PALLET

Abstract

A pallet comprises a pallet arrangement which comprises a carrier arrangement (1) for carrying at least one item and a runner arrangement connected to the carrier arrangement (1) for providing support with respect to a support surface. It further comprises at least one in particular profile-like reinforcement element (13, 20), which is non-detachably connected to the pallet arrangement, for reinforcing the pallet arrangement at least in regions.

Claims

1-22. (canceled)

23. A pallet comprising: a) a pallet arrangement which i) includes a carrier arrangement for carrying at least one item, ii) includes a runner arrangement connected to the carrier arrangement for providing support with respect to a support surface, and iii) is made of a pallet arrangement material; and b) at least one reinforcement element non-detachably connected to the pallet arrangement for reinforcing the pallet arrangement at least in regions.

24. The pallet according to claim 23, wherein the at least one reinforcement element is profile-like.

25. The pallet according to claim 23, wherein the pallet arrangement engages at least in part into the at least one reinforcement element.

26. The pallet according to claim 25, wherein the at least one reinforcement element includes at least one fixing opening for fixing the at least one reinforcement element in position relative to the pallet arrangement, the pallet arrangement engaging at least in part into the at least one fixing opening.

27. The pallet according to claim 23, wherein the at least one reinforcement element is made of metal.

28. The pallet according to claim 23, wherein the at least one reinforcement element is overmoulded with the pallet arrangement material at least in regions.

29. The pallet according to claim 23, comprising a plurality of reinforcement elements.

30. The pallet according to claim 29, wherein at least one reinforcement element is a Z-shaped profile element.

31. The pallet according to claim 30, wherein the Z-shaped profile element is arranged in the carrier arrangement at least mostly.

32. The pallet according to claim 26, comprising a plurality of reinforcement elements, wherein at least one reinforcement element is a Z-shaped profile element, and wherein the at least one fixing opening is arranged in an intermediate leg of the Z-shaped profile element.

33. The pallet according to claim 26, comprising a plurality of reinforcement elements, wherein at least one reinforcement element is a Z-shaped profile element, and wherein the at least one fixing opening is arranged in an intermediate leg of the Z-shaped profile element extending perpendicularly to a carrier surface of the carrier arrangement.

34. The pallet according to claim 29, wherein at least one reinforcement element is an omega-shaped profile element.

35. The pallet according to claim 24, wherein the omega-shaped profile element is arranged in the runner arrangement.

36. The pallet according to claim 34, wherein the omega-shaped profile element is arranged in the runner arrangement completely.

37. The pallet according to claim 26, comprising a plurality of reinforcement elements, wherein at least one reinforcement element is an omega-shaped profile element, and wherein the at least one fixing opening is arranged in at least one side intermediate leg of the omega-shaped profile element.

38. The pallet according to claim 26, comprising a plurality of reinforcement elements, wherein at least one reinforcement element is an omega-shaped profile element, and wherein the at least one fixing opening is arranged in at least one side intermediate leg of the omega-shaped profile element and extends perpendicularly to a carrier surface of the carrier arrangement.

39. The pallet according to claim 23, wherein adjacent to the at least one reinforcement element the pallet arrangement has, at least in regions, a cross section or contour which substantially corresponds to the cross section or contour of the at least one reinforcement element there.

40. The pallet according to claim 23, wherein adjacent to the at least one reinforcement element the pallet arrangement has, at least mostly, a cross section or contour which substantially corresponds to the cross section or contour of the at least one reinforcement element there.

41. The pallet according to claim 23, including at least one monitoring unit arranged on the pallet arrangement for at least temporarily monitoring at least one of an environment of the pallet and the at least one item.

42. The pallet according to claim 23, wherein the pallet arrangement includes at least one expansion means.

43. The pallet according to claim 42, wherein the at least one expansion means is arranged adjacent to the at least one reinforcement element.

44. The pallet according to claim 23, wherein the at least one reinforcement element includes at least one flanged edge region.

45. A method for producing a pallet, the method comprising the steps of: producing a pallet arrangement from a pallet arrangement material, wherein the pallet arrangement includes a carrier arrangement for carrying at least one item, and a runner arrangement connected to the carrier arrangement for providing support with respect to a support surface; and non-detachably connecting at least one reinforcement element for reinforcing the pallet arrangement at least in regions and the pallet arrangement to one another.

46. The method according to claim 45, wherein the at least one reinforcement element is overmoulded and is non-detachably connected to the pallet arrangement.

47. The method according to claim 45, wherein the at least one reinforcement element is overmoulded in a single injection-moulding process.

