EP1140640B1

EP1140640B1 - Nestable and stackable pallet

Info

Publication number: EP1140640B1
Application number: EP99962482A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Laszlo Gyurcsanszky
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-12-19
Filing date: 1999-12-18
Publication date: 2004-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 2019-12-18
Also published as: HU221716B1; DE69915685T2; WO2000037324A1; ATE261858T1; SK8912001A3; AU1885100A; EP1140640A1; CZ20012250A3; HRP20010462A2; HUP9900778A1; CZ293287B6; HU9900778D0; DK1140640T3; DE69915685D1

Abstract

The nestable and stackable pallet comprises frame structure (1) of tetragonal-based prism, with vertical supports (FN) positioned at edges (SN) equipped with horizontal base and top bracing unit (K1,K2). Guidance units (MN) are designed underneath the bottom bracing unit to facilitate the existing handling equipment.

Description

The invention relates to a modular frame Structure, for holding, storage and, if needed, handling of a primarily suspended flexible shell structure for storage and transportation - practically of loose material and/or other practically limped product(s)-, designed as a logistical, rigid and self bearing frame structure, being a preferably tetragonal-based prism, whose vertical main supports are positioned at or near the various edges, as defined by the junction of the sides of a tetragonal base of the preferably tetragonal-based prism, equipped with a rectangular horizontal bottom and a rectangular top bracing unit connected to the vertical main supports and the frame structures of the modular frame structures can be fitted into one another by the temporary disassembling of the frame structures at times they are not being used.

Large containers and packaging solutions have been widely used with the development of modern transportation and storage technologies. Large freight rail containers, of rigid structure and high endurance have been well known. However, containers of a supple (soft) structure, foldable when empty, are also suitable for various purposes, thus a variety of such containers are also available.

These are mostly sack-like containers, suspended by loops from the fork of the forklift truck. Their shape is determined by the nature of the material being stored or shipped.

For example: a method for the ventilated storage of agricultural crops is described in Hungarian Patent Application No.185 405 whereas a container for cereals, e.g. seeds is presented in Hungarian Patent Application No.196 932. Since a substantial strain is generated in the bottom plate of the full container, designs with a view to the reinforcement of the freely lifted container have been developed (Hungarian Patent Application No.187 353).

The bottom plate may be less sound, however, if the bottom of the container is propped up, the container proper being placed and secured by an appropriate iron structure on top of a base, a pallet, etc. wherever possible. An iron structure to be used in the meat industry, suitable to be positioned on top of a standard (800 x 1200 mm) pallet is described, for instance, in Hungarian Patent Application No.188 376.

The wooden EUR pallet, a well-known basic unit of modular framing, is currently widely used in road, water, air, as well as rail transport. In the cold-storage industry, for example, refrigerated items are stored and shipped in paper sacks or in cardboard boxes of various sizes as modular loads on the above-mentioned EUR pallet or a metal piling jack fitted on top of and containing the EUR pallet (see patent application No. US 4 221 296). A metal structure similar to this metal piling jack is described in patent application No. EP 0 472 360. Here, the metal structure attached to the EUR pallet encloses a flexible-wall liquid container. This method jointly employs the well-known metal structure and the EUR pallet in order to achieve the desired goal, which however, results in substantial extra weight being added, requiring superfluous efforts during transportation and storage.

As far as the traditional wooden EUR pallet is concerned, apart from having a substantial weight in itself, it soon becomes damaged due to its frequent encounters with forklift trucks. Another drawback of the EUR pallet is that it requires the use of other existing auxiliary rack structures to be piled up in several layers as modular loading.

Another pallet is described in DE 33 42 345 A1 which comprises a base and a top frame with vertical main supports being positioned in a rectangular layout, so that a number of pallets may be nested in each other in case they are empty. Nevertheless, the described pallets may not be piled on each other, because the supports are not strong enough. Furthermore, if moved by fork lift trucks, damage my occur to the base frame. The described pallets do not provide attachments points for suspendend flexible shell structures.

A further pallet is described in FR 2 633 593 A1 which is suitable to carry suspended shell structures fastened on the upper ends of the main vertical supports. The shell structures are fastened by ears being hung around the ends of the main vertical support. Nevertheless, the pallets may neither nested in nor be piled on each other.

