Transport container

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport container (1), comprising a jacket (2), in particular formed from circular woven fabric or connected fabric panels, which extends between a substantially square lower part (3) and a substantially square upper part (4) in such a manner that a container volume for receiving granular, liquid, viscous or semi-liquid substances, in particular bitumen, is formed, wherein in the lower region of the transport container (1) at least one substantially tensile sleeve, which entirely spans the jacket (2), is provided, wherein the sleeve is formed as a composite of a tensioning strap (5) and a plurality of bending-resistant lateral elements (9).

Description

[0001] transport container

[0002] The invention relates to a transport container comprising a casing formed in particular from round fabric or connected fabric panels, which extends between a lower part and an upper part in such a way that a container volume is formed for receiving granular, liquid, viscous or semi-liquid substances, in particular bitumen.

[0003] Such large-volume transport containers are known in the art as big bags. A particular problem arises when filling these transport containers with viscous substances such as bitumen, as these become viscous at higher ambient temperatures and tend to slowly and steadily destabilize the transport container due to mass shifts, making stable long-term storage of the filled transport container impossible.

[0004] It is known from the prior art to equip the transport container with stabilizing devices for this purpose, for example in the form of stabilizing elements that run along the shell from the lower part to the upper part, and whose ends are connected in the lower part and upper part regions via a bracing structure in a tensile and compressive manner. Transport containers with such a bracing structure are known, for example, from WO 2017 / 157999 A1. However, these structures also tend to be unstable, particularly when the transport container has a height that is significantly greater than its width. However, there is a need for such elevated transport containers in order to utilize the volume in a container as effectively as possible without the need to stack the transport containers.In particular, there is a need for transport containers with a footprint of approximately 100 cm x 100 cm when empty and a maximum of approximately 115 cm x 115 cm when filled, with a height of up to 200 cm, preferably 200 cm. However, these containers tend to bulge significantly and even tip over, especially when filled with bitumen.

[0005] The object of the invention is to solve this and other problems of known transport containers and to provide a transport container which ensures long-term and safe storage of the filled materials even if its extension in height is greater than its extension in width.

[0006] These and other objects of the invention are achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1.

[0007] A transport container according to the invention comprises a casing, formed in particular from round fabric or connected fabric panels, which extends between a substantially square lower part and a substantially square upper part such that a container volume is formed for accommodating granular, liquid, viscous, or semi-liquid substances, in particular bitumen. In the lower region, in particular in the lower half of the transport container, at least one substantially tensile-resistant sleeve is provided, completely enclosing the casing. According to the invention, the sleeve is formed as a composite of a tensioning belt and several rigid side elements.

[0008] The arrangement of the sleeve in the lower area, particularly in the lower half of the transport container, ensures that the transport container does not bulge there. Experiments have shown that the arrangement of the sleeve in the lower area effectively prevents the transport container from tipping over. According to the invention, the transport container can be provided with a bracing structure that is preferably tensile and compressive.

[0009] The bracing structure can comprise several, preferably four, tubes running vertically from the lower part to the upper part, which are arranged outside the casing. The tubes can be made of plastic, metal, or another material that stabilizes the transport container. The tubes can be open or sewn to the lower part and / or the upper part. Vertically running metal threaded rods can be arranged in the tubes, the ends of which are connected in the region of the lower part and / or in the region of the upper part via a locking mechanism. Several, preferably four, diagonal struts, in particular flat irons, can be provided as the locking mechanism, which connect the threaded rods to one another. For example, the threaded rods can be firmly screwed to the flat irons.

[0010] However, instead of diagonal braces, straps or chains can also be used to brace the pipes. For example, the pipes can be connected at the bottom with metal diagonal braces and at the top with straps. The pipes can also be braced at the top and bottom with straps.

[0011] The diagonal braces can be designed as tensile-resistant static elements made of steel, wood, plastic, or natural fibers. Preferably, the diagonal braces can be made of such a material and in such a shape that they can also absorb compressive and bending stresses, at least to a certain extent.