48. The method according to claim 45, wherein the at least one reinforcement element is overmoulded upon forming the pallet arrangement at least in part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pallet according to the invention,

[0051] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pallet shown in FIG. 1,

[0052] FIG. 3 is a view showing the pallet shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 from below,

[0053] FIG. 4 is a view showing the pallet shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 from a first side,

[0054] FIG. 5 is a view showing the pallet shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 from a second side,

[0055] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a Z-shaped profile element of the pallet shown in FIGS. 1 to 5,

[0056] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an omega-shaped profile element of the pallet shown in FIGS. 1 to 5,

[0057] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the pallet shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, with the reinforcement elements thereof being partially exposed for reasons of explanation,

[0058] FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail of the pallet shown in FIG. 8,

[0059] FIG. 10 is a detail showing the connection of a reinforcement element,

[0060] FIG. 11 is a detail of the pallet shown, showing the arrangement of a monitoring unit,

[0061] FIG. 12 is a view corresponding to FIG. 11, with the chamber of the pallet arrangement receiving the monitoring unit being shown to be open for better illustration,

[0062] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a pallet according to the invention according to a second embodiment,

[0063] FIG. 14 is a side view of the pallet shown in FIG. 13,

[0064] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the pallet shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, with the reinforcement elements thereof being partially exposed for reasons of explanation, and

[0065] FIG. 16 shows the detail marked in FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] First of all, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, a pallet, which is shown here in its entirety, comprises an upper carrier arrangement 1 and a runner arrangement having three elongate runners 2, which are integrally, rigidly connected to the carrier arrangement 1 and are arranged thereunder. The carrier arrangement 1 and the runner arrangement together form a pallet arrangement and consist of a pallet arrangement material, such as plastics material. The runners 2 extend in parallel with one another and at a spacing from one another.

[0067] The carrier arrangement 1 is designed to be plate-like and elongate. It is rectangular in plan view and has a planar, horizontally extending carrier surface 3 facing upwards for carrying at least one item (not shown) to be carried. The carrier arrangement 1 comprises a plurality of (substantially) rectangular hollow chambers, which are open to the top and the bottom. The carrier surface 3 is formed by upper free ends of fins of the carrier arrangement 1 delimiting the hollow chambers.

[0068] One runner 2 extends adjacently to a longitudinal edge 4 of the pallet or carrier arrangement 1 in each case and forms an outer runner 2. One runner 2 extends between these outer runners 2 and forms an inner or interposed runner 2. The outer runners 2 are structurally identical, while the inner runner 2 differs from them in structure.

[0069] Each runner 2 has three bearers 5, which project downwards from the carrier arrangement 1. Nine bearers 5 are provided here in total, which have an identical vertical height.

[0070] In each other runner 2, the bearers 5 are arranged adjacently to the relevant longitudinal edge 4. In this case, two bearers 5 are arranged in corner regions of the pallet or carrier arrangement 1 and form outer bearers 5. A bearer 5 is arranged in a central region between the outer bearers 5 of this outer runner 2 and form an inner or interposed bearer 5.

[0071] For the inner runner 2, two bearers 5 are arranged adjacently to transverse edges 6 of the pallet or carrier arrangement 1 and form outer bearers 5. A bearer 5 is again arranged in a central region between these outer bearers 5 of this inner runner 2 and form an inner or interposed bearer 5.

[0072] The bearers 5 of each runner 2 are arranged in a row, which extends in parallel with the longitudinal edges 4 or in a longitudinal direction 7 of the pallet or carrier arrangement 1. The inner bearers 5 are arranged in a common inner vertical plane. The bearers 5 arranged adjacently to a transverse edge 6 of the pallet or carrier arrangement 1 are also each arranged in a relevant common outer vertical plane, which extends in parallel with the inner vertical plane.

[0073] Each bearer 5 substantially has a rectangular cross section or a rectangular contour. Corner regions can be rounded off. Each bearer 5 is hollow and preferably has an, in particular closed, outer wall 8. It is expedient for each bearer 5 to comprise at least one inner stiffening connecting piece 9.

[0074] Furthermore, each runner 2 comprises a straight, elongate base element 10, which interconnects the bearers 5 of the relevant runner 2 on the underside and is designed to be strip-like, fin-like or the like. Each base element 10 extends in the longitudinal direction 7. It delimits two intermediate spaces 11 together with the carrier arrangement 1 and the adjacent bearers 5 in each case. Each base element 10 has a plurality of stiffening ribs 12 on the top, which extend in parallel with one another and perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction 7. The reinforcement ribs 12 extend vertically and at a spacing from one another. It is expedient for these to be (substantially) continuous in the transverse direction 6.

