Element for the storage, handling and transport of essentially sheet-form objects

Abstract

An element for the handling objects includes vertically oriented, sheet-form ribs connecting by sidelong slats, with a protrusion that protrudes outwardly beyond an exterior face of a corresponding slat, the protrusion having either a bottom edge at a third height (H 3 ) that is greater than or equal to a first slat top edge height (H 1 ), or a top edge that is less than or equal to the second slat bottom edge height (H 2 ), such that, when the element is placed sideways against an identical such element, the protrusion is either above an adjacent sidelong connecting slat of the identical element, or below the adjacent sidelong connecting slat of the identical the element.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . An element ( 1 ) for the storage, handling and transport of objects, said element ( 1 ) comprising:
 a first side ( 8 ), an opposite second side ( 9 ), and a longitudinal direction (L);   vertically oriented, sheet-form ribs ( 2 ) that extend between the first side ( 8 ) and the second side ( 9 ) and in a height direction, the ribs being spaced apart at a mutual distance from one another in the longitudinal direction (L);   first and second sidelong connecting slats ( 3 A,  3 B) connected to the ribs ( 2 ) respectively on the first and second sides ( 8 ,  9 ) of the ribs ( 2 ), each sidelong connecting slat having an outward-facing, exterior face,   each of said first and second sidelong connecting slats ( 3 A,  3 B) having a top edge ( 10 ) and a bottom edge ( 11 ),   wherein the top edge of one of the sidelong connecting slats ( 3 A) is at a first height (H 1 ), and the bottom edge ( 11 ) of one of the sidelong connecting slats ( 3 A) is at a second height (H 2 ); and   one or more protrusions that protrude outwardly beyond the exterior face of a corresponding one of the first and second sidelong connecting slats ( 3 A), the one or more protrusions including a first protrusion ( 12 ,  15 ) located on the first side ( 8 ), the first protrusion ( 12 ,  15 ) protruding outwardly beyond the exterior face of the first sidelong connecting slate ( 3 A) over a protruding distance (A),   wherein the first protrusion ( 12 ,  15 ) is one of i) a higher protrusion with a bottom edge ( 14 ) at a third height (H 3 ) that is greater than or equal to the first height (H 1 ), and ii) a lower protrusion with a top edge ( 16 ) that is less than or equal to the second height (H 2 ), such that, when said element ( 1 ) is placed sideways against an identical said element ( 1 ), the first protrusion ( 15 ,  12 ) is respectively i) above an adjacent sidelong connecting slat ( 3 A,  3 B) of the identical said element ( 1 ), or ii) below the adjacent sidelong connecting slat ( 3 A,  3 B) of the identical said element ( 1 ).   
     
     
         18 . The element according to  claim 17 , wherein said first protrusion ( 15 ,  12 ) is located on one of the ribs ( 2 ). 
     
     
         19 . The element according to  claim 17 , wherein said first protrusion ( 15 ,  12 ) is a part defined by one of the ribs ( 2 ). 
     
     
         20 . The element according to  claim 17 , wherein,
 each of first and second sidelong connecting slats ( 3 A,  3 B) have a thickness (D v ), and   the protruding distance (A) is within a range of less than or equal to twice the thickness (D v ) of the first sidelong connecting slat ( 3 A) and greater than half of the thickness (D v ) of the first sidelong connecting slat ( 3 A).   
     
     
         21 . The element according to  claim 17 , wherein the one or more protrusions include a second protrusion ( 12 ,  15 ) located on the second side ( 9 ), above or below the second sidelong connection slat, and protruding outwardly beyond the exterior face of the second sidelong connecting slate ( 3 B), and
 wherein the second protrusion ( 12 ,  15 ) is one of i) the higher protrusion with a bottom edge ( 14 ) at the third height (H 3 ) that is greater than or equal to the first height (H 1 ), and ii) the lower protrusion with a top edge ( 16 ) that is less than or equal to the second height (H 2 ), such that, when said element ( 1 ) is placed sideways against an identical said element ( 1 ), the second protrusion ( 15 ,  12 ) is respectively i) above an adjacent sidelong connecting slat ( 3 A,  3 B) of the identical said element ( 1 ), or ii) below the adjacent sidelong connecting slat ( 3 A,  3 B) of the identical said element ( 1 ).   
     
