DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING PIECE GOODS AND CONTAINERS

Abstract

A transport carrier for transport of transport goods includes a transport carrier structure for carrying the transport goods on a horizontal plane of the transport carrier, having a top side, which defines the plane of the transport carrier, and a bottom side; and a retaining structure arranged on the top side of the transport carrier structure for restricting or preventing a horizontal movement of transport goods supported on the transport carrier structure with respect to the plane of the transport carrier. The retaining structure includes means which interact with bearing elements of the aforementioned transport goods standing on the transport carrier structure and thus cause a reversible fixation of the transport goods along at least one vector parallel to the plane of the transport carrier, such that a force which exceeds a certain threshold level must be expended parallel to the plane of the transport carrier to overcome said fixation.

Claims

1. A transport carrier (1) for transport of transport goods, comprising: a transport carrier structure for carrying the transport goods (2, 3, 5) on a horizontal plane (14) of the transport carrier, having a top side (11), which defines the plane of the transport carrier, and a bottom side (12); and a retaining structure (4) arranged on the top side of the transport carrier structure for restricting or preventing a horizontal movement of transport goods supported on the transport carrier structure with respect to the plane of the transport carrier; wherein the retaining structure has means (41, 42, 43, 44, 45a, 45b, 46) which interact with bearing elements (22, 31) of the aforementioned transport goods standing on the transport carrier structure and thus cause a reversible fixation of the transport goods along at least one vector parallel to the plane of the transport carrier, such that a force exceeding a certain threshold level must be expended parallel to the plane of the transport carrier to overcome said fixation.

2. The transport carrier according to claim 1, wherein the retaining structure (4) comprises means which increase the adhesive friction with respect to a smooth surface.

3. The transport carrier according to claim 1, wherein the top side (11) of the transport carrier structure is at least as large as or larger than the projection of transport goods (2, 3, 5) supported on the transport carrier structure perpendicular to the plane (14) of the transport carrier.

4. The transport carrier according to claim 1, wherein the retaining structure (4) secures in a non-form-fitting way and/or can secure in a non-form-fitting manner transport goods (2, 3, 5) supported on the transport carrier structure parallel to the plane (14) of the transport carrier.

5. The transport carrier according to claim 1, wherein the retaining structure (4) comprises at least one of: a coating with a polymer having a high adhesive friction, a mat made of an elastic polymer, a brush mat, a mat having cavities, a carpet or combinations thereof.

6. The transport carrier according to claim 1, wherein the retaining structure (4) comprises a mat with closed fluid-filled cavities.

7. The transport carrier according to claim 1, wherein the retaining structure (4) comprises an essentially closed container which contains a high-viscosity fluid and is closed with a flexible wall on a side facing away from the transport carrier structure.

8. The transport carrier according claim 6, wherein flexible and/or rigid reinforcing elements which protect the flexible wall and/or the mat from mechanical influences are mounted on the surface of the flexible wall facing away from the container interior and/or the side of the mat facing away from the surface (11).

9. The transport carrier according to claim 8, wherein the reinforcing elements are tile elements or panel elements or grating elements.

10. The transport carrier according to claim 1, wherein the retaining structure (4) comprises recesses (45b, 46) in a bearing surface (47).

11. The transport carrier according to claim 10, wherein the retaining structure (4) comprises a grating structure.

12. The transport carrier according to claim 10, wherein the retaining structure comprises a plurality of recesses (46) in a plane or bearing surface (47), wherein the recesses are designed so that a segment of a wheel (31) of a portable container can be arranged therein.

13. The transport carrier according to claim 1, wherein the transport carrier structure has a peripheral edge (13) which protrudes above the top side (11) of the transport carrier structure.

14. The transport carrier according to claim 1, wherein the surface (11) of the support structure is designed as a concave recess (15), in which the transport goods (2, 3, 5) can be arranged.

15. The transport carrier according to claim 13, wherein the concave recess (15) includes a flush transition to a peripheral edge (13) of the transport structure.