A multi-purpose pallet is described in the Australian patent No. AU-B-507 585, on which the preambule of claim 1 is based, apt for storage and handling of goods which is considered as the closest state of the art. The pallet has a base frame, a load frame and side frames, and each side frame is releasably engageable with the base frame and the load frame. A disadvantage of this know structure is the fact that in case of storing the idle pallets they have to be totally demounted and may not be nested in each other. Furthermore, no attachment points are provided for suspending flexible shell structures.

The objective of this invention is the creation of a modular frame structure that is mobile in itself, self-bearing and rigid, its inner space being suitable for storage and/or transportation purposes. Expectations toward the invention include the elimination of the disadvantageous characteristics of the previously known solutions, enabling a bruise-free transportation and storage of goods without adding any extra weight. In addition, the frame structures should fill as little space as possible when not being used, thus allowing for their easy storage and transportation. Another expectation toward the modular frame structure is to be suitable for the holding, the storage as well as for the handling and the practical removal and the appropriate emptying at the desired place and in the desired manner of the primarily suspended, flexible storage and transportation shell structures - practically for loose materials and/or other - preferably lumped - product(s).

A further explicit object of the invention is the achievement of both the reduction of its own weight and a level of deformation resistance which allows the piling up of the frame structures, enabling the creation of an independent frame system if necessary, using several of the frame structures, providing appropriate storage capacity to meet the actual demand.

Another object of the invention is that its measurements, characteristics and structural design enable it to become a logistics system unit fitting among the existing, internationally used technologies and their measurements, established as standard or quasi-standard in transportation and storage.

These objects of the invention are solved by the specific position of the vertical main supports, in particular being positioned in trapezoidal layout, attachment points for a suspended shell structure and each of the attachment points at the two vertical main supports which are positioned in the continuance of one of the longer sides of the rectangle - on the outside of the shorter sides to form outer vertical main supports - being placed on the inside of the outer vertical main supports and each of the attachment points at the two vertical main supports which are positioned in the line of the other longer side of the rectangle - on the inside of the shorter sides to form inner vertical main supports - being placed on the outside of the inner main supports.

We have realised that, in order to facilitate fitting the empty frames into one another, it is practical to arrange the vertical main supports in a trapezoidal layout, while making one side of the top sash bracing detachable. Furthermore, attachment points for the flexible storage and transportation shell structures - practically for loose material -suspended from the vertical main supports have been designed in the vicinity of the connection points of the vertical main supports and the top bracing unit. The positioning of the attachment points in the described manner ensures with advantage an even load distribution.

In a preferred design of the modular frame structure presented, positioning cavities have been designed at the connections of the vertical main supports and the top bracing unit in order to enable the piling up of the modular frame structures. The positioning cavities are extremely important, their purpose being the eccentricity-free transferring to the ground of the forces generated by the piling up of the frame structures.

In order to allow for the simple handling of the frame structure, the connection points of the bottom bracing unit to the vertical main supports have been formed at a height enabling access by existing material-handling equipment (such as a forklift truck or a pallet truck).

With a view to the safety of the handling of materials, the part of the bottom bracing unit that comes into contact with the existing material-handling equipment is roughened and/or lined with non-slip material.

In order to allow for the simple handling of the frame structure, guidance units have been developed underneath the bottom bracing unit in order to facilitate the use of existing material-handling equipment.

It may be of importance, in certain cases, that it is fitted with auxiliary adapters enabling the securing of the wheels, known in themselves, to the bottom bracing unit and/or to a grated adapter. It is very advantageous for the bottom bracing unit to include a grated adapter enabling the emptying from underneath of the suspended, flexible storage shell structure practical used for storing loose material and/or the propping up of the existing material-handling equipment.

In the practical version of the modular frame structure, the bottom and the top bracing units are rectangular whereas the vertical main supports are arranged in a trapezoid layout in such a manner that two of the vertical main supports are laid out in the continuance of one of the longer sides of the rectangular bottom and top bracing units - on the outside of the shorter sides - while the remaining two main supports are positioned in the line of the other longer sides of the rectangular bottom and top bracing units -on the inside of the shorter sides.

In a further practical design of the frame structure, the bottom bracing unit and/or the grated adapter enabling the propping up of the existing material-handling equipment is designed to function as a traditional pallet.