     
         22 . The element according to  claim 21 , wherein,
 the first and second protrusions are located a same height on the first and second side, and such that the first and second protrusions are both higher protrusions or are both lower protrusions.   
     
     
         23 . The element according to  claim 21 , wherein the first and second protrusions are located at different heights on the first and second side such that the first protrusion is the higher protrusion located above the first sidelong connection slat, and the second protrusion is the lower protrusion located below the second sidelong connection slat. 
     
     
         24 . The element according to  claim 21 , wherein the one or more protrusions include a third protrusion ( 12 ,  15 ) located on the first side ( 8 ), below the first sidelong connection slat, and protruding outwardly beyond the exterior face of the second sidelong connecting slate ( 3 A), and
 wherein i) the first protrusion ( 12 ) is the higher protrusion located above the first sidelong slat, and ii) the third protrusion ( 12 ) is the lower protrusion ( 15 ) with a top edge ( 16 ) that is less than or equal to the second height (H 2 ), such that, when said element ( 1 ) is placed sideways against an identical said element ( 1 ), the first and third protrusions ( 15 ,  12 ) are respectively i) above the adjacent sidelong connecting slat ( 3 A,  3 B) of the identical said element ( 1 ), and ii) below the adjacent sidelong connecting slat ( 3 A,  3 B) of the identical said element ( 1 ).   
     
     
         25 . The element according to  claim 24 , wherein the one or more protrusions include a fourth protrusion ( 12 ,  15 ) located on the second side ( 9 ), below the first sidelong connection slat, and protruding outwardly beyond the exterior face of the second sidelong connecting slate ( 3 A), and
 wherein i) the second protrusion ( 12 ) is the higher protrusion located above the second sidelong slat, and ii) the fourth protrusion ( 12 ) is the lower protrusion ( 15 ) with a top edge ( 16 ) that is less than or equal to the second height (H 2 ), such that, when said element ( 1 ) is placed sideways against an identical said element ( 1 ), the second and fourth protrusions ( 15 ,  12 ) are respectively i) above the adjacent sidelong connecting slat ( 3 A,  3 B) of the identical said element ( 1 ), and ii) below the adjacent sidelong connecting slat ( 3 A,  3 B) of the identical said element ( 1 ).   
     
     
         26 . The element according to  claim 17 , wherein, the one or more protrusions include a second protrusion ( 12 ,  15 ) located on the first side ( 8 ), below the first sidelong connection slat, and protruding outwardly beyond the exterior face of the second sidelong connecting slate ( 3 A), and
 wherein i) the first protrusion ( 12 ) is the higher protrusion located above the first sidelong slat, and ii) the second protrusion ( 12 ) is the lower protrusion ( 15 ) with a top edge ( 16 ) that is less than or equal to the second height (H 2 ), such that, when said element ( 1 ) is placed sideways against an identical said element ( 1 ), the first and second protrusions ( 15 ,  12 ) are respectively i) above the adjacent sidelong connecting slat ( 3 A,  3 B) of the identical said element ( 1 ), and ii) below the adjacent sidelong connecting slat ( 3 A,  3 B) of the identical said element ( 1 ).   
     
     
         27 . The element according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a third connecting slat ( 3 C) that i) connects the ribs ( 2 ) together, ii) is located between the first and second sidelong connecting slats ( 3 A,  3 B), and iii) extends parallel to the first and second sidelong slots,   wherein an underside of the first and second sidelong connecting slats ( 3 A,  3 B) and an underside of the third connecting slat ( 3 C) are at the same second height (H 2 ).   
     
     
         28 . The element according to  claim 17 , wherein,
 each of the ribs ( 2 ) comprise a bearing edge ( 4 ) for downward support of the objects, and   an upper surface of the bearing edges of each of the ribs is in a same plane.   
     
