EP2340208B1

EP2340208B1 - Transport assembly

Info

Publication number: EP2340208B1
Application number: EP09741024A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Klaas Schepers
Original assignee: Schepers-Schutrups Grietje Gebbechien
Priority date: 2008-09-22
Filing date: 2009-09-21
Publication date: 2012-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 2029-09-21
Also published as: NL1035964C; WO2010033029A1; EP2340208A1

Description

The present invention relates to a transport assembly with which products can be transported, for instance retail trade products in the food sector which are transported between the manufacturer, the distributor and retail trader, and raw materials/components in industry which are transported between a warehouse and a production location.
In the case of retail trade products it is known to package such products wrapped in cling film in boxes or on boards at the manufacturer and to place them on pallets, after which they can be placed in a truck using a forklift truck.
At the premises of the distributor the pallets are taken out of the truck, for instance using a forklift truck, for further distribution. If the composition of products on a pallet corresponds to the requirement of the retail trader, the relevant pallet is then loaded into a truck for transport to the retail trader. In other cases the products on a pallet are divided over other pallets prior to transport, wherein the composition of products then meets the requirements of the retail trader.
At the premises of the retail trader the pallets are again taken out of the truck using forklift trucks or pallet trucks. The packed products can then be removed from the packaging and placed in racks on the retail premises so that customers can remove them from the rack when making their purchases. In other cases the products packed in boxes or on boards are not placed in racks, but placed in the shop in the packaged state, after which the customers take the articles out of the packaging, or take away whole packages at a time. In yet other cases pallets having thereon the products packed in boxes or on boards are set down in the packed state in the shop, for instance by means of a pallet truck.
It is also known to place a quantity of products packed in boxes or on boards, at the premises of the manufacturer, the distributor or the retail trader, on carriers which have a smaller loading surface area than a pallet and which are for instance provided with wheels. A quantity of products can thus be displaced easily using this carrier. In the case of the distributor this can for instance simplify distribution of the products among the retail traders, and in the case of the retail trader simplify displacement of a quantity of products in the shop.
NL 1008 057 describes a transport assembly according to the preamble of independent claim 1.
The invention has for its object to provide a simple transport assembly with which different methods of displacing products are possible.
In order to realize this object, the transport assembly according to the invention comprises a number of carriers, a number of pallets therefore, and displacing means for displacing the pallets and carriers, wherein each carrier comprises a carrying base and a number of feet arranged thereon, and wherein each pallet comprises upward protruding carrier supports which define a support surface for supporting the carrying base of a number of carriers, and downward protruding pallet supports which define a support surface for supporting the pallet on a ground surface, wherein a space is free in lateral direction between the pallet supports for the insertion of lift forks, wherein the space between the pallet supports is at least partially closed on the top side by means of carrying elements, and wherein the space between the pallet supports is wholly open on the underside. Using this transport assembly it is possible to place a number of carriers, each with a quantity of products, on a pallet for joint transport by means of different types of displacing means with lift forks, including a forklift truck, a forklift carriage and a pallet truck, to a location where the carriers are then further transported individually.
In a favourable embodiment of the transport assembly according to the invention a passage is free in at least one lateral direction between the pallet supports for the insertion of lift forks, wherein the passage is at least partially closed on the top side by means of carrying elements, and wherein the passage is at least partially closed on the underside by means of anti-tip elements. This makes it possible to prevent a pallet with a number of carriers thereon tipping off the lift forks during transport by means of a forklift truck. This has the advantage of reducing the risk of damage to the products on the carriers as a result of the pallet tipping off the forks. In a further development hereof the space comprises the passage.
In a further development of the transport assembly according to the invention the carrier supports and the pallet supports comprise elongate elements. This makes it possible for the pallet supports and the carrier supports to contribute toward the stiffness of the pallet, and thus realize a pallet which is simple to manufacture and has a great stiffness. This has the advantage that the transport assembly can have a low cost.
In a further development of the transport assembly according to the invention, wherein the carrier supports and the pallet supports comprise elongate elements, the elongate elements of the carrier supports are oriented transversely relative to the elongate elements of the pallet supports. This makes it possible to realize a pallet which is simple to manufacture and has a great stiffness in two directions lying transversely of each other. In a further development hereof the carrying elements comprise the elongate elements of the carrier supports. This measure enables a further simplification of the pallet.
In an alternative embodiment of the transport assembly according to the invention, wherein the elongate elements of the carrier supports are oriented transversely relative to the elongate elements of the pallet supports, the elongate elements of the carrier supports are oriented parallel to the elongate elements of the pallet supports.
In a further development of the transport assembly according to the invention, wherein a passage is free in at least one lateral direction between the pallet supports for the insertion of lift forks and wherein the carrier supports and the pallet supports comprise elongate elements, recesses in the elongate elements of the pallet supports form at least a part of the passage.
In a further development of the transport assembly according to the invention space is free in lateral direction between the carrier supports for the insertion of lift forks. This measure makes it possible, using for instance a forklift truck, to place on or remove from the pallet one, or more than one carrier.
In a further development of the transport assembly according to the invention the pallet is of the type with recesses for vertical passage of parts of the displacing means. This measure makes it possible to allow displacing means to engage on the carriers vertically through the recess of the pallet in order to lift them clear of the pallet and for further discharge, for instance to a conveyor belt or into transport rails in a truck.
In a further development hereof the recesses are situated at least at the position of the feet of the carriers disposed on the pallet. This measure makes it possible to lift the carriers under the feet thereof and subsequently push them off the pallet on their own feet.
In a further development of the transport assembly according to the invention the basic shape of the pallet is the same as that of a number of carriers placed against each other. This measure makes it possible for carriers to cover the whole surface defined by the pallet. This has the advantage that a minimal space is occupied when a number of pallets are placed adjacently of each other.
In a further development of the transport assembly according to the invention the feet are wheels. This measure makes it possible to roll off the carriers in simple manner.
The present invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the accompanying figures. This is a non-limitative exemplary embodiment. In the figures:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a transport assembly according to the invention in use, wherein the displacing means take the form of displacing blocks;
fig. 2 is a perspective view of the transport assembly of figure 1 in use, wherein the displacing means take the form of a forklift truck;
fig. 3 is a perspective view of the transport assembly of figure 1 in use, wherein the displacing means take the form of a pallet truck;
fig. 4 is a perspective view of the pallet of the transport assembly of figure 1;
fig. 5 is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the pallet of figure 4;
fig. 6 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the pallet of figure 4;
fig. 7 is a perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of the pallet of figure 4.

