METHOD FOR THE STOWING OF A SET CONSISTING OF MULTIPLE ELEMENTS IN AN OVERPACK AND SET CONSISTING OF MULTIPLE ELEMENTS FOR STOWING IN AN OVERPACK

Abstract

A method for stowing a set consisting of multiple elements in an overpack as well as a set consisting of multiple elements for stowing in an overpack, in which all the elements of the set are arranged in a common overpack in a predetermined sequence and in a predetermined orientation to each other, and a base surface of the overpack corresponds to a base surface of an EUR pallet.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority on and the benefit of German Patent Application No. 10 2018 007 502.9 having a filing date of 24 Sep. 2018.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for the stowing of a set consisting of multiple elements, especially pieces of furniture, in an overpack. Furthermore, the invention relates to a set consisting of multiple elements for stowing in an overpack, especially pieces of furniture, for stowing in an overpack.

Prior Art

Objects are usually packed in a package or overpack for transport. The package or overpack serves on the one hand for the protection of the object and on the other hand for facilitating the transport and handling of the object. Overpacks are known which have a standardized size. Thus, for example, packing boxes or boxes to hold any desired goods and articles are dimensioned so as to be arranged “seamlessly” on an EUR pallet.

For the transport and handling of a set or a group of individual articles or elements, these are packed in individual overpacks. Owing to the different sizes and shapes of the individual elements, this may result in a variety of different-sized overpacks, which cannot be assembled in an efficient or easily handled manner on an EUR pallet. Thus, for example, the individual elements of a furniture grouping are stowed and transported in several individual overpacks or boxes. This is not only costly to the logistics firm entrusted with the transport and handling, but also to the customer, since the customer must also transport the variety of different overpacks. Furthermore, the danger exists that an element or an overpack will get lost and the set will not be complete. Besides the example of a furniture grouping given here, one can also mention other sets consisting of individual elements which are subject to the same problem.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem which the invention proposes to solve is to create a method for the stowing of a set in an overpack, as well as a set consisting of multiple elements, which can be easily and efficiently transported and handled.

One method for solving this problem is a method for stowing a set consisting of multiple elements, especially pieces of furniture, in an overpack, characterized in that all the elements of the set are arranged in the overpack, especially a container or a carton, in a predetermined sequence and in a predetermined orientation to each other, wherein the base surface of the overpack corresponds to the base surface of an EUR pallet. Accordingly, it is proposed that all the elements of a set are arranged in a common overpack in a predetermined sequence and in a predetermined orientation to each other. Accordingly, it is provided that all elements of a set are arranged in an overpack in a predetermined sequence and in a predetermined orientation to one another, in particular so as to lie on top and beside one another. The base surface of the overpack corresponds to the base surface of an EUR pallet. The overpack may be, for example, a carton, a container, or some other receptacle. Thanks to arranging all of the elements of the set in the overpack on an EUR pallet, on the one hand all the elements are assembled into a unit and on the other hand all elements or the entire set can be easily transported and handled on the EUR pallet.

In particular, it may furthermore be provided that at least some of the elements are arranged in the overpack in a folded-up and/or in a not folded-up condition. For example, folding chairs or stools may be folded up so that they can be stowed in an especially space-saving manner in the overpack. Furthermore, it may also be provided that the individual elements can be disassembled into single pieces. Thus, for example, it is conceivable that tables, benches or loungers will be disassembled into their single pieces, such as tabletops, feet, wheels or the like and these single pieces will then be placed in the overpack in an especially space-saving manner.

Preferably, it may further be provided according to the invention that flat elements and/or single pieces of elements are arranged parallel to a side wall of the overpack or parallel to the base surface of the EUR pallet. Depending on the dimension of the individual elements or the single pieces, these can be coordinated with a side wall or a long side or an end face of the overpack. In particular, large-area elements are preferably placed upright and parallel to the side walls.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention may provide that single pieces of elements are arranged between the elements. For example, smaller single pieces such as screws, nuts, or the like can be assembled in a container and be stowed in empty spaces between elements.

