Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ConTeyor Multibag Systems N.V.
Device for storing and transporting discrete articles, and insert therefor
The present invention relates to a device for storing and transporting
discrete articles, and to an
insert for a device of this kind.
A very wide range of demands are made of transport and storage systems of this
kind in practice,
1o depending on the type of discrete article. Robust discrete articles can be
stacked in crates,
cartons or in the loading areas of trucks, or piled on top of one another.
However, the transport
and storage of delicate discrete articles are substantially more complicated.
In industry, a large
range of finished products and semi-finished products are manufactured which
then have to
undergo transportation to another site or intermediate storage.
In this connection, certain individual parts in the manufacture of motor
vehicles come to mind, for
example. Thus, gear parts are often made at a considerable distance from the
factory in which
the gear is mounted andlor assembled. Body parts too, such as the doors of a
passenger vehicle,
are typically not made in the immediate vicinity of the production line where
they are mounted on
2o the corresponding vehicle. Other examples of such discrete articles are
washers, bearing shells
and many other parts with delicate surfaces, which would be scratched or
damaged in some
other way if the articles were stacked or piled on top of one another
haphazardly. Originally,
discrete articles that were sensitive to impact and contact were packaged for
transport over
relatively long distances and for storage, usually at great expense. For this
purpose, transport
crates or cartons were provided with a specially shaped insert, generally made
from polystyrene,
which was adapted to the shape of the discrete article and which held the
delicate parts or
surfaces thereof at a safe distance from other articles.
However, this is a relatively costly and complicated procedure. The space
needed during
transport is a multiple of the total volume of the transported discrete
articles, because the
packaging of the discrete articles is very bulky. Moreover, when the discrete
articles were
unloaded and unpacked, the packaging was frequently damaged and was not then
suitable for
re-use. Even if it was not damaged, however, the empty packaging had to be
transported back to
the point of origin of the discrete articles in a further journey, which is
tittle different from a truck or
railway car making a journey empty. Finally, the packaging procedure and
indeed unpacking of
the articles are relatively Lime-consuming, labor-intensive and
correspondingly costly.
For this reason, DE 41 38 507 has already proposed a transport andlor storage
device for
discrete articles, having a web of foil or woven material which can be folded
up and which, when
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it is folded up, forms at least one substantially U-shaped bag in which the
discrete article can be
received, a suspension device being provided at the upper end of the bag,
capable of being
suspended on at least one suspension device which is secured to a base
structure.
In use, the discrete article is simply inserted into the U-shaped bag which is
formed by the foil or
woven web, and this bag is then in tum suspended at the upper ends of the
limbs of the U. In this
arrangement, the foil or woven web lies around the discrete article and abuts
against it such that
the suspended bag does nat occupy substantially more space than the inserted
discrete article
itself. Depending on the type of material of the discrete articles to be
transported, the foil or
to woven webs could where appropriate be padded or upholstered.
So that the articles transported in these devices are treated gently, the
material webs are usually
made from a relatively soft, flexible cloth, which may for example be a fabric
or may indeed be
made from a fleece-like material or where appropriate a synthetic web or a
foil with embossed
elements.
If the articles concerned are relatively large and comparatively thin, the U-
shaped bags into which
the articles are pushed either from above between two rods or, indeed, from
the side into the
ends, open at the sides, of the U-shaped bags have to have a correspondingly
large vertical (and
2o where appropriate also horizontal) depth. In that case, a relatively long
piece of material web
hangs down loosely, forming a U-shaped loop, between two adjacent rods from
which the two
ends of a U-shaped bag of this kind are suspended.
Because this material web is relatively soft and flexible in order to treat
the articles to be
transported and/or stored gently and to protect them, when the material webs
hang down loosely
the opposing web portions can be distorted relatively easily or indeed form
folds, which can result
in the two portions of a U-shaped bag which form the limbs of the U lying
against one another, so
that the bag concerned is no longer open and readily accessible, at least on
one of its end sides
or some of these end sides. This means that it becomes considerably more
difficult to load a
3o device of this kind, because someone who wants to push an article into this
bag has first to open
the bag, that is to say to separate the portions of the material webs lying
against one another, in
order to be able to push an article into this bag. This is particularly
irksome if that person already
needs both hands to carry the article and insert it into the bag, which can
then result in the article
first having to be put down and then the bag concerned having to be opened,
with the result that
the article can only thereafter be picked up again and pushed into the bag, it
also being possible
for the bag to close again automatically if it is not deliberately held open.
