Foldable device for storing and moving gas cylinders and similar elements and process for folding such a device

Abstract

Device (1) for storing and moving gas cylinders and the like, comprising: a base portion (2) equipped with a bearing surface (21) for the cylinders and with protrusions (22) for ground support, said support protrusions (22) being preferably equipped with openings (22a) for forklift forks; three side walls (31, 32, 33), each wall comprising two uprights (32a, 32b) and one or more crossbars (32c, 32d), so as to form side walls (31, 32, 33) with open portions (321, 322), the uprights (32a, 32b) of said side walls (31, 32, 33) being provided, at an end thereof, with coupling portions (32e) configured to be removably inserted into seats (23, 25, 26) of said base portion (2), said uprights (32a, 32b) being translatable and rotatable relative to said base portion (2) by means of a slot (32f) - pin (26) coupling, wherein the pins (26) coupled to different side walls (31, 32, 33) are arranged, considering a use condition, at different heights (H1, H2), preferably said slot (32f) being made in the coupling portion (32e) of said uprights (32a, 32b); a ramp (4), removably hinged either to uprights (32a, 32b) of two of said side walls (31, 32, 33), which are opposite each other, or to the base portion (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for storing and moving gas cylinders and the like, alternatively known in the art as a "basket".

[0002] Such devices typically have rectangular section in plan view and are equipped with a pallet-like base portion adapted to be transported by a forklift, and side walls, typically three side walls, formed by uprights and crossbars, which are arranged on three sides of the rectangle, whereas a fourth wall is typically open to allow cylinders to be inserted into and removed from the device.

[0003] Such devices are particularly bulky when empty and this makes these elements difficult to be stored while awaiting use, or to be transported to a location where they are to be used.

[0004] It is therefore object of the present invention to make a device for moving and storing gas cylinders and the like, which provides at least the features of known devices when it is in operating condition, but when in non-operating condition, it is intended for simple storage and movement.

[0005] These and other objects are achieved by a device and a method according to one or more of the appended claims.

[0006] In particular, a device and a method according to the appended claims are object of the present invention, while preferred aspects are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0007] In particular, it is an object of the present invention a device for storing and moving gas cylinders and the like, comprising: a base portion, equipped with a bearing surface for cylinders and with protrusions for ground support, the support protrusions being preferably equipped with openings for forks of forklifts; three side walls, each wall comprising two uprights and one or more crossbars, so as to form side walls with open portions, the uprights of the side walls being equipped, at one end thereof, with coupling portions configured to be inserted into seats of said base portion, preferably in removable way, said uprights being translatable and rotatable relative to said base portion by means of a slot-pin coupling, in which, considering a use condition, the pins coupled to different side walls are arranged at different heights. Preferably the slot is made in the coupling portion of the uprights. The device also comprises a ramp removably hinged to uprights of two opposite side walls, or to the base portion.

[0008] Thanks to the present solution, by rotating the uprights about the pin, the side walls can be folded, laying them in series on top of the bearing surface, keeping them constrained to the device. Laid in series means that a side wall lays, directly or indirectly, on the bearing surface or the base portion, and each subsequent side wall lays on top of the previous side wall.

[0009] Therefore, the device can be transported in a compact condition. In addition, the folded devices can be stacked, thus taking much less space than unfolded devices but in operating condition. In general, the space taken by a basket in operating condition corresponds to the space taken by at least three, preferably four or five, folded baskets. In the embodiment shown hereafter, seven folded stacked baskets can be accommodated in the same space taken by two open stacked baskets.

[0010] In possible embodiments, the pin connecting the uprights and the base portion can be removed from the device, so that the side walls can be completely disengaged from the device, for example in case of maintenance, or in order to replace a damaged side wall.

[0011] The "height" of the pins is the distance measured from the bearing surface along the direction perpendicular thereto. A similar result (i.e., checking the different heights of the pins) can be obtained by measuring the height as the distance from the surface on which, in use, the device is supported, along a direction perpendicular to the bearing surface.