     
         29 . The element according to  claim 28 , wherein,
 each of the ribs ( 2 ) comprise a vertical supporting edge ( 5 ) for sideways support of the objects, and   an supporting edges of each of the ribs is in a same plane and are generally perpendicular to the bearing edges.   
     
     
         30 . The element according to  claim 17 , wherein,
 each of the ribs ( 2 ) comprise a pair of inclined bearing edges ( 4 ) for downward support of the objects, a first of the bearing edges of each rib located on the first side ( 8 ) and a second of the bearing edges of each rib located on the second side ( 9 ),   an upper surface of the first and second bearing edges of each of the ribs making an upward-oriented angle to one another that is less than 180°,   the upper surfaces of the first bearing edges of each of the ribs being in a same plane,   the upper surfaces of the second bearing edges of each of the ribs being in a same plane,   each of the ribs ( 2 ) further comprise a back section ( 6 ) with a pair of generally vertical supporting edges ( 5 ) for the sideways support of the objects, a first of the supporting edges of each rib located on the first side ( 8 ) and a second of the supporting edges of each rib located on the second side ( 9 ),   a surface of the first supporting edges of each of the ribs being in a same plane, and being generally perpendicular to the upper surface of the first and second bearing edges ( 4 ), and   a surface of the second supporting edges of each of the ribs being in a same plane, and being generally perpendicular to the upper surface of the first and second bearing edges ( 4 ).   
     
     
         31 . The element according to  claim 30 , further comprising a fourth connecting slat ( 3 D) that connects the ribs ( 2 ) together, the fourth connecting slat ( 3 D) located in a recess in one of the first and second supporting edges ( 5 ). 
     
     
         32 . An element ( 1 ) for the storage, handling and transport of objects, said element ( 1 ) comprising:
 a first side ( 8 ), an opposite second side ( 9 ), and a longitudinal direction (L);   vertically oriented, sheet-form ribs ( 2 ) that extend between the first side ( 8 ) and the second side ( 9 ) and in a height direction, the ribs being spaced apart at a mutual distance from one another in the longitudinal direction (L);   first and second sidelong connecting slats ( 3 A,  3 B) connected to the ribs ( 2 ) respectively on the first and second sides ( 8 ,  9 ) of the ribs ( 2 ), each sidelong connecting slat having an outward-facing, exterior face,   each of said first and second sidelong connecting slats ( 3 A,  3 B) having a top edge ( 10 ) and a bottom edge ( 11 ),   wherein the top edge of one of the sidelong connecting slats ( 3 A) is at a first height (H 1 ), and the bottom edge ( 11 ) of one of the sidelong connecting slats ( 3 A) is at a second height (H 2 ); and   one or more protrusions that protrude outwardly beyond the exterior face of a corresponding one of the first and second sidelong connecting slats ( 3 A), the one or more protrusions including a first protrusion ( 12 ,  15 ) located on the first side ( 8 ), the first protrusion ( 12 ,  15 ) protruding outwardly beyond the exterior face of the first sidelong connecting slate ( 3 A), wherein,   the first protrusion ( 12 ,  15 ) is one of i) a higher protrusion with a bottom edge ( 14 ) at a third height (H 3 ) that is greater than or equal to the first height (H 1 ) and ii) a lower protrusion with a top edge ( 16 ) that is less than or equal to the second height (H 2 ), such that, when said element ( 1 ) is placed sideways against an identical said element ( 1 ), the first protrusion ( 15 ,  12 ) is respectively i) above an adjacent sidelong connecting slat ( 3 A,  3 B) of the identical said element ( 1 ), or ii) below the adjacent sidelong connecting slat ( 3 A,  3 B) of the identical said element ( 1 ),   each of the ribs ( 2 ) comprise a pair of bearing edges ( 4 ) for downward support of the objects, a first of the bearing edges of each rib located on the first side ( 8 ) and a second of the bearing edges of each rib located on the second side ( 9 ),   an upper surface of the first bearing edges of each of the ribs is in a same plane,   an upper surface of the second bearing edges of each of the ribs is in a same plane,   each of the ribs ( 2 ) further comprise a back section ( 6 ) with a pair of generally vertical supporting edges ( 5 ) for the sideways support of the objects, a first of the supporting edges of each rib located on the first side ( 8 ) and a second of the supporting edges of each rib located on the second side ( 9 ), and   a surface of the first supporting edges of each of the ribs is in a same plane, and is generally perpendicular to the upper surface of the first and second bearing edges ( 4 ).   a surface of the second supporting edges of each of the ribs is in a same plane, and is generally perpendicular to the upper surface of the first and second bearing edges ( 4 ).   
     
