AU2013219232B2

AU2013219232B2 - Apparatus method and system for the relocation of bulk items

Info

Publication number: AU2013219232B2
Application number: AU2013219232A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Richard Garrett
Original assignee: SITECRAFT Pty Ltd
Current assignee: SITECRAFT Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-09-11
Filing date: 2013-08-23
Publication date: 2017-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 2033-08-23
Also published as: AU2013219232A1

Abstract

The present invention provides an elongate pallet adapted to be lifted by a hand trolley, the pallet comprising a first recess and a second recess adapted to receive a pallet support member of the trolley, the first recess being dimensioned to accommodate a pallet supporting members of a first length, the second recess being dimensioned to accommodate a pallet supporting member of a second length.

Description

APPARATUS. METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE RELOCATION OF BULK ITEMS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus, methods and systems for the relocation of bulk items, and particularly cartons of heavy goods such as beverages.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In retail environments it is often necessary for staff to move about bulk items such as cartons, boxes and crates laden with goods.

Relocation of bulk items is typically carried out by simple manual handling, involving lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, moving, holding or restraining an item. The actions involved can include sustained and awkward postures, or repetitive motions. In New South Wales (Australia), manual handling incidents represent the most common cause of workplace injuries and occupational diseases, accounting for around 37 per cent of all major workers compensation claims. Approximately 17,000 major workers compensation claims are filed per year for manual handling injuries and associated conditions.

In both human and financial terms, the cost of manual handling injuries is significant. These costs can include: pain, suffering and restricted mobility for injured workers, reduced quality of life for injured workers and their families, reduced future earning capacity of injured workers, lowered workplace morale, loss of productivity leading to reduced employer profits, potential increase in workers compensation premiums, financial loss in the form of workers compensation claims per year.

Manual handling is required in many retail environments, but is particularly prevalent in the retail beverage industry. Cartons of beer, soft drinks, wine and the like must be moved from general store rooms and into cool rooms, or directly to the shop floor. Once in a cool room, stock must be rotated such that beverages that are fully cooled are positioned toward the front, while newly introduced stock is placed to the rear thereby allowing the oldest stock to sell first. In this way, the customer is most likely to select a properly refrigerated beverage product.

Beverage cartons can be heavy, and typically have dimensions making for difficult handling. For example a carton of beer may contain 24 individual containers (such as cans), and may weigh around 10 to 20 kg. Staff often move several cartons at a time, thereby compounding manual handling injuries.

While the prior art provides hand trolleys and other similar contrivances for moving bulk items, many are difficult to use within the confined spaces of retail environments (and particularly cool rooms). Furthermore, even the careful use of many prior art contrivances can lead to damage to the item being moved, and also damage to adjacent items. This is particularly problematic where the bulk item is a cardboard carton. Consumers are wary of packaging that has been breached, and tend not to purchase.

Use of prior art contrivances can also lead to tipping or upending of cartons, leading to damage (or even breakage) of the beverage containers within.

Accordingly, manual handling is still the preferred means for relocating bulk items even given the significant occupational health and safety problems.

It is an aspect of the present invention to overcome or alleviate a problem of the prior art by providing apparatus, methods and systems for relocating bulk items in a retail environment.

The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

After considering this description it will be apparent to one skilled in the art how the invention is implemented in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention. Furthermore, statements of advantages or other aspects apply to specific exemplary embodiments, and not necessarily to all embodiments covered by the claims.

Unless the contrary intention is expressed, the features presented as preferred or alternative forms of the invention can be present in any of the inventions disclosed as alone or in any combination with each other.

Throughout the description and the claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of the word, such as "comprising" and "comprises" is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

In consideration of one or more problems detailed in the Background section herein, Applicant proposes that the relocation of bulk items in retail environments can be improved by the use of novel pallets and/or hand-operable trolleys in the workplace. Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides an elongate pallet adapted to be lifted by a hand trolley, the pallet comprising a first recess and a second recess adapted to receive a pallet support member of the trolley, the first recess being dimensioned to accommodate a pallet supporting members of a first length, the second recess being dimensioned to accommodate a pallet supporting member of a second length.

