Container and set and method for forming the same
Container, comprising a pallet (2) and an at least partly collapsible and/or disassemblable wall, (3) which wall in a first, folded-out position is placeable on the pallet for forming an inner space enclosed by the wall and the pallet, and in a second, separately from the pallet, is at least partly foldable, while the wall and the pallet can be separately stored and transported.
The invention relates to a container. The invention relates in particular to a container comprising a pallet with which the container can be picked up and moved.
From practice, containers are known which comprise a bottom on which a wall can be built up by pivoting pivotable wall panels up from the bottom and connecting them mutually by means of clamps, locking pins, clips or the like. Such containers have the advantage that in empty condition they take up little space during storage and transport. However, a disadvantage of such containers is that the bottom cannot be used separately as a loose item for transport and storage of products.
The object of the invention is to provide an improved container of the type described in the preamble. To that end, a container according to the invention is characterized by the features according to claim 1.
In a container according to the invention, the wall is formed from wall parts, at least panels that can be stored separately from the pallet, while the pallet can be used as an independent pallet for storage and transport. Consequently, the wall can also be cleaned separately from the pallet and, for instance, be adjusted to the load to be transported.
The wall is preferably manufactured from plastic, and preferably rests on the upper side of the pallet during use, that is, in set-up condition of the container.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, with a container according to the invention, on the pallet a bottom is formed which is connected or is to be connected with the wall. As a result, the top surface of the pallet is screened from the load which is included or is to be included in the inner space of the container. Moreover, during use, at least in loaded condition of the container, the bottom can prevent shifting of the wall relative to the pallet. A further advantage of this is that setting up the container can be simplified still further.
It is then preferred that the bottom is formed from a number of bottom parts which are connected with the wall. The bottom parts may then be provided with means for mutual coupling and/or for coupling with the pallet. Mutual coupling provides the advantage that setting up is further simplified. Moreover, the bottom can, if desired, be made of moisture-tight design, in which case the coupling secures the bottom better still. It is then preferred that the bottom parts are pivotably connected with wall parts, preferably by way of integrally formed hinges such as living hinges. Such hinge means can be formed in a simple manner, are relatively strong and can moreover be made of, for instance, moisture- and dust-tight design in a simple manner. It is then preferred that the wall parts are adapted to be mutually coupled, or are mutually coupled, at least during use for storage or transport of goods such as solid or liquid products, in such a manner that the wall is moisture- and/or dust-tight, so that a proper protection is obtained.
In a container according to the invention, in a simple manner lashing means can be used for retaining the wall during use. Such lashing means can be, for instance, securing straps or foil, or clamps with which the wall parts can be pulled against each other. Preferred are straps or the like because these are relatively simple and cheap in use and are simple to replace. Moreover, as a consequence, the wall parts do not need to have special provisions and the closure can be optimized at all times.
The wall parts can be designed such that on a pallet several walls can be formed onto each other, which walls are adapted to be coupled mutually and/or with the pallet, for varying the height of the container with relatively low wall parts.
If a bottom is provided, as described, it is preferably provided, on the side facing the pallet during use, with friction enhancing means such as studs, ribs, friction material or the like, so that shifting of the bottom relative to the pallet is prevented even better.
The invention further relates to a set of a series of panels, for forming a container according to the invention. In particular, the invention relates to such a set characterized by the features according to claim 14.
With such a set, in a particularly simple manner, a container can be obtained having a suitable inner space for storage of different products, which can rest on the bottom formed by the bottom panels.
The bottom parts are preferably provided with cooperating coupling means, so that they can be mutually secured to each other. The bottom parts are then preferably formed such that they can jointly form a closed bottom, in particular a substantially rectangular bottom which substantially corresponds in dimension and shape to a modular form of a pallet, for instance a Euro pallet. The wall parts of the panels are preferably provided with further coupling means for supporting the wall parts against each other and/or coupling them mutually, for obtaining a relatively stiff outer form.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a set according to the invention comprises at least three different panels, which panels are distinguished from each other in at least the width of the wall parts and/or the shape of the bottom parts. The different panels of this set are adapted to be mutually coupled, such that through a suitable choice of the panels different dimensions and shapes of the inner space can be obtained.
The invention further relates to a method for forming a container, characterized by the features according to claim 19.
Such a method provides the advantage that a container can be set up and collapsed again in a particularly simple manner, so that a container can be obtained which in set-up condition has an inner space of suitable size and in collapsed condition takes up minimal space, while moreover for instance standard pallets can be used.
A method according to the invention is preferably characterized in that on a pallet a bottom is formed from bottom panels which are connected or are to be connected with at least a number of the wall parts, such that an inner space is defined by the wall parts above the bottom. The bottom is then preferably assembled so as to be moisture-tight, while the bottom parts are preferably mutually coupled.