16. The transport carrier according to claim 1, wherein the bottom side (12) of the transport carrier structure is designed as a planar surface.

17. The transport carrier according to claim 1, wherein the bottom side (12) is designed as a grating structure which defines a planar supporting surface over the entire bottom side.

18. A method for loading a transport carrier, comprising the steps: providing a transport carrier (1) according to claim 1 in a loading position, in which the transport carrier is pivoted by a certain angle in regard to a horizontal transport position; providing a transport good (3); putting the provided transport good on the provided transport carrier in the loading position; pivoting the transport carrier into the horizontal transport position.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the transport carrier (1) includes a concave surface, and/or is a transport carrier wherein the surface (11) of the support structure is designed as a concave recess (15), in which the transport goods (2, 3, 5) can be arranged.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the transport good (3) can be moved in a rollable manner.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0080] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made below to the drawings, which show only exemplary embodiments of the subject matter of the invention.

[0081] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a transport carrier according to the invention.

[0082] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a transport carrier according to the invention.

[0083] FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of a transport carrier according to the invention from FIG. 2 with nonrollable transport goods placed thereon.

[0084] FIG. 4 shows the embodiment of a transport carrier according to the invention from FIG. 2 with rollable transport goods placed thereon.

[0085] FIGS. 5 through 10 show another embodiment of a transport carrier according to the invention.

[0086] FIG. 11 shows the transport carrier according to the invention with rollable transport goods according to FIG. 4 conveyed on a roller conveyor and placed on the transport carrier.

[0087] FIG. 12 shows the transport carrier according to the invention with rollable transport goods according to FIG. 5 placed on the transport carrier and conveyed on a belt conveyor.

[0088] FIG. 13A shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a transport carrier having a concave recess according to the invention, with nonrollable transport goods mounted thereon, in a transport position.

[0089] FIG. 13B shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a transport carrier having a concave recess according to the invention, with nonrollable transport goods mounted thereon, in a loading position.

[0090] FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a transport carrier having a concave recess according to the invention, with rollable transport goods mounted thereon.

[0091] FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of the transport carrier from FIG. 14, with a suitcase positioned thereon.

[0092] FIG. 16A schematically shows in a cross-sectional view a method according to the invention, before loading a transport carrier with a transport good.

[0093] FIG. 16B schematically shows in a cross-sectional view a method according to the invention, during the loading process.

[0094] FIG. 16C schematically shows in a cross-sectional view a method according to the invention, after the completed loading process.

[0095] FIG. 16D schematically shows in a cross-sectional view a method according to the invention, during the unloading process.

[0096] FIG. 17 schematically shows a horizontal conveyor system with transport carriers according to the invention, which comprises sections with ramp portions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0097] The examples described below are intended to better illustrate the invention, but they are not suitable for restriction of the invention to the features disclosed herein. The same parts or those having the same effect are labeled with the same or similar reference numerals.

[0098] One possible embodiment of a transport carrier according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The transport carrier 1 comprises a flat bottom with a top side 11 and a bottom side 12, which is not visible here. The top side 11 defines the plane 14 of the transport carrier on which transport goods are stored during use of the transport carrier 1 as intended. The plane 14 of the transport carrier is bordered by an edge 13.

[0099] The structure of the bottom of the transport carrier device 1, which is diagramed schematically, is not shown in detail. Such a bottom may be embodied as a metal plate or sheet metal, for example.

[0100] The top side 11 of the transport carrier device 1 in the example shown here is provided with a coating as described further above, which increases the adhesive friction and rolling friction of rollable or nonrollable transport goods placed thereon. This coated top side 1 forms the holding structure 4 according to the independent claim in this case. For example, the top side 11 may be embodied as sheet metal coated with silicone rubber or acrylic rubber.

[0101] Another embodiment of a transport carrier according to the invention is diagramed schematically in FIG. 2. In the embodiment shown here, a gel mat 42 as a retaining structure 4 is arranged on the top side 11 of the transport carrier 1. In the example shown here the gel mat 42 is held in a form-fitting manner by the peripheral edge 13.