The present invention is predicated at least in part on Applicant’s discovery that relocation of bulk items such as cartons, boxes, crates and the like is facilitated if the item is disposed on a pallet that can be engaged by a hand trolley approaching the pallet from either direction. The ability to insert the pallet support member (such as a load plate or fork) along the short axis or the long axis of the pallet provides the user increased flexibility in relocating cartons. For example, where cartons are stacked in multiple rows, and it is desired to relocate cartons in the back row prior art pallets (which can only be entered from the front side of the carton, along the short axis), the trolley must be used to remove all cartons in front of those in the back row in order to gain access. The front cartons which have been moved must be temporarily put to one side, and then replaced once cartons in the back row have been moved. As will be appreciated this is a very involved and time-intensive process.

Prior art pallets useful for supporting rectangular bulk items allow entry from only one direction. The hand trolley approaches along the short axis of a pallet, with the supporting member (such as a plate or a fork) of the hand trolley entering a recess disposed centrally, and across the long edge of the pallet.

Applicant has discovered that pallets having this unidirectional means of entry are of very limited use in retail environments, given the restricted amount of free space available to manipulate bulk items. The pallet described herein can be entered along the long axis, as well as the short axis, thereby allowing workers to more freely relocate cartons disposed on pallets of the present invention.

Prior art methods for relocating bulk items require a considerable amount of vacant floor space upon which to temporarily place the cartons from the front rows. For reasons of economy, cool rooms are designed and stacked with a view to minimising vacant floor space. Prior art methods for relocating bulk items are contrary to these design aims by requiring amounts of unused floor space to be maintained in a cool room.

By contrast to prior art methods, the present pallets allow for a trolley to enter from the side of a carton (i.e. along the long axis) thereby providing direct access to cartons in the back row. The ability to enter from the front of a carton (i.e. along the short axis) is maintained thereby providing the worker with maximum options when relocating bulk items, and reducing potentially dangerous materials handling.

In some circumstances, the present invention may allow workers to completely, or at least partially dispense with the manual handling of bulk items. It is proposed that this will lead to reductions in workplace injuries related to manual handling.

The pallets of the present invention include a first recess and a second recess. As used herein, the term “recess” is intended to mean any three dimensional area within which a pallet supporting member of a hand trolley may be inserted for the purpose of engaging and lifting the pallet. In some embodiments, the recess has the configuration substantially of a rectangular prism, in which case the recess may be defined by five faces (i.e. upper, lower, left, right and rear) of the surrounding pallet material. Alternatively, the recess may be defined by four faces (i.e. upper, lower, left and right; or upper, left, right and rear). In a preferred embodiment the recess is defined by three faces (e.g. upper, left and right (as shown in the embodiment in the Drawings). A recess defined by three edges is preferred (with the lower face being absent), given that it is easier for the user to run the support member along the floor and directly into the recess. Also, preferably the rear face is absent allowing the recess to be entered by the hand trolley from the opposite direction.

It will be appreciated that the faces (or any other structure) defining the recess need not be continuous, and may instead comprise two or more faces (or other structure) disposed substantially along a straight line. This arrangement is shown in the preferred embodiment of the Drawings whereby the recess is defined by a two faces at the front of the pallet (left and right), and two faces at the rear (left and right). The front two faces act as a guide to direct the pallet supporting member in a straight line toward the two faces at the rear.

It will be understood that the recess may have other geometries including triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, cylindrical, and conical for example.

In one embodiment of the pallet, the first recess extends along the short axis of the pallet, and the second recess extends the long axis of the pallet. In some forms of this embodiment, the first recess completely traverses the short axis, and the second recess completely traverses the long axis of the pallet.

In one embodiment the first and second recesses intersect. Accordingly, the supporting member can only be inserted in the first or second recess but not both contemporaneously.