The invention furthermore relates to a method for the transport of products, characterized by the features according to claim 24.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment thereof, the wall of the container is formed around the products which have been disposed on a pallet, so that loading is possible in a particularly simple manner. For unloading, the wall can then be removed, so that the products are readily accessible from a side.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, on the pallet, prior to placement of the products, a bottom is formed from bottom parts connected or to be connected with the wall, so that the load will rest on the bottom and is physically separated from the pallet. This provides the advantage that the choice of the pallet, in particular the material thereof, is not, at least less dependent on the load.
Thus, with a method according to the present invention, for instance liquid or paste-like, low- or high-viscous fluids can be transported on wooden pallets, while the bottom prevents parts of the pallet, such a splinters and dirt which may have been left on it, coming into contact with the liquid or paste. Thus, for instance base materials for manufacturing rubber and the like can be transported on wooden pallets. However, other pallets can naturally be used as well, for instance made of plastic or metal. Moreover, particular cleaning of the pallets is then not necessary anymore.
In the further subclaims, further advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth. To clarify the invention, exemplary embodiments thereof will be further elucidated with reference to the drawing, wherein:
In this description, the same or corresponding parts have the same or corresponding reference numerals. In the following figures, exemplary embodiments of containers according to the invention are shown, in different exemplary embodiments, which should not be construed as limiting the invention.
In the pallet 2 as shown in
Next, as shown in
As shown in
The wall 3 comprises four panels 4A, 4B, each provided at the lower longitudinal edge with three projections 13. Right above the projections 13, on the side of each panel 4A, 4B facing inwards, extends a slot 21 having such dimensions that the respective panel 4A;, 4B can be moved by this slot 21 over the lower step 22 of the stepped surface 20, such that the projections 13 of the respective panel 4A, 4B extend next to the legs 7 on the respective side of the pallet 2. This is shown in
In
When the entire wall 3 is closed, as shown in
As appears clearly from
These and many comparable variations for forming such a pallet 2 will be immediately clear to one skilled in the art.
Each bottom part 32 has a substantially triangular shape, one side of the triangle bounding the hinge 33 or forming a part thereof. The two other sides 35 include an angle α and β, respectively, at the bottom panels 32 of the first wall parts 4A and the second wall parts 4B. The angles α and βare selected such that 2α+2β is approximately 360°. Of each bottom panel 32, a first free longitudinal edge 35A is provided with a first coupling means 36, while the other free longitudinal edge 35B of the respective bottom part 32 is provided with a second coupling means 37. In the embodiment shown, the first coupling means 36 and the second coupling means 37 are designed as coupling pieces of a jigsaw puzzle and have a form-closed mutual fit. However, other types of coupling means can be used, such that two bottom parts 32 can be mutually coupled, such that they cannot shift relative to each other, as shown in
As shown in
Since the top surface 6 of the pallet 2 in this embodiment is covered entirely by the bottom parts 32, material that is introduced into the inner space 5 cannot come into contact with the top surface 6 of the pallet 2. Therefore, any pallet 2 can be used, regardless of whether it is clean. This is advantageous in particular in the case of transport of material that is susceptible to contamination, such as, for instance, liquids, in particular high-viscous liquids, pastes, foodstuffs and the like. Thus, with a container 1 according to the invention, in particular according to
It will be clear that in every embodiment shown, the panels 4A, 4B, at least the wall parts 31, can be provided with cooperating coupling means, such as clamping means, friction means, form-closed means, magnetic means or the like for fastening the panels and wall parts to or against each other. Of importance is only that the wall 3 during storage and transport of material is substantially form-retaining and the panels 4A, 4B, at least the wall parts 31, cannot become detached from each other.
It will be clear that with each of the exemplary embodiments shown, a bottom may be provided in the manner as shown in
In the use of a plastic pallet, such as, for instance, shown in
A container according to the invention can be set up to the position shown in the different figures, thereby enclosing an inner space, after which the inner space can be filled with a load, for instance general goods, bulk goods, possibly liquids, pastes and the like.
In an alternative embodiment, however, first a load can be stacked onto the pallet 2, possibly on top of the bottom parts 32, after which the panels 4A, 4B, at least the wall parts 31, are pivoted to the vertical position shown, thereby enclosing the load, after which the wall 3 can be secured in the manner described above. In this way, loading and unloading the pallet is enabled in a particularly simple manner. Evidently, unloading the container can be done in reverse order. Further, also, for instance two or three panels 4, at least wall parts 31, can be brought to the vertical position, prior to placement of the load, after which the or each further panel or wall part is closed against the load.
