CA1237993A - Collapsible expandable handling facility for unitised and unit loads - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure To improve the efficiency of load handling by means, for example, of fork lift trucks there is provided a sleeve secured to a lower surface of the load or to a support pallet to carry the load, the sleeve being defined by a base portion to form a ground bearing surface, side wall portions embodying longi-tudinal pleats and arranged to collapse or expand by folding about the pleats, and a top portion to secure the sleeve to the load or pallet. The sleeve when fully collapsed under the load defines a space sufficient for initial entry of load handling equipment, the pleats allowing the sleeve to expand to fully receive the load handling equipment.

Description

go T ISLE
Handling unitised_and unit loads.
This invention relates to apparatus used for the movement of unitized and unit loads and in particular to the preparation, loading, and unloading operations in the transport Of loads.
PRIOR 9~CKGROUND AT
It it wall known to facilitate the handling of unitized and unit loads by carrying them on a pallet.
Such pallets may be of steel, plastic, aluminum or composites of d~ffersnt materials such as fiberboard with plastic; but are mainly of timber, to provide thy strength to support thy load and as spaces suitable for use with mechanical handling equipment such as lift truck forks, pallet trucks, covers, and slings when those pallets are designed to provide the , strength, quality, accuracy, dimension, shape and material-best suited to the products handling equipment, racking and procedures at a particular location, then such features are indispensable to the efficient operation of the handling system.
However, in designing for ions functions features are used in the pallets which render them undesirable for use in transporting loads to other locations.
It is often the case that the pallet used in transit:-

-2-a) Adds significantly to the dead weight of a shipment .
b) Reduces the effective volume utilization of the carrier vehicle.
S c) Pods to shipment cost per unit of product.
d) Is of high cost to provide strength, quality, accuracy requirements.
e) Needs replacements to maintain the pallet supply.
f) Has to be returned.
g) can get lost on return.
h) May not be dimensionally compatible with transport vehicles and/or destination handling and storage systems.
I i) May be made of a material which is not compatible with a particular mixed transit load or legal requirement at destination.
erg. sartorial chemicals on an aluminum pallet or timber pallets not satisfying pest control requirements.
Practices within the existing art include:
Accepting the known inefficiencies, high costs and loss risk, but transporting goods on in-house pallets anyway.
Stripping loads from their pallets and loading by ;

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~2379~3 hand to vehicles and containers. This practice is very arduous both at desptach and receipt location; a disadvantage which is compounded by costs incurred due to time taken through poor labor utilization and overdue turn around time of transportation units Use of one trip timber pallets. These are weaker, lighter and cheaper than 'normal' or special ones, but are still poor in space utilization and still incur weight and cost penalties, albeit reduced.
Use of composite pallets; such as fibreboard/plastic, fibreboard/polystyrene eta; which although effective in respect of lightness of weight and reduced cost, lose out on space utilization and strength.
Use of slip sheets; which sure excellent, where applicable, in space utilization costs and strength characteristics and are recyclable. However they can only be handled by lift trucks which are fitted with special purpose push pull attachments.
This means that such attachments must be in use at on all dispatch and reception locations. They are expensive; they have the effect of reducing the turning circle ox the truck; the attachment down rates the safe lifting load rating of thy truck, which means larger and heavier trucks are needed than normally acceptable for given weights of loads; and they require significant operator training and skill.

Further, in stacks more than one load high, the slip sheet operation involves the load being handled skidding over the top of the one upon which it is resting, whilst the uninterrupted space between sheets and vertical loads is not acceptable for transport of perishable goods requiring through ventilation.
It has been proposed to form pallets from fibre-board material affording low cot and being discardable at the destination, and in addition collapsible pallets of such material have been proposed, see US patents 2702682 and 3167038. In the latter patent the pallet is collapsed after use manually and similarly erected prior to use manually and the intention is to afford ready storage when outs. The pallet is not adapted Jo open on entry Or fork lists and thereafter collapse.
In the former patent a folded fiberboard material is used for the legs but this does not expand in use and forms merely a convenient construction for varying the height of the base during manufacture.
In British patent 696214 a pallet is disclosed for pharaoh entry this having U-shape channels of metal which are not intended to collapse. None of the prior discloses or suggests a lightweight construction of pallet having the capability of supