Device for handling a removable container wall

Abstract

The invention relates to a handling device (10) for a removable wall (12) of a container (14), the handling device (10) comprising a lifting frame (20) for a removable wall, a wheel assembly (22) of wheels (24) being mounted on the lower part of the lifting frame, the lifting frame comprising a connecting element (26) with a removable wall of a container, and the lifting frame being pivotally mounted about a lifting axis (A20) between an approach position of a wall of a container and a lifting position of a wall of a container. In the invention, the connecting element (26) is offset forward of the handling device by at least 30 cm relative to the lifting axis about which the lifting frame pivots. Abstract figure: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for handling a removable wall of a container

[0001] The present invention relates to the dismantling of the removable walls of a storage container and to the placement of these removable walls on the base of the storage container.

[0002] In the tire manufacturing industry, for example, various raw materials such as elastomers or various intermediate products such as rubber-based mixtures are stored in demountable storage containers.

[0003] More specifically, these storage containers include walls, also called side panels, that are removable from the base of the container. For example, the removable walls are fitted onto the base of the container and secured to each other by mechanical means.

[0004] Document WO2021 / 084318 relates to a handling tool for dismantling the removable walls of a container. This handling tool comprises a main frame equipped with wheels and a lifting frame mounted pivoting relative to the main frame. The lifting frame includes a connecting element to a removable wall at one end and a gripping handle at the other end.

[0005] The handling tool shown in document WO2021 / 084318 allows for the dismantling of removable partitions, but it is not designed to allow for the folding of removable partitions, i.e., the placement of the dismantled partitions onto the base of the container. However, it has been observed that this folding operation can present difficulties for operators, and in particular require excessive physical effort, hence the impossibility for some operators to perform this folding operation without risk.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a solution for dismantling and folding removable partitions onto the container base. Furthermore, the solution offered by the present invention aims to reduce the muscular effort required by operators to perform this folding operation, thus making it accessible to all operators, regardless of their muscular capabilities.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a device for handling a removable wall of a container, the handling device comprising a lifting frame for a removable wall, a wheel assembly being mounted on the lower part of the lifting frame, the lifting frame comprising a connecting element with a removable wall of a container, and the lifting frame being mounted pivoting around a lifting axis between an approach position of a wall of a container and a lifting position of a wall of a container.

[0008] According to the invention, the connecting element is offset forward of the handling device by at least 30 cm relative to the lifting axis around which the lifting frame pivots.

[0009] Thanks to this forward position of the connecting element, the handling device allows the removable walls of a storage container to be dismantled and placed on the base of the storage container. This forward position of the connecting element also prevents any potential impacts of the handling device against the removable wall during dismantling. Finally, thanks to its forward position, the connecting element easily engages with the removable walls to be dismantled, and more specifically with the cross members or side rails of these removable walls.

[0010] Advantageously, but not necessarily, the invention may also provide that: - the lifting axis is located in the lower part of the lifting frame, - the lifting axis coincides with the axis of rotation of the wheels of the wheel assembly, - the connecting element is located at least 30 cm in front of the axis of rotation of the wheels of the wheel assembly, - the lifting frame is triangular in shape with one apex at the bottom and two apexes at the top, - the connecting element is located in the upper part of the lifting frame and at a first upper vertex of the triangle formed by this lifting frame, - the lifting axis is located in the lower part of the lifting frame and at the lower apex of the triangle formed by this lifting frame, - The lifting frame includes a gripping handle; this gripping handle is located at the top of the lifting frame and at the second upper vertex of the triangle formed by this lifting frame. - The lifting frame comprises a front upright and a rear upright directly connected to each other at the bottom of the lifting frame and connected by a cross member at the top of the lifting frame, - the rear upright of the lifting frame is equipped with a support leg.

[0011] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description. This description, given by way of example and not limitation, refers to the schematic drawings attached hereto, in which: - [Fig. 1] represents a perspective view of a handling device according to the invention, - [Fig.2] represents a side view of a storage container and a handling device according to the invention in an approach position, - [Fig.3] shows a side view of a storage container and a handling device according to the invention in a lifting position, - [Fig.4] represents the beginning of an operation to remove a removable wall from a container onto the base of that container using a handling device according to the invention, - [Fig.5] represents the end of an operation to remove a removable wall of a container onto the base of this container with a handling device according to the invention.

[0012] The invention relates to the dismantling of the removable walls 12 of a storage container 14 as illustrated in figures 2 to 5, and to the placement of these removable walls 12 on the base 16 of the storage container.