[0075] In each base element 10, a straight omega-shaped profile element 13 (see, for example, FIGS. 7, 8 and 11) is arranged which is completely surrounded by the pallet arrangement material, i.e. at the top, bottom and sides. Each omega-shaped profile element 13 extends in the longitudinal direction 7 and extends between the outer bearers 5 of the relevant runner 2. It is expedient for the omega-shaped profile element 13 to protrude into each outer bearer 5 of the relevant runner 2 in this case. Alternatively, each omega-shaped profile element 13 is arranged at a spacing from at least one outer bearer 5 of the relevant runner 2. Each omega-shaped profile element 13 extends through the inner bearer 5 of the relevant runner 2 or past it on the bottom. The omega-shaped profile elements 13 extend at a spacing from one another.

[0076] The omega-shaped profile elements 13 are designed to be identical. Each omega-shaped profile element 13 has a straight, rectangular connecting leg or fin 14 and two rectangular side intermediate legs 15 which perpendicularly adjoin said leg or piece at the edge and extend in parallel with and opposite one another. A rectangular end leg 17 adjoins each side intermediate leg 15 at the edge so as to be opposite the connecting leg 14 and projects perpendicularly therefrom laterally outwards.

[0077] A plurality of fixing openings 16 are arranged in each side intermediate leg 15 in a horizontal row extending in the longitudinal direction 7. The fixing openings 16 in each side intermediate leg 15 have an identical horizontal spacing from one another and are designed to be identical. Each fixing opening 16 penetrates the relevant side intermediate leg 15 completely and is round or circular in cross section. The fixing openings 16 arranged in the opposite side intermediate legs 15 of the relevant omega-shaped profile element 13 are preferably arranged to be opposite one another or alternatively are offset from one another in the longitudinal direction 7 or a vertical direction.

[0078] In each runner 2, the connecting leg 14 of the relevant omega-shaped profile element 13 is arranged above the end leg 17 of the relevant omega-shaped profile element 13. Each connecting leg 14 thus has a smaller vertical spacing from the carrier arrangement 1 than the end leg 17 and extends horizontally. The side intermediate legs 15 extend vertically or perpendicularly to the carrier surface 3.

[0079] At a spacing from the stiffening ribs 12 or without taking this into consideration, each base element 10 has a cross section adjacently to each Z-shaped profile element 20 or in the region thereof that (substantially) corresponds to the cross section of the omega-shaped profile element 13 here. Each base element 10 is thus (substantially) omega-shaped in cross section here. At this point, it comprises a central body 18 which is U-shaped in cross section and in which the connecting leg 14 and the side intermediate leg 15 of the relevant omega-shaped profile element 13 are arranged. Furthermore, each base element 10 has two horizontally extending side legs 19 here, which adjoin the relevant central body 18 at the bottom at the edge and project laterally outwards from there. An end leg 17 of the relevant omega-shaped profile element 13 is arranged in each side leg 19.

[0080] In the carrier arrangement 1, a total of six straight Z-shaped profile elements 20 (see, for example, FIGS. 6, 8, 9 and 11) are arranged which are completely surrounded by the pallet arrangement material, i.e. at the bottom, top and sides. Each Z-shaped profile element 20 extends in the longitudinal direction 7 and extends between the outer bearers 5 of the relevant runner 2. It is expedient for the Z-shaped profile element 20 to protrude into each outer bearer 5 of the relevant runner 2 in this case. Alternatively, each Z-shaped profile element 20 is arranged at a spacing from at least one outer bearer 5 of the relevant runner 2. Each Z-shaped profile element 20 extends through the inner bearer 5 of the relevant runner 2 or past it on the top. The Z-shaped profile elements 20 are arranged to be at a spacing from one another. They lie in a plane above the omega-shaped profile elements 13.

[0081] The Z-shaped profile elements 20 are designed to be identical. Each Z-shaped profile element 20 has an upper rectangular end leg 21 and a lower rectangular end leg 22 extending in parallel therewith. Each Z-shaped profile element 20 also has a rectangular intermediate leg 23, which interconnects the two end legs 21, 22 of the relevant Z-shaped profile element 20 at the edge and extends perpendicularly thereto. The end legs 21, 22 project from the relevant intermediate leg 23 at the edge in opposite directions.

[0082] A plurality of fixing openings 27 are arranged in each intermediate leg 23, which are arranged in three horizontal rows extending in the longitudinal direction 7 and arranged above one another and are designed to be identical. The fixing openings 27 arranged in each row have an identical horizontal spacing from one another. The fixing openings 27 arranged in the central horizontal row are arranged to be offset in the longitudinal direction 7 from the fixing openings 27 arranged in the upper or lower row. Each fixing opening 27 penetrates the intermediate leg 23 completely and is round or circular in cross section.