Figure 1 shows a transport assembly 1. The shown transport assembly 1 consists of two carriers in the form of so-called dollies 2a, 2b (of which dolly 2b is shown in transparent view), a pallet 3 therefor and displacing means in the form of displacing blocks 4 for the purpose of displacing dollies 2a,2b. Each dolly 2a, 2b consists of a carrying base 5 and a number of feet arranged thereon in the form of wheels 6. Pallet 3 is shown with upward protruding carrier supports 7 which define a support surface for the purpose of supporting carrying base 5 of dollies 2a, 2b. The basic shape of pallet 3 is the same as that of four dollies placed against each other, of which only two dollies 2a, 2b are shown.
Pallet 3 is also shown with downward protruding pallet supports 8 which define a support surface for the purpose of supporting pallet 3 on a ground surface. A space 9 is free in the lateral direction A between pallet supports 8 for the insertion of lift forks (not shown). The space 9 between pallet supports 8 is partially closed on the top side by means of carrying elements formed by the pallet support planks 10 and carrier supports 7 on which the lift forks can engage. The space 9 between pallet supports 8 is wholly open on the underside.
Passages 11 are free in the lateral direction B between pallet supports 8 for the insertion of lift forks (not shown). Passages 11 are partially closed on the top side by means of the pallet support planks 10. Passages 11 are partially closed on the underside by means of anti-tip elements in the form of planks 12. These planks 12 also prevent the pallet tipping over when for instance a number of loaded pallets are stacked onto each other, or when a number of empty pallets are stacked onto each other. Planks 12 then provide an additional support surface.
Two spaces 13 are free in the lateral direction B between carrier supports 7 for the insertion of lift forks.
Pallet 3 is also shown with recesses 14 for vertical passage of parts 4a of displacing blocks 4. These recesses 14 are situated at the position of wheels 6 of dollies 2a, 2b disposed on pallet 3. The basic shape of pallet 3 is the same as that of four dollies placed against each other, of which only two dollies 2a, 2b are shown.
Figure 1A shows that carrying bases 5 of dollies 2a, 2b are supported by the upward protruding carrier supports 7 of pallet 3. In the shown situation the dollies 2a, 2b can be displaced together. By placing pallet 3 with dollies 2a, 2b thereon from this situation onto displacing blocks 4 in vertical direction, i.e. in the direction of arrow C, recesses 14 allow passage of the upward protruding parts 4a of displacing blocks 4. Because these recesses 14 are situated at the position of wheels 6 of the dollies 2a,2b disposed on pallet 3, the upward protruding parts 4a of displacing blocks 4 engage wheels 6 of dollies 2a, 2b and dollies 2a, 2b are moved clear of pallet 3. This creates the situation as shown in figure 1B. From this situation the dollies 2a, 2b can be rolled away individually in the direction of arrow C.
Because pallet supports 8 take the form of L-shaped elongate elements, a part of the space 9 between pallet supports 8 remains free as shown in figure 1B, so that when pallet 3 is placed on displacing blocks 4 lift forks or the like can be placed in space 9, while the pallet support planks 10 form together with displacing blocks 4a a surface over which dollies 2a, 2b can be displaced.
Figure 2 shows transport assembly 1 of figure 1, wherein the displacing means are in the form of a forklift truck 15 with lift forks 16. In the situation shown in figure 2A carrying base 5 of dollies 2a, 2b supports on lift forks 16. By lowering lift forks 16 in vertical direction, i.e. in the direction of arrow D, into the spaces 13 between carrier supports 7, carrying base 5 of dollies 2a, 2b comes into contact with carrier supports 7 which define a support surface for supporting carrying base 5 of dollies 2a, 2b. By lowering lift forks 16 further in the direction of arrow D once carrying base 5 of dollies 2a, 2b has come into contact with carrier supports 7, carrying base 5 of dollies 2a, 2b is moved clear of lift forks 16 and lift forks 16 can be retracted in lateral direction E from under carrying base 5 of dollies 2a and 2b. By then inserting the lift forks in the direction of arrow F into passages 11 and moving lift forks 16 upward in the direction of arrow G, lift forks 16 come into contact with the pallet support planks 10 and pallet 3 with dollies 2a, 2b thereon is raised. The situation as shown in figure 2B is thus realized. The anti-tip elements in the form of planks 12 prevent pallet 3 and the dollies 2a, 2b placed thereon tipping off lift forks 16.
Figure 3 shows that, once the forklift truck has placed the pallet with dollies 2a, 2b thereon at a specific location from the situation as shown in figure 2B, pallet 3 with dollies 2a, 2b thereon can be further transported in simple manner by means of a pallet truck 17. Lift forks 18 of pallet truck 17 are inserted in lateral direction H into the space 9 between pallet supports 8. Because the space 9 between the pallet supports is partially closed on the top side by means of carrying elements in the form of pallet support planks 10 and carrier supports 7, and this space 9 between pallet supports 8 is wholly open on the underside, lift forks 18 of pallet truck 17, which are provided with wheels on the underside, can be inserted unimpeded into space 9, and pallet 3 with dollies 2a, 2b thereon can then be lifted up and transported. During lifting of pallet 3 the lift forks 18 are brought into contact with pallet support planks 10 and/or carrier supports 7.