Preferably, the widths of the first and second recesses are similar, substantially identical, or identical to accommodate pallet supporting members having a set width.

In one embodiment, the first and/or second recess(es) have a width of about 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190 and 200 mm. Preferably the width is about 160 mm.

In one embodiment, the first recess has a length of between about 100 mm and 400 mm. Preferably, the first recess has a width of about 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, or 300 mm. More preferably, the first recess has a length of about 230 mm.

In one embodiment, the second recess has a length of between about 200 mm and 500 mm. Preferably, the second recess has a length of about 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390 or 400 mm. More preferably, the second recess has a length of about 350 mm.

In one embodiment, the first and/or second recess(es) is/are adapted to engage the pallet supporting member such that lateral movement of the pallet in relation to the pallet supporting member is limited, substantially inhibited, or inhibited. Limiting the amount of lateral play between the supporting member and recess provides for greater stability of pallet, and therefore also the load disposed thereon. In one embodiment the recess is dimensioned such that the distance between the edge of the pallet supporting member proposed to be used and the edge of the recess is about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 mm; the measurement taken where the pallet supporting member is disposed centrally within the recess. Preferably, the distance between the edge of the pallet supporting member proposed to be used with the pallet and the edge of the recess is about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mm; more preferably about 5 mm.

In one embodiment, the elongate pallet is dimensioned to support a bulk item such that no edge of the pallet need extend beyond an edge of the item. Put another way, the footprint of the pallet may be the same or smaller than that of the bulk item to be relocated.

In one embodiment, the pallet has a width of between about 100 mm and 400 mm. Preferably, the pallet has a width of about 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, or 300 mm. More preferably, the pallet has a width of about 230 mm.

In one embodiment, the pallet has a length of between about 200 mm and 500 mm. Preferably, the pallet has a length of about 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390 or 400 mm. More preferably, the pallet has a length of about 350 mm.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the pallet has a width of about 230 mm and a length of about 350 mm.

In one embodiment, the ratio of the width of the recess to the length of the pallet is about 1:2.2. In another embodiment the ratio of the width of the recess to the width of the pallet is about 1:1.5.

In one embodiment, the pallet comprises one or more apertures adapted to allow the passage of thermal energy and/or air from one side of the pallet to the other.

The pallet may be fabricated form any suitable material including selected from group consisting of. thermo plastic polyurethane (TPU); ionomer resin; ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); thermo plastic styrenics (TPS); polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC); acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer (ABS); a polycarbonate and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer blend (PC/ABS); metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, copper); wood; or any combination thereof. In one embodiment the pallet is fabricated from high density polyethylene or functionally equivalent material. Other suitable materials and forming methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In another aspect the present invention provides a hand-operable trolley comprising means for presenting a pallet supporting member of a first length and a second length.

As will be appreciated, this aspect of the invention is (as for the pallet) is adapted to allow the entry of a hand trolley into an elongate pallet from either direction (i.e. from the front, or the side). Applicant has overcome the difficulties associated with lifting a carton from either direction by providing a hand trolley capable of presenting a pallet supporting member at two or more lengths. The length of the pallet supporting member may be varied from a longer length (for use when inserted along the log axis of the pallet) or a shorter length (for use when inserted along the shorter axis of the pallet). In this way, the length of supporting member is altered according to the length of the recess in the pallet to be engaged.

In use, where the trolley is used to engage with a pallet from the side (i.e. along the long axis), the user selects a longer pallet supporting member and inserts that member into the long axis recess such that the most of the member length, if not the entire length of the member contacts the recess. Where the trolley is used to engage with a pallet from the front (i.e. along the short axis), the user selects a shorter pallet supporting member and inserts that member into the short axis recess such that most of the member length, if not the entire member length contacts the recess.

In one embodiment, the means for presenting a pallet supporting member at a first length and a second length comprises means for interchanging a pallet supporting member of a first length with a pallet supporting member of a second length. The means for interchanging may be a mount allowing for the removal of one pallet, and replacement with another.