Furthermore, it may be provided according to the invention that several identical elements, such as chairs, are bundled to form a unit or group and are arranged as a unit in the overpack. Likewise, it is conceivable for several identical or similar single pieces of the elements to be also formed into a unit or a group and to be stowed for example in a box or a bag in the overpack. Thanks to this forming of similar or identical elements or single pieces, they can be stowed in an especially space-saving manner in the overpack.

Furthermore, another exemplary embodiment of the present invention may consist in that at least one protection means, preferably cardboard, dunnage, or the like, is arranged between individual elements and/or between individual single pieces of elements. Thanks to such protection means, one can prevent the individual elements or the single pieces from suffering mechanical damage during the transporting. Thus, for example, chairs or tabletops or the like can be separated from each other by flat cardboard.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may involve the following steps, while the sequence of these steps may also be interchanged at will:

• (a) first of all at least one tabletop or a portion of a tabletop or a portion of a lounger or a portion of a bench is placed on the base surface of the EUR pallet, and/or on top of this:
• (b) at least one single piece of a disassembled element, especially a table, a lounger, a bench or the like, is put in place; and/or at least one further flat object such as a tabletop or a portion of a tabletop or a portion of a lounger or a portion of a bench is placed against at least one side wall of the overpack; and/or
• (d) at least one further single piece of a disassembled element is placed upright on the base surface of the EUR pallet; and/or
• (e) groups of single pieces of a disassembled element are placed against an end face of the overpack on the base surface of the overpack or the EUR pallet; and/or
• (f) a unit or group of identical or similar elements, especially chairs, are placed on the elements already placed in the overpack;
• (g) wherein preferably cardboard is placed between the individual elements; and/or
• (h) further single pieces of a disassembled element are positioned in free areas in the overpack; and/or
• (i) further elements are placed in free areas in the overpack; and/or
• (j) a tabletop or a portion of a tabletop or a portion of a lounger or a portion of a bench are placed on the elements or single pieces already arranged in the overpack in parallel with the base surface of the EUR pallet; and/or
• (k) further elements or single pieces of a disassembled element are placed in free areas in the overpack; and/or
• (l) the overpack is closed, especially by clamping means, which are also placed around the EUR pallet.

A set for the solution of the aforementioned problem is a set consisting of multiple elements, especially pieces of furniture, for stowing in an overpack, characterized in that at least some of the elements can be disassembled into single pieces and/or folded up, and all the elements in the folded-up and/or not folded-up and/or disassembled condition can be arranged in the overpack, wherein a base surface of the overpack corresponds to the base surface of an EUR pallet. Accordingly, it is provided that at least some of the elements, preferably pieces of furniture, can be disassembled into single pieces and/or folded up, and all the elements in their folded-up and/or not folded-up and/or disassembled condition can be arranged in the overpack, wherein a base surface of the overpack corresponds to the base surface of an EUR pallet. Thanks to this arrangement of all the elements of the set or all pieces of furniture of a furniture grouping, the set can be especially easily and efficiently transported and handled. In particular, the arrangement of the entire set on an EUR pallet proves to be especially advantageous. Thanks to the positioning of the overpack on a standardized EUR pallet, the set can be transported across borders by known means of transportation, such as forklift trucks or lift trucks.

Preferably, it may furthermore be provided by the invention that the elements and/or the single pieces of the elements are configured such that only a few, preferably no empty gaps are formed between the elements and/or the single pieces in the condition stowed in the overpack. Thanks to this optimal utilization of the volume of the overpack, the set can be transported in an especially efficient manner.