Figure 4 shows the pallet of assembly 1 of figures 1-3. Pallet 3 is shown with upward protruding carrier supports 7 and downward protruding pallet supports 8 in the form of elongate elements. The elongate elements of carrier supports 7 are oriented transversely relative to the elongate elements of pallet supports 8. The elongate elements impart stiffness to pallet 3. The elongate elements also serve as carrier supports and pallet supports, whereby pallet 3 takes a very simple form. Due to the L-shape of the elongate elements of pallet supports 8 and the placing of the elongate elements of pallet supports 8 at a distance from each other, a space 9 is moreover realized between these elongate elements which is free for the insertion of lift forks (not shown) in lateral direction A between pallet supports 8. Due to the elongate elements of carrier supports 7 being placed at a distance from each other, two spaces 14 are realized between these elongate elements which are free for the insertion of lift forks (not shown) in lateral direction B between carrier supports 7. The height h1 of the elongate elements of carrier supports 7 and the height h2 of the elongate elements of pallet supports 8 here determine for instance not only the stiffness of the pallet, but also the insertion height for lift forks.
In pallet 3 as shown in figure 4 the space 9 between pallet supports 8 is partially closed on the top side by means of pallet support planks 10 of the elongate elements of pallet supports 8 and by the elongate elements of carrier supports 7. The space 9 between the elongate elements of pallet supports 8 is wholly open on the underside.
In pallet 3 as shown in figure 4 passages 11 are free in the lateral direction B between pallet supports 8 for the insertion of lift forks (not shown). Passages 11 are partially closed on the top side by means of pallet support planks 10. Passages 11 are partially closed on the underside by means of anti-tip elements in the form of planks 12. Openings 19 in the elongate elements of pallet supports 8 form a part of passages 11.
Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of pallet 3 of figure 4. This pallet 3 is also shown with upward protruding carrier supports 7 and downward protruding pallet supports 8 in the form of elongate elements. The elongate elements of carrier supports 7 are oriented transversely relative to the elongate elements of pallet supports 8. This pallet 3 is shown with two spaces 9 which are free for insertion of lift forks (not shown) in lateral direction A between pallet supports 8, and only one space 14 which is free for the insertion of lift forks in lateral direction B between carrier supports 7. Spaces 9 are each formed by means of two L-shaped elongate elements of pallet supports 8. This pallet 3 does not have the passages 11 of pallet 3 of figure 4.
Figure 6 also shows an alternative embodiment of pallet 3 of figure 4. This pallet 3 is also shown with upward protruding carrier supports 7 and downward protruding pallet supports 8 in the form of elongate elements. The elongate elements of carrier supports 7 are oriented transversely relative to the elongate elements of pallet supports 8. This pallet 3 is shown with one space 9 which is free for the insertion of lift forks (not shown) in lateral direction A between pallet supports 8 and one space 14 which is free for the insertion of lift forks in lateral direction B between carrier supports 7. Space 9 is formed by means of two L-shaped elongate elements of pallet supports 8. In this pallet 3 one passage 11 is free in lateral direction B between pallet supports 8 for the insertion of lift forks (not shown). Passage 11 is partially closed on the top side by means of pallet support planks 10. Passage 11 is partially closed on the underside by means of anti-tip elements in the form of planks 12. Openings 19 in the elongate elements of pallet supports 8 form a part of passage 11.
Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of pallet 3 of figure 4. This pallet 3 is also shown with upward protruding carrier supports 7 and downward protruding pallet supports 8 in the form of elongate elements. The elongate elements of carrier supports 7 are oriented parallel to the elongate elements of pallet supports 8. This pallet 3 is shown with two spaces 9 which are free for the insertion of lift forks (not shown) in lateral direction A between pallet supports 8 and two spaces 14 which are free for the insertion of lift forks in the same lateral direction A between carrier supports 7. This pallet 3 does not have the passages 11 of pallet 3 of figure 4.
Pallets are shown in the figures wherein the insertion direction of passage 11 is oriented transversely relative to the insertion direction of space 9 between pallet supports 8. The insertion direction of passage 11 could also be the same as the insertion direction of space 9 between pallet supports 8 if for instance the space 9 between pallet supports 8 comprises the passage. The passage can then take the form of for instance a collapsible bracket situated in space 9 between pallet supports 8. The space 9 could also be partially closed on the underside by means of a plank forming an anti-tip element and in releasable form for the purpose of temporarily forming passage 11.
The elongate elements of the pallet supports in the figures take an L-shaped form. The elongate elements of the pallet supports can also take a different form. The carrier supports could also be L-shaped.
The carriers are shown in the figures as dollies. The carriers can for instance also be rolling containers. The carrier can also have no wheels, but for instance legs.