In one embodiment, the means for presenting a pallet supporting member at a first length and a second length comprises means for overlaying a longer pallet supporting member over a shorter pallet supporting member. Where the two or more pallet supporting members of varying lengths are present, the members may be interchanged from an inoperable position to an operable position. Where a shorter member is in place, and a longer one is required, the shorter one may be left in place, and the longer one placed on top. In this embodiment, the shorter pallet supporting member never need be moved, and indeed may be permanently affixed to the trolley frame, or may be unitary with the trolley frame.

In one embodiment (such as that shown in the Drawings) the short member is fixed to the frame of the trolley, and the long member is hingedly connected to the frame, allowing the long member to pivot from the hinge and swing downwardly onto the short member.

In one embodiment, the means for presenting a pallet supporting member at a first length and a second length is a variable length pallet supporting member. In a simple form of this embodiment, a shorter member may be lengthened by the addition of a simple extension to make a long member. The extension may be adapted to engage by sliding over the shorter member, or any other suitable arrangement.

In one embodiment, the length of the pallet supporting member is varied by the inclusion of a hinged region on the member, thereby allowing the member to be “folded” to make an effectively shorter member.

Alternatively, the position of a long member may be adjustable from a fully extended position to a less-than-fully extended position along a track to create a shorter member. Means of securing the member in position (such as clamping means) may be required.

The member may comprise two hinged prongs, both of which may be directed outwardly and parallel (to form a long member), or angled toward each other (to form a shorter member).

Alternatively, a long member may be used in combination with a positionable stop incorporated into the frame. Movement of the stop from a first position (proximal to the frame) to a second position (distal to the frame) essentially transforms the member length from long to short as contact of the pallet with the stop prevents further insertion of the member into the recess. In a refinement of this embodiment, the stop may comprise two parallel rails that extend upwards from the area about the member. When the rails lie flat against the frame of the trolley they do not substantially impinge on the pallet supporting member. In this configuration, the member is able to insert completely into a long axis pallet recess. When positioned away from the frame, the rails impinge on the pallet supporting member thereby effective shortening it. The advantage of the rails is that they act to fully support the bulk items disposed on the pallet. In the absence of the rails, items toward the top of the pile would slide back toward the frame when the trolley is inclined.

In one embodiment of the trolley, the first length and second length of the pallet supporting member are sufficient to stably support an elongate pallet as described herein.

In one embodiment, the length of a pallet support member is such that it does not extend beyond the pallet edge and/or the edge of an item disposed thereon when the member is fully inserted into a pallet recess. In this embodiment, it is impossible to damage a carton sitting adjacent the item being lifted by contact with the pallet support member.

In one embodiment, the pallet supporting member has a width of about 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190 and 200 mm. Preferably the width is about 160 mm.

In one embodiment, the shorter form of the pallet supporting member has a length of between about 100 mm and 400 mm. Preferably, the member has a width of about 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, or 300 mm. More preferably, the member has a length of about 230 mm.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the shorter form of the pallet supporting member, the member has a width of about 160 mm and a length of about 230 mm.

In one embodiment, the longer form of the pallet supporting member has a length of between about 200 mm and 500 mm. Preferably, the member has a length of about 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390 or 400 mm. More preferably, the member has a length of about 350 mm.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the longer form of the pallet supporting member, the member has a width of about 160 mm and a length of about 350 mm.

The trolley may be fabricated from any suitable material, but is preferably fabricated from welded tubular steel.

In another aspect the present invention provides a method for relocating a bulk item, the method comprising the steps of providing an elongate pallet as described herein, the pallet having the bulk item disposed thereon, providing a hand-operable trolley as described herein optionally setting the length of the variable length supporting member of the trolley according to whether the member is to be inserted into the first or second recess of the pallet, inserting the variable length supporting member into the first or second recess of the pallet.