[0012] It should be noted that, on the other hand, pins coupled to uprights of the same side wall typically have identical height.

[0013] Slot and pin to constrain side walls and base surface together are preferably arranged so that the slot is arranged on the coupling portion of the uprights, and a pin is constrained, preferably in a removable way, to the uprights so that it passes through the slot. This way, thanks to the travel available to the pin within the slot, an upright can be translated relative to the bearing surface. Typically, such translation occurs along a direction substantially perpendicular to the bearing surface.

[0014] The pin arranged within the slot also allows the upright to be rotated relative to the bearing surface about an axis arranged basically like the crossbars of the side wall of which the upright is part, i.e. in a direction parallel to them.

[0015] As discussed, a side wall typically comprises a pair of uprights preferably shaped to have the same slot-pin coupling to the base portion. However, the use of several uprights (e.g. two arranged to the side of the wall and one arranged in the middle of the wall) is not excluded. In such a case, the uprights are coupled to a respective seat of the base portion, so that the side wall can translate (due to the travel of the pins within the respective slots) and rotate (due to the rotation about the pin) relative to the base portion.

[0016] According to a possible aspect, the ramp is removably hinged to uprights of a side wall or to the base portion, and the device is configured so as to selectively allow or prevent the rotation of the ramp about the hinge, when the ramp is in a position substantially perpendicular to the bearing surface. Typically, the ramp has protrusions, which can be removably coupled to seats made on uprights of different side walls of the device.

[0017] Thus, the ramp has an upper surface that, thanks to the rotation about the hinge, can be arranged in an aligned manner, that is, at an angle of 180°, relative to the bearing surface of the base portion. This position is typically a position arranged between the operating position (where this angle is greater than 180°), so as to facilitate the insertion of gas cylinders into the device, and the one where it is arranged perpendicular thereto, that is, at an angle of 90°.

[0018] According to a possible aspect, at least two of the side walls comprise an upper crossbar arranged at the top of the device when considered in a use condition, which comprise lifting hooks adapted to allow the device to be lifted by means of external machinery.

[0019] According to a possible aspect, the device comprises a closing crossbar having ends removably constrained to uprights of two different side walls, which are opposite each other.

[0020] According to a possible aspect, the device is made of metal material.

[0021] According to a possible aspect, the bearing surface is in the form of a grid.

[0022] According to a possible aspect, in plan view, the base portion is rectangular, a first side wall being arranged at a first side of the rectangle, a second side wall being arranged at a second side of the rectangle opposite the first side, a third side wall being arranged at a third side of the rectangle. The third side wall has an upright facing an upright of the first side wall and an additional upright facing an upright of the second side wall.

[0023] According to a possible aspect, the uprights of the third side wall are removably constrained, preferably by a pin, to the corresponding upright of the first and second side walls.

[0024] According to a possible aspect, the fourth side of the rectangle of the base portion is without a side wall comprising uprights and crossbars. In order to prevent the gas cylinders from coming out of the device, this fourth side is typically "closed" by the lifting of the ramp, and preferably by additional closing elements, such as the previously described closing crossbar. The basket may also preferably comprise straps or similar retaining means to retain the cylinders in place in order to prevent them from being displaced.

[0025] The present invention also relates to a process for folding a device according to one of the preceding aspects, comprising the steps of: a. Translating a side wall until the pin reaches the end stop within the respective slot, and then rotating said wall about the pin until it is substantially parallel to the bearing surface; b. Repeating the operations of step a. for the other side walls of the device, the order of the side walls being chosen depending on said height of the respective coupling pin that couples uprights and base portion.

[0026] These steps are operations required to fold the device but, depending on the shape thereof, other operations may be necessary. For example, the ramp may be removed from the uprights or the base portion, and be arranged above the bearing surface, typically between two side portions. Similarly, the closing crossbar can be disengaged from the side walls and arranged above the bearing surface, such as, for example, between the bearing surface and a side wall, or between two side walls.