[0102] The gel mat 42 consists of al high viscosity gel, for example, a boron-crosslinked polygalactomannan in a mat-shaped bag. If transport goods are deposited on the gel mat 42, the transport goods will sink into the gel mat because of the deformation of the latter, resulting in a retaining force acting horizontally.

[0103] FIG. 3 shows the transport carrier 1 according to the invention from FIG. 2, loaded with nonrollable transport goods in the form of a pallet with eight block-type feet 22. The gel in the area is displaced laterally of the feet due to the pressure of the contact surface between the feet 22 and the gel mat 42, so that a bulge forms around these feet 22. This bulge of high viscosity gel presents a certain resistance to the feet 22 with a horizontal force acting on the transport goods, so that a certain force must be exceeded to overcome it.

[0104] FIG. 4 in turn shows the transport carrier from FIG. 2 loaded with rollable transport goods in the form of a transport container 3 equipped with four rolling elements 31. Here again, the rollers 31 on the transport container 3 sink into the gel mat 42 due to force of the weight acting on the mat and the transport container 3 is secured to prevent rolling displacement on the plane of the transport carrier.

[0105] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a transport carrier 1 according to the invention, in which the retaining structure 4 is designed as a foam rubber mat 43. As in the embodiment in FIGS. 2 to 4, the transport goods sink into the foam rubber mat 43 at the contact surfaces, which results in a high adhesive friction and/or a high rolling resistance. The transport goods are thus secured against horizontal displacement with respect to the transport carrier.

[0106] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the retaining structure 4 of the transport carrier 1 is implemented as a brush mat 44. The length, density and stability of the brush fibers are selected so that the feet and/or the rollers on the transport goods cause local deformation in the brush mat, so that the transport goods again sink into the brush mat to a certain extent.

[0107] In the exemplary embodiments shown so far in FIGS. 2 to 6, the retaining structure 4 has been secured on the transport carrier 1 in a form-fitting manner due to the peripheral edge 13. FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a transport carrier 1 without a peripheral edge but with a retaining structure 4 in the form of a foam mat 44. In this case the retaining structure 4 must be secured in some other way, for example, by adhesive, screw connection or form-fitting fixation in a corresponding recess in the surface of the transport carrier 1.

[0108] A transport carrier without a peripheral edge has the advantage that loading and/or unloading with portable auxiliary means or by rolling the rollable transport goods is/are simplified.

[0109] FIG. 8 also shows another possible embodiment of a transport carrier 1 according to the invention, in which the transport carrier is implemented as a grating structure 41. In addition to the mechanical stability of such a grating structure 41, the recesses in the grating structure result in the wheels and/or rollers of rollable transport carriers remaining in these recesses. Then there is only a certain lower segment of the wheels in the recesses, so that the rollable transport goods can be removed from the transport carrier with no problem. However, a certain horizontal force must be expended to accomplish this. Accordingly, the transport goods are secured against horizontal displacement on the transport carrier up to this threshold level.

[0110] Yet another embodiment of a transport carrier 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 9. The retaining structure 4 comprises a plurality of webs 45a arranged in parallel with recesses 45b situated between them. Such a retaining structure 4 may interact for example, with suitably shaped rollers on rollable transport goods such as shopping carts, for example, which are to be transported on inclined moving walkways for pedestrians.

[0111] These rollers comprising two hard tires spaced a distance apart from one another have a low rolling resistance on a flat surface. The distance between the tires of a roller is selected however so that the tires remain in the recesses 45b when the roller is positioned on the retaining structure 4.

[0112] Webs 45a then produce a braking action which can be achieved in several ways. For example, a cylinder made of an elastically deformable material which rests on one or more of the webs 45a situated between the tires may be arranged between the two tires of the roller, causing a great increase in the rolling resistance.

[0113] In another possible variant, the aforementioned webs 45a interact and activate a mechanism which reversibly brakes or blocks the roller. In this way a brake pad can be pressed against a roller axle by the webs, for example.