[0083] The intermediate leg 23 of the relevant Z-shaped profile element 20 extends vertically or perpendicularly to the carrier surface 3 in the carrier arrangement 1. The upper end legs 21 extend adjacently to the carrier surface 3 and above the lower end legs 22. They run horizontally.

[0084] The carrier arrangement 1 has a cross section adjacently to each Z-shaped profile element 20 or in the region thereof that (substantially) corresponds to the cross section of the Z-shaped profile element 20 here. The carrier arrangement 1 is thus (substantially) Z-shaped in cross section here in each case. Here, the carrier arrangement 1 has an upper, horizontally extending fin 24 and a lower, horizontally extending fin 25 as well as a vertical connecting piece 26 extending perpendicularly therebetween. An upper end leg 21 of the relevant Z-shaped profile element 20 is arranged in each upper fin 24 of the carrier arrangement 1. A lower end leg 22 of the relevant Z-shaped profile element 20 is arranged in each lower fin 25 of the carrier arrangement 1. An intermediate leg 23 of the relevant Z-shaped profile element 20 is arranged in each connecting piece 26 of the carrier arrangement 1. The upper end legs 21 preferably lie in a common plane. The lower end legs 22 also preferably lie in a common horizontal plane.

[0085] Two of the Z-shaped profile elements 20 extend adjacently to the longitudinal edges 4. The remaining Z-shaped profile elements 20 extend laterally from the bearers 5 and adjacently thereto.

[0086] The Z-shaped profile elements 20 are preferably oriented so as to be rotated relative to one another: in the Z-shaped profile elements 20, the upper end legs 21 project from the associated connecting piece 26 alternately in opposite directions and the lower end legs 22 project from the associated connecting piece 26 alternately in opposite directions.

[0087] The pallet arrangement material or the pallet arrangement penetrates all of the fixing openings 16, 27 completely in manner of a locking. Each profile element 13, 20 is thus fixed in position by fixed or rigid locking bodies 28 (FIG. 10), the cross section of which corresponds to the cross section of the fixing openings 16 and 27 in each case. The locking bodies 28 are thus designed to be cylindrical and penetrate the relevant profile element 13 or 20 or their fixing openings 16, 27 completely and in a positive fit manner. They extend horizontally.

[0088] The pallet arrangement also comprises, in each of two opposite corner regions, a monitoring unit receiving chamber 29 (see FIGS. 11 and 12), which is spatially delimited laterally outwards by four vertical delimiting walls 30 extending perpendicularly to one another. Each monitoring unit receiving chamber 29 is delimited at the bottom by a base 31 of the pallet arrangement. Each monitoring unit receiving chamber 29 is open at the top to form a communication opening 32 and is thus connected to the environment thereby. Each monitoring unit receiving chamber 29 is arranged adjacently to a bearer 5 or on a bearer 5.

[0089] A monitoring unit 33 is or can be arranged in each monitoring unit receiving chamber 29. Each monitoring unit 33 has a temperature and/or humidity sensor. Each monitoring unit 33 is capable of generating a corresponding electrical signal which can be retrieved or can be transmitted by the monitoring unit 33, for example.

[0090] Each monitoring unit 33 is or can be arranged in the relevant monitoring unit receiving chamber 29 in a detachable or replaceable manner, in particular in a snapped-in or latched manner. To do this, at least one through-hole is made in at least one delimiting wall 30 of the relevant monitoring unit receiving chamber 29. Each monitoring unit 33 carries at least one snap hook, which is snapped into the at least one through-hole forming a complementary snap means in the mounted state of the monitoring unit 33. By manually pushing in the at least one snap hook, the snap-in connection between the pallet arrangement and the relevant monitoring unit 33 can be detached again.

[0091] The production of the pallet will be briefly described in the following. An injection-moulding device (not shown) is used for this purpose.

[0092] In an injection mould of the injection-moulding device, the profile elements 13, 20 are positioned according to their later arrangement in the pallet arrangement. The profile elements 13, 20 are placed into the injection mould having been pre-heated, or are pre-heated therein.

[0093] The injection mould is then closed and the liquid or liquefied pallet arrangement material is injected under pressure. The pallet arrangement material surrounds all of the profile elements 13, 20 completely and also penetrates the fixing openings 16, 27 in the process. The fixing openings 16, 27 are flow-coated with the pallet arrangement material here. The profile elements 13, 20 are thus embedded in the pallet arrangement.