[0027] Hereinafter, referring to the appended figures, exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention, whereas Figure 1a is a perspective view of a detail of the device viewed from a different angle; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the base portion of the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the base portion of the device of Figure 1; Figures 3a - 3c are schematic side views of possible relative positions between ramp and base portion, depending on the rotation of the former relative to the latter; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a side view of the device of Figure 1; Figures 5a - 5c sequentially show the steps to fold the device in Figure 1 (it should be noted that the viewing angle changes in the figures, in order to allow the best view of the various elements); Figure 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment showing seven baskets folded and stacked side by side, with two baskets in open and operating condition.

[0028] With reference to the figures, a device 1 for storing and moving gas cylinders and the like comprises a base portion 2, three side walls 31, 32, 33 and a ramp 4.

[0029] The base portion 2 comprises a bearing surface 21 preferably made in the form of a grid.

[0030] The base portion 2 further comprises support protrusions 22, which protrude substantially perpendicular to the bearing surface 21. The support protrusions are typically arranged at the perimeter of the bearing surface 21 considered in plan view.

[0031] The support protrusions 22 typically comprise openings 22a adapted to allow the device 1 to be coupled to forklift forks. In other words, the support protrusions 22 are shaped so that the base portion 2 is in the form of a pallet.

[0032] The base portion 2 further comprises seats 23, 24, 25 to be coupled to the side walls 31, 32, 33, particularly to respective coupling portions 32e of the uprights 32a, 32b thereof, better described below.

[0033] Typically, in plan view, the base portion 2 has rectangular section (where square is a special case of rectangle), with side walls arranged at three sides of the rectangle.

[0034] The seats 23, 24, 25 are shaped so as to allow a coupling with the side walls 31, 32, 33, which allows them to rotate and translate relative to the base portion 2.

[0035] In different embodiments, therefore, the form of the seats 23, 24, 25 may vary, depending on the shape of the side walls 31, 32, 33.

[0036] In preferred embodiments, the seats are shaped as section bars having C-section.

[0037] The closed sides of the "C" hold the coupling portions 32e of the respective uprights in place, while the open side of the "C" section allows the wall to rotate during the folding operations of the device 1.

[0038] The coupling between seats 23, 24, 25 and side walls 31, 32, 33 is done by a slot-pin system.

[0039] The slot can be arranged on the seat and the pin can be arranged on the side wall. However, it is preferable to arrange a pin 26 on the seats 23, 24, 25 (it should be noted that in the figures the pin is not shown but only its seat is visible; for simplicity, the reference 26 is shown in the figures at that seat).

[0040] The pins 26 to couple the seats 23, 24, 25 to the side walls 31, 32, 33 are arranged at different heights H1, H2 between different side walls.

[0041] In the embodiment shown, with particular reference to Figure 3, the heights H1, H2 of pins 26 intended to be coupled to different side walls, are shown.

[0042] The heights H1, H2 are calculated relative to the bearing surface 21, in the direction perpendicular thereto. Similarly, the heights H1, H2 could be measured relative to the ground, i.e., to the surface which, in use, supports the device 1, namely relative to the lower surface of the support protrusions 22, again in a direction perpendicular to the bearing surface 21. Even such a measurement would show different heights between pins intended for coupling sidewalls 31, 32, 33 to the base portion 2, which are different from each other.

[0043] In other words, this type of measurement would lead to height values different from the heights H1, H2 shown in the figure, but it would allow to check that these values are different from each other. Moreover, in both cases, the same pin would have lower height. In short, if H1 and H2 are the heights of the two pins relative to the bearing surface 21, and H10 and H20 are the heights of the same pins relative to the ground, then the height to the ground is greater than the height to the bearing surface 21, i.e. H10 > H1 and H20 > H2. However, if the heights to the bearing surface are different, the heights to the ground are also different, that is, if H1 ≠ H2, then H10 ≠ H20. Moreover, in both cases, the pin located at higher height is the same. Therefore, if H1 > H2, then H10 > H20 as well. Therefore, in short, it is sufficient to measure one of the two heights, that is, the height relative to the bearing surface or relative to the ground, so as to check whether the pins 26 are at different heights from each other.

