ES2694601A1 - Pallet of merchandise that includes a beacon, a support for a beacon, as well as a tool to remove the beacon from the goods pallet (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a goods pallet (10), comprising a plastic support body (12), as well as an active electronic transmitter/receiver (24), wherein a releasable locking mechanism (40; 50; 60), by which the transmitter/receiver (24) is placed on the goods pallet (10). The invention also relates to a support (26) for an electronic transmitter/receiver (24), with a base body (28) and at least one holding arm (40) for releasably locking the support (26) in a pallet of plastic goods (10). The invention finally relates to a tool for removing an electronic transmitter/receiver from a goods pallet (10), wherein the tool has a handle and at least one release projection, adapted to be coupled to a support arm of the transmitter support/electronic receiver (24). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

The invention relates to a pallet of merchandise comprising a beacon, a support for a beacon, as well as a tool for removing the beacon from the pallet.

The term "beacon" is here understood as an electronic component that is a transmitter or receiver based, in particular (but not necessarily), on the BLE (Bluetooth low energy) technology. These beacons are used mainly in stores, for

10 capture sales behavior of customers or movement patterns of potential customers in a store and / or to induce customers to receive, through a corresponding application on their smartphone, push notifications, when they stop close to a certain product.

15 It may be useful, from various points of view, to place said beacon directly on a pallet of merchandise. In this case, the behavior of the customer can be linked to the products that are in the respective pallet. In addition, the beacon can be used to track exactly where the pallet is currently located.

The object of the invention is to equip, with minimum effort, a pallet of goods with a beacon, so that very different requirements can be met, for example, on the one hand, a very reliable mechanical fastening and on the other hand, the possibility of separating different materials during recycling.

To solve this object, there is provided according to the invention, a pallet of goods comprising a plastic base body, as well as an active electronic transmitter / receiver, where a releasable locking mechanism is provided by means of which the transmitter / receiver is placed on the pallet of goods. The

The invention is based on the basic idea that the electronic transmitter / transmitter can be placed on the goods pallet by means of a removable mechanical connection, which can be fixed, on the one hand, in an extremely short time on the goods pallet and, for another side, if desired, that can be separated again from the pallet of goods with little effort and non-destructively.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the clamping mechanism is associated with the transmitter / receiver. Said mechanism is mounted on the transmitter / receiver, or on a part thereof, to mount the transmitter / receiver on the goods pallet.

In this case, a support for an electronic transmitter / receiver can be provided, comprising a base body and at least one holding arm for releasably locking the support on a plastic goods pallet.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the clamping arm has the form of a hook. This allows to press the support in an opening of the goods pallet, so that the support is stuck. In this way, the effort required for assembly is minimized.

According to an alternative embodiment, the clamping arm is designed grooved in the cross section. The clamping arm can be coupled with little effort in a reinforcement rib that is located in the lower part of the goods pallet.

20 It is also possible to design the clamping arm similar to a safety hook. The safety hook flexes flexibly to mount and dismount the electronic transmitter / receiver from an initial position to the outside and then back, for example, after assembly, to the initial position, so that it fits into the goods pallet .

According to an embodiment of the invention, two diametrically opposed clamping arms are provided so that, on the one hand, the clamping force is increased and, on the other hand, a centering effect is achieved. This centering effect is further improved when three clamping arms are used.

The two clamping arms can be joined together by a reinforcing rib, which further increases the mechanical stability.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the base body is in the form of a disc, where the clamping arm extends parallel to one of the external surfaces of the base body. The base body serves, in this case, as the surface of

contact, so that when the support is mounted on the goods pallet, a wall of the goods pallet is firmly fixed between the support arm and the base body. In this case, in particular, the clamping arm is flexible and slightly prestressed.

The clamping arm can be joined in the center with the base body and extend radially outwards. By means of this cantilevered arrangement of the clamping arm, it has the desired elastic ductility.

The clamping arm can have, in particular, a hook shape, so that it can extend through an opening in the goods pallet and snag behind its edge.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the base body is intended to be part of the housing of the electronic transmitter / receiver. The advantage of this embodiment is that the transmitter / receiver does not have to be mounted on a separate support.

According to an alternative embodiment, the support is intended to be a separate part in which the electronic transmitter / receiver is removably mounted. The advantage of this embodiment is that the transmitter / receiver does not have to be made with a specific use housing, but can be purchased "from the factory". The support is manufactured with a specific geometry, depending on the goods pallet in which it must be mounted.