[0114] Up to a certain threshold level the rollable transport goods are thus secured against rolling displacement in the longitudinal direction of the webs 45a. Perpendicular to this the corresponding threshold level of the horizontal force is even higher.

[0115] Another embodiment of a transport carrier 1 according to the invention is diagramed schematically in FIG. 10. A plurality of recesses 46 forming the retaining structure 4 is arranged on the flat bearing surface 47 of the transport carrier.

[0116] The recesses 46 in the example shown here are arranged in a regular pattern so that the retaining structure 4 can be used for various types of rollable transport goods. For example, the distances between the recesses can be selected so that different types of airplane service trolleys with different wheel bases in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction can be deposited on the retaining structure 4.

[0117] The casters, wheels and/or rollers on the trolleys then sink into the recesses 46 to a certain extent. If the trolley is to be removed from the transport carrier, a certain force must be exerted in the horizontal direction to lift the trolley out of the recesses.

[0118] In the example shown here, the recesses are designed as elongated slots in the form of a segment of a circle. However, other shapes are also possible, for example, trough-shaped recesses or rectangular box-shaped recesses.

[0119] FIG. 11 shows as an example the use of a transport carrier 1 according to the invention on a horizontal conveyor system 7 in the form of a roller conveyor 71 comprising essentially a roller track 711 consisting of a plurality of rollers 712, each optionally being provided with an external roller shell 713. In an automated conveyor system, some or all of the rollers 712 are driven.

[0120] The conveyor goods are conveyed on the rollers, which are essentially rotating in the same direction and at the same speed, in a conveyor direction represented by the arrow in the figure. Traditional pallets having continuous feet in the longitudinal direction can be conveyed directly on such conveyor systems. However, if the transport goods have individual feet or rollers and/or wheels, then conveyance on a roller conveyor 71 will with a high probability result in damage to the feet and/or rollers or to damage to the conveyor system.

[0121] In the example shown here, this problem is solved by the fact that transport goods that are not directly conveyable as such are stored in the form of a trolley having four rollers on a transport carrier 1 according to the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The transport carrier 1 rolls over the rollers of the conveyor system with no problem. The distance between the rollers here may be even greater than that in the example illustrated as long as the transport carrier 1 always rests with its bottom side on at least two to three rollers 712. A smaller number of rollers reduces the cost of al roller conveyor and is advantageous accordingly.

[0122] If the transport carrier is accelerated or decelerated on the roller conveyor and/or if it is guided around a curve, then horizontal forces act on the transport carrier and/or the transport goods stored on it. With a suitable design of the transport carrier however these forces will not exceed the threshold level so that the transport goods remain secured in the horizontal direction on the transport carrier.

[0123] FIG. 12 illustrates another example of an application. A transport carrier 1 according to the invention with rollable transport goods 3 supported thereon according to FIG. 4, is conveyed on a conveyor system 7 in the form of a belt conveyor 72 with a belt 722 and rollers 721. The transport carrier 1 travels with no problem over gaps between belt conveyors 72 following one another. However, in the case of transport goods having feet or rollers, these may become trapped in the gap.

[0124] FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of a transport carrier 1 according to the invention. A holding structure 17 is arranged on a stable support structure 16 having a flat bottom side 12, which may be embodied as a metal plate or a grating. The holding structure 17 has a concave recess 15 which is open at the top. The holding structure 17 secures the transport goods to be transported, namely in the present case a non-rolling transport pallet 2 having a support structure 21 and feet 22, laterally. Thus, in the horizontal transport position of the transport carrier shown here [cf. FIG. 13(a)], the transport goods 2 cannot slide off the transport carrier during transport on the plane 14 of the transport carrier.

[0125] The concave shape of the holding structure is advantageously designed to be as smooth as possible, so that the transport goods cannot become skewed anywhere if the transport carrier is shifted out of the horizontal position [transport position in FIG. 13(a)] and into a tilted loading position, as shown in FIG. 13(b). The holding structure or at least the top side 11 of the holding structure 15 may be made of PTFE or HDPE, for example, or some other polymer having a low coefficient of friction.