[0012] The tubes can have a wall thickness of approximately 1 mm to approximately 2 mm and are preferably made of metal. However, the tubes can also be made of plastic, fiberglass, or other materials. The threaded rods can, in particular, be designed with an M10 thread. The diagonal struts can form a substantially square support surface. The flat bars can have a thickness of 1 mm - 3 mm and a width of 20 mm - 60 mm for a length of approximately 75 cm. One advantage of using such thin flat bars is that they have a certain degree of flexibility and can adapt to the shape of the filled transport container to a certain extent. Instead of the flat bars, metallic profile frames can also be used.The diagonal struts can be clamped together with the threaded rods via nuts or other connecting elements in such a way that two diagonal struts form a rigid 3-dimensional corner with one end of a tube.

[0013] This bracing structure according to the invention forms a rigid frame and gives the transport container a nearly square profile. This prevents the container from tipping over. Furthermore, the bracing structure enables compact storage of the filled transport container and easy attachment to transport vehicles by securing the bracing structure, without exerting direct forces on the casing. A frame according to the invention can be delivered folded to save space and assembled on site.

[0014] The bracing construction can also be used to ensure the stable positioning of the transport container, for example on uneven storage areas, or when loading into / onto means of transport such as trucks or containers using suitable loading aids such as straps or hooks.

[0015] According to the invention, the sleeve can be arranged at a height of approximately 30% to 45%, in particular approximately 40%, of the total height of the transport container. This arrangement of the sleeve has proven particularly effective in experiments.

[0016] According to the invention, the sleeve is formed as a composite of a tensioning belt and several rigid side elements. Provision can be made for several, preferably four, elongated, rigid side elements to be provided, which extend essentially linearly over part of the side surfaces of the casing, so that the tensioning belt only touches the casing in the region of vertically running corner areas. This protects the casing and distributes the pressure more effectively across the outer surface of the transport container. The sleeve according to the invention extends outside the casing and also outside any bracing structure. The rigid side elements force the transport container from a cylindrical into a square, in particular approximately octagonal, shape.

[0017] For shaping purposes, it can also be provided according to the invention that the tensioning belt is connected to the casing only at contact points in the corner areas, in particular sewn, welded or glued.

[0018] According to the invention, the rigid side elements each comprise an L- or C-shaped metal profile and preferably a pressure-resistant element connected to it, in particular a batten or a metal or plastic block, so that the pressure-resistant element rests against the casing. The tensioning strap can be force-fitted to the pressure-resistant element and the external metal profile. Such a composite construction made of wood or plastic and metal achieves both tensile and pressure-resistant guidance of the tensioning strap without damaging the casing.

[0019] According to the invention, it can be provided that the pipes are arranged in fabric sheaths arranged in sections or covering the entire sheath, preferably attached to the sheath by seams, welded or sewn on the outer surface of the sheath.

[0020] According to the invention, it can be provided that the threaded rods have a diameter of approximately 5 mm to 10 mm, preferably approximately 8 mm. Depending on the height of the transport container, the threaded rods can have a length of approximately 100 cm to approximately 200 cm, preferably approximately 184 cm. The threaded rods can have an M8 or an M10 thread. According to the invention, the tubes for receiving the threaded rods can have a diameter of approximately 20 mm to 38 mm, preferably approximately 32 mm. According to the invention, it can be provided that the diameter of the tubes essentially corresponds to the width of the locking mechanism in order to ensure that the latter forms a substantially right angle with the tubes. According to the invention, it can be provided that the tensioning belt has a width of approximately 30 mm to 50 mm, preferably approximately 40 mm. The tensioning belt can be made of or comprise a textile fabric or a plastic fabric.The tensioning strap preferably has no or only slight stretchability.

