DE202023103987U1 - Variable transport pallet for plant pots - Google Patents

Abstract

Transport pallet (1) for plant pots with a base area (3) with several receiving compartments (7) for plant pots, each receiving compartment (7) having a base (9) and a peripheral wall (11) and an upwardly directed opening (13), characterized in that at least in some of the receiving compartments (7) the peripheral wall (11) has at least one first wall section (11a) which has a first radius R to a first center point (M1) at the opening (13) and at least one second wall section (11b) which has a second radius r to a second center point (M2) at the opening (13), the first and second center points (M1, M2) being spaced apart from one another in a first direction by a first distance A, where: $$\text{R}+\text{r}>\text{A}>\text{R}-\text{r}.$$

Description

The present invention relates to a variable transport pallet for plant pots.

Previously known transport pallets for plant pots usually have a plate with several compartments in which the plant pots can be placed for transport. Conventional transport pallets are disposable products and consist of a thin film-like material that is usually 1 mm thick. The previously known transport pallets are made of polystyrene and are manufactured using a deep-drawing process. Such transport pallets are, for example, the transport pallets of the largely standardized NORMPACK ^® system.

The previously known transport pallets have the disadvantage that they are designed as disposable products. The material of the transport pallets is recycled and used to manufacture new transport pallets, but this is disadvantageous from an environmental point of view, since not all transport pallets are recycled and, in addition, a lot of effort has to be put into recycling.

In addition, there is the disadvantage that previously known transport pallets are only suitable for plant pots of one diameter size, so that a separate transport pallet must be provided for each plant pot size, which increases the manufacturing and storage costs.

Out of DE 20 2020 100 361 U1 A transport pallet for plant pots is known in which the receiving compartments are designed to be variable, with an adjustment element protruding into the receiving space in the peripheral wall of the receiving compartments. The adjustment element can be used to adjust each receiving compartment to the size of a plant pot. The adjustment element is relatively complex in terms of construction.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to create a transport pallet for plant pots which can be used flexibly and is of simple construction. The transport pallet should preferably be reusable.

The invention is defined by the features of claim 1.

The transport pallet for plant pots according to the invention has a base region, which is for example plate-shaped, with a plurality of receiving compartments for plant pots, each receiving compartment having a base and a peripheral wall and an upwardly directed opening. In at least some of the receiving compartments, the peripheral wall has at least one first wall section which has a first radius R to a center point at the opening, and at least one second section which has a second radius r to a second center point at the opening, the centers being spaced apart from one another in a first direction by a first distance A, where: R+r>A>R-r.

In other words: In some of the receiving compartments, preferably in all receiving compartments, the peripheral wall is formed by two wall sections that run along a partial circle in plan view, with the partial circles intersecting each other. As a result, the opening essentially has the shape of a two-circle figure in plan view. The first and second wall sections can each be interrupted or continuous.

By designing the receiving compartments with such a shape, it is possible for a receiving compartment to be used for plant pots with different nominal diameters. Plant pots with a larger nominal diameter can be arranged in a region of the receiving compartment that is essentially delimited by the first wall section and are supported on this. Plant pots with a smaller nominal diameter can be arranged in a section of the receiving compartment that is essentially delimited by the second wall section and are supported on this. The first radius and the second radius do not necessarily have to be the same as the dimensions of the corresponding plant pots, but the plant pots can also be arranged at a distance from the first or second wall section, since in the transport pallet only the plant pots need to be prevented from tipping over during transport and they do not necessarily have to lie close to a wall section. The plant pots can also be supported in one direction partly by an adjacent plant pot.

Since transport pallets are usually standardized in terms of dimensions, the inventive design of at least some of the receiving compartments enables the transport pallet to be used flexibly, since it can be variably equipped with plant pots of different nominal diameters. This is particularly advantageous when the transport pallet is designed as a reusable pallet, since there is no need to store transport pallets for a specific plant pot size.

Preferably, the first direction is the longitudinal direction of the transport pallet and the first and second center points are spaced apart from each other in a second direction transverse to the longitudinal direction by a second distance B, where: 0<B<A, preferably 0<B<0.25A.

Because the centre points are offset in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction in addition to the distance A in the longitudinal direction, a particularly advantageous use of space can be achieved within the specified dimensions of the transport pallet.

The distance A does not necessarily have to be the same for adjacent storage compartments, but can vary from storage compartment to storage compartment. The first and second radii, however, are preferably the same for all storage compartments.

Preferably, it is provided that the first centers of directly adjacent receiving compartments have a distance C which is adapted to a nominal diameter Dmax of the largest plant pot to be transported in the transport pallet, wherein preferably: C≥Dmax.