The ability of the frames to be fitted into one another is preferably enabled by one of the sides of the top bracing unit, preferably the longer one, being fastened in a detachable manner, this detachable side preferably being able to be temporarily fastened along the other, longer side. Due to the ability to be fitted into one another, the centre of gravity of the frame structures fitted into one another changes as the number of the frame structures increases. To an extent, this is countered by the realisation that the undesired changing of the position of the centre of gravity may be favourably modified by provisionally fastening the detachable side of the upper sash bracing in the appropriate position. When not being used, the frames of the modular frame structures may be fitted into one other by the provisional disassembling of the frame structures.

The stability of the frame structures fitted into one another can be achieved by the use of auxiliary adapters enabling the ability of the frame structures not being used to be fitted into one another at the other, practically shorter sides of the top bracing unit, in between the vertical main supports. To this end, the length of the auxiliary adapters is practically equal with the height of the guidance units facilitating the use of the existing material-handling equipment.

The ability to be fitted into one another is made easier if an ancillary surface is formed on the grated adapter, facilitating the insertion of further frame structures temporarily out of use.

With a view to the reduction of the weight of the design as well as the achievement of a rigid, self-bearing frame structure, the modular frame structure is built of light-wall, preferably steel units.

A significant advantage of the invention is that the idle frame structures can be slipped or superposed into one another without disassembling the junctions of the structure.

A possible, design example of the modular frame structure according to the invention is presented in detail in the drawings below,

figure 1 being a schematic view of the preferred design of the modular frame structure;
figure 2 showing the front view of the frame structure according to figure 1;
figure 3 showing the top view; whereas
figure 4 showing the side view of the same;
figure 5 showing the enlarged detail A of figure 2;
figures 6a, 6b and 6c showing various views of the enlarged detail B of figure 2;
figures 7a and 7b showing various views of the enlarged detail C of figure 4;
figures 8a and 8b showing the preferred design of one of the detachably fastened sides of the top bracing unit; whereas
figure 9 showing the modular frame structures fitted into one another, having temporarily disassembled the frame structures in their idle state.

The invention is designed as a modular frame structure for the holding, storage as well as the moving, if needed, of primarily suspended, flexible-practically loose materials - storage and transportation shell structures and/or other - preferably lumped - product(s), constructed as a logistical, rigid and self-bearing frame structure 1, enclosing a three-dimensional space. The frame structure 1 is a prism with a polygon - preferably tetragonal - base, with its vertical main supports F1, F2, ..., FN positioned in or near the edges. It is fitted with horizontal bottom and top bracing units K1, K2, attached to the vertical main supports F1, F2, ..., FN.

According to figure 1, positioning cavities P are fashioned at the connections of the vertical main supports F1, F2, ..., FN and the top bracing unit K2 in order to facilitate the ability of the Modular frame structures to be piled up. The connections of the vertical main supports F1, F2, ..., FN and the bottom bracing unit K1 are located at height m, providing access for the existing material-handling equipment (e.g. forklift trucks, pallet-trucks). In addition, guidance units M1, M2, ..., MN have been designed underneath the bottom bracing unit K1 in order to facilitate the use of the existing material-handling equipment.

Preferably, attachment points R1, R2, ..., RN have been designed for the flexible shell structure of own development, suspended from the vertical main supports F1, F2, ..., FN, for the storage and transportation - of practically loose material - in the vicinity of the connections of the vertical main supports F1, F2, ..., FN and the top bracing unit K2.

In a further very practical version of the modular frame structure, the bottom bracing unit K1 contains a grated adapter T enabling the emptying from the bottom of the practically loose material placed in the suspended flexible shell structure and/or the propping up of the existing material-handling equipment.

According to our design, the frame structure 1 is a polygon-based solution whereas in the version shown in figure 1, it is of a tetragonal, preferably rectangular base fitted with bottom and top bracing units K1, K2 in which the vertical main supports F1, F2, F3, FN are arranged in a trapezoid layout. The bracing units K1, K2 are enclosed by

sides

01, 02, 03, 04.

Figure 2, showing the front view of the example version according to the invention, is a good illustration of the trapezoid layout of the vertical main supports F1, F2, ..., FN. The part of the bottom bracing unit K1 coming into contact with the existing material-handling equipment is roughened and/or is lined with non-slip material G.

Figure 3, showing the top view, is a very clear representation of the rectangular design of the top bracing unit K2. According to the drawing, the trapezoid layout of the vertical main supports F1, F2, ..., FN, could be described as two vertical main supports F1, FN being positioned in the continuance of one of the longer sides 01 of the rectangle - on the outside of the shorter sides 03, 04 - whereas the remaining two vertical main supports F2, F3 positioned in the line of the other longer side 02 of the rectangle - on the inside of the shorter sides 03, 04.

