Insert for Reinforcing a Transport Container

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from the German patent application 10 2024 118 630.5 filed Jul. 1, 2024, the content of which is incorporated herein in the entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an insert for reinforcing a transport container and a transport container with such an insert.

BACKGROUND

From WO 2022/118336 A1, a transport container is known, which is composed of several components including MDF, plywood or fiberboard, paper channels, paper tubes, and corresponding adhesives. To increase the stackability of the transport container, special inserts such as vertical and horizontal stiffeners, “lock tubes,” and support strips are used. These elements are integrated into a modular structure, with the individual parts being bonded together by adhesive in order to increase the stability and load-bearing capacity of the box and make it securely stackable.

SUMMARY

The objective of the disclosure is to improve the known inserts.

This objective is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are subject of the dependent claims.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, an insert for reinforcing a transport container, which extends in a longitudinal direction, in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, and in a height direction transverse to both the longitudinal and transverse directions, is provided. The container comprises a bottom seen in the height direction, on which a wall extending in the height direction is placed peripherally, the wall together with the bottom enclosing a storage space that can be filled via an access opening opposite the bottom in the height direction. The insert comprises a textile cover that encloses at least one board extending in the height direction and insertable into the transport container between the bottom and the access opening, and comprises one, preferably two fastening elements spaced apart transversely to the height direction, which are configured to be detachably fastened to the peripheral wall.

The concept underlying the proposed insert is that in industrial logistics, particularly for transporting mechanically sensitive goods such as cable harnesses, there are specific requirements regarding the stability and safety of transport containers. Traditionally, rigid frames were used to protect such goods from pressure and deformation. While these frames offer good protection, they lead to several disadvantages. They are heavy, bulky, and significantly increase transport costs. Moreover, they require a lot of space both for storage and return transport, leading to further logistical challenges and costs. The time required for assembling and disassembling these frames is also not negligible.

Although the insert disclosed in WO 2022/118336 A1 could potentially eliminate the need for the frame, since it improves stackability and structural integrity through the integration of specific reinforcing elements in the container walls, it suffers from the drawback that the rigid and permanently integrated components indeed enhance stability, but do not address the issues of handling flexibility and return transport costs.

The disclosed insert, consisting of a textile cover that at least partially encloses a board oriented in the height direction, overcomes these disadvantages. Due to its design, it stabilizes the walls of the transport container effectively without the drawbacks of a rigid frame. The insert can be quickly and easily inserted into the transport container and detachably fastened to the walls. This allows for easy disassembly and flat storage of the insert after use, which significantly simplifies and reduces the cost of return transport and storage of empty transport containers.

Moreover, the insert is lightweight and flexible, which facilitates handling and reduces the overall weight of the transport container. This lowers transport costs and increases efficiency in the logistics process. The textile cover enclosing the board offers additional protection for the sensitive goods, for example against surface scratches, and can be adapted as needed, making the insert universally usable. With these features, the insert addresses not only the specific needs of industrial logistics in transporting sensitive goods, but also provides a cost-efficient, flexible, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional transport frames.

In one refinement of the disclosed insert, the board may be angled about an axis oriented in the height direction. By angling the board, the insert can be brought closer to the wall of the transport container, thereby increasing the usable storage space for transport and utilizing it more efficiently.

In an additional refinement of the disclosed insert, at least one fastening element is attached to an end of the board as seen transversely to the height direction. In this way, the disclosed insert can be easily and effectively mounted within the transport container, as the fastening element is directly accessible without the need to reach between the wall of the transport container and the insert. This significantly simplifies and speeds up the assembly process. By positioning the fastening element at the end of the board, it can be quickly and effortlessly attached to the corresponding fastening points on the walls of the transport container. This is particularly advantageous in busy logistics environments where time savings and efficiency are of great importance. Users do not need to reach awkwardly behind the insert, which not only reduces physical effort but also minimizes the risk of damage or incorrect installation. This user-friendly attachment promotes not only fast installation and removal but also improves the safety of the cargo during transport. The secure and direct fastening of the insert to the walls of the transport container provides a stable and reliable support that protects the cargo from movement and vibrations. As a result, the likelihood of transport damage is further reduced, which lowers overall costs and effort in goods logistics.

In a further refinement of the disclosed insert, the fastening element extends in the height direction from a lower end to an upper end of the board. In this way, the use of the fastening surface can be optimized, which further improves the stability of the overall system. By extending the fastening element along the entire length of the board, a more uniform distribution of pressure on the walls of the transport container is achieved. This is particularly important as it maintains the structural integrity of the transport container under various load conditions such as vibrations, shocks, or when stacking multiple transport containers. Such continuous fastening prevents the board from loosening or shifting during movements of the transport container, which significantly improves the safety of the transported goods. Furthermore, this facilitates the alignment of the fastening element in the height direction during installation, as it provides a clear and simple guideline for fastening. The user can immediately see where and how the fastening element should be attached, minimizing errors during assembly. This efficient installation not only saves time during the packing process but also contributes in the long term to reduced maintenance and repair costs by ensuring that the insert is correctly and securely fastened.