[0044] Typically, all pins 26 intended for coupling different side walls 31, 32, 33 and the base portion have different heights from each other. In contrast, pins 26 intended for the coupling to the same side wall typically have the same height.

[0045] This is shown, for example, in Figure 2. The pins 26 coupled to the seats 23 (one of which is hidden in the figure) intended to be coupled to a first side wall 31 have lower height. The two pins 26 coupled to the two seats 24, intended to be coupled to the second side wall 32, have the same height higher than those of the seats 23. The pins coupled to the two seats 25, intended to be coupled to the third side wall 33, have the same height, which is higher than that of the pins of the seats 24.

[0046] The base portion 2 may further comprise reinforcing elements 27 adapted to connect together two seats intended for the coupling to the same side wall, for example in the form of slabs, plates or section bars constrained to these seats.

[0047] A side wall, and in particular the second side wall 32, is described below. Unless otherwise specified, the following characteristics apply to all the side walls 31, 32, 33 of the device 1.

[0048] A side wall 32 comprises at least two uprights 32a, 32b, typically exactly two uprights 32a, 32b, arranged opposite each other.

[0049] Crossbars 32c, 32d extend perpendicularly to the uprights 32a, 32b and are arranged between them. Typically, there is at least one crossbar 32d arranged at the upper end of the side wall 32, considered to be in the use condition of the device 1, and one crossbar 32c arranged at an area substantially intermediate between the upper end and the lower end of the side portion 32, which are considered to be in use condition.

[0050] The uprights 32a, 32b and the crossbars 32c, 32d form open portions 321, 322 in the side wall 32.

[0051] Considering a use condition, the uprights 32a, 32b have coupling portions 32e typically at their lower ends. The coupling portions are typically in the form of protrusions shaped so that they can be at least partially inserted into the respective seats 24 of the base portion 2. The coupling portions 32e are configured to couple the side wall 32 to the base portion 2 by means of a slot-pin coupling. As discussed, the preferred solution provides that the pins 26 are constrained to the base portion 2, typically in a removable manner, whereas the slots 32f are made on the side wall 32 and specifically in the coupling portions 32e.

[0052] The travel of the pin 26 in the respective slot 32f allows relative translation between the side wall 32 and the base portion 2. The slot-pin coupling further allows relative rotation between the side wall 32 and the base portion 2. Generally, in order to allow such relative rotation, the side wall 32 must first be translated away from the base portion 2, until the pins 26 reach their end stops within the respective slots 32f. Under the condition of normal use of the device, that is, when the coupling portions 32a are inserted into their corresponding seats 24, such rotation is generally prevented.

[0053] As discussed, the device typically has exactly three side walls formed by uprights and crossbars, a first side wall 31 interposed between the second side wall 32, and the third side wall 33, which are, conversely, opposite each other.

[0054] Therefore, the first side wall 31 has an upright constrained to an upright of the second side wall 320, and an upright constrained to an upright of the third side wall.

[0055] On the other hand, the second and third side walls 32, 33 have an upright constrained to an upright of the first side wall 31 and an upright not constrained to other side walls. Therefore, the second and third side walls 32, 33 have only one upright constrained to another side wall.

[0056] In operating condition, therefore, the uprights of the first side wall 31 face the corresponding upright of the second or third side wall 32, 33. In use condition, one or more coupling pins 300 can pass through the two facing uprights, so that the first side wall 31 is coupled together to the second and the third side walls 32, 33. For example, a coupling pin 300 can be arranged near the top of the two facing uprights, as in the embodiment shown. In addition, or as an alternative, an additional pin can be arranged at the lower portion of the facing uprights, for example so that it passes not only through the facing uprights but also through the respective seats. Means, such as pins, are preferably provided for removably constraining said uprights to said base portion, so as to ensure rigidity and tightness thereof under conditions of use. The device is preferably made of metal material.