[0021] According to the invention, the rigid side elements can have a length of approximately 2 / 3 of the width of the transport container, in particular a length of approximately 60 cm to 70 cm, preferably approximately 66 cm. With an empty footprint of the transport container of approximately 100 cm x 100 cm, the compression composite elements thus preferably extend over approximately 2 / 3 of the circumference of the transport container. Such an arrangement has proven advantageous in practice.

[0022] According to the invention, the flat bars can be longer in the lower part than in the upper part, in particular by approximately 3 cm to 6 cm, preferably by approximately 4 cm. This corresponds to a length difference of the flat bars of approximately 5%, so that the transport container tapers slightly towards the top. When filled, the transport container thus assumes a slightly conical shape. This further counteracts tipping of the transport container.

[0023] According to the invention, it can be provided that the transport container has a substantially square cross-section with a side length in the unfilled state of approximately 100 cm and a height of approximately 160 cm to 200 cm, preferably approximately 180 cm.

[0024] At least two, preferably four, lifting slings can be arranged on the casing of the transport container in the region of the upper part. The lifting slings are preferably arranged centrally between two tubes each and are preferably glued, welded, or sewn to the outer surface of the casing along the entire height of the transport container. Furthermore, a central filling nozzle can be arranged in the upper part. According to the invention, the casing can be formed from a flat or round fabric. A plastic coating or a liner made of plastic, such as polyethylene, can be arranged inside the casing.

[0025] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the patent claims, the drawings, and the following description of the embodiments. The invention is explained below using exemplary embodiments.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a transport container according to the invention in a schematic three-dimensional view;

[0027] Fig. 2a shows an embodiment of a cuff according to the invention;

[0028] Fig. 2b shows a section through the cuff from Fig. 2a;

[0029] Fig. 2c shows a section through another embodiment of the cuff from Fig. 2a;

[0030] Fig. 3a shows a second embodiment of a transport container according to the invention in a schematic side view;

[0031] Fig. 3b shows a top view of the transport container from Fig. 3a; Fig. 3c shows a sectional view of the transport container from Fig. 3a.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a transport container according to the invention in a schematic three-dimensional view. The transport container 1 comprises a casing 2 made of a circular fabric, which is delimited at its lower end by a lower part 3 and at its upper end by an upper part 4. A filler neck 14 for filling the transport container 1 is arranged in the upper part 4, and a liner made of a plastic such as polyethylene is located inside the casing 2.

[0033] Outside the shell 2, four vertical stabilizing elements in the form of tubes 7 with inserted threaded rods 6 run. The tubes 7 are inserted into fabric sleeves 13, which are arranged by seams on the outer surface of the shell 2 and extend from the lower part 3 to the upper part 4 of the transport container 1.

[0034] The threaded rods 6 are connected to one another in both the lower part 3 and the upper part 4 by locking mechanisms in the form of flat iron bars 8, which are resistant to tension and compression. This forms a stable frame that holds the transport bag upright and stabilizes it internally. Lifting loops are arranged at the corners of the transport container 1 so that the transport container can be lifted, for example with a forklift. The tubes 7 are made of metal and have a diameter of approximately 30 mm. This large diameter of the tubes ensures that the tubes 7 do not damage the fabric coverings 13. At both ends of the threaded rods 6, these are each connected to tension and compression-resistant diagonal struts in the form of flat iron bars 8, thus forming an essentially cuboid-shaped bracing structure with a square cross-section.The threaded rods 6 are each firmly screwed to the flat bars 8 by means of nuts. The screw connection is designed so tightly that the tube 7 forces the flat bars 8 into a rigid, right-angled connection. For this purpose, the diameter of the tubes 7 is approximately adapted to the width of the flat bars 8.

[0035] By firmly tightening the screw connection, the flat iron 8 rests flush against the pipes 7. The threaded rod 6 arranged in the pipe 7 has a diameter of approximately 10 mm. Before the bracing structure is fixed, the threaded rod 6 is arranged so that it can move freely within the pipe 7, so that the threaded rod 6 can move within the pipe 7 when the screw connection is tightened. After the bracing structure is fixed, the position of the threaded rod 6 within the pipe 7 is fixed.