Preferably, the support has at least two fastening flanges for the transmitter / receiver and in particular, more preferably, three fastening flanges which are arranged at an angular distance of 120 ° about a central point. As a result, the transmitter / receiver can be mounted centrally and securely on the support.

The clamping flanges are preferably elastically flexible, so that the electronic transmitter / receiver can be separated from the support when, for example, the battery needs to be replaced or another transmitter / receiver must be mounted.

Preferably, the clamping flanges comprise a locking tab at its free end, which allows the electronic transmitter / receiver to be automatically hooked into the support, without requiring additional fastening measures.

In relation to lower production costs, on the one hand, and on the other hand, a high mechanical resistance to the temperatures normally registered, the support consists preferably of one or more thermosetting plastics, one or more thermoplastics, one

or more recycled or a combination thereof. It relates in particular to a one-piece component that is manufactured by injection molding. 10

The locking mechanism used for fixing the support on the goods pallet is preferably a bayonet system, in which the support moves in translation along an axis until it is positioned on the goods pallet, and then it is blocked through a rotation movement around

15 said axis on the goods pallet. This type of fixing is particularly advantageous, since it is not necessary to have access to the pallet from two sides at the same time; just place the support from one side and then turn it.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the clamping arm is

20 intended to extend through an opening in the base body and to lean against a goods supporting surface. Surprisingly, it has been found that there are advantages in this embodiment that clearly outweigh the disadvantages actually expected. Actually, it was expected that it would be unfavorable when the clamping arm extends over the goods support surface,

25 since, in principle, there is a risk that the clamping arm will be damaged by the goods that are there or that it is twisted so that the support is disengaged from the goods pallet. But, in effect, the force exerted by the goods placed on the support surface of goods in the clamping arm causes it to be "imprisoned" between the goods and the surface

30 of goods support and that is held particularly securely.

This is even more considerable if the goods support surface is provided with an anti-slip structure and the clamping arm cooperates with the non-slip structure. The anti-slip design can consist, for example, of 35 small protuberances located on the goods support surface. The clamping arm is designed so that when the support is placed on the pallet of

goods and twists, slips on at least one of the protuberances and "remains" behind, so that the support is more securely blocked on the goods pallet.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the mechanism of Lock is intended for the pallet of goods.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism comprises a screw, whose screw head cooperates with the transmitter / receiver. 10 With the screw, the transmitter / receiver can be placed on the pallet of goods

with little effort and low cost.

In order to increase the reliability with which the transmitter / receiver is fixed to the goods pallet, it can be provided that the locking mechanism has at least one fastening element that engages behind the transmitter / receiver.

The screw and / or the fastening element can be placed in a reinforcing rib of the goods pallet, so that the transmitter / receiver can be received in a cavity surrounded by a plurality of reinforcing ribs.

It can also be envisaged that the locking system has at least one flexible holding arm, which is designed as one piece with the goods pallet. In this case, no separate component is required to place the transmitter / receiver on the goods pallet. In particular, it can be clipping in

25 the locking mechanism without additional auxiliary means.

Preferably, the at least one clamping arm is arranged in a cavity surrounded by a plurality of reinforcing ribs of the goods pallet. The transmitter / receiver can be placed with minimal effort in the cavity.

According to the invention, a tool for removing an electronic transmitter / receiver from a goods pallet is also provided, wherein the tool comprises a handle and at least one release projection adapted to be coupled to a support arm of the transmitter holder / electronic receiver. With this tool, it can be clamped without great effort in the clamping arm (or in the clamping arms) of the support and either the support is rotated so that the arm

The clamping arm is separated from the goods pallet or the clamping arm is bent so that it is disengaged from the goods pallet.

The invention will now be described with reference to various embodiments that are illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

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 Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an example of goods pallet;

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 Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of a second embodiment of a goods pallet;

10 - Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view along the plane III-III of a goods pallet onto which an electronic transmitter / receiver is placed by means of a support;

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 Figure 4 is a perspective representation of the support of Figure 3;

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 Figure 5 shows in a representation corresponding to that of Figure 3, a

15 electronic transmitter / receiver with a support according to a second embodiment;

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 Figure 6 shows, in a view corresponding to that of Figure 3, an electronic transmitter / receiver which, by means of a support according to a third embodiment, is placed on the goods pallet;

20 - Figure 7 shows, in a view corresponding to that of Figure 3, an electronic transmitter / receiver which, by means of a support according to a fourth embodiment, is placed on the goods pallet;

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 Figure 8 is a bottom perspective view, according to an embodiment

additional, of a pallet of goods with a blocking device by means of which an electronic transmitter / receiver can be placed on the goods pallet;

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 Figure 9 shows the goods pallet of Figure 8 with the transmitter / receiver mounted;

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 Figure 10 is a bottom perspective view, according to a further embodiment, of a goods pallet comprising a blocking device

30 by which an electronic transmitter / receiver can be placed on the goods pallet; Y

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 Figure 11 shows the goods pallet of Figure 10 with the transmitter / receiver mounted. In Figure 1 there is shown a pallet of goods (10) having a body of

35 support (12), as well as a total of four legs (14) extending from the support body (12).