In certain cases it may be of importance that the modular frame structure is fitted with auxiliary adapters ST enabling the securing and the detachment of the wheels, known in themselves, connecting to the bottom bracing unit K1 and/or to the grated adapter T.

The example version of the grated adapter T, shown in figure 3, is suitable for the performance of the traditional pallet function, i.e. the modular frame structure can be easily and safely lifted and handled with the existing material-handling equipment, such as forklift trucks or pallet trucks.

Figure 4 shows the side view of the modular frame structure. The drawing shows that supplementary adapters PT, to ensure the stability of the piled up idle frame structures 1, are positioned on the practically shorter sides 03, 04 of the top bracing unit K2, between the vertical main supports F1, F2 - and FN, F3, hidden in the drawing.

In order to ensure a stable resting, the length of the supplementary adapters PT is practically equal with the height m of the guidance units M1, M2, ..., MN, developed beneath the bottom bracing unit K1, in order to facilitate the use of the existing material-handling equipment.

Figure 5 shows the enlarged detail A of figure 2, illustrating part of the bottom bracing unit K1 and guidance unit M1, facilitating the use of the existing material-handling equipment. The practical utilisation of the design according to the invention is assisted by the fact that the part of the bottom bracing unit K1 coming into contact with the existing material-handling equipment is roughened and/or lined with non-slip material G as well as an ancillary surface SF is fashioned on the bottom bracing unit K1 and/or the grated adapter T in order to facilitate the fitting in of another idle frame structure 1.

Figures 6a, 6b and 6c show the connection of the vertical main support FN and the top bracing unit K2 and its environment. Figure 6a shows the preferred version of the attachment point RN of the flexible shell structure, known in itself, used for the storage and transportation of practically loose material, suspended on the vertical main support FN whereas figure 6b illustrates the design of the positioning cavity P. Figure 6c shows a possible method of securing one detachably fastened side - practically side 01 - of the top bracing unit K2.

Similarly to figures 6a and 6b, figures 7a and 7b show - another-connection point of the vertical main support F2 and the top bracing unit K2.

It can be clearly seen in the drawings that the attachment point RN is positioned in the direction of the inner space of frame structure 1 - left of the main support FN - whereas the attachment point R2 is positioned on the outside of the frame structure 1 - left of the main support F2 - in figures 6a and 7a respectively. Not being accidental, this design is the consequence of the trapezoid layout of vertical main supports F1, F2, ..., FN. The attachment points R1, R2, ..., RN of the suspended, flexible shell structures for the storage and transportation - of practically loose material - is not practical to arrange asymmetrically, in order to ensure an even load distribution and the according uses.

Figure 7b also shows the practical design of the positioning cavity P.

Figures 8a and 8b represent two views of the preferred design of one of the detachably fastened sides, practically side 01, of the top bracing unit K2. Based on one of the chief objects of the invention, the frame structures 1 of the modular frame structures can be fitted into one another, by the temporary disassembling of the frame structures 1, if necessary. At the preferred design of the invention, one side, practically the longer side 01, of the top bracing unit K2 is fastened in a detachable manner. Figures 8a and 8b show a possible version of such detachable side 01.

Figure 9 shows modular frame structures fitted into one another in their idle state, by the temporary disassembling of the frame structures 1. The longer sides 01 of the top bracing unit K2 of these frame structures 1 having been detached, the frame structures 1 have been fitted into one another. According to our design, the temporarily so 'disassembled' side 01 can be provisionally fastened along the other side, preferably again the longer side 02.

The essential function of the modular frame structure is that, due to its practical design, it marks off a polygon-based three-dimensional space, within which the various goods and products destined to be stored or transported can be safely placed - primarily inside a suspended flexible shell structure for storage and transportation - practically of loose material.

The design according to the invention being suitable for heavy duty, it can be piled up, along with the suspended flexible shell structure, if necessary. Due to its design, the forces generated on piling up are conveyed directly to the ground via the vertical main supports F1, F2, ..., FN.

The design is suitable as a unit of a logistics system, being adjustable to the actual requirements, due to its floor space measurements, characteristics and structural design. Its design described above as an example fits in well with established transportation and storage technologies in the international practice.