[0036] The threaded rods 6 have a diameter of approximately 8 mm and a length of approximately 184 cm, so that they slightly protrude above the approximately 180 cm high transport container 1 and are long enough to be screwed with nuts.

[0037] In the lower region of the transport container 1, a substantially tensile-resistant cuff with a tensioning belt 5 is provided, which completely encompasses the casing 2 and the bracing structure. The tensioning belt 5 runs substantially horizontally at a height of approximately 40% of the total height of the transport container 1. Between the tensioning belt 5 and the casing 2, four elongated, shaping, rigid side elements 9 are provided, which extend substantially linearly over part of the side surfaces of the casing 2. This ensures that the tensioning belt 5 only touches the casing 2 in the region of the four vertically running corner regions 10. At these corner regions 10, the tensioning belt 5 is sewn to the casing 2. Fig. 2a shows an embodiment of a cuff according to the invention. The cuff is adapted to the shape of a transport container 1 with a side length of approximately 100 cm and forms a substantially octagonal frame.The cuff comprises a flexible, but essentially inelastic tensioning belt 5, which is tensioned around four rigid side elements 9. The elongation of the tensioning belt 5 is preferably a maximum of 0.5% to 1.5% of its length. In this example, the tensioning belt has a length of approximately 365 cm. Also shown is the position of the tubes 7 of a bracing structure (not otherwise shown). The rigid side elements 9 each comprise a batten 12 with a length of approximately 65 cm and a metal profile 11 with a length of approximately 50 cm.

[0038] Fig. 2b shows a section through the sleeve from Fig. 2a. The rigid side elements 9 are designed as composite elements and, in this example, each comprise an L-shaped metal profile 11 and a batten 12 connected to it by screws, wherein the batten 12 rests against the casing 2 and wherein the tensioning belt 5 is clamped between the batten 12 and the outer metal profile 11.

[0039] Fig. 2c shows a section through another embodiment of the cuff from Fig. 2a. The rigid side elements 9 are designed as composite elements and, in this example, each comprise a C-shaped metal profile 11 and a batten 12 connected to it by screws. In this example, the batten 12 rests only at its ends on the casing 2, and the tensioning belt 5 is screwed to the batten 12 and the external metal profile 11.

[0040] Fig. 3a shows a second embodiment of a transport container 1 according to the invention in a schematic side view. In this illustration, the transport container 1 is filled, so that the tubes 7 and threaded rods 6 are slightly deformed outward. However, the tensioning strap 5 ensures that only a very slight bulge of the transport container 1 can occur in the lower area.

[0041] Fig. 3b shows a top view of the transport container from Fig. 3a. Shown in particular are the flat bars 8, which are bolted to the threaded rods 6 to form a rigid cuboid frame. The hole width of the flat bars 8 is approximately 660 mm on the top and approximately 700 mm on the bottom. The bracing structure is therefore somewhat narrower on the top of the transport container 1 than on the bottom, giving the transport container a slightly conical shape.

[0042] Fig. 3c shows a view of the transport container from Fig. 3a in a sectional illustration along section B - B in Fig. 3a. Shown are the threaded rods 6, which fit tightly in the tubes 7, as well as the rigid side elements 9 and the tensioning belt 5. It can be seen that the tensioning belt 5 only touches the casing 2 at the corner regions 10, and thus only minimal wear occurs on the casing 2. In particular, this has the advantage that reinforcement of the casing 2 is usually provided in the corner regions 10 anyway, since this is where the lifting loops (not shown) are usually arranged. Due to the conical shape of the transport container 1, the diagonal distance D2 between the tubes is slightly larger than the diagonal distance D1 in Fig. 2b.

[0043] The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, but encompasses all transport containers within the scope of the following patent claims.