The pallet of goods (10) is a so-called quarter pallet, whose base surface corresponds to a quarter of the European pallet.

The support body (12) has on its upper side opposite the legs (14), a substantially flat goods support surface (16), in which a plurality of openings (18) are arranged. The openings (18) have different functions. They allow to fix a denominated display of goods in the surface of support of goods (16). In addition, they ensure that the liquid that reaches the goods support surface (16), runs off quickly. The goods support surface (16) can be provided with a non-slip structure (20), represented here with small protuberances in the area near the right corner of the goods pallet (10).

The pallet of goods (10) as such is known from EP 2 974 975 A1. It is made of a single piece of plastic and is stackable.

Figure 2 shows a slightly modified variant of the goods pallet (10), which differs essentially from the embodiment shown in Figure 1 by the shape and arrangement of the openings (18). The most significant difference is that here a plurality of openings (18), large and rhombic are provided.

Figure 2 clearly shows the reinforcement structure provided in the support body (12) in the form of reinforcing ribs (22) that cross each other regularly.

The variant of Figure 2 is also known from EP 2 974 975 A1.

In this document, full reference is made to all the characteristics of the goods pallet (10).

In the merchandise pallet (10), an electronic transmitter / receiver is placed, that is an active component, in which a specific identifier can be programmed, for example, and in which a signal is sent periodically that can be received by a smartphone. The electronic transmitter / receiver refers, in particular, to a so-called "beacon" that works with the BLE technology.

For purposes of simplification, the term "beacon" will be used hereinafter. However, in the context of the invention, the electronic transmitter / receiver can also operate with a communication standard other than the Bluetooth standard.

The beacon is generally designated with the reference number 24 in Figure 3. The technical details cease to be relevant in the context of this invention; the beacon can be considered as an encapsulated housing within which It has a battery, an antenna, semiconductor elements, etc.

The beacon (24) is mounted on the goods pallet (10) by means of a support (26) which, in the embodiment shown, has a base body (28) in the form of a disc, from which a total of three clamping flanges (30). Each clamping flange (30) is provided on its free end with a locking tab (32), behind which the beacon (24) can be hooked. To facilitate assembly, the flanges

15 (30) are each provided, on its side opposite the base body (28), a sloping surface (34).

In general, three clamping flanges (30) are arranged, which are arranged at an angular distance of 120 ° from each other around the central point of the base body (28). twenty

The beacon (24) is mounted on the support (26) to be inserted between the clamping flanges (30) which initially move elastically flexible outwards and then return to their original position, so that the beacon (24) Attach firmly between the three clamping flanges.

On its opposite side to the clamping flanges (30), the base body (28) is provided with two clamping arms (40), each having a hook shape. Each holding arm (40) therefore has a first portion (42) that extends perpendicularly to the base body (28) and therefore, parallel to the direction of

30 extension of the clamping flanges (30), and a second portion (44) extending approximately parallel to the plane of the base body (28).

Between the two holding arms (40) a reinforcement rib is provided

(46) which represents an extension of the two second portions (44). 35

The support (26) comprising the clamping arms (40) and the clamping flanges

(30) is made of a single complete piece. It is a piece of plastic molded by injection. Duroplastics, thermoplastics, recycling or a combination thereof are particularly suitable materials.

The support (26) is connected, in the exemplary embodiment shown, by means of a bayonet-type connection with the goods pallet (10). For this purpose, the support (26) is initially arranged from the bottom in the space between a plurality of reinforcing ribs (22), so that the clamping arms (40)

10 extend through one of the openings (18). Next, the support (26) is rotated so that the lower part of the second portion (44) is located on the goods support surface (16), while the upper horizontal wall of the base body (12) is held between the clamping arms and the base body (28). In this way, the clamping arms (40) are prestressed flexibly.

15 In Figures 1 and 2, the support (26) mounted on the goods pallet is shown

(10) or the beacon (24) disposed in the space between a plurality of reinforcing ribs (22).

