headpiece not attached, in a three-dimensional view, bottom side. The invention is described in detail below with reference to the figures in the form of exemplary embodiments. In all figures, identical technical elements are designated by identical reference numerals.

[0020] In Figure 1a device for drying objects is shown in a plan view, comprising a pallet 1 and at least one head piece 2. The pallet 1 has a storage surface 3 with upper longitudinal edges 4, from which side walls 5 project downwards, which have lower longitudinal edges 6, from which optional support surfaces 7 project below the storage surface 3, which are aligned parallel to the storage surface 3. The pallet rests on the support surfaces 7 when it is pushed into a shelf or a dryer trolley, for example. The objects to be dried, for example bricks or paving bricks, are placed on the storage surface 3 while still damp.

[0021] The fixtures are manufactured in different dimensions depending on the respective requirements. Generally, the larger the support surface 3, the larger the edge or width of the support surface 7, as this influences the torsional rigidity. The (sheet metal) thickness of the support surface 3, side wall 5, and support surface 7 varies between 1 and 3 mm.

[0022] In a vertical section II in Figure 1 The storage surface 3, the side walls 5 and optionally the support surfaces 7 of the pallet 1 and in particular of the head section 2 form approximately a horizontal U-shape. A cross section II-II through the pallet 1 with head section 2 is shown on the right edge of Fig. 1 shown. Holes 22 can be seen in the side wall 5 of pallet 1. These holes facilitate the ventilation of the items to be dried, especially when the pallets are exposed to air from the sides in dryers.

[0023] In Fig. 1It can also be seen that the head piece 2 with its corners 8 protrudes laterally beyond the side walls 5 of the pallet 1. This serves to protect the entire device, especially its pallet.

[0024] In Figure 2 The top side of the head end of the device is shown in three dimensions with the head piece 2 not attached. In particular, tabs 10 and 11 can be seen, which engage in pockets 14, 15 on the underside of the storage surface 3 and / or on the top side of the support surface 7 when the head piece 2 is attached to the head side of the pallet 1; see also Figure 3 . In this way, the detachable connection between the pallet 1 and the head part 2 is realized.

[0025] In the example shown, the side walls 5 are folded or bent downwards by 90°. However, a different angle is also possible.

[0026] Also visible is a U-shaped reinforcement profile 16 with side walls 17, which is attached to the underside of the storage surface 3 to stiffen the pallet against deflection, especially when loaded with the objects to be dried.

[0027] The side walls 17 of the reinforcement profile 16 are preferably provided with holes 20. These holes also promote ventilation of the objects, particularly when the pallet and the reinforcement profile 16 are exposed to air from the sides in dryers.

[0028] The pallet 1 and the headpiece 2 can be made of different materials. This allows different requirements to be met.

[0029] Pallet 1 and headpiece 2 can be made of sheet metal with different wall thicknesses. This allows for an optimal compromise between required load capacity and material cost savings.

[0030] The headpiece 2 is designed such that it engages and supports the support surface 3 of the pallet 1 at its underside—optionally together with its tabs 10, 11 and / or one or more additional tabs 12, 13—when the headpiece 2 is inserted into the head end of the pallet 1. The headpiece can be curved upwards on its top side or its upper edge. The support surface of the pallet is then also curved upwards by the inserted headpiece. The associated advantages are described above in the introduction.

[0031] The headpiece 2 can be provided with holes. These holes also facilitate ventilation of the items.

[0032] In Figure 3 The underside of the head end of the device is shown three-dimensionally with the head piece not attached.

[0033] The U-shaped reinforcement profile 3 is connected in a joining area 18 via the free ends of its side walls 17, at least at certain points or in sections, by welding to the underside of the support surface 3 of the pallet 1. The welding is preferably produced without a welding edge by resistance welding.

[0034] The shelf is also equipped with a continuous perforation 19 in the joining area 18 between the reinforcement profile 16 and the storage surface 3. Because the side walls 17 of the reinforcement profile 16 only face the underside of the storage surface with their thicknesses or their end faces, the perforation 19 is advantageously only slightly covered by the reinforcement profile 16. Therefore, the holes in the perforation can essentially fulfill their function of promoting ventilation of the objects to be dried, even in the joining area.

[0035] All mentioned embodiments can be linked together "and / or" according to the invention. List of reference symbols

[0036] 1. Pallet 2. Head piece 3 Storage area 4 Long edge 5 Pallet side wall 6 Long edge 7 Support surface 8 Corner area 9 Recess 10 Top outer flap 11 Bottom outer flap 12 Top middle flap 13 Bottom middle flap 14 Top pocket 15 Bottom pocket 16 Reinforcement profile 17 Side wall Reinforcement profile 18 Joining area 19 Perforation 20 Holes in side wall of the reinforcement profile 22 Holes in side wall of the pallet

Claims

1. Device for drying or hardening objects made of clay or concrete, for example bricks, paving stones or paving bricks, comprising a pallet (1) with a storage surface (3) for the objects with upper longitudinal edges (4), from which side walls (5) project downwards, which have lower longitudinal edges (6); characterized by that at least one head piece (2) is provided, which is designed for connection to the pallet (1); and that the pallet (1) is designed to receive the head piece (2) detachably, but preferably captively, on at least one of its head sides.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the headpiece (2) has rounded corners (8), preferably with a recess (9).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized by that the head piece (2) with its corners (8) protrudes laterally beyond the side walls (5) of the pallet (1).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the pallet (1) and the headpiece (2) are made of different materials.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the pallet (1) and the head piece (2) consist of sheets with different wall thicknesses.

6. Device according to one of claims 1-5, characterized by that the head piece (2) has at least one tab (10, 11) for releasably engaging in pockets (14, 15) on the pallet (1); or vice versa.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the head piece is designed in such a way that it - optionally together with its tabs (10, 11) and / or one or more further tabs (12, 13) - engages under and supports the storage surface of the pallet on its underside when the head piece is inserted onto the head side of the pallet; and thatthe head piece, if applicable together with the tabs, is curved upwards on its upper side or its upper edge, so that the storage surface (3) of the pallet (1) is also curved upwards when the head piece (2) is placed on the head side of the pallet (1).

8. Device according to one of claims 1-7, characterized by that the headpiece (2) is provided with holes.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the side walls (5) of the pallet (1) are provided with holes (22).

10. Device according to one of claims 1-9, characterized by that a U-shaped reinforcing profile (16) is connected via the free ends of its side walls (17) in a joining area (18) at least at certain points or in sections by welding to the underside of the storage surface (3) of the pallet (1); and thatthe welding in the joining area (18) is preferably produced by resistance welding without a welding edge.

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized by that that the storage surface (3) is also equipped with a continuous perforation (19) in the joining area (18).

12. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by that that the side walls (17) of the reinforcing profile (16) are provided with holes (20).

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