Container for conveying flat objects

Abstract

A container for sliding on structural track elements forming part of a system for the conveyance of flat objects comprises: a) a body in the form of a box that is open on at least its upper side and forms a volume having two lateral walls parallel to the direction of motion of the container; b) two racks formed on the lateral walls inside the volume to form a plurality of parallel opposing slots oriented approximately vertically, each slot being able to hold one of the flat objects; and c) one or more runners underneath the body for sliding on the structural track elements when the box is moved through the controlled-atmosphere system. Each pair of opposing slots is formed in two opposing pairs of upper and lower pockets mounted on the lateral walls, and the body, the upper and lower pockets contained in its volume and the two or more runners are all independent pieces assembled together to form the box and made from materials having differing physical and chemical characteristics.

1 . Container ( 1 ) for sliding on structural track elements ( 5 ) forming part of a system for the conveyance of flat objects ( 11   p ) such as discs of silicone and the like, comprising: 
 a) a body ( 2 ) in the form of a box that is open on at least its upper side ( 2   s ) and forms a volume ( 2   v ) having two lateral walls ( 2   g ) parallel to the direction of motion of the container ( 1 );    b) two racks ( 3 ) formed on the said lateral walls ( 2   g ) inside the said volume ( 2   v ) to form a plurality of parallel opposing slots ( 3   p ) oriented approximately vertically, each slot being able to hold one of the said flat objects ( 11   e ); and    c) one or more runners ( 4 ) underneath the said body ( 2 ) for sliding on the said structural track elements ( 5 ) when the box ( 1 ) is moved through the controlled-atmosphere system;    characterized in that each pair of opposing slots is formed in two opposing pairs of upper ( 3   s ) and lower ( 3   i ) pockets mounted on the lateral walls ( 2   g ), and in that the said body ( 2 ) containing in its volume ( 2   v ) the said upper ( 3   s ) and lower ( 3   i ) pockets and the said two or more runners ( 4 ) are all independent pieces assembled together to form the box ( 1 ) and made from materials having differing physical and chemical characteristics.    
     
     
         2 . Container according to    claim 1   , in which the said body ( 2 ) is made of polycarbonate.  
     
     
         3 . Container according to one of the preceding claims, in which the said lower pockets ( 3   i ) forming the said rack ( 3 ) are made of PEEK (polyether ether ketone).  
     
     
         4 . Container according to one of the preceding claims, in which the said upper pockets ( 3 ,  5 ) of the slots forming the aforesaid rack ( 3 ) are made of polysulphone.  
     
     
         5 . Container according to one of the preceding claims in which the said one or more runners ( 4 ) are made from PBT (polybutylene).  
     
     
         6 . Container according to one of the preceding claims, in which the said parallel cavities ( 3   p ) formed within each of the two upper ( 3   s ) and lower ( 3   i ) pockets have a cross section that is essentially a U with its open side towards the centre of the said volume ( 2   v ), with the side (A), which is downstream with reference to the direction of motion (M) of the container ( 1 ), oriented at right angles to the lateral wall ( 2   g ).  
     
     
         7 . Container according to    claim 6   , in which the abovementioned side (A) of the said U oriented at right angles has a convex profile to ensure that the flat object ( 11   p ) which it contains rests on it on only via one segment (S).  
     
     
         8 . Container according to    claim 7   , in which the said side (A) has the profile of an arc of a circle (C) subtended by a chord (D) parallel to the lateral wall ( 2   g ).