[0126] In the unloading position, the transport pallet, under the force of gravity, will slide on the surface 11 down to the edge of the concave opening, or it can be pushed into this position by applying a low force. Alternatively, a loading device such as a pallet lifter (not shown), for example, can engage beneath the pallet at the side and lift the pallet up from the transport carrier 1 and/or deposit it on the transport carrier.

[0127] Another embodiment of a transport carrier 1 according to the invention is shown in the transport position in FIG. 14. A rolling transport container, for example, an airplane service trolley 3, is parked in the concave recess 15. The rollers 31 can be blocked with the usual means, such as parking brakes, for example. Alternatively, it is possible to omit blocking the wheels 31.

[0128] In particular at the relatively low transport speeds provided for the transport carriers 1 according to the invention, such additional means of securing the transport container 3 are not necessary. This has the advantage that it eliminates any manual step in loading and unloading the transport carrier 1. This allows more efficient labor processes and may even permit automation of the loading operation.

[0129] For example, a rolling transport container can be kept ready on an inclined plane, connected so that it is flush with the edge 13 of the transport carrier 1 in the horizontal transport position or in a tilted loading position, and it may advantageously have the same inclination as the surface 11 in the edge area of the recess 15. The transport container can then be shifted without significant effort by rolling it on the transport carrier, or it may roll automatically by the force of gravity on the transport carrier. Then the transport container is held securely in the transport position of the transport carrier.

[0130] For unloading, the transport carrier can be pivoted into an unloading position, in which the rolling transport container can be fetched by rolling it off of the transport carrier without applying a great force or it can roll away automatically by force of gravity on a plane connected to be flush with it.

[0131] The shaping of the holding structure is advantageously adapted to the type of transport goods provided and the type of loading and unloading. Thus, for example, with the transport carrier 1 in FIG. 14, the recess 15 is designed to be deeper, and thus the inclination of the surface 11 in the bordering area at the edge 13 is steeper with respect to the horizontal plane 14 of the transport carrier than in the embodiment of the transport carrier in FIG. 13.

[0132] Fully automatic loading and unloading of a transport carrier 1 according to the invention is particularly advantageous with objects for transport that have such a low center of gravity that they cannot be tilted over during loading and unloading under normal circumstances.

[0133] FIG. 15 shows the transport carrier 1 from FIG. 14 according to the invention, loaded with a suitcase lying horizontally. It can be brought automatically into the recess 15 of the transport carrier 1 via a slide under the force of gravity. Likewise, the suitcase 12 can be removed from the concave recess in the transport carrier by sliding it and sent for further processing by pivoting the transport carrier.

[0134] An identification means 18 is arranged on the transport carrier 1. The identification means 18 may comprise an RFID element, a barcode element or a QR code element and/or some other means which can be read out by an external reader. In this way, the transport carrier 1 can be identified unambiguously by corresponding detector devices, for example, an RFID reader, a barcode scanner or a camera.

[0135] Transport goods, for example, a baggage item, can be identified during loading, for example, by reading out a barcode label assigned to the baggage item at check-in, and can then be assigned to the proper transport carrier in a database of a controller.

[0136] The location of the transport carrier within a logistics system can be monitored easily by the identification means 18, so that the location of the transport goods is also always known.

[0137] Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous for transport, intermediate storage and commissioning of baggage items in automated intralogistics systems at major airports. Thus, for example, instead of using conveyor belts, baggage items can be received, conveyed, sorted, stored temporarily, gathered into groups, stored, commissioned, checked, x-rayed, dispensed or otherwise processed further on transport carriers according to the invention. Since the baggage items then always remain on the transport carriers according to the invention, only a minimum of manual steps is required. In particular, transfer operations and changing between different conveyance means can be reduced or avoided entirely. The transport goods are then exposed to less mechanical stress, which reduces the risk of damage.