[0057] Typically, at least two side walls, typically the second side wall 32 and the third side wall 33, have lifting hooks 350 adapted to allow the device 1 to be lifted by an external machine. These hooks 350 are generally arranged on the crossbar 32d, which is arranged in the upper portion of the device 1.

[0058] According to a possible aspect, side walls, typically the second side wall 32 and the third side wall 33, have a stacking protrusion 340 adapted to be coupled to a respective housing 240 of the base portion 2 of an additional identical device 1. This makes it easy to stack multiple devices 1, for example when they are filled with gas cylinders and especially when they are folded, in which case by using corresponding protrusions 340' present on the corresponding side of the base portion on which the walls 32 and 33 are mounted. The stacking protrusion 340 is preferably pierced so as to allow a constraining element, such as a split pin, to be inserted in order to temporarily maintain stable the coupling of two devices 1 stacked together.

[0059] In this regard, the base portion 2 may comprise nicks 250 adapted to accommodate the hooks 350 of an additional device 1, when two devices 1 are stacked.

[0060] It should also be noted that, in preferred embodiments, the base portions 2 also have stacking protrusions 340' similar to the stacking protrusions 340 of the side walls. The stacking protrusions 340' are typically arranged at the reinforcing elements 27 and allow multiple devices 1 to be stacked when they are folded.

[0061] The stacking protrusions 340' of the base portion of a first device 1 are then intended to be coupled to the previously discussed housings 240 of a second device 1.

[0062] It should be noted that embodiments equipped only with the stacking protrusions 340 of the side walls, or only with the stacking protrusions 340' of the base portion, can be provided, although preferred embodiments, such as the one in the figures, have both protrusions 340, 340'.

[0063] Preferably, the second wall 32 and the third wall 33 are identical to each other, that is, two identical pieces can be used to make the second wall 32 and the third wall 33 of a device 1.

[0064] In this regard, the seats 24 and 25 intended to be coupled to the second and third walls are also preferably identical, and thus have identical dimensions (including same height). According to a possible aspect, the seats can be configured to allow pins to be mounted at different heights, depending on their placement within the device 1. In other words, both the seat 24 and the seat 25 can have holes to mount a pin 26 at either the height H1 or the height H2, depending on the wall to which they are coupled. To avoid confusion, only the holes to which a pin 26 is actually coupled are shown in the figures.

[0065] The device 1 further comprises a ramp 4 typically arranged at the side of the rectangle of the base portion 2 which is without side portions 31, 32, 33.

[0066] The ramp 4 is typically in the form of a plate or the like, rotatably constrained to the base portion 2 or to uprights of different side walls. Preferably, the ramp 4 is mounted at two seats 24, 25 intended to accommodate an upright of the second side wall 32 and an upright of the third side wall 33.

[0067] The ramp 4 is constrained so that the top surface of the ramp can be arranged aligned with the bearing surface, that is, at an angle α of 180 degrees between the bearing surface 21 and the ramp, as schematically shown, for example, in Figure 3b. However, this position is interposed between the two main operating positions of the ramp. In a first position shown schematically in Figure 3c, the ramp is arranged perpendicular to the bearing surface 21. This is also the position shown in Figure 1. In a second position, the ramp lays on the ground or generally on the surface which supports the device 1, therefore at an angle α greater than 180° to the bearing surface 21. In this position schematically shown in Figure 3a, the insertion and removal of the gas cylinders into and from the device 1 is facilitated.

[0068] The ramp 4 is rotatably and removably constrained relative to the part of device 1 to which it is constrained, preferably by a slot-pin coupling. Typically, the ramp 4 is equipped with pins 4a, which are arranged within respective slots 400 of the base portion (or the uprights of the side portions) to which the ramp is constrained. The ramp is therefore rotatable about the pins 4a, between the two mentioned operating positions. The ramp can also be translated, so as to allow operations to remove the ramp from the rest of the device 1. At least one of the pins 4a may have a movable part (e.g., screwable, or equipped with a spring) or a removable part, so that the pin 4b can come out of the respective slot 400 so that ramp 4 can be removed from the rest of the device.