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For this reason, DE 198 26 429 has already proposed a device in which the U-
shaped bags are
each formed by two separate and substantially parallel material webs made from
the flexible
material, in which case at least one connection web in each case, made from
the flexible web
material, extends between the two material webs and is preferably connected to
both adjacent
material webs over substantially its entire length.
However, all the known devices have in common the fact that during use, in
particular during the
transport and storage of relatively heavy discrete articles with relatively
sharp edges, damage to
the bag at least in the region of the bag which takes up substantially the
main load of the discrete
1o article frequently occurs. The accordingly damaged bag of the device cannot
then continue to be
used, with the result that the device can only receive a relatively small
number of discrete articles
while occupying the same space, which results in a higher space requirement
per discrete article
and hence in higher transport and storage costs.
Moreover, with the known devices, on repeated use of the devices soiling of
the bags frequently
occurred, which in turn may damage the discrete articles received therein.
However, appropriate
cleaning of the bags is very costly.
By comparison with this prior art, the object of the present invention is
therefore to provide a
2o device for storing andlor transporting discrete articles, having at least
one bag in which the
discrete article can be received, which is simple in construction and in which
the loading and
unloading procedure is simplified, that is to say that the risk of individual
web portions forming the
bag being distorted is virtually ruled out, in which the risk of damage to the
bags is in particular
markedly reduced, and which is easy to clean.
In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved by a device of the
type mentioned, in
which at least one insert is provided preferably in the region of the bag
taking up substantially the
main load of the discrete article and is movable relative thereto or is
secured to the bag but is
removable therefrom.
As a result of this measure, two disadvantages of the devices of the prior art
are obviated at the
same time. On the one hand the insert, which is secured to the bag, results in
the bag being
stiffened, so that the risk of distortion of folding of the material web is
virtually ruled out. The insert
thus ensures that the bag is always open and readily accessible at its end
side. For this reason,
the bags can easily be loaded and unloaded by just one person.
On the other hand, the insert provides protection against damage andlor
soiling to the bag.
Although damage may still occur in the case of heavy, sharp-edged discrete
articles, this damage
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no longer affects the bag but only the insert. The insert can either be
removed from the bag or
moved relative thereto, in accordance with the invention, if it is damaged or
soiled, so that
another, undamaged portion of the insert is now arranged in the region of the
bag taking up the
main load of the discrete article. It will be understood that the region which
takes up substantially
the main load of the discrete article does not by any means always have to be
arranged at the
base of a bag. Thus, for example, it is also conceivable to equip the side
walls of the bags with
the inserts according to the invention, in particular if discrete articles
which have sharp-edged
projections on their sides that press into the side wall of the bag, creating
a high local pressure,
are to be received.
to
As a result of the insert according to the invention, it is also possible to
simplify cleaning. Because
most of the soiling conventionally occurs in the region of the bag that takes
up the main load of
the discrete article, soiling will substantially affect the insert, with the
result that the latter can
either be removed from the bag and then replaced, or be cleaned and put back
in again, or can
be displaced relative to the bag, so that after the displacement another,
unsoiled region of the
insert is arranged in the region of the bag which takes up substantially the
main load of the
discrete article.
Advantageously, the insert is detachably secured to the bag such that it is
possible to remove the
2o insert from the bag in a simple manner, without additional tools.
The insert may for example be secured to the bag with the aid of double-sided
adhesive tape.
Alternatively, or in combination therewith, the insert may be securable to the
bag with the aid of a
Velcro or hook-and-burr closure or a similar closing system. In both cases, a
simple and speedy
removal or replacement of the insert is ensured.
In a preferred embodiment, the inserts are secured to the bag such that they
can be removed
therefrom without damage to the bag.
3o In a particularly preferred embodiment, a plurality of inserts are
provided. In particular if the region
of the bag that takes up the main load of the discrete article is relatively
large or varies in its
position as a function of the discrete article that is to be stored or
transported in the bag, these
measures can further lower the costs which are associated with replacing the
insert, since in that
case only the damaged or soiled insert has to be replaced or cleaned.
In a further particularly preferred embodiment, a plurality of inserts are
provided one above the
other, in which case preferably the insert lowest down is secured to the bag,
while the other
inserts are each detachably secured to the insert below them. This has the
advantage that no
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reserve inserts have to be provided. It is thus possible for the person who is
responsible for
loading or unloading the device with discrete articles to notice, for example
during the loading
procedure, that the insert is damaged or soiled and simply to remove the top
insert from the bag.