This ensures that the areas of two adjacent receiving compartments, which are essentially delimited by the first wall section, are spaced apart from each other in such a way that the largest plant pots to be transported in the transport pallet can each be inserted into the receiving compartments.

The second center points of directly adjacent receiving compartments can have a distance c that is adapted to a nominal diameter Dmin of the smallest plant pot to be transported in the transport pallet, where preferably: C>c≥Dmin. The distances between the areas of the receiving compartments that are essentially delimited by the second wall section also have a distance, so that the smallest plant pots can advantageously be arranged in them. The distance c, which is smaller than the distance C of the first center points, can, for example, ensure that the receiving compartments are arranged in such a way that five smaller plant pots can be arranged next to one another, whereas four plant pots of the larger plant pots can be arranged next to one another, for example. Not all receiving compartments necessarily have to be delimited by a first and a second wall section; for example, a receiving compartment can also have only one peripheral wall that includes second wall sections.

The receiving compartments do not necessarily have to have the same shape, but the openings can have different shapes in plan view, since the virtual circles running along the first and second wall sections at the openings can overlap to different extents.

In a preferred embodiment, the receiving compartments are arranged point-symmetrically to a pallet center. In other words, the transport pallet can be designed point-symmetrically to its center.

Adjacent storage compartments can be connected via a connecting channel. In principle, it is also possible for adjacent storage compartments to be directly connected to one another and thus merge into one another.

Each connecting channel can have a channel base and channel walls. Since the receiving compartments are each closed at the bottom by the base, water can be received in the receiving compartments and water can flow from one receiving compartment to an adjacent receiving compartment through the connection via the connecting channels. When transporting plant pots received in the transport pallet, it is thus ensured that all plant pots received in the receiving compartments are supplied with water. This also advantageously makes it possible to transport plants over longer periods using the transport pallet according to the invention. A receiving compartment can also be connected to several adjacent receiving compartments by means of several connecting channels. The connecting channels then divide the peripheral wall of the receiving compartment into several first and/or second wall sections.

In a preferred embodiment, a step running along the first wall section is arranged between the at least one first wall section of a receiving compartment and the floor. The step can have a width of 2-4 mm, for example. Since the peripheral wall can be arranged to run diagonally outwards, for example, the step ensures that larger plant pots can be arranged within this area of the receiving compartment, since they can be placed on the step, whereby the diameter in the area of the step is larger than in the area of the floor due to the slope of the peripheral wall. Plant pots with a smaller diameter can be inserted between the steps of the first wall sections, so that they can be placed directly on the floor. The step also increases stability in the floor area.

A corresponding step can also be arranged between the at least one second section of a receiving compartment and the floor, which step runs accordingly along the second wall section.

The step can have a height of between 2 and 6 mm, preferably 3 mm, above the floor.

The first and/or the second wall sections can be arranged at an obtuse angle to the floor, which is preferably less than 100°. In principle, the peripheral wall can run at this obtuse angle. The angle is preferably between 96° and 98°. Such a design of the peripheral wall or the first and second wall sections has proven to be particularly advantageous, since on the one hand the plant pots can be advantageously inserted into the receiving compartments and removed from them and on the other hand the transport pallets can also be advantageously stacked.

Preferably, an edge of the base area forms a bent edge section. In particular, the entire edge of the base area can be designed as a bent edge section. This makes it possible to grip the transport pallet in an advantageous manner and, in addition, the edge area is reinforced. Recesses can be formed on the edge of the base area that extend into one of the receiving compartments. This means that smaller plant pots that, for example, do not protrude beyond the edge or only protrude to a small extent can be gripped in an advantageous manner through the recess in order to remove them from a receiving compartment.

The peripheral wall, in particular the first and second wall sections, can have a wall thickness s of at least 0.7 mm. Such a wall thickness offers advantageous stability, so that the transport pallet is advantageously suitable for multiple use. The wall thickness s of at least 0.7 mm ensures sufficient dimensional stability of the receiving compartments and thus of the transport pallet, so that they can be advantageously stacked for return transport after use, for example, without the risk of deformation.

It can be provided that the base and/or the surrounding edge section has a wall thickness S of at least 2 mm. Preferably, these edge sections have a wall thickness of 3 mm. This achieves increased stability in the base area and in the edge area, which particularly increases the stability of the entire transport pallet, since these areas are the areas most heavily loaded when handling the transport pallet.