A special advantage of the modular frame structure according to the invention, the idle individual frame structures 1 can be fitted into one another, ensuring their economical storage. Due to the appropriate design of the frame structures fitted into one another - supplementary adapters PT and the specific guidance units M1, M2, ..., MN positioned at the suitable positions - the piled-up structure is also very stable.

The illustrated design of the grated adapter T connecting to the bottom bracing unit K1 serves multifunctional purposes. Apart from static factors, the protection of the suspended flexible shell structures, the possibility to empty them from underneath and the possible performance of the traditional pallet function have all played a role in the process of the designing of the grated adapter T.

Claims

Modular frame Structure, for holding, storage and, if needed, handling of a primarily suspended flexible shell structure for storage and transportation of loose material and/or other lumped product(s), designed as a logistical, rigid and self bearing frame structure, being a preferably tetragonal-based prism, whose vertical main supports (F1, F2, ..., FN) are positioned at or near various edges (S1, S2,..., SN) as defined by the junction of the sides of a tetragonal base of the preferably tetragonal-based prism, equipped with a rectangular horizontal bottom and a rectangular top bracing unit (K1, K2) connected to the vertical main supports (F1, F2, ..., FN) and the frame structures (1) of the modular frame structures can be fitted into one another by the temporary disassembling of the frame structures (1) at times they are not being used, characterized by

the specific position of the vertical main supports (F1, F2, ..., FN), as being positioned in a trapezoidal layout,

attachment points (R1, R2, ... RN) for a suspended shell structure and

each of the attachment points at the two vertical main supports (F1, FN) which are positioned in the continuance of one of the longer sides (01) of the rectangle - on the outside of the shorter sides (03, 04) to form outer vertical main supports (F1, FN) - being placed on the inside of the outer vertical main supports (F1, FN) and

each of the attachment points at the two vertical main supports (F2, F3) which are positioned in the line of the other longer side (02) of the rectangle - on the inside of the shorter sides (03, 04) to form inner vertical main supports (F2, F3) - being placed on the outside of the inner main supports (F2, F3).
The modular frame structure as claimed in claim 1,
characterised by positioning cavities (P) as storing elements, located on top of the connections of the vertical main supports (F1, F2, ..., FN) and the top bracing unit (K2) in order to ensure the ability of the individual modular frame structures to be piled onto one another.
The modular frame structure as claimed in any of claims 1 - 2,
characterised by the connection points of the bottom bracing unit (K1) to the vertical main supports (F1, F2, ..., FN) being located at a height (m) ensuring the access of existing material-handling equipment.
The modular frame structure as claimed in claims 1 to 3,
characterised by the part of the bottom bracing unit (K1) coming into contact with existing material-handling equipment being roughened and/or secured with a non-slip material (G).
The modular frame structure as claimed in claims 1 to 4,
characterised by guidance units (M1, M2, ... MN) located beneath the bottom bracing unit (K1).
The modular frame structure as claimed in claims 1 to 5,
characterised by being equipped with auxiliary adapters (ST), enabling the securing of wheels, known in themselves, attached to the bottom bracing unit (K1) or to a grated adapter (T).
The modular frame structure as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6,
characterised by the bottom bracing unit (K1) and/or the grated adapter (T) providing for the propping up of the existing material-handling equipment is designed to enable the performance of the traditional pallet function.
The modular frame structure as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7,
characterised by one side, preferably the longer side (01) of the top bracing unit (K2), being fastened in a detachable manner, preferably enabling the temporary fastening of this detachable side (01) along the other, preferably longer, side (02).
The modular frame structure as claimed in claim 8,
characterised by supplementary adapters (PT) being located on the remaining, preferably the shorter sides (03, 04) of the top bracing unit (K2), in between the vertical main supports (F1, F2, ..., FN), in order to ensure that the idle frame structures (1) can be either slipped into or stacked upon one another and the length of the supplementary adapters (PT) being equal with the height (m) of the guidance units (M1, M2 ... MN), located under the bottom bracing unit (K1), in order to facilitate the use of the existing material-handling equipment.
The modular frame structure as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9,
characterised by an ancillary surface (SF) produced on the grated adapter (T) in order to facilitate the fitting inside of another frame structure (1).
The modular frame structure as claimed under any of claims 1 - 10,
characterised by being constructed of light-wall, preferably steel units.