[0094] The pallet arrangement material then hardens in the injection mould to form the pallet arrangement. The injection mould is appropriately shaped to do this. The cylindrical locking bodies 28 are produced in this process, which fix the profile elements 13, 20 in position relative to the pallet arrangement. The locking bodies 28 are capable of transmitting loads.

[0095] After opening the injection mould, the pallet can be removed as a finished part.

[0096] A second embodiment will be described in the following with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16. Identical parts are given the same reference signs as in the preceding embodiment, and reference is hereby explicitly made to the description of this embodiment. Parts which differ in structure but are functionally similar are given the same reference signs with an a added. The pallet, which is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 in its entirety, has three elongate runners 2a, which are integrally, rigidly connected to the carrier arrangement 1a and are arranged thereunder.

[0097] Each outer runner 2a has three bearers 5a, which project downwards from the carrier arrangement 1a. Here, each inner bearer 5a is formed by two partial bearers, which are arranged at a spacing from one another and have different spacings from the outer bearers 5a of the relevant runner 2a. Each inner bearer 5a of an outer runner 2a is divided in the longitudinal direction of the pallet.

[0098] In the inner runner 2a, the three bearers Sa are each formed by two partial bearers. The partial bearers forming a bearer 5a here are each arranged at a spacing from one another and have different spacings from the outer runners 2a. Each bearer Sa of the inner runner 2a is divided in the width direction of the pallet.

[0099] Each runner 2a again comprises a straight, elongate base element 10a, which interconnects the bearers Sa of the relevant runner 2a at the bottom and is designed to be strip-like, fin-like or the like. In each outer runner 2a, the partial bearers of each bearer Sa are arranged at a spacing from one another along the associated base element 10. In each inner runner 2a, the partial bearers of each bearer 5a are arranged at a spacing from one another in the transverse direction of the associated base element 10a.

[0100] The partial bearers result in a particularly light pallet.

[0101] In each base element 10a, a straight omega-shaped profile element 13a (FIGS. 15 and 16) is arranged which is completely surrounded by the pallet arrangement material, i.e. at the top, bottom and sides. Each omega-shaped profile element 13a comprises two end legs 17a. Each end leg 17a has a first partial end leg 34, which adjoins the relevant side intermediate leg 15, and a second partial end leg 35, which is flanged and is thus connected to the first partial end leg 34 via a laterally outer flanged-edge line. The partial end legs 34, 35 of each end leg 17a extend adjacently to one another. Each second partial end leg 35 extends below the associated first partial end leg 34 and forms a free edge. The free edges of an omega-shaped profile element 13a each face one another.

[0102] In the carrier arrangement 1a, a total of six straight Z-shaped profile elements 20a (FIGS. 15 and 16) are arranged which are completely surrounded by the pallet arrangement material, i.e. at the bottom, top and sides. For each end leg 21a, 22a, a first partial end leg 36 adjoins the relevant intermediate leg 23. A flanged second end leg 37 adjoins each first partial end leg 36, which end leg is connected thereto via a laterally outer flanged-edge line. For the upper end leg 21a, the second partial end leg 37 extends above the first partial end leg 36 and adjacently thereto. For the lower end leg 22a, the second partial end leg 37 extends below the first partial end leg 36 and adjacently thereto. The free edges of each second partial end leg 37 of a Z-shaped profile element 20a face in different directions.

[0103] A plurality of first expansion joints 38 (FIG. 14) are arranged in each runner 2a. The first expansion joints 38 are in particular formed in the pallet arrangement material and, for example, reach as far as the reinforcement element or the omega-shaped profile element 13a or end at a spacing therefrom. They extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the relevant runner 2a and are arranged at a spacing from the bearers 5a. They have a limited depth, which is between 1 mm and 10 mm, for example, and a limited width in the longitudinal direction of the relevant runner 2a. For example, each first expansion joint 38 extends over the entire width of the relevant runner 2a. Preferably, each runner 2a comprises two first expansion joints 38.

[0104] Second expansion joints 39 (FIG. 14) are arranged in the carrier arrangement 1a. In particular, the second expansion joints 39 are arranged in the pallet arrangement material and, for example, reach as far as the adjacent Z-shaped profile element 20 or end at a spacing therefrom. They extend in the transverse direction of the carrier arrangement 1a and are at a spacing from the bearers 5a. They have a limited depth, which is between 1 mm and 10 mm, for example, and preferably a limited width in the longitudinal direction of the pallet.

[0105] When producing the pallet by means of injection moulding, the plastics material has a temperature of between 210? C. and 230? C. The expansion joints 38, 39 allow for targeted crack formation during cooling.