Finally, a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention may provide that the individual elements of the set can be disassembled into straight, especially oblong, and/or flat single pieces. These straight or flat single pieces can be stacked or arranged next to each other in an especially space-saving manner in the overpack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention shall now be explained more closely with the aid of the drawing. There are shown:

FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a chair,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bench,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a table,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lounger,

FIG. 5 is a perspective representation of a stool,

FIG. 6 is a representation of a single piece,

FIG. 7 is a representation of a group of single pieces,

FIG. 8 is a representation of a portion of a tabletop,

FIG. 9 is a representation of several single pieces,

FIG. 10 is a representation of a folded-up chair according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 11 is a representation of a folded-up stool according to FIG. 5,

FIG. 12 is a representation of a single piece of a bench according to FIG. 2,

FIG. 13 is a representation of a single piece of a bench according to FIG. 2,

FIG. 14 is a representation of a single piece of a bench according to FIG. 2,

FIG. 15 is a representation of a single piece of a bench according to FIG. 2,

FIG. 16a is a representation of an overpack on an EUR pallet,

FIG. 16b is a further representation of the overpack on the EUR pallet,

FIG. 17a is a representation of a first step of the method for stowing an element from a perspective A,

FIG. 17b is a representation of a first step of the method for stowing an element from a perspective B,

FIG. 17c is a representation of a first step of the method for stowing an element from a perspective C,

FIG. 18a is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective A,

FIG. 18b is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective B,

FIG. 18c is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective C,

FIG. 19a is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective A,

FIG. 19b is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective B,

FIG. 19c is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective C,

FIG. 20a is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective A,

FIG. 20b is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective B,

FIG. 20c is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective C,

FIG. 21a is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective A,

FIG. 21b is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective B,

FIG. 21c is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective C,

FIG. 22a is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective A,

FIG. 22b is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective B,

FIG. 22c is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective C,

FIG. 23a is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective A,

FIG. 23b is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective B,

FIG. 23c is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective C,

FIG. 24a is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective A,

FIG. 24b is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective B,

FIG. 24c is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective C,

FIG. 25a is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective A,

FIG. 25b is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective B,

FIG. 25c is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective C,

FIG. 26a is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective A,

FIG. 26b is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective B,

FIG. 26c is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective C,

FIG. 27a is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective A,

FIG. 27b is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective B,

FIG. 27c is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective C,

FIG. 28a is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective A,

FIG. 28b is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective B,

FIG. 28c is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective C,

FIG. 29a is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective A,

FIG. 29b is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective B,

FIG. 29c is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective C,

FIG. 30a is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective A,

FIG. 30b is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective B, and

FIG. 30c is a representation of a further step for stowing an element from the perspective C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The set described, consisting of multiple elements which are to be stowed in a single overpack 22 according to the method of the invention, may comprise furniture as the elements, for example, especially garden furniture. The exemplary embodiment of the invention represented by the figures provides for stowing a set of garden furniture. The individual elements of the set may be, for example, a garden chair 10 (FIG. 1), a bench 11 (FIG. 2), a table 12 (FIG. 3), a lounger 13 (FIG. 4) as well as a stool 14 (FIG. 5). However, it is explicitly pointed out that the set according to the invention as well as the elements of the set may also involve other objects, and the present invention is not confined to the mentioned garden furniture.

It is provided that the mentioned elements, especially the garden furniture, can be disassembled at least partly into single pieces. Thus, for example, the lounger 13 can be disassembled into a single piece 15 (FIG. 16). Further single pieces of the different elements may be assembled into groups 16 of single pieces. The table 12 also can be disassembled into individual tabletops 17 for stowing in the overpack 22. Further single pieces 18 of the disassembled table 12 can be stowed loose in the overpack 22.

Furthermore, the invention proposes that at least some of the elements can be folded up. Thus, FIGS. 10 and 11 respectively represent a folded-up chair 10 and a folded-up stool 14. Both the chair 10 and the stool 14 can be folded up so as to occupy the least possible space and optionally to be stacked one on another in the folded condition. In particular, several garden chairs 10 or several stools 14 can be stacked in especially space-saving manner.

The single pieces 19, 20, 21 (FIG. 12, FIG. 13, FIG. 14) of the bench 11 can also be stowed in the overpack 22 in especially space-saving manner. Further single pieces of the bench 11 can be assembled into a group 21 on account of their similar shape (FIG. 15).