[0138] Such highly automated processing of baggage items on transport carriers according to the invention increases safety and security because it minimizes possible access of potentially unauthorized persons to the transport goods. Accordingly, this also reduces the risk of theft, manipulations, etc.

[0139] FIG. 16 shows individual intermediate steps of a method according to the invention. In FIG. 16(a), a rollable transport container 3 that must be loaded is furnished on a plane platform. Adjacent to the platform, a transport carrier 1 according to the invention with a concave recess 17 is located, still in its horizontal transport position, on a horizontal conveyor means 7.

[0140] With a suitable actuator device, the transport carrier 1 is now pivoted to the left into a loading position, such that its edge is essentially flush to the rim of the platform on which the transport carrier 3 is provided [FIG. 16(b)]. The actuator device may for example be realized as a pivotable segment of the conveyor means, as in the shown example. The transport container can now be rolled to the right onto the transport carrier. This may be achieved manually by an operator, or automatically.

[0141] Instead of pivoting the transport carrier into the loading position just at the loading location, the pivoting movement can also take place during conveying on the conveyor means, by continuously changing the orientation of the conveyor means, for example a belt conveyor, along the conveying path, from a horizontal orientation into an orientation inclined transverse to the conveying path.

[0142] The dimensioning and shape of the transport carrier as well as the pivoting angle of the loading position are advantageously adapted to the dimensioning of the transport good, such that the transport trolley 3 stands stable on the transport carrier, as shown in FIG. 16(b).

[0143] Subsequently, the transport carrier 1 is pivoted to the right, back into the horizontal transport position [FIG. 16(c)]. This advantageously takes place at a pace that allows the transport trolley 3 to continuously roll into the position of the lowest potential energy, driven by gravity, such that the transport container always stands stable and essentially upright.

[0144] Finally, the transport container 3 stands on the plane, middle area of the transport carrier 1 in its horizontal transport position, as shown in FIG. 16(c). The transport carrier can now be conveyed further, as needed, or can be handled in other ways in a logistics system.

[0145] The unloading of the transport carriers can take place in a way similar to the loading of the transport carriers [FIG. 16(d)]. The transport carrier 1 is pivoted, in the shown example to the right. This advantageously takes place at a pace that allows the rollable transport container 3 to continuously remain in a stable condition and essentially upright.

[0146] Finally, the transport carrier 1 reaches the unloading position as shown in FIG. 16(d), in which the right edge of the transport carrier is essentially flush to a plane platform adjacent to it on the right. The transport container may then be retrieved manually or automatically, in a rolling manner.

[0147] A horizontal conveyor system 7 with a multitude of transport carriers 1 according to the invention with transport goods 3 is depicted in FIG. 17. The schematically shown transport carriers 1 comprise a concave recess, for example similar to FIG. 14. The transport goods are rollable container such as airplane service trolleys.

[0148] The conveyor system 7, for example a slowly travelling belt conveyor, moves the transport carriers 1 placed on the belt conveyor from the left to the right. After a horizontal section of the conveying path follows an upward ramp, with an exemplary inclination of 8% (approx. 5). After a further horizontal section and a downward ramp with an 8% decline follows a further horizontal stretch.

[0149] While the inclination of the transport carriers 1 along the conveying path corresponds to the corresponding inclination of the conveyor system 7, the freely rolling transport trolleys 3 compensate the inclination. The transport trolleys automatically displace gravitationally driven on the concave upper surface of the transport carrier into a position in which the potential energy is locally minimum, and in which the transport container remains essentially perpendicular.

[0150] With such a system, positive and negative inclinations in wide-stretching logistics sites can be overcome without dedicated vertical lifting means. For example, differences in height of levels in different buildings can be overcome, or between two levels of the same building, without the need for expensive lift devices or the like.

[0151] The present invention is not limited in scope to the specific embodiments described here. Instead various other modifications of the present invention, which also fall within the protective scope of the claims are also derived from the description and the respective figures for those skilled in the art, in addition to the examples disclosed here. Furthermore, the description cites various references, whose disclosure content is herewith included in its entirely in the present description through reference thereto.