     
         33 . An element ( 1 ) for the storage, handling and transport of objects, said element ( 1 ) comprising:
 a first side ( 8 ), an opposite a second side ( 9 ), and a longitudinal direction (L);   vertically oriented, sheet-form ribs ( 2 ) that extend between the first side ( 8 ) and the second side ( 9 ) and in a height direction, the ribs being spaced apart at a mutual distance from one another in the longitudinal direction (L), each rib defining one or more protrusions ( 12 ,  15 ); and   first and second sidelong connecting slats ( 3 A,  3 B), the first sidelong connecting slat ( 3 A) connecting the ribs ( 2 ) on the first side ( 8 ), the second sidelong connecting slat ( 3 B) connecting the ribs ( 2 ) on the second side ( 9 ), each sidelong connecting slat having an outward-facing, exterior face, wherein,   a top edge of one of the sidelong connecting slats ( 3 A) is at a first height (H 1 ), and a bottom edge ( 11 ) of one of the sidelong connecting slats ( 3 A) is at a second height (H 2 ); and   the one or more protrusions protruding outwardly beyond the exterior face of a corresponding one of the first and second sidelong connecting slats ( 3 A), the one or more protrusions including a first protrusion ( 12 ,  15 ) located on the first side ( 8 ), the first protrusion ( 12 ,  15 ) protruding outwardly beyond the exterior face of the first sidelong connecting slate ( 3 A) over a protruding distance (A),   wherein the first protrusion ( 12 ,  15 ) is one of i) a higher protrusion with a bottom edge ( 14 ) at a third height (H 3 ) that is greater than or equal to the first height (H 1 ), and ii) a lower protrusion with a top edge ( 16 ) that is less than or equal to the second height (H 2 ), such that, when said element ( 1 ) is placed sideways against an identical said element ( 1 ), the first protrusion ( 15 ,  12 ) is respectively i) above an adjacent sidelong connecting slat ( 3 A,  3 B) of the identical said element ( 1 ), or ii) below the adjacent sidelong connecting slat ( 3 A,  3 B) of the identical said element ( 1 ).   
     
     
         34 . The element according to  claim 33 , further comprising:
 i) a pair of inclined bearing edges ( 4 ) for downward support of the objects, a first of the bearing edges located on the first side ( 8 ) and a second of the bearing edges located on the second side ( 9 ) and making an upward-oriented angle to one another that is less than 180°,   an upper surface of the first bearing edges of each of the ribs being in a same plane, and   an upper surface of the second bearing edges of each of the ribs being in a same plane, and   ii) a back section ( 6 ) with a pair of generally vertical supporting edges ( 5 ) for the sideways support of the objects, a first of the supporting edges located on the first side ( 8 ) and a second of the supporting edges located on the second side ( 9 ),   the first supporting edges of each of the ribs being in a same plane, and being generally perpendicular to the upper surface of the first and second bearing edges ( 4 ), and   the second supporting edges of each of the ribs being in a same plane, and being generally perpendicular to the upper surface of the first and second bearing edges ( 4 ).   
     
     
         35 . The element according to  claim 25 , a difference between the third height (H 3 ) and the first height (H 1 ) and/or the difference between the second height (H 2 ) and the fourth height (H 4 ) is less than 5 mm.