The individual elements of the set may accordingly be stowed either in a folded-up or in a disassembled condition in the overpack 22. FIGS. 16a and 16b represent a closed overpack 22, which his placed on an EUR pallet 23. A significant feature is that a base surface 25 of the overpack 22 is identical to a base surface of the EUR pallet 23. For a secure transport, the overpack 22 in FIG. 16a and FIG. 16b is closed by straps 24. The straps 24 may be clamped around both the overpack 22 and the EUR pallet 23.

The overpack 22 may be either a cardboard-like container or a container made of wood or another material.

The elements of the set so stowed in the overpack 22 can be especially easily and securely transported and handled on account of the positioning of the overpack 22 on the Euro-pallet 23.

In the following FIGS. 17 to 30, individual steps shall be described for the method according to the invention for stowing the individual represented elements. It is pointed out that the steps described in FIGS. 17 to 30 can also be performed in any other sequence desired. In order to illustrate the stowing of the individual elements in the cuboidal overpack 22, each step is represented from three different perspectives, namely, perspective A, perspective B and perspective C. The different perspectives A, B, C here correspond to the axes of a Cartesian coordinate system, which is situated on the overpack 22. For clarity, in the figures each time only that element or that single piece is provided with a reference number, that is added to the overpack 22 in the step represented by the figure.

First of all, the single piece 15 is set down on a base surface 25 of the overpack 22 (FIGS. 17a to 17c). After this, the group 16 consisting of multiple single pieces of the same element as the single piece 15 is set down on the single piece 15 (FIGS. 18a to 18c).

In the following, two tabletops 17 and a further single piece 26 of the table 12 standing upright are associated with the side walls 27 as well as an end wall 28 of the overpack 22 (FIGS. 19a to 19c).

In a following step, single pieces 19 of the bench 11 are then placed upright in the overpack 22, namely, between a tabletop 17 and the single piece 15 (FIGS. 20a to 20c).

After this, a group of single pieces 18 is laid on the base surface 25, oriented to an end wall 28 (FIGS. 21a to 21c).

Next comes the stowing of four chairs 10 placed one on top of another, and this on the single piece 15. The individual chairs 10 are oriented parallel to the base surface 25. Between the individual chairs 10 there is positioned a protection means 29. This protection means may be cardboard, for example, which protects the individual chairs 10 from mechanical damage with respect to each other and also with respect to the single piece 15 (FIGS. 22a to 22c).

The group of chairs 10 is positioned between the two tabletops 17 and the single pieces 19. The protection means 29 may be dimensioned such that they keep the tabletops 17 and the single pieces 19 at a distance. In this way, the individual single pieces and elements are secured to each other. With this fixing, an increased safety can be achieved in regard to mechanical damage.

In a further step, a further single piece 30 is positioned in the overpack 22 (FIGS. 23a to 23c).

The stool 14 in the folded-up state is placed in a following step in a free space between the stack of chairs 10 and the side wall 28 (FIGS. 24a to 24c).

FIGS. 25a to 25c shows that further single pieces 31 are stowed in the overpack 22. Further single pieces 32, 33 are also stowed in the overpack 22 in FIGS. 26a to 26c and FIGS. 27a to 27c.

Finally, a further protection means 34 is positioned on top of the group of garden chairs 10, having nearly the same size as the base surface 25 of the overpack 22. The protection means 34 is clamped between the two tabletops 17, which leads to an enhanced stability of the stowed elements (FIGS. 28a to 28c).

Single pieces 20 as well as a group 21 of single pieces are then placed on this protection means 34 in the bench 11 (FIGS. 29a to 29c and FIGS. 30a to 30c).

Once all the elements and all the single pieces of the elements have been stowed in the overpack 22, the overpack 22 is closed and, as mentioned above, closed by means of the straps 24 on the EUR pallet 23.