As a result of this, the next insert, which is not soiled or damaged, is
revealed and the loading
procedure can be continued without any delay. Ideally, a check should then be
carried out at
regular intervals to ensure that sufficient inserts are available, one above
the other, in the bag,
and where necessary the number of inserts lying above one another increased.
In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one insert is
displaceable relative to
the region of the bag which takes up 'substantially the main load of the
discrete article. This
measure also brings about a whole sari s of advantages. Because,
conventionally, the device for
storing and/or transporting discrete a ' les is not always loaded with the
same type of discrete
articles, it may occur that the region ~f he ag which takes up the main load
of the discrete article
is rather towards the front region of t ag with one type of discrete article,
whereas this region
is rather towards the rear part of the bag with another type of discrete
article. If the insert is
displaceable relative to the bag, the insert can be displaced to the area
where the region of the
bag which takes up the main load of the discrete article is to be found, for
the type of discrete
article used. If, over time, the insert is damaged or soiled, then in general
the whole region of the
insert is not affected. It is thus possible to displace the insert such that
now another part of the
2o insert takes up the main load of the discrete article, so that the insert
can be used for longer
before replacement or repair is necessary.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the insert takes the form of a
strip. This strip can
where necessary be of considerable length. For example, it is possible for the
insert to be pushed
on a little after each use and the soiled andlor damaged strip to be taken up
in a corresponding
take-up device, for example a winding-up device. Particularly preferably, the
insert takes the form
of an endless strip which is looped around the base region of the bag. Here
too, the endless strip
can be pushed on appropriately after every use which causes damage andlor
soiling to the insert.
Only once the strip has been soiled and/or damaged almost everywhere does it
have to be
replaced.
In a further particularly advantageous embodiment, a brush device is provided
for cleaning the at
least one insert. In this case, the at least one insert preferably engages
with the brush device and
is movable relative thereto. If the insert is now moved relative to the brush
device, the brush
device cleans the insert automatically, with the result that the latter can be
used over a relatively
long period.
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Advantageously, the insert is in this case made in the form of a strip or
endless strip and is
moved past the brush device.
Further advantages, features and possible applications of the present
invention will become
apparent from the description below of preferred embodiments and the attached
figures, in which:
Figure 1 shows a device for storing andlor transporting discrete articles,
Figure 2 shows three different embodiments of the device from Figure 1, with
inserts according to
io the invention,
Figure 3 shows an example of a securing procedure for an insert according to
the invention, and
Figures 4 to 8 show different embodiments of the insert according to the
invention.
For the sake of clarity, Figure 1 shows a device for storing andlor
transporting discrete articles.
Visible in Figure 1 is a crate 1, which is closed on all sides except that to
the left of the visible
front side. If appropriate, however, the side opposite the open side could
also be open.
2o Parallel to the lower and upper edges of the open side there extend rods or
tubes 2 which are
suspended in rod holders 12 which, for their part, are secured to the housing
wall of the crate 1.
In the vicinity of the closed rear wall, too, corresponding rods 2 each extend
in the vicinity of the
upper and lower edges.
The rods 2 carry flexible material webs 4 which have a substantially
rectangular shape and have
in their corner regions respective eyelets 9 which are pushed onto the rods 2.
In this
arrangement, the spacing between the rods 2 and the spacing between the
eyelets 9 on the webs
4 are each dimensioned with respect to one another such that the material webs
4 can hang
loosely down from the upper rods 2 or are slightly tensioned so that the
material webs 4 form
substantially flat, planar material webs. Between the individual material webs
4, there are
additionally pushed onto the rods 2 in each case spacers 10 in the form of
short tubular portions
whereof the external diameter is greater than the internal diameter of the
eyelets 9, and the
material webs 4 which are thus adjacent are held at a fixedly predeterminable
spacing.
Between each two adjacent material webs 4, U-shaped connection webs 5 are sewn
in, and
together with the vertical material webs 4 these form U-shaped bags. In the
example embodiment
illustrated in Figure 1, in each case two connection webs 5 are sewn at a
spacing one above the
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other between two respective adjacent separating webs 4, so that two U-shaped
bags 3 lying one
above the other are formed between each two separating webs 4.
The connection webs 5 also have inserts 6. The inserts may extend in depth
over the entire
length of the connection web 5, but they may also be only relatively short.
