Pallet having panels and tube segments

Abstract

The invention relates to a pallet (1) comprising parallel panels (11, 12), a layer (13) arranged between the panels (11, 12) and formed by at least one spacer (18), having a respective first strip (15a) and a plurality of tube segments (14), wherein the tube segments (14) have two respective cut ends (141, 142) and two respective cut surfaces (143, 144), wherein the tube segments (14) are mechanically connected to the first strip (15a) by their cut ends (141, 142), and mechanically connected to the panels (11, 12) by their cut surfaces (143, 144), wherein the tube segments (14) of the at least one spacer (18) have two respective lateral elements (146) and a cover element (147) mechanically connected to the lateral elements (146), wherein the lateral elements (146) form a first internal angle () of 95 to 120 with the cover element (147).

Claims

1. Pallet (1) comprising at least the following components: a first panel (11) and a second panel (12) extending parallel to the first panel (11), a layer (13) arranged between the first panel (11) and the second panel (12) and comprising at least one spacer (18) extending along a first longitudinal direction (l.sub.1) and each comprising a first strip (15a) and a plurality of tube segments (14), wherein the tube segments (14) each comprise two cut ends (141,142) which delimit the respective tube segment (14) along a circumferential direction of the respective tube segment (14), and each comprise two cut surfaces (143, 144) which delimit the respective tube segment (14) along a second longitudinal direction (l.sub.2) of the respective tube segment (14), wherein the tube segments (14) are mechanically connected to the first strip (15a) by means of their cut ends (141, 142), and mechanically connected to the first panel (11) and the second panel (12) by means of their cut surfaces (143, 144), characterized in that the tube segments (14) of the at least one spacer (18) each comprise two lateral elements (146) and a cover element (147) mechanically connected to the lateral elements (146), wherein the lateral elements (146) form first internal angles () of 95 to 120 with the cover element (147).

2. Pallet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first internal angles () are 100 to 110.

3. Pallet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube segments (14) comprise first mitres (148) on which the lateral elements (146) are mechanically connected to the cover element (147).

4. Pallet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube segments (14) have a trapezoidal-segment-shaped cross-section.

5. Pallet (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube segments (14) of the at least one spacer (18) are mechanically connected to a first strip side (151) of the first strip (15a).

6. Pallet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one spacer (18) comprises a second strip (15b) mechanically connected to walls (145) of the tube segments (14) of the respective spacer (18).

7. Pallet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube segments (14) of the at least one spacer (18) are spaced apart, wherein the at least one spacer (18) respectively comprises first gaps (181) between adjacent tube segments (14), and wherein the first panel (11) comprises at least one first opening (111) at least partially overlapping one of the first gaps (181).

8. Pallet (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the tube segments (14) have a segment width (B) running along the connecting line between the cut ends (141, 142), the adjacent tube segments (14) of the at least one spacer (18) having a first distance (a.sub.1) of at least half a segment width (B) from one another along the direction of the segment width (B).

9. Pallet (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the tube segments (14) have a segment width (B) running along the connecting line between the cut ends (141, 142), the adjacent tube segments (14) of the at least one spacer (18) having a first distance (a.sub.1) of at least one segment width (b) from one another along the direction of the segment width (B).

10. Pallet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the layer (13) comprises a plurality of spacers (18), the layer (13) comprising a second gap (133) at least between two adjacent spacers (18), and the first panel (11) comprising at least one first opening (111), which at least partially overlaps with the second gap (133).

11. Pallet (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the adjacent spacers (18) have a second distance (a.sub.2) from one another transversely to the first longitudinal direction (l.sub.1) of at least half a segment width (B).

12. Pallet (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the layer (13) comprises a plurality of spacers (18), the layer (13) comprising second gaps (133) between respective adjacent spacers (18), and the at least one first opening (111) of the first panel (11) at least partially overlapping with one of the second gaps (133).

13. Pallet (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the adjacent spacers (18) have a second distance (a.sub.2) from one another transversely to the first longitudinal direction (l.sub.1) of at least one segment width (B).

14. Pallet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second panel (12) comprises at least one second opening (121) which at least partially overlaps with one of the first gaps (181) and a respective second gap (133).

15. Pallet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pallet (1) comprises at least one foot (16) each comprising two supporting elements (161) and a joining element (162), the at least one foot (16) comprising second mitres (163) at which the supporting elements (161) are mechanically connected to the joining element (162).

16. Pallet (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the at least one foot (16) has a trapezoidal-segment-shaped cross-section.

17. Pallet (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the supporting elements (161) form with the joining element (162) second internal angles () which are of the same size as the first internal angles () between the lateral elements (146) and the cover element (147) of the tube segments (14).

18. Pallet (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the at least one foot (16) is arranged at least partially in one of the first gaps (181) or in a respective second gap (133).

19. Pallet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second panel (12) comprises at least one second opening (121) which at least partially overlaps with one of the first gaps (181) or a respective second gap (133).