In this way, the mechanical locking of the support (26) on the goods pallet (10) is improved, because the two holding arms (40) cooperate with the anti-slip structures (20) which are located on the supporting surface of merchandise (16).

In contrast to the structure shown, the second outer portion (44) of the clamping arms (40) can also have a slightly rounded shape, so that the objects do not get caught so easily in the clamping arms.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the support (26) is designed separately

30 from the beacon (24). It is also conceivable to provide holding arms (40) used for positioning on the goods support pallet, which also form a single piece with the beacon housing (24). The particular advantage that results from the assembly of the beacon between the reinforcing ribs (22) is that it is arranged in a very protected manner. Not during the handling of the pallet by means of

35 a forklift or lift truck or during return transport in a state of

stacking there is a risk that the beacon (24) is damaged or separated from the goods pallet (10).

The clamping arms (40), in addition to hook-shaped, can be designed

5 also, for example, similar to elliptical discs, whose dimensions are such that they can be inserted through the rhombic openings, but block the support (26) on the goods pallet (10) when it is rotated.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment. This differs from the first embodiment 10 in that the clamping arms (40) are designed in the form of hooks, which extend laterally from the beacon and lock between two reinforcing ribs.

(22) opposite each other, when the beacon is pressed into the space between the reinforcing ribs.

Figure 6 shows a third embodiment in which the clamping arms (40) are grooved at their ends, so that they can grip the lower edges of the two reinforcing ribs (22). In this case, the clamping arms 40 can in particular be designed as spring springs, for example spring steel.

Figure 7 shows a third embodiment in which the holding arms (40) are designed as safety hooks. For the assembly (and also for the disassembly) of the balise (24), the holding arms (40) are brought from their position shown in solid lines to an assembly / disassembly position (shown

25 with dashed lines), in which they can be led through the corresponding opening (18). As soon as the clamping arms (40) are released again, they return to the initial position, in which the beacon (24) is subsequently locked in the goods pallet (10).

The goods pallet (10) shown in Figures 1 and 2 also comprises a tool with which the beacon (24) can be released from the goods pallet, if necessary. The support (26) can be rotated with the tool, to release the bayonet connection between the support (26) and the goods pallet (10) or the holding arms (40) can be deformed so that the beacon (24) is separate from the pallet of

35 merchandise (10).

Figures 8 and 9 show a pallet of goods according to a further embodiment. In this case, reference is also made to a locking mechanism (generally designated with the reference number 50), which serves to fix the beacon (24) to the goods pallet (10).

Also used here are clamping flanges (30), which are provided with a locking tab (32) at their free ends. In contrast to the previous embodiments, here the clamping flanges (30) form a single piece with the goods pallet (10).

The clamping flanges (30) are arranged in the lower part of the support body (12) of the goods pallet in a cavity (13) which is formed by a plurality of reinforcing ribs (22).

The locking mechanism (50) here also comprises three clamping flanges (30), which are arranged at an angular distance of 120 ° around a central point.

In the lower part of the support body (12) elevations are provided

20 arranged in the form of a star (52), which serve as a contact surface for the beacon (24). Said elevation diametrically opposite a clamping flange (30) can be provided with a small projection on its radially outer end, so that a seat for the beacon (24) is formed.

In Figure 9, the beacon is shown engaged behind the locking tabs (32) of the clamping flanges (30). Since the clamping flanges are arranged in the lower part of the support body (12), the beacon is arranged in a well-protected manner in the cavity (13), between the reinforcing ribs (22), that is to say in the superior of the cavity. Therefore, there is no risk that the

30 balise (24) is damaged when handling the pallet of goods, for example, when handling with a lift truck or when stacking the pallets of goods.

The elevations (52) ensure that the beacon (24) does not rest flush with the lower part of the support body (12). Therefore, a tool can easily be placed between the beacon (24) and the support body (12) and the beacon (24) removed from the

locking mechanism (50).

Figures 10 and 11 show a locking mechanism according to a further embodiment. Said locking mechanism is represented here with the reference number 60.

The locking mechanism (60), as in the embodiments shown in Figures 8 and 9, serves to place the beacon in one of the cavities (13), formed between adjacent reinforcement structures (22).

To secure the beacon (24) in the cavity (13), a screw (62) is used, which

10 screw into a screw channel (64) that forms a single piece with one of the reinforcing ribs (22). As can be seen in Figure 11, both the screw channel (64) and in this area, the corresponding reinforcing rib (22) is designed with a lower height than the surrounding reinforcing ribs (22). Therefore, the screw head (62) does not protrude from the plane formed by the faces

15 free ends of the reinforcing ribs (22).