It will be understood that the device may for example also simply comprise
horizontal webs.
It is furthermore possible to make the bag in two plies at least in the region
which takes up the
to main load of the discrete article, and to push the insert between the
plies.
Figure 2 illustrates two material webs 4 which are arranged parallel to one
another and have
corresponding eyelets 9. Clearly visible here, too, are three connection webs
3 which form the
bags. The letters A, B and C here indicate three different embodiments having
different inserts 6.
In the case A, the insert merely comprises an insert 6 which is secured to the
connection web 3
by a double-sided adhesive tape andlor hook-and-burr closure and which extends
over
substantially the entire length of the connection web 3. If, during use,
damage andlor soiling of
the insert 6 should occur, it can be separated from the connection web 3 and
replaced by
another, undamaged and unsoiled insert 6.
The embodiment B shows how a plurality of inserts 6 are arranged one above the
other on the
connection web 3. If, during use, damage andlor soiling of the top insert 6
should occur, it can be
removed so that the next insert 6, underneath it, is revealed. Ideally, a
check is carried out at
regular intervals to ensure that a sufficient number of inserts 6 is still
arranged on the connection
web 3 and, if this is not the case, the inserts 6 are supplemented
accordingly.
The embodiment C, finally, shows an insert 6 which is arranged as a wrapped-
around strip. If the
upper side of the insert 6 is soiled andlor damaged, the wrapped-around strip
can simply be
displaced around the connection web 3 so that the lower part of the strip
comes to lie on the
3o upper side of the connection web 3.
In addition, as an option, a brush device 7 is also arranged here, and this
comes into contact with
the strip-shaped insert 6. If the strip-shaped insert 6 is moved relative to
the bag or the
connection web 3 forming the bag, this automatically results in the surface of
the strip-shaped
insert 6 being brushed off by the brush device 7. Any particles which are on
the surface of the
insert are then effectively removed by the brush device 7. In a particularly
preferred embodiment,
the brush device is connected to electrical ground, with the result that
movement of the brush
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device 7 in relation to the insert 6 creates an anti-static effect, and no
dust is attracted to the
inserts 6.
It goes without saying that the brush device does not have to be arranged in
the position shown
in the figure, but may also be arranged in front of, behind, above or below
the insert 6.
It wiN be understood that, similarly to the embodiment B, a plurality of
wrapped-around strips may
also be an-anged one above the other, so that in the event of wear a wrapped-
around strip may
when necessary be removed.
Figure 3 illustrates the procedure for securing the insert 6 to the bag. As
can be seen at the top of
Figure 3, first of all the securing sections 8 are bent around downward in
appropriate manner {see
middle illustration of Figure 3) and then they are placed on the bag, as
illustrated by the bottom
illustration of Figure 3.
Figure 4 shows a whole series of different inserts according to the invention.
For example, the
inserts may have a round U-shaped cross-section, a V-shaped cross-section, a
flat cross-section
or a rectilinear U-shaped cross-section. It goes without saying that the
inserts 6 may also
accordingly have a different shape, however. Furthermore, it is advantageously
possible to
2o reinforce the inserts, for example with the aid of a stiff foil.
Figure 5 illustrates a further, particularly preferred embodiment of the
invention. Here, the insert 6
is not connected to the bag but - similarly to the embodiment C in Figure 2 -
the insert 6 is in the
form of a wrapped-around strip and itself forms the base of the bag. To secure
the insert 6, two
rods 13 are provided, around which the strip-shaped insert 6 runs. Instead of
the rods 13, cables
ar ropes could for example also be used. In the embodiment shown, the rods 13
run through
eyelets in the vertical material webs 4. However, it will be understood that
the rods 16 may also
run outside the vertical material webs 4. The insert 6 may where necessary be
displaced simply
by the two rods 13.
It goes without saying that this type of securing may also be combined with
the embodiment C in
Figure 2, as illustrated in Figure 6. In Figure 6, the strip-shaped insert 6
surrounds both the
horizontal connection web 3 and the two rods i 3. This embodiment has the
advantage over the
embodiment C shown in Figure 2 that the strip-shaped insert can be moved more
easily.
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate different views of a further embodiment of the
invention. The insert 6 is
constructed as a wrapped-around strip in this case too. However, in this case
the strip has a
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substantially U-shaped cross-section, so that the insert is also arranged
against the lateral
material webs 4 and so provides a certain amount of protection for these webs
as well.