[0013] The removable sides 12 of a container, also called sideboards, can be solid or partially open. To form the container, these removable sides 12 are, for example, fitted onto the base 16 of the container. This base 16 forms the bottom of the container and rests on the ground S of the site or building where the container is used. For example, this base 16 includes handling sleeves designed to receive the forks of a forklift. For example, the base of the container is parallelepiped-shaped and the container comprises four removable sides. The sides 12 of a container are joined to each other by fitting, snapping, screwing, or any other removable mechanical connection.

[0014] For dismantling the removable walls 12 of a storage container 14 and placing these removable walls 12 on the base 16 of the storage container, the invention proposes a handling device 10 as illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0015] This handling device 10 includes a lifting frame 20 of a removable wall 12.

[0016] To enable the movement of the handling device, in particular when used to dismantle and move a removable wall, a wheel train 22 of wheels 24 is mounted on the lower part of the lifting frame 20. Preferably, the wheel train 22 comprises two wheels 24 mounted on the same axle.

[0017] To allow the lifting and transport of a removable wall, the lifting frame 20 includes a connecting element 26 with a removable wall of a container. This connecting element 26 takes, for example, the form of a plate cut in the shape of a U or an arch. Alternatively, this connecting element 26 can take the form of a rectangular plate.

[0018] In order to be able to position the handling device in different positions, for example in an approach position to a removable wall of a container and in a lifting position of a removable wall allowing its dismantling, the connecting element 26 and the lifting frame 20 are mounted pivoting around a lifting axis A20. The connecting element 26 and the lifting frame 20 pivot at a minimum between the approach position of a wall of a container and the lifting position of a wall of a container.

[0019] To allow the removable walls to be placed on the base of the container, and thus to fold the container walls, the connecting element 26 is offset forward of the handling device 10 by at least 30 cm, and for example between 30 and 50 cm, relative to the lifting axis A20 around which the lifting frame pivots. This forward offset DAV of the connecting element 26 is measured in a horizontal direction when the handling device is in its approach position illustrated in [Fig. 2] and in which the connecting element 26 is substantially horizontal. Simultaneously, the connecting element 26 is also offset toward the upper part of the handling device 10 by at least 70 cm, and for example between 70 and 80 cm, relative to the lifting axis A20, which is located in the lower part of the lifting frame and around which the lifting frame pivots.This upward offset DH of the connecting element 26 is measured in a vertical direction when the handling device is in its approach position illustrated in [Fig.2] and in which the connecting element 26 is substantially horizontal.

[0020] As shown in figures 3 to 5, the forward offset of the connecting element 26 allows the removable wall 12 to be tilted towards the base 16 after it has been lifted and detached from the base 16.

[0021] Preferably, the lifting axis A20 coincides with the rear axis of rotation of the wheels 24 of the wheel assembly. Thus, the entire lifting frame 20 and its components pivot around the rear axis of rotation of the wheels 24 of the wheel assembly. Given its forward offset DAV relative to the lifting axis A20, the connecting element 26 is also located at least 30 cm forward of the rear axis of rotation of the wheels of the wheel assembly. This forward offset of the connecting element 26 relative to the rear axis of rotation of the wheels frees up the space beneath the connecting element 26 and facilitates the tilting of the removable walls onto the base of the container during their dismantling.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the lifting frame 20 is triangular in shape with a vertex SI in its lower part and two vertices S2, S3 in its upper part. More specifically, the connecting element 26 is located in the upper part of the lifting frame and at a first upper vertex S2 of the triangle formed by this lifting frame. The lifting axis is located in the lower part of the lifting frame 20 and at the lower vertex SI of the triangle formed by this lifting frame. Finally, the lifting frame 20 includes a gripping handle 28 for the hands of an operator, this handle The gripping handle is located in the upper part of the lifting frame and at the second upper vertex S3 of the triangle formed by this lifting frame. For example, the connecting element 26 and the gripping handle 28 are located between 90 and 110 cm above the ground S when the handling device is in its approach position illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0023] Still in this preferred triangular embodiment, the lifting frame 20 comprises a front upright 30 and a rear upright 32 directly connected to each other at the bottom of the lifting frame and by a cross member 34 at the top of the lifting frame. More specifically, the lower ends of the two front and rear uprights are connected to each other and to the axis of rotation of the wheels of the wheel assembly. Preferably, the front upright 30, the rear upright 32, and the cross member 34 lie in the same vertical plane PV. Preferably, the axis of rotation of the rear wheels, and therefore the lifting axis A20, extends perpendicularly to the vertical plane PV in which these uprights and this cross member are located.