On the side opposite the screw channel (64), two clamping elements (66) are placed in the corresponding cavity (13), which can be fastened behind the beacon (24), so that the beacon can not slide down

20 from the cavity (13).

The fastening elements (66) are preferably separate parts that are subsequently placed on the goods pallet. They can be, for example, small spring clamps or the like, and also, a component that can be assembled

25 with little effort.

To place the beacon (24) on the goods pallet, said beacon is inserted in the corresponding cavity (13). Next, the screw (62) is screwed into the screw channel (64), so that the head of the screw adheres to the beacon (24) and fixes it.

The fastening elements (66) are placed on the opposite side so that the beacon (24) also here is fixed securely.

Claims (18)

1.- Pallet of goods (10) with a plastic support body (12), as well as a electronic transmitter / receiver (24), and a locking mechanism (40; 50; 60) 5 releasable, to place the transmitter / receiver (24) on the goods pallet (10).  2. Pallet of goods according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism (40) is a bayonet system. 3. Pallet of goods according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the locking mechanism comprises a clamping arm (40). 4. Pallet of goods according to claim 3, characterized in that the clamping arm (40) extends through an opening (18) in the support body (12) and rests on a support surface of merchandise (16). 5. Pallet of goods according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that the goods support surface (16) is provided with a non-slip structure (20), as well as the clamping arm (40) cooperates with the 20 anti-slip structure (20). 6. Pallet of goods according to any of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the locking mechanism (40) cooperates with at least one surface of a reinforcing structure (22) of the pallet. 7.- Pallet of goods according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking system (60) has at least one flexible fixing arm (30), designed to form a single piece with the goods pallet (10) . 8. The pallet of goods according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one fixing arm (30) is arranged in a cavity (13) surrounded by a plurality of reinforcing ribs (22) of the goods pallet (30). 10). 9. Pallet of goods according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism (60) comprises a screw (62), whose screw head cooperates with the transmitter / receiver (24). 10. Pallet goods according to claim 9, characterized in that the locking mechanism (60) has at least one fastening element (66) which is coupled from behind the transmitter / receiver (24). 11. Pallet of merchandise according to claim 9 and claim 10, characterized in that the screw (62) and / or the fastening element (66) are placed in a reinforcing rib (22) of the goods pallet (10) 12. A support (26) for an electronic transmitter / receiver (24), comprising a base body (28), and at least one holding arm (40) for releasably locking the support (26) in a pallet of plastic goods (10). 13. Support according to claim 12, characterized in that the clamping arm (40) is designed in the form of hook.  14. Support according to claim 12, characterized in that the clamping arm (40) is designed grooved in cross section. 15. Support according to claim 12, characterized in that the clamping arm (40) is designed in the form of a safety hook. 16. Support according to any of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that it is provided with two clamping arms (40) diametrically opposite each other.  17. Support according to claim 16, characterized in that the clamping arms (40) are joined together by a reinforcing rib (46). 18. Support according to any of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the base body (28) is disc-shaped and the clamping arm (40) extends parallel to one of the outer surfaces of the base body ( 28). 19. Support according to claim 18, characterized in that the clamping arm (40) is joined in the center to the base body (28) and extends radially outwardly.  20. Support according to any of claims 18 or 19, characterized in that the clamping arm (40) is hooked. 21. Support according to any of claims 12 to 20, characterized in that the base body (28) forms part of the housing of the electronic transmitter / receiver (24). 22. Support according to any of claims 12 to 20, characterized in that the support (26) is a separate part, in which the electronic transmitter / receiver (24) is removably mounted.  23. Support according to claim 22, characterized in that the support has at least two clamping flanges (30) for the transmitter / receiver. 24.- Support according to claim 23, characterized in that it comprises three clamping flanges (30), which are arranged at an angular distance of 120 ° around a central point. 25.- Support according to any of claims 23 or 24, characterized in that the clamping flanges (30) are elastically flexible. 26.- Support according to any of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that the clamping flanges (30) comprise a locking tab (32) at its free end.  27. Support according to any of claims 12 to 26, characterized in that it constitutes a single piece of plastic. 28.- Support according to any of claims 12 to 27, characterized in that the support consists of one or more duroplastic, one or more thermoplastics, one or more recycled or a combination thereof. 29. Tool for removing an electronic transmitter / receiver from a pallet of goods (10), according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it has a handle and at least one relief projection, adapted to be coupled to a support arm of the electronic transmitter / receiver support (24).