[0069] The device 1 is also preferably configured so as to selectively allow or prevent the rotation of the ramp 4 from the position where it is perpendicular to the bearing surface 21, and parallel to the uprights of the side portions between which it is arranged. Typically, additional pins 4b, arranged at a distance from the pins 4a which allow the ramp to rotate, are provided which can be removably attached, or otherwise coupled, to respective seats 450 typically made within the uprights of the side walls 32, 33 between which the ramp 4 is arranged.

[0070] The translation of the ramp 4 within the limits allowed by the slot 400 typically allows the pins 4b to come out of the seat 450, which is shaped, for example, as an "L" having the short side open, so that the pins 4b can be released therefrom.

[0071] The ramp may further comprise a reinforcing element 40, which is in contact with the base portion 2 when the ramp is lowered, i.e., at an angle α greater than 180°, so as to prevent the ramp 4 to be deformed due to the weight of the gas cylinders when they are moved on the ramp itself into the device 1 or out of it.

[0072] Typically, the device 1 further has a closing crossbar 5 having ends removably constrained to uprights of two different side walls, which are opposite each other. Typically, the closing crossbar 5 has a first end hinged to an upright of the second side wall, whereas an upright of the third side wall 33 has a seat 330 within which the second end of the closing crossbar 5 can be arranged. According to a possible aspect, the second end (i.e., the end opposite the end hinged to the rest of the device 1) of the closing crossbar may comprise a rotatable hook 50, which can be attached to a corresponding protrusion 370 of a side wall of the device 1.

[0073] The device 1 is preferably made of metal material, i.e., base portion 2, side walls 31, 32, 33, ramp 4 and closing crossbar 5, if any, are made of metal material.

[0074] In use, the ramp 4, and possibly the closing crossbar 5, can be arranged to allow the gas cylinders to be inserted into and removed from the device 1. Specifically, the closing crossbar 5 is rotated so that it is disengaged from the third side wall (possibly by releasing the hook 50), and the ramp is rotated until it reaches the ground, as in the position schematically shown in Figure 3a. If the cylinders are inserted into the device, they can be prevented from coming out by closing the closing crossbar 4 and lifting the ramp 4, as in the position of Figure 1.

[0075] Additional constraining elements between cylinders and device 1, not shown in detail, may be present to temporarily secure the cylinders to the device 1. For example, the basket may comprise straps or similar retaining means to retain the cylinders in place to prevent them from being displaced; the straps, for example, can be constrained to anchorages on the rear wall 31.

[0076] To fold the device 1, the following steps are carried out.

[0077] The ramp 4 and, if present, also the closing crossbar 5, are removed from the rest of device 1. If constrained together, the uprights of different side walls are released, for example by removing the pins 300. The side wall constrained to the base portion 2 by means of a pin at lower height (which in the embodiment shown in the figures is the first side wall 31) is lifted until the end stop of the pin 26 within the respective slot 32f is reached, and thereafter rotated so that it is arranged substantially parallel to the bearing surface 21, typically resting thereon. This condition is shown in figure 5a.

[0078] Subsequently, a similar lifting and rotating operation is also performed on the other two side walls of the device, according to the height of the respective pin 26. With reference to the embodiment of the figures, the second side wall 32 is therefore rotated, as in Figure 5b, and subsequently the third side wall 33, as in Figure 5c.

[0079] To simplify the folding operations, the walls and / or the corresponding base sides are provided with numbers or other means denoting the order in which the walls are lifted and rotated.

[0080] During these operations, the ramp 4, and possibly also the closing crossbar 5, can be placed either on the bearing surface 21 or one of the folded side walls 31, 32, 33. Preferably, the ramp 4 is arranged between two folded side walls 32, 33, preferably between the second and the third side walls 32, 33, as can be seen, for example, in Figures 5b and 5c.

[0081] The closing crossbar 5 is preferably placed between two folded side walls 32, 33, preferably between the second and the third side walls 32, as for example shown in Figure 5c.