[0024] Advantageously, the rear upright 32 of the lifting frame is equipped with a support leg 36. This support leg 36 makes it possible to stabilize the handling device when parked, and it can also be used by an operator to lift a removable wall by exerting additional force with his leg.

[0025] For example, the lifting frame 20 is made using metal profiles forming a welded assembly.

[0026] Figures 2 to 5 illustrate the implementation of the handling device according to the invention to detach a removable wall 12 from the base 16 of a container and place it on this base.

[0027] In a first step illustrated in [Fig. 2], an operator O moves the handling device 10 towards the container until the connecting element 26 comes into contact with the wall to be handled. During this approach step, the handling device 10 is held in its approach position by the operator. In this approach position of the handling device 10, the connecting element 26 is substantially horizontal. More precisely, during this first step, the connecting element 26 is brought into contact with a support under a cross member or side panel 11 of the wall 12.

[0028] In a second step illustrated in [Fig. 3], the operator O exerts a force E directed towards the ground S on the gripping handle 28. This has the effect of lowering the gripping handle 28 towards the ground S and raising the connecting element 26 away from the ground S, thus allowing the removable wall 12 to be lifted and detached from the base 16. During this disassembly step, the handling device 10 is substantially stationary relative to the ground and is moved into its lifting position by the operator. In this lifting position of the handling device 10, the connecting element 26 is no longer horizontal and is inclined upwards.

[0029] In a third step illustrated in [Fig. 4], the operator O again moves the handling device 10 towards the container 14 and its base 16 while continuing to exert the force E to keep the removable wall 12 raised. This has the effect of detaching the removable wall 12 from the connecting element and causing it to tilt towards the base 16.

[0030] In the last step illustrated in [Fig. 5], the first removable wall of the container 14 is placed on the base 16 of the container, and the operator can proceed in the same way to dismantle and stack the other removable wall(s) 12 of the container. Ideally, all the removable walls of the container are dismantled and stacked one on top of the other on the base of the container using the handling device according to the invention.

[0031] Advantageously, the handling device 10 can also be used by an operator O to raise the removable walls 12 onto the base 16.

Claims

Demands

1. A handling device (10) for a removable wall (12) of a container (14), the handling device (10) comprising a lifting frame (20) for a removable wall, a wheel assembly (22) of wheels (24) being mounted on the lower part of the lifting frame, the lifting frame comprising a connecting element (26) with a removable wall of a container, and the lifting frame being mounted pivoting about a lifting axis (A20) between an approach position of a wall of a container and a lifting position of a wall of a container, the handling device (10) is characterized in that the connecting element (26) is offset forward of the handling device by at least 30 cm relative to the lifting axis about which the lifting frame pivots,this forward offset (DAV) of the connecting element (26) being measured in a horizontal direction when the handling device is in its approach position in which the connecting element (26) is horizontal, and in that the connecting element (26) takes the form of a plate cut in the shape of a U or an arch, or the shape of a rectangular plate.

2. Handling device according to claim 1, wherein the lifting axis (A20) is located in the lower part of the lifting frame.

3. Handling device according to claim 2, wherein the lifting axis (A20) coincides with the axis of rotation (AR) of the wheels of the wheel assembly.

4. Handling device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting element (26) is located at least 30 cm in front of the axis of rotation of the wheels of the wheel assembly.

5. Handling device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting frame (20) is triangular in shape with one apex in the lower part and two apexes in the upper part.

6. A handling device according to claim 5, wherein the connecting element (26) is located in the upper part of the chassis of lifting and to a first upper vertex of the triangle formed by this lifting frame.

7. Handling device according to claim 6, wherein the lifting axis (A20) is located in the lower part of the lifting frame and at the lower apex of the triangle formed by this lifting frame.

8. Handling device according to claim 7, wherein the lifting frame includes a gripping handle (28), this gripping handle is located in the upper part of the lifting frame and at the second upper vertex of the triangle formed by this lifting frame.

9. Handling device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the lifting frame comprises a front post (30) and a rear post (32) connected directly to each other in the lower part of the lifting frame and by a cross member (34) in the upper part of the lifting frame.

10. Handling device according to claim 9, wherein the rear upright of the lifting frame is equipped with a support leg (36).