In another refinement of the disclosed insert, the fastening element is designed as a strap. Since straps are easy to grip and guide, this simplifies and accelerates the assembly process. They can be quickly and easily fastened to suitable attachment points on the wall of the transport container, which saves time especially in stressful logistics environments. Moreover, straps allow for flexible adjustment to various fastening points within the transport container. This is particularly advantageous when transport containers have different internal configurations or fastening options. By using straps, the insert can be efficiently employed in a wide variety of transport container types and sizes, without requiring specific or different fastening elements. Another advantage of straps as fastening elements is their robustness and reliability. They offer a strong and durable connection that is less susceptible to wear or damage under the harsh conditions of transport. Straps can also be designed to have a certain elasticity, which allows them to absorb some movement of the cargo during transport without the risk of coming loose or tearing.

Various options are available for designing the fastening element of the disclosed insert, including buttons, hooks, loops, and hook-and-loop fasteners. Buttons are a simple solution that can be quickly released for repacking. Hooks, on the other hand, provide a stronger and more secure connection, especially with respect to tensile forces, and are particularly suitable for heavy loads that need to be held securely during transport. Loops are versatile and can be easily attached to different fastening points within the transport container, which makes them highly adaptable. A particularly advantageous method is the use of hook-and-loop fasteners, as they are user-friendly and enable fast and easy installation and removal of the inserts. Due to an optimal distribution of forces over the surface, they are strong enough to hold the insert securely, while also offering enough flexibility to be quickly adjusted or removed. Additionally, hook-and-loop fasteners are durable and reusable, making them particularly cost-efficient in industrial use. Their simple handling reduces the time required for installing and removing the insert and minimizes the risk of errors during assembly.

In a particular refinement, the disclosed insert comprises an additional board which, as seen transversely to the height direction, is held adjacent to the board within the textile cover. This arrangement allows the previously mentioned angle to be made adjustable, significantly improving adaptability to different cargo sizes and shapes. An adjustable angle makes it possible to optimize the use of space within the transport container by adjusting the main board as needed. This is especially advantageous when transporting different types of goods, each with specific space requirements. For example, in the case of bulky or irregularly shaped goods, adjusting the angle allows additional space to be used efficiently without requiring extra filler materials or packaging.

Moreover, the ability to adjust the angle increases the stability of the load during transport. By adapting the angle, the board can be positioned closely against the load, providing better support and securing it against movement. This is particularly important for sensitive or high-value goods that need to be protected from shocks and vibrations during transport. The integration of an additional board, positioned transversely to the height direction, also enables improved load distribution within the transport container. By adjusting the main board according to the load distribution, the weight can be more evenly spread across the base area of the transport container, reducing the likelihood of damage due to overloading of individual areas. Ultimately, this solution also offers advantages in terms of reusability and versatility of the insert. The insert can be adapted for different transport containers and transport conditions, which reduces the need to have specific inserts for each type of cargo. This leads to cost savings and more efficient logistics, as the same insert can be used for a wide range of transport tasks.

In a preferred refinement of the disclosed insert, the board and the additional board are held spaced apart from each other as seen transversely to the height direction. In this way, the adaptability of the insert to unevenly shaped or irregularly sized items is further improved. The spaces between the boards can also be used to create additional support or attachment points for securing the cargo, allowing for an even more customized adaptation to the cargo's requirements.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the board and the additional board are formed symmetrically with respect to one another. This allows the inserts to be stacked more easily and intuitively for return transport, which not only saves space but also reduces the time required for careful placement and securing of the inserts.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a transport container for storing a cable harness comprises a bottom extending in a longitudinal direction and in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, and a wall extending in a height direction transverse to both the longitudinal and transverse directions, which is placed on the bottom and, together with the bottom, encloses a storage space that is open at the top in the height direction for storing the cable harness. The transport container further comprises at least one, preferably four, of the above-described inserts, which are arranged to extend between the bottom and the top and are detachably fastened to the wall.