Once inserted, the variable length supporting member is lifted from the floor, for example by the user tilting the trolley toward himself. With the supporting member now disengaged from the floor, the trolley (with load) can be freely wheeled around.

In another aspect the present invention provides a system for relocating a bulk item, the system comprising an elongate pallet as described herein in combination with instructions for use of the pallet with a hand operable trolley as described herein. In one embodiment the instructions define a method as described herein.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for relocating a bulk item comprising a hand-operable trolley as described herein in combination with instructions for use of the trolley with an elongate pallet as described herein. In one embodiment the instructions define a method as described herein.

The instructions of the present invention may be embodied in any suitable form including text, video, audio, or graphical. The instructions may be printed directly onto the hand-operable trolley and/or elongate pallet, or any associated packaging.

Instructions may be presented on a discrete pamphlet, user manual, online presentation system, in electronic form (such as portable document format, text file, or DVD).

In another aspect the present invention provides a system for relocating a bulk item comprising an elongate pallet as described herein in combination with a hand-operable trolley as described herein. Optionally, the system comprises instructions for use. In one embodiment the instructions define a method as described herein.

Components of the systems described herein need not be sold or otherwise supplied by a single entity. For example, the pallet may be sold by a first supplier, the hand-operable trolley by a second supplier and the instructions by a third supplier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will now be more fully described with reference to a nonlimiting example, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an elongate pallet of the present invention.

Fig 2 is a side view of a hand-operable trolley of the present invention, showing the shorter pallet supporting member in the operable position.

Fig 3 is a perspective view of a hand-operable trolley of the present invention, showing the shorter pallet supporting member in the operable position, with pallet disposed thereon. The member has been inserted into the pallet along the short axis of the pallet.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a hand-operable trolley of the present invention, showing the longer pallet supporting member in the operable position, with pallet disposed thereon. The member has been inserted into the pallet along the long axis of the pallet.

Turning firstly to Fig. 1, there is generally shown an elongate pallet 2 having a recess traversing the short axis of the pallet, the recess 3 defined by left-hand faces 4 and right-hand faces 6. There are four broad feet (the front left shown at 8), with the two at the rear not shown. The pallet has a plurality of apertures 10 to facilitate air and heat flow to facilitate cooling. In use, the pallet is placed on the floor with feet 8 contacting the floor. The inward facing edges of the feet 8 providing the faces 4 and 6

The pallet also comprises a second, longer recess traversing the long axis of the pallet. This recess is formed by the faces of the feet 8 that face inwardly and are at right angles to faces 4 and 6. The faces defining the second longer recess are not visible in Fig. 1 but are visible in Figs. 3 and 4. A hand-operable trolley is shown at Fig. 2, the trolley suitable for use with the pallet of Fig. 1. The trolley has an elongate main frame 2 including cross-member 4. The trolley further includes a handle (not shown). Attached to the main frame 2 is a truck 6 having wheels 8. The wheels 8 are adapted to rotate forwards and backwards, and also laterally to assist improve manoeuvrability.

There is also shown a shorter pallet supporting member 12 which is integral with the main frame 2. The member 12 is in the operable position, extending outwardly and capable of engaging with a recess of the pallet of Fig. 1. The trolley is shown in an orientation whereby all wheels contact the ground, with the member 12 being angled slightly upwardly. This allows the trolley to be rolled about without the member 12 contacting the floor. When approaching a pallet, the top of main frame of the trolley 2 is pushed forward by the user, pivoting on the axle disposed closest the main frame 2 such that the member 12 is moved to an orientation substantially parallel with the floor. In this position, the member 12 can enter the recess defined by faces 4 and 6 as shown in the pallet 2 of Fig. 1

Once the member 12 has fully entered the recess defined by faces 4 and 6 the pallet (and any goods disposed thereon) may be lifted by the user tilting the main frame 2 to lift the member 12 off the ground to the point where all four wheels 8 contact the ground. The load can now be freely wheeled about.