The base area and the storage compartments can be made of polypropylene, for example. The floor and the surrounding edge section can be made of a foamed material. The foamed material has the advantage that it ensures high stability and the desired greater wall thickness without causing major weight disadvantages.

The material used for the transport pallet can, for example, be recycled.

The transport pallet according to the invention is preferably an injection-molded part.

The receiving compartments can have a depth of, for example, between 60 mm and 90 mm, preferably between 70 mm and 80 mm. The depth is measured from the edge to the bottom in a direction orthogonal to the bottom.

The transport pallet according to the invention can be used, for example, for plant pots with nominal diameters between 10.5 mm and 13 mm

• 1 eine schematische Perspektivdarstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Transportpalette,
• 2 eine schematische Draufsicht auf die erfindungsgemäße Transportpalette und
• 3 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch ein Aufnahmefach einer erfindungsgemäßen Transportpalette.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the following figures. They show:

• 1 a schematic perspective view of the transport pallet according to the invention,
• 2 a schematic plan view of the transport pallet according to the invention and
• 3 a schematic sectional view through a receiving compartment of a transport pallet according to the invention.

In 1 a transport pallet 1 according to the invention is shown schematically in a perspective view. The transport pallet 1 according to the invention is used for transporting plant pots. The transport pallet 1 has a plate-shaped base area 3, from which several receiving compartments 7 extend downwards. Plant pots with different nominal diameters can be inserted into the receiving compartments 7. Each receiving compartment 7 has a base 9 and a peripheral wall 11 which delimit it. The receiving compartments 7 each have an upwardly directed opening 13 which extends from the base area 3 and through which the plant pots can be inserted into the receiving compartments 7.

The base region 3 has a bent edge section 3a as an edge, over which the stability of the transport pallet 1 is increased and, moreover, handling is simplified.

Recesses 3b are formed in the edge section 3a, each of which extends into one of the receiving compartments 7. A plant pot arranged in a receiving compartment 7 can be gripped in an advantageous manner through the recess 3b.

In 2 a transport pallet 1 according to the invention is shown schematically in plan view.

As from 2 As can be seen, the transport pallet 1 is point-symmetrical to a center point and has a plurality of receiving compartments 7. The upwardly directed openings 13 of the receiving compartments 7 have a shape which essentially corresponds to that of a two-circle figure. In this case, it is provided that the peripheral wall 11 of a receiving compartment 7 has at least one first wall section 11a which has a first radius R to a first center point M1 at the opening 13, and at least one second wall section 11b which has a second radius r to a second center point M2 at the opening 13, the first and second center points M1, M2 being spaced apart from one another by a first distance A in the longitudinal direction of the transport pallet. The circles formed by the first and second radii R, r intersect, where: R+r>A>Rr.

The receiving compartments 7 thus form two areas in which plant pots of different sizes can be arranged. Markings 9a are arranged on the bottom 9 of the plant pots, which show in which positions, for example, the plant pots with the largest nominal diameter can be positioned.

The first and second center points M1, M2 are spaced apart from each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction by a second distance B. The distance B is significantly smaller than the distance A.

The first centers M1 of two adjacent receiving compartments 7 are spaced apart by a distance C that is adapted to a nominal diameter of the largest plant pot to be transported in the transport pallet and is, for example, greater than or equal to this nominal diameter. For example, the distance C can be 130 mm.

The second centers M2 of directly adjacent receiving compartments 7 have a distance c in the longitudinal direction which is adapted to a nominal diameter of the smallest plant pot to be transported in the transport pallet. The distance c is smaller than the distance C between the first centers M1 and can be, for example, 115 mm.

Adjacent receiving compartments 7 can be connected to one another via a connecting channel 15, which ensures that water introduced into the transport pallet during the transport of plants is evenly distributed in the transport pallet. In principle, adjacent receiving compartments 7 can also merge into one another or a connection between two adjacent receiving compartments 7 can be made by a further receiving compartment 7a, which for example has a peripheral wall 11 with a radius r.

As from 2 As can be seen, when using the transport pallet 1 with larger plant pots, four plant pots can be arranged next to each other in a row, so that the transport pallet can transport a total of eight plant pots. In the case of plant pots with a smaller nominal diameter, these can be arranged in areas of the receiving compartments 7 in which the second wall sections 11b are arranged or in which the peripheral wall 11 has a radius r, so that a total of five plant pots can be arranged in a row. The transport pallet 1 according to the invention can therefore accommodate ten plant pots with smaller nominal diameters.

In 3 one of the receiving compartments 7 is shown schematically in section.