The above-described characteristics, features, and advantages of this disclosure, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become more apparent in connection with the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are explained in greater detail with reference to the drawings. The drawings show:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closed transport container,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the transport container from FIG. 1 in an open state,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the transport container from FIG. 2, in which boards have been removed from its walls,

FIG. 4 shows an insert for the transport container according to FIGS. 1 to 3 in a first perspective view, and

FIG. 5 shows the insert for the transport container from FIG. 4 in a second perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the figures, identical technical elements are designated with identical reference numerals and described only once. The figures are purely schematic and do not reflect actual geometric proportions.

Reference is made to FIGS. 1 to 3, which show a transport container 2 in various states within a space defined by a longitudinal direction 4, a transverse direction 6 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 4, and a height direction 8 perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction 4 and the transverse direction 6.

The transport container 2 is specifically designed for the storage and transport of industrial goods, particularly cable harnesses, as used in the automotive industry for interconnecting the electronic components of a vehicle. One of the challenges in using the transport container 2 is the optimization of the available space in a logistics container, while simultaneously meeting the requirements for stackability. This is especially important in high-volume shipping scenarios, such as the transport of cable harnesses in the automotive industry, where each additional stackable layer of transport containers in a logistics container can result in a competitive advantage.

The transport container 2 includes a bottom 10 that extends in the longitudinal direction 4 and the transverse direction 6. The bottom 10 serves as the base surface on which the transport container 2 can be stably placed. Positioned on the bottom 10 is a wall 12, which is arranged circumferentially around an axis oriented in the height direction 8 (not shown in detail). The wall 12 stands directly on the bottom 10 and is constructed in alignment with the orientation of the bottom 10, which provides the transport container 2 with additional stability.

The storage space 14, enclosed by the bottom 10 and the wall 12, serves to securely store the industrial goods, such as cable harnesses. The construction of the wall 12 plays a decisive role in protecting the industrial goods from external influences during transport, as will be explained in more detail below.

At the top side of the transport container 2, as seen in the height direction 8, there is an access opening 16, which lies opposite the bottom 10 in the height direction 8. The access opening 16 allows the industrial goods to be placed into or removed from the storage space 14.

The storage space 14 of the transport container 2 can be closed by a lid 18 made up of four parts 18′. These four parts 18′ are each pivotable about axes (not shown), which are supported by the circumferential wall 12 and overlap each other in the closed state, sealing the storage space 14. The axes are aligned in the longitudinal direction 4 and the transverse direction 6. This arrangement enables each part of the lid 18 to be moved and positioned independently, thereby facilitating or blocking access to the storage space 14, which offers flexibility during loading and unloading of the transport container 2 and at the same time ensures the safety of the stored industrial goods by allowing the storage space 14 to be fully covered and protected when all parts 18′ of the lid 18 are closed.

The circumferential wall 12 of the transport container 2 is made up of multiple parts and consists of four individual walls 12′ that together enclose the storage space 14, although not all are labeled individually in the figures. Each individual wall 12′ is also multi-part and comprises a wall textile cover 20 and a wall board 22 sewn into the wall textile cover 20. This configuration is shown schematically only in FIGS. 2 and 3. The construction provides several advantages for both the protection of the transported goods and the mechanical stability of the container.

The wall textile cover 20 protects the transported goods from external influences such as dust, moisture, and light mechanical impacts. It provides an additional layer that prevents the ingress of dirt and other contaminants, which is particularly important when transporting sensitive industrial goods such as cable harnesses.

The wall board 22 sewn into the wall textile cover 20 ensures the necessary mechanical stability. It reinforces the structure of each individual wall 12′ and thereby the entire wall 12, ensuring that the transport container 2 can better absorb buckling loads and maintain its shape, even when loaded with heavy or irregularly shaped goods. This structure thus improves the stackability of multiple transport containers 2 of the type shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, allowing goods with greater weight to be carried using the transport container 2.

To further reinforce the transport container 2, inserts 24 are arranged in the corners of the storage space 14, which absorb compressive loads during stacking of the transport containers 2 and thereby support the mechanical stability when many transport containers 2 are stacked on top of each other. The placement of these inserts 24 in the corners of the storage space 14 significantly increases the structural integrity of the transport container 2.

Specifically, the inserts 24 absorb vertical loads opposite the height direction 8 that occur when transport containers 2 are stacked. This prevents the walls 12 and the bottom 10 of the transport container 2 from yielding or deforming under the weight of additional containers stacked on top. As a result, the storage space 14 remains stable even under high loads and protects the transported goods stored inside from damage.

This additional reinforcement by the inserts 24 ensures that the transport container 2 is not only suitable for transporting sensitive industrial goods such as cable harnesses, but also optimized for efficient and secure stacking in storage and transport environments. The combination of the robust individual walls 12′, the stable lid structure 18, and the reinforcing inserts 24 in the corners ensures high load capacity and protection for the transported goods.