Referring still to Fig 2, disposed above the member 12 is a longer pallet supporting member 10 which is shown in the non-operable position, resting against the main frame 2 and retained in position by gravity. The member 10 is hinged at the lower edge (not shown) to the main frame 2 allowing it to rotate downwardly such that it is able to flat on top of member 12. When disposed on top of member 12, member 10 is in the operable position. The member 10 (which has a greater length than member 12) is capable of inserting into the recess of the pallet along the long axis, and is capable of engaging with the entire length of that recess. By contrast, member 10 has insufficient length and is capable of engaging with only a portion of the long axis recess of the pallet. This less than complete engagement can lead to instability of the load, and result in tipping of the elongate pallet off the member.

Turning now to Fig. 3 there is shown a hand-operable trolley having the shorter pallet supporting member 12 in the operable position with the longer member 10 in the non-operable position. The shorter member 12 is inserted into and engaged with the recess of the short axis of the pallet 14. It will be noted that the member 12 does not extend beyond the edge of the pallet 14. The long axis recess 22 is not used in this application.

Fig. 4 shows a hand-operable trolley having the longer pallet supporting member 10 in the operable position with the shorter member 12 underlying the longer member 10. The shorter member is therefore essentially non-operable. The longer member 10 is inserted into and engaged with the recess of the long axis of the pallet 14. It will be noted that the member 10 does not extend beyond the edge of the pallet 14. The short axis recess 3 is not used in this application.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An elongate pallet adapted to be lifted by a hand trolley of the type used in a confined space within a retail environment, the pallet comprising a first recess and a second recess adapted to receive a pallet support member of the trolley, the first recess being dimensioned to accommodate a pallet supporting member of a first length, the second recess being dimensioned to accommodate a pallet supporting member of a second length, wherein the widths of the first and second recesses are substantially identical to accommodate a pallet supporting member of set width such that lateral movement of the pallet in relation to a pallet supporting member of fixed width is substantially inhibited, and on a long side of the pallet the lateral edges of the first or second recess are distal to the respective adjacent corner of the pallet such that a broad face is presented to each side of the recess.
2. An elongate pallet according to claim 2 wherein the first recess substantially traverses the width of the pallet, and the second recess substantially traverses the length of the pallet.
3. An elongate pallet according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first and/or second recess is/are adapted to engage the pallet supporting member such that limited or no lateral movement of the pallet in relation to the pallet supporting member is possible.
4. An elongate pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 3 comprising one or more apertures adapted to allow the passage of thermal energy and/or air from one side of the pallet to the other.
5. An elongate pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the pallet dimensioned to support a beverage carton such that no edge of the pallet need extend beyond an edge of the carton.
6. A method for relocating a bulk item, the method comprising the steps of: providing an elongate pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the pallet having the bulk item disposed thereon, providing a nana-operaoie trolley, optionally setting the length of the variable length supporting member of the trolley according to whether the member is to be inserted into the first or second recess of the pallet, inserting the variable length supporting member into the first or second recess of the pallet.
7. A system for relocating a bulk item, the system comprising an elongate pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and instructions to use the pallet with a hand operable trolley.
8. A system for relocating a bulk item comprising a hand-operable trolley in combination with instructions to use the trolley with an elongate pallet according to a method of claim 12.
9. A system according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the instructions define a method according to claim 6.
10. A system for relocating a bulk item comprising an elongate pallet according to any one of claims claim 1 to 5 in combination with a hand-operable trolley.
11. A method according to claim 6 or a system according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the hand-operable trolley comprises a variable length supporting member configured to adopt a first length and a second length.
12. A method according to claim 6 or a system according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the variable length supporting member is adapted to engage with an elongate pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
13. A method according to claim 6 or a system according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the variable length supporting member is elongate, the long axis of the member extending substantially directly away from the position normally adopted by a user of the trolley.
14. A method according to claim 6 or a system according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the variable length supporting member is operable between a first length and a second length.