Claims

Transport assembly (1), comprising:
a number of carriers (2a, 2b);

a number of pallets (3) therefore; and

displacing means (4, 15, 17) for displacing at least one of the pallets (3) and carriers (2a, 2b);
wherein each carrier (2a, 2b) comprises:
a carrying base (5); and

a number of feet (6) arranged thereon; and
wherein each pallet (3) comprises:
upward protruding carrier supports (7) which define a support surface for supporting the carrying base (5) of a number of carriers (2a, 2b); and

downward protruding pallet supports (8) which define a support surface for supporting the pallet (3) on a ground surface;

wherein a space (9) is free in lateral direction (A) between the pallet supports (8) for the insertion of lift forks (17, 18);

characterized in that

the space (9) between the pallet supports (8) is at least partially closed on the top side by means of carrying elements (7, 10); and

the space (9) between the pallet supports (8) is wholly open on the underside.
Transport assembly (1) as claimed in claim 1,
wherein a passage (11) is free in at least one lateral direction (B) between the pallet supports (8) for the insertion of lift forks (16);
wherein the passage (11) is at least partially closed on the top side by means of carrying elements (10); and
wherein the passage (11) is at least partially closed on the underside by means of anti-tip elements (12).
Transport assembly as claimed in claim 2,
wherein the space (9) comprises the passage.
Transport assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims,
wherein the carrier supports (7) and the pallet supports (8) comprise elongate elements.
Transport assembly as claimed in claim 4,
wherein the elongate elements of the carrier supports (7) are oriented transversely relative to the elongate elements of the pallet supports (8).
Transport assembly as claimed in claim 5,
wherein the carrying elements comprise the elongate elements of the carrier supports (7).
Transport assembly as claimed in claim 4,
wherein the elongate elements of the carrier supports (7) are oriented parallel to the elongate elements of the pallet supports (8).
Transport assembly as claimed in at least claim 2 and claim 4, wherein recesses (19) in the elongate elements of the pallet supports form at least a part of the passage (11).
Transport assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein space (13) is free in lateral direction (A, B) between the carrier supports (7) for the insertion of lift forks (16).
Transport assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the pallet (1) is of the type with recesses (14) for vertical passage of parts (4a) of the displacing means (4).
Transport assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the recesses (14) are situated at least at the position of the feet (6) of the carriers (2a, 2b) disposed on the pallet (1).
Transport assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the basic shape of the pallet (1) is the same as that of a number of carriers (2a, 2b) placed against each other.
Transport assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the feet (6) are wheels.