As from 3 , the peripheral wall 11 is arranged at an obtuse angle to the bottom 9. For example, the peripheral wall 11 can be arranged at an angle between 96° and 98° to the bottom 9.

A step 17 is formed between the peripheral wall 11 and the base 9. The step 17 runs along the peripheral wall 11 in both the area of the first and the second wall section 11a, 11b. The step 17 serves to enable larger plant pots whose base diameter is larger than the diameter of the base 9 to be placed on the step 17, since the diameter of this standing area is larger than on the base 9 due to the sloping peripheral wall 11. Smaller plant pots can be placed directly on the base 9 so that they are located between the steps 17.

The peripheral wall 11 can have a wall thickness s of, for example, 0.7 mm. In the area of the base 9 and the bent edge section 3a, the wall thickness S can be greater and amount to, for example, 3 mm.

The transport pallet 1 can consist entirely of polypropylene, for example. The thicker wall areas can consist of foamed material, for example.

The transport pallet 1 according to the invention can advantageously be stacked when not in use and thus transported in a space-saving manner.

Due to the stable construction and the flexible use of plant pots of different nominal diameters, the transport pallet 1 according to the invention can advantageously be used as a reusable product.

list of reference symbols

1

transport pallet

3

basic area

3a

edge section

3b

recess

7

receiving compartment

7a

additional storage compartment

9

Floor

9a

markings

11

peripheral wall

11a

first wall section

11b

second wall section

13

opening

15

connecting channel

17

Level

M1

first center

M2

second center

A

first distance

B

second distance

C

Distance

c

Distance

R

first radius

r

second radius

s

wall thickness

S

wall thickness

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 20 2020 100 361 U1 [0005]

Claims (16)

Transport pallet (1) for plant pots with a base area (3) with several receiving compartments (7) for plant pots, each receiving compartment (7) having a base (9) and a peripheral wall (11) and an upwardly directed opening (13), characterized in that at least in some of the receiving compartments (7) the peripheral wall (11) has at least one first wall section (11a) which has a first radius R to a first center point (M1) at the opening (13) and at least one second wall section (11b) which has a second radius r to a second center point (M2) at the opening (13), the first and second center points (M1, M2) being spaced apart from one another in a first direction by a first distance A, where: $$\text{R}+\text{r}>\text{A}>\text{R}-\text{r}.$$

transport pallet after claim 1 , characterized in that the first direction is the longitudinal direction and the first and second center points (M1, M2) are spaced apart from each other in a second direction transverse to the longitudinal direction by a second distance B, where 0<B<A, preferably 0<B<0.25A. transport pallet after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the first center points (M1) of directly adjacent receiving compartments (7) have a distance C which is adapted to a nominal diameter Dmax of the largest plant pot to be transported in the transport pallet (1), whereby preferably: C≥Dmax. Transport pallet according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the second center points (M2) of directly adjacent receiving compartments (7) have a distance c which is adapted to a nominal diameter Dmin of the smallest plant pot to be transported in the transport pallet (1), wherein preferably: C>c≥Dmin. Transport pallet according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the receiving compartments (7) are arranged point-symmetrically to a pallet center. Transport pallet according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that adjacent receiving compartments (7) are connected via a connecting channel (15). Transport pallet according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that a step (17) running along the first wall section (11a) is arranged between the at least one first wall section (11a) of a receiving compartment (7) and the floor (9). Transport pallet according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that a step (17) running along the second wall portion (11b) is arranged between the at least one second wall portion (11b) of a receiving compartment (7) and the floor (9). transport pallet after claim 7 or 8 , characterized in that the step (17) has a height of between 2 and 6 mm, preferably 3 mm, relative to the base (9). Transport pallet according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 , characterized in that the first and/or second wall sections (11a, 11b) are arranged at an obtuse angle to the base (9), which is preferably less than 100°. Transport pallet according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 , characterized in that an edge of the base region (3) forms a bent edge portion (3a). transport pallet after claim 11 , characterized in that recesses (3b)+ are formed on the edge of the base region s(3), each extending into one of the receiving compartments (7). Transport pallet according to one of the Claims 1 until 12 , characterized in that the peripheral wall (11) has a wall thickness s of at least 0.7 mm transport pallet after claim 13 , characterized in that the base (9) and/or the bent edge portion (3a) has a wall thickness S of at least 2 mm. Transport pallet according to one of the Claims 1 until 14 , characterized in that the base area (3) and the receiving compartments (7) are made of polypropylene. transport pallet after claim 14 or 15 , characterized in that the base (9) and/or the bent edge portion (3a) consist of a foamed material.

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