Description

(1) Further details and advantages of the invention are explained by the following description of examples on the basis of figures.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a tube segment;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an intermediate product for creating a tube segment;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a layer of a pallet according to the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of an intermediate product for producing a layer

(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a spacer;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of an intermediate product for creating spacers;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of a pallet according to the invention;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of a foot of a pallet according to the invention;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a schematic representation of an intermediate product for creating a foot;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of a pallet according to the invention with feet.

(12) FIG. 1 shows in detail a tube segment 14, which is extended along a longitudinal direction l.sub.2 and comprises a wall 145 as well as two cut ends 141,142 delimiting the wall 145 in the circumferential direction of the tube segment 14. Furthermore, the tube segment 14 comprises two cut surfaces 143, 144, which delimit the tube segment 14 in the second longitudinal direction l.sub.2.

(13) The tube segment 14 has a segment depth tin the direction of the second longitudinal direction l.sub.2, a segment width b corresponding to the maximum extension in the direction of a connecting line between the cut ends 141,142, and a segment height h corresponding to the maximum extension in the third spatial direction perpendicular to the segment width b and the segment depth t.

(14) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the tube segment 14 is formed by two lateral elements 146 extending essentially along the segment height h and a cover element 147 extending along the segment width b, the lateral elements 146 being connected by the cover element 147.

(15) The lateral elements 146 are angled with respect to the segment width b, resulting in a trapezoidal segment shaped cross-section of the tube segment 14 transverse to the longitudinal direction l, wherein the lateral elements 146 comprise first internal angles of 95 to 120 with the cover element 147.

(16) As an alternative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the tube segment 14 can also have a differently shaped cross-section.

(17) FIG. 2 shows an intermediate product from which the tube segment 14 shown in FIG. 1 can be formed by folding and mechanical joining, in particular gluing. The intermediate product consists of a panel, in particular a panel made of a wood-based material, the panel comprising first mitres 148, in particular V-shaped first mitres 148. The first mitres 148 extend between the parts of the panel which, in the folded and joined state, i.e. in the finished tube segment 14 (see FIG. 1), form the lateral elements 146 and the part of the panel which, in the folded and joined state, forms the cover element 147. These parts of the panel can be folded along the first mitres 148 to form a tube segment 14. The first mitres 148 can, for example, be applied with glue before folding, so that the lateral elements 146 can be firmly joined to the cover element 147.

(18) FIG. 3 shows a layer 13 according to the invention of a pallet 1 according to the invention comprising a plurality of spacers 18 arranged in parallel along a first longitudinal direction 1, (along a pallet width B.sub.P), the spacers 18 each being formed of a first strip 15a, a second strip 15b and a plurality of tube segments 14. The segment widths b of the tube segments 14 extend in the direction of the pallet width B.sub.P and the segment heights h of the tube segments 14 extend along a pallet depth T.sub.P. The designations of segment width b, segment height h and segment depth t according to the illustration of the tube segment 14 can be found in FIG. 1.

(19) The longitudinal directions l.sub.2 of the tube segments 14 thus run transversely to a (imaginary) plane formed from the pallet width B.sub.P and the pallet depth T.sub.P, which corresponds to the plane of the first panel 11 and the second panel 12 in the finished pallet 1. The adjacent tube segments 14 within a spacer 18 have first distances a.sub.1 from each other in the direction of the first longitudinal direction l.sub.1, so that first gaps 181 arise within the spacers 18.

(20) The spacers 18 are arranged within the layer 13 in such a way that the corresponding strips 15a,15b of the adjacent spacers 18 lie against each other. The tube segments 14 form with the first strips 15a respective cavities 149.

(21) FIG. 4 shows an intermediate product consisting of three layers 13 according to the invention, which are placed next to each other in the direction of their pallet depth T.sub.P. The respective three layers 13 can be created by cuts along the cutting lines S. In this way, pallets in Euro pallet format, for example, can be created from a larger intermediate product.

(22) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the adjacent spacers 18 have second distances a.sub.2 from each other in the direction of the pallet depth T.sub.P, so that second gaps 133 are created.

(23) FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of a spacer 18 of the layer 13 of pallet 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 3 or 4. The spacer 18 shown comprises a first strip 15a and a second strip 15b extending parallel to the first strip 15a, with tube segments 14 arranged between the first strip 15a and the second strip 15b. Therein, the cut ends 141,142 of the tube segments 14 are each connected to a first strip side 151 of the first strip 15a and the cover elements 147 of the tube segments 14 are connected to the second strip 15b. The respective adjacent tube segments 14 of the spacer have first distances a.sub.1 from each other along the first longitudinal direction l.sub.1, so that first gaps 181 are formed.

(24) The lateral elements 146 of the tube segments 14 and the first strip 15a of the spacer form third internal angles in the range of 60 to 85, e.g. approx. 76.

(25) FIG. 6 shows an intermediate product 19 for the creation of spacers 18 (as shown in FIG. 5). The intermediate product 19 comprises a first cover layer 191 and a second cover layer 192, with the first and second cover layers 191,192 arranged parallel to each other. Furthermore, the intermediate product 19 comprises tube segments 14 arranged between the first and second cover layers 191,192, which are arranged parallel to each other along their second longitudinal directions l.sub.2. The tube segments 14 have interspaces 193 between each other in the direction of the segment widths b. The tube segments 14 have interspaces 193 between each other in the direction of the segment widths b. The tube segments 14 used here have a significantly greater segment depth tin the direction of the second longitudinal direction l.sub.2 than the tube segments of the spacer 18 shown in FIG. 5.