[0082] To re-arrange the device in operating condition, the operations discussed above are carried out in reverse, so that the side walls 31, 32, 33 are rotated in series, starting from the one with the highest pin to the one with the highest pin, and then lowered until the end stop of the pin 26 is reached within the slot 32f.

[0083] The ramp 4 and possibly the closing crossbar 5 are constrained again to the respective elements.

[0084] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing seven baskets 1 as described above, in the non-operating condition, that is, folded and stacked on top of each other. Next to the stack of seven closed baskets, two of the same baskets are shown in open and operating condition, thus highlighting that the volume taken by the seven folded baskets is the same as two open baskets.

Claims

1. Device (1) for storing and moving gas cylinders and the like, comprising: a. A base portion (2) equipped with a bearing surface (21) for the cylinders and with support protrusions (22) for ground support, said support protrusions (22) being preferably equipped with openings (22a) for forklift forks; b. Three side walls (31, 32, 33), each wall comprising two uprights (32a, 32b) and one or more crossbars (32c, 32d), so as to form side walls (31, 32, 33) with open portions (321, 322), the uprights (32a, 32b) of said side walls (31, 32, 33) being provided, at an end thereof, with coupling portions (32e) configured to be inserted into seats (23, 25, 26) of said base portion (2), said uprights (32a, 32b) being translatable and rotatable relative to said base portion (2) by means of a slot (32f) - pin (26) coupling, wherein the pins (26) coupled to different side walls (31, 32, 33) are arranged, considering a use condition, at different heights (H1, H2), preferably said slot (32f) being made in the coupling portion (32e) of said uprights (32a, 32b); c. A ramp (4), removably hinged to the base portion (2) or to uprights (32a, 32b) of two of said side walls (31, 32, 33), which are opposite each other.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said ramp (4) is removably hinged to said uprights (32a, 32b) or to said base surface (2), said device (1) being configured so as to selectively allow or prevent the rotation of said ramp (4) about said hinge, when the ramp (4) is in a position substantially perpendicular to the bearing surface (21).

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least two of said side walls (31, 32, 33) comprise an upper crossbar (32c, 32d) arranged at the top of the device (1) considered to be in a use condition, and comprise lifting hooks adapted to allow the device (1) to be lifted by means of external machinery.

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a closing crossbar (5) having ends removably constrained to uprights of two different side walls (31, 32, 33), which are opposite each other.

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said device (1) comprises means for removably constraining said uprights to said base portion, the device being preferably made of metal material.

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said bearing surface (21) is in the form of a grid.

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims wherein, in plan view, said base portion (2) is rectangular, a first side wall (33) of said side walls (31, 32, 33) being arranged at a first side of the rectangle, a second side wall (32) of said side walls (31, 32, 33) being arranged at a second side of the rectangle opposite the first side, a third side wall (31) being arranged at a third side of the rectangle, said third wall having an upright facing an upright of said first side wall, and an additional upright facing an upright of the second side wall.

8. Device (1) according to claim 7, wherein said uprights of the third side wall are removably constrained, preferably by at least one pin (26) in at least one position, to the corresponding upright of the first and second side walls.

9. Device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the fourth side of the rectangle of the base portion (2) is without a side wall comprising uprights (32a, 32b) and crossbars (32c, 32d).

10. Process for folding a device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: a. Translating a side wall (31) until the pin (26) reaches the end stop within the respective slot (32f), and then rotating said wall about the pin (26) until it is substantially parallel to the bearing surface (21); b. Repeating the operations of step a for the other side walls (32, 33) of the device (1), the order of the side walls (31, 32, 33) being chosen depending on said height (H1, H2) of the respective coupling pin (26) that couples uprights (32a, 32b) and base portion (2).

11. Process according to claim 10, comprising, before said step a, the step of removing said closing crossbar (5) from said uprights of two different side walls (31, 32, 33), which are opposite each other, said crossbar12. Process according to claim 10 or 11, comprising, before said step a, the step of removing said ramp (4) from said base portion (2) and / or from said uprights (32a, 32b) of two of said side walls (31, 32, 33), which are opposite each other.

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