[0044] List of reference symbols

[0045] 1 transport container

[0046] 2 coats

[0047] 3 Lower part

[0048] 4 Top

[0049] 5 tensioning straps

[0050] 6 threaded rod

[0051] 7 pipe

[0052] 8 flat irons

[0053] 9 Rigid side element

[0054] 10 Corner area

[0055] 11 Metal profile

[0056] 12 batons

[0057] 13 Fabric cover

[0058] 14 filler necks

Claims

Patent claims 1. Transport container (1), comprising a casing (2), which is formed in particular from round fabric or connected fabric panels and which extends between a substantially square lower part (3) and a substantially square upper part (4) in such a way that a container volume is formed for receiving granular, liquid, viscous or semi-liquid substances, in particular bitumen, characterized in that in the lower region of the transport container (1) at least one substantially tensile-resistant sleeve is provided which completely spans the casing (2), wherein the sleeve is formed as a composite of a tensioning belt (5) and several rigid side elements (9).

2. Transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport container (1) has a bracing structure surrounding the casing (2), the bracing structure comprising several, preferably four, tubes (7) running vertically from the lower part (3) to the upper part (4) outside the casing (2), in which tubes preferably metallic threaded rods (6) are arranged, the ends of the threaded rods (6) being connected, in particular firmly screwed, preferably in the region of the lower part (3) and / or in the region of the upper part (4) via several, preferably four, diagonal struts, in particular flat iron (8), belts or chains.

3. Transport container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sleeve is arranged in the lower half of the transport container, preferably at a height of approximately 30% to 45%, in particular approximately 40% of the total height of the transport container (1).

4. Transport container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that between the tensioning belt (5) and the casing (2) several, preferably four, elongated, rigid side elements (9) are provided, which extend essentially linearly over part of the side surfaces of the casing (2), so that the tensioning belt (5) only touches the casing (2) in the region of vertically running corner regions (10).

5. Transport container (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the tensioning belt (5) is connected, in particular sewn, welded or glued, to the casing (2) only at contact points in the corner regions (10).

6. Transport container (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the rigid side elements (9) each have an L- or C-shaped metal profile (11) and preferably a pressure-resistant element connected thereto, in particular a baton (12) or a metal or plastic block, wherein the pressure-resistant element rests on the casing (2) and wherein the tensioning belt (5) is non-positively connected to the pressure-resistant element and the external metal profile (11).

7. Transport container (1) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the tubes (7) are arranged in fabric sheaths (13) on the outer surface of the casing (2), wherein the fabric sheaths (13) are glued, welded or sewn onto the casing (2).

8. Transport container (1) according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the threaded rods (6) have a diameter of approximately 5 mm to 10 mm, preferably approximately 8 mm.

9. Transport container (1) according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the tubes (7) for receiving the threaded rods (6) have a diameter of approximately 20 mm to 38 mm, preferably approximately 32 mm.

10. Transport container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the tensioning belt (5) has a width of approximately 30 mm to 50 mm, preferably approximately 40 mm, and a low extensibility.

11. T ransport container (1) according to one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the rigid side elements (9) have a length of approximately 2 / 3 of the width of the transport container (1), in particular a length of approximately 60 cm to 70 cm, preferably approximately 66 cm.

12. T ransport container (1) according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the flat irons (8) are longer in the region of the lower part (3) than in the region of the upper part (4), in particular by about 3 cm to 6 cm longer, preferably by about 4 cm longer, so that the transport container (1) tapers slightly towards the top.

13. Transport container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it has a substantially square cross-section with a side length in the unfilled state of approximately 100 cm and a height of approximately 100 cm to approximately 200 cm, preferably approximately 180 cm.

14. Transport container (1) according to one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that at least two, preferably four lifting slings are arranged on the casing (2) in the region of the upper part (4), wherein the lifting slings are preferably arranged centrally between two tubes (7) each, and are preferably glued, welded or sewn to the outer surface of the casing (2) along the entire height of the transport container (1).

15. Transport container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a central filling nozzle (14) is arranged in the upper part (4).

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