(26) FIG. 6 also shows an imaginary cutting line S. If the intermediate product 19 is cut along the cutting line S transversely to the common longitudinal direction l.sub.2 of the tube segments 14 of the intermediate product 19, a spacer 18 of the type shown in FIG. 5 can be produced. In this way a large number of spacers 18 can be produced from an intermediate product 19.

(27) FIG. 7 shows a pallet 1 according to the invention comprising parallel first and second panels 11,12 and a layer 13 arranged between the first panel 11 and the second panel 12. The layer 13 is similar to the layer 13 shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4. The first panel 11 comprises first openings 111, wherein the second panel 12 comprises second openings 121. The first openings 111 and the second openings 121 are coincided with respective first gaps 181 and/or second gaps 133 of the layer 13, so that continuous openings of the pallet 1 result transversely to the plane formed by the pallet width B.sub.P and the pallet depth T.sub.P. It is advantageous to place feet 16 (see FIGS. 8-10) in these continuous openings. If the feet 16 are designed accordingly, the pallet 1 according to the invention can be designed as a stacking pallet by inserting the feet 16 of an upper pallet 1 into the second openings 121 of the second panel 12 of a lower pallet 1.

(28) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a foot 16 for a pallet 1 according to the invention in a folded form. The foot 16 comprises two supporting elements 161 and a joining element 162, which mechanically connects the supporting elements 161, wherein the supporting elements 161 form second internal angles with the joining element 162, particularly in the range from 95 to 120.

(29) FIG. 9 shows foot 16 in an unfolded form. In the embodiment shown here, the foot 16 is formed from panels of a wood-based material, wherein the supporting elements 161 and the joining element 162 can be formed from a single panel which comprises sawn or milled second mitres 163, as shown in FIG. 9, in particular V-shaped mitres 163, between the supporting elements 161 and the joining element 162. The supporting elements 161 are rectangular in shape as shown here.

(30) If the foot 16 is folded as shown in FIG. 8, a preload of the foot 16 can be produced by applying a force, so that particularly the foot 16 can be inserted through the at least one second opening 121 of the second panel 12 into the first gap 181 or second gap 133 under the preload. When the preload is released, the foot 16 opens at least partially, so that the supporting elements 161 form an at least partially positive connection with the inside of the second panel 12 or with the tube segments 14 of the layer 13.

(31) Alternatively, the foot 16 can also be inserted into the respective first gap 181 or second gap 133 through a respective first opening 111 (i.e. from the underside of pallet 1). For example, a preload can be applied so that the distance between the supporting elements 161 is sufficiently reduced (and the second internal angles are also reduced) so that the foot 16 fits through the respective first opening 111. By releasing the preload the foot 16 opens, so that particularly the foot 16 is fixed in the first gap 181 or second gap 133 and does not slip out of the first opening 111.

(32) FIG. 10 shows a pallet 1 according to the invention in a embodiment with feet 16 in a perspective view from the top of pallet 1. Pallet 1 comprises a layer 13 arranged between a first panel 11 and a second panel 12. The layer 13 is structured in the same way as the layer 13 shown in FIG. 3. The segment depths t of the tube segments 14 of layer 13 extend in the direction of a pallet height H.sub.P, which extends perpendicular to the plane of the first panel 11 and the second panel 12. The Layer 13 comprises first gaps 181 and/or second gaps 133 (hidden here), which overlap with second openings 121 of the second panel 12. Therein, the second openings 121 are narrower in the direction of pallet depth T.sub.P than the extension of the corresponding first gaps 181 and/or second gaps 133 in the direction of pallet depth T.sub.P. Thus the supporting elements 161 of the feet 16 (see FIG. 8) are arranged in corresponding spaces between the second panel 12 and the tube segments 14 adjacent to the corresponding first or second gap 181, 133. In the first or second gaps 181,133, which are accessible upwards by means of the second openings 121, the feet 16 of a further pallet 1 can be inserted, for example, when stacking several pallets 1 according to the invention, which allows space-saving stacking.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(33) TABLE-US-00001 1 Pallet 11 First panel 111 First opening 12 Second panel 121 Second opening 13 Layer 133 Second gap 14 Tube segment 141, 142 Cut ends 143, 144 Cut surfaces 145 wall 146 Lateral element 147 Cover element 148 First mitre 149 Cavity 15a First strip 15b Second strip 151 First strip side 16 Foot 161 Supporting element 162 Joining element 163 Second mitre 18 Spacer 181 First gap 19 Intermediate product 191 First cover layer 192 Second cover layer 193 Interspace I.sub.1 First longitudinal direction I.sub.2 Second longitudinal direction a.sub.1 First distance a.sub.2 Second distance b Segment width t Segment depth h Segment height B.sub.P Pallet width T.sub.P Pallet depth H.sub.P Pallet height S Cutting line First internal angle Second internal angle Third internal angle