In a container 1 according to the invention where bottom panels 32 are used, as shown in
The invention is not limited in any way to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing and the description. Many variations thereon are possible within the framework of the invention outlined by the claims.
Thus, for instance, for parts of a container 1 according to the invention, other materials than plastic can be used and the walls can be built up in a different manner.
Claims
1. A container, comprising a pallet and an at least partly foldable and/or disassemblable wall, which wall in a first, folded-out position is placeable on the pallet for forming an inner space enclosed by the wall and the pallet, and in a second position, separately from the pallet, is at least partly foldable, while the wail and the pallet can be separately stored and transported.
2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the wall is at least substantially manufactured from plastic and wherein means are provided for preventing shifting of the wall relative to the pallet during use.
3. A container according to claim 1, wherein the wall parts substantially rest on the pallet during use.
4. A container according to claim 1, wherein the wall is connected with a bottom.
5. A container according to claim 4, wherein the bottom is built up from a number of parts.
6. A container according to claim 5, wherein each of the parts is connected with a separate wall part.
7. A container according to claim 4, wherein the parts are mutually connected during use.
8. A container according to claim 4, wherein the container, in particular the bottom thereof, is moisture-tight.
9. A container according to claim 1, wherein the wall comprises a series of panels which are connected with each other, at least in the folded-out position, while the panels are provided with first coupling means adjacent an underside and the pallet is provided with second coupling means, which first and second coupling means can cooperate for retaining the wall on the pallet.
10. A container according to claim 9, wherein the panels are mutually connected by hinge means.
11. A container according to claim 1, wherein in folded-out position of the wall, on the outside thereof, at least one lashing means is provided for locking the wall in the folded-out position.
12. A container according to claim 1, wherein the wall is provided with integrally formed, plastic hinges for connecting parts movable relative to each other.
13. A container according to claim 1, wherein at least two walls are stackable onto each other on a pallet, while the walls are provided with coupling means for coupling them to each other and/or to the pallet.
14. A set of a series of panels, each provided with a wall part and a bottom part pivotably connected therewith, such that the bottom parts can be placed against each other in a position in which the wall parts can be pivoted to an upright position in which the wall parts touch each other at least partly, thereby enclosing an inner space between the wall parts and the bottom parts.
15. A set according to claim 14, wherein the bottom parts are provided with cooperating coupling means.
16. A set according to claim 14, wherein the bottom parts are so shaped, in particular substantially triangular, that four bottom parts moved against each other jointly define a substantially rectangular bottom.
17. A set according to claim 14, wherein the wall parts are provided with coupling means for supporting the wall parts against each other and/or coupling the wall parts mutually.
18. A set according to claim 14, wherein at least three different panels are provided, which are distinguished by at least the width of the wall parts and/or the shape of the bottom parts, which panels are adapted to be mutually coupled.
19. A method for forming a container, wherein on a pallet a wall is set up from at least four wall parts in a wall-forming position, adapted to be mutually pivoted and/or coupled, thereby enclosing an inner space within the wall, which wall parts are secured in said wall-forming position.
20. A method according to claim 19, wherein on the pallet a bottom is formed from bottom panels which are connected or are to be connected with at least a number of the wall parts, such that after forming the wall, load can be placed in the inner space on the bottom.
21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the bottom is assembled so as to be moisture-tight.
22. A method according to claim 20, wherein the bottom parts are mutually coupled.
23. A method according to claim 19, wherein the wall is detachably connected with the pallet, such that after use the wall can be detached from the pallet, without damage, and can be stored and transported separately from the pallet.
24. A method for the transport of products, wherein a container is formed according to claim 1.
25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the wail is formed around the products on a pallet.
26. A method according to claim 25, wherein on the pallet, prior to placement of the products, a bottom is formed from bottom parts connected or to be connected with the wall.
27. A method for the transport of products wherein a container is formed, said container comprising a pallet and an at least partly foldable and/or disassemblable wall, which wall in a first, folded-out position is placeable on the pallet for forming an inner space enclosed by the wall and the pallet, and in a second position, separately from the pallet, is at least partly foldable, while the wall and the pallet can be separately stored and transported, and at least a set according to claim 14 is used.
28. A method for the transport of products wherein a container is formed, said container comprising a pallet and an at least partly foldable and/or disassemblable wall, which wall in a first, folded-out position is placeable on the pallet for forming an inner space enclosed by the wall and the pallet, and in a second position, separately from the pallet, is at least partly foldable, while the wall and the pallet can be separately stored and transported, with a method according to claim 19, wherein the products are locked in the inner space of the container.
Type: Application
Filed: May 3, 2004
Publication Date: Jul 26, 2007
Inventor: Hendricus Hoogland (Wormer)
Application Number: 10/555,129
International Classification: B65D 19/00 (20060101);