In the same fashion, i.e., according to the same method according to the invention, practically any given elements or single pieces of elements of a set can be stowed in a simple and efficient manner.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

• 10 Garden chair
• 11 Bench
• 12 Table
• 13 Lounger
• 14 Stool
• 15 Single piece
• 16 Group
• 17 Tabletop
• 18 Single piece
• 19 Single piece
• 20 Single piece
• 21 Group
• 22 Overpack
• 23 EUR pallet
• 24 Strap
• 25 Base surface
• 26 Single piece
• 27 Side wall
• 28 End wall
• 29 Protection means
• 30 Single piece
• 31 Single piece
• 32 Single piece
• 33 Single piece
• 34 Protection means

Claims

1. A method for stowing a set consisting of multiple elements, especially pieces of furniture, in an overpack (22), comprising arranging all the elements of the set in the overpack (22), especially a container or a carton, in a predetermined sequence and in a predetermined orientation to each other, wherein the base surface (25) of the overpack (22) corresponds to the base surface of an EUR pallet (23).

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least some of the elements, in a folded-up and/or in a not folded-up condition, and/or at least some of the elements disassembled into their single pieces, are arranged in the overpack (22).

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein flat elements and/or single pieces of elements are arranged parallel to a side wall (27, 28) of the overpack (22) or parallel to the base surface of the EUR pallet (23).

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein single pieces of elements are arranged between the elements.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein several identical elements and/or several identical single pieces of elements are bundled to form units and are arranged as a unit in the overpack (22).

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one protection means (29, 34), preferably cardboard, dunnage, or the like, is arranged between individual elements and/or between individual single pieces of elements.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

a) first of all at least one tabletop (17) or a portion of a tabletop (17) or a portion of a lounger (13) or a portion of a bench (11) is placed on the base surface (25) of the overpack (22) or the EUR pallet (23); and/or on top of this

b) at least one single piece of a disassembled element, especially a table (12), a lounger (13), a bench (11) or the like, is put in place; and/or

c) at least one further flat object such as a tabletop (17) or a portion of a tabletop (17) or a portion of a lounger (13) or a portion of a bench (11) is placed against at least one side wall (27) of the overpack (22); and/or

d) at least one further single piece (15, 18, 19, 20, 26, 30, 31, 32, 33) of a disassembled element is placed upright on the base surface (25) of the overpack (22) or the EUR pallet (23); and/or

e) groups (16, 21) of single pieces (15, 18, 19, 20, 26, 30, 31, 32, 33) of a disassembled element are placed against an end face (28) of the overpack (22) on the base surface (25) of the overpack (22) or the EUR pallet (23); and/or

f) a unit or group (16, 21) of identical or similar elements, especially chairs (10), are placed on the elements already placed in the overpack (22);

g) wherein preferably cardboard is placed between the elements; and/or

h) further single pieces (15, 18, 19, 20, 26, 30, 31, 32, 33) of a disassembled element are positioned in free areas in the overpack (22); and/or

i) further elements are placed in free areas in the overpack (22); and/or

j) a tabletop (17) or a portion of a tabletop (17) or a portion of a lounger (13) or a portion of a bench (11) are placed on the elements or single pieces (15, 18, 19, 20, 26, 30, 31, 32, 33) already arranged in the overpack (22) in parallel with the base surface (25) of the overpack (22); and/or

k) further elements or single pieces (15, 18, 19, 20, 26, 30, 31, 32, 33) of a disassembled element are placed in free areas in the overpack (22); and/or

l) the overpack (22) is closed, especially by clamping means.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least some of the steps (a) to (l) are performed in any given sequence.

9. A set consisting of multiple elements, especially pieces of furniture, for stowing in an overpack (22), wherein at least some of the elements can be disassembled into single pieces and/or folded up, and all the elements in the folded-up and/or not folded-up and/or disassembled condition can be arranged in the overpack (22), wherein a base surface (25) of the overpack (22) corresponds to the base surface of an EUR pallet (23).

10. The set consisting of multiple elements as claimed in claim 9, wherein the elements and/or the single pieces of the elements are configured such that only a few, preferably no empty gaps are formed between the elements and/or the single pieces in the condition stowed in the overpack (22).

11. The set consisting of multiple elements as claimed in claim 9, wherein the elements can be disassembled into straight, especially oblong, and/or flat single pieces.