The construction of the inserts 24 is explained in detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

Each insert 24 consists of two insert boards 25 that are sewn into a shared insert textile cover 26. This construction provides additional stability and strength required to safely absorb the compressive loads when stacking the transport containers 2. At the ends of the insert textile cover 26, seen transversely to the height direction 8, there are straps 28 equipped with hook-and-loop fastening elements not shown in further detail. These hook-and-loop elements on the straps 28 allow simple and secure fastening of the inserts 24 to corresponding, likewise non-visible mating elements attached to the wall textile covers 20 of the individual walls 12′. By attaching the straps 28 using the hook-and-loop fasteners, the inserts 24 can be securely and stably fastened to the wall 12 of the transport container 2.

This fastening method offers the advantage that the inserts 24 can be quickly assembled and disassembled without great effort. At the same time, the hook-and-loop connection ensures a secure and reliable fixation, which is necessary to maintain the structural integrity of the transport container 2 even under heavy loads. Thus, the storage space 14 remains stable and the transported goods are optimally protected.

Each insert board 25 is angled about the height direction 8 by a bending angle 32. This bending angle 32 contributes to further increasing the buckling resistance in the direction opposite the height direction 8. That is, by angling the insert boards 25, additional structural support is created to help better distribute and absorb the pressure and loads that occur when stacking the transport containers 2. The bending angle 32 ensures that the insert boards 25 can efficiently absorb not only vertical loads but also lateral compressive forces, thereby increasing the overall stability of the container. This construction of the inserts 24 with angled insert boards 25 therefore improves the transport container's 2 resistance to deformation and stress in all directions 4, 6, and 8 that may occur during transport and storage. As a result, the storage space 14 and the transported goods stored therein remain optimally protected and stable even under difficult conditions.

The insert boards 25 are held with a buffer spacing 34, seen transversely to the height direction 8, within the insert textile cover 26. This buffer spacing 34 ensures that the insert boards 25 remain slightly separated from each other, which provides several advantages.

The buffer spacing 34 ensures that a certain clearance exists between the insert boards 25, which allows for additional flexibility and shock absorption. This is particularly useful for absorbing shocks and vibrations during transport, which increases the safety of the transported goods in the storage space 14. Due to the buffer spacing, the insert boards 25 can allow slight movements without compromising structural integrity, improving the overall damping properties of the transport container 2.

Additionally, the buffer spacing 34 prevents the insert boards 25 from striking directly against each other, which reduces wear and extends their service life. This construction ensures that the inserts 24 retain their shape and strength even after repeated use, contributing to higher reliability and durability of the transport container 2.

The two insert boards 25 within the insert textile cover 26 are symmetrically arranged with respect to an unshown plane that intersects the buffer spacing 34 centrally and perpendicularly. This symmetrical arrangement offers several advantages for the stability and functionality of the inserts 24.

Due to the symmetrical design of the insert boards 25, uniform load distribution is achieved, which further increases the structural integrity of the transport container 2. The symmetrical arrangement ensures that the forces acting on the inserts 24 are evenly distributed, reducing the load on the individual insert walls. This leads to improved stability and durability of the inserts.

Support plates 36, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, can additionally be placed on the inserts 24. These support plates act like bridges and further increase the mechanical stability of the transport container 2. The support plates 36 distribute the load evenly over the inserts 24, thereby preventing localized stress that could lead to deformation or damage.

The support plates 36 function by distributing the forces acting on the transport container 2 over a larger surface area. This reduces the load on individual areas and increases the overall structural strength. Especially when stacking multiple containers on top of each other, the support plates 36 help to ensure stability and evenly distribute the load onto the underlying inserts 24.

To assemble the transport container 2, all four individual walls 12′ of the wall 12 are first positioned perpendicular to the bottom 10. This arrangement forms the basic structure of the transport container 2 and establishes the foundation for the storage space 14.

Next, the inserts 24 are placed into the corners of the storage space 14. These inserts securely hold the individual walls 12′ together and ensure that the structure remains stable and secure. By inserting the inserts 24, the storage space 14 is formed and additionally reinforced. The transported goods can then be placed into the storage space 14 through the access opening 16.

Before or after loading the goods, the support plates 36 are placed on the inserts 24, thereby further increasing the mechanical stability of the entire container. Finally, the access opening 16 is closed with all four parts 18′ of the lid 18. Each part 18′ of the lid 18 is pivoted about its respective axis and securely fastened to completely close the transport container 2 and protect the transported goods from external influences.

As a result, multiple transport containers 2 can be stacked in standard shipping containers in a mechanically stable manner while maximizing the use of space within the shipping container, without mechanically sensitive transported goods such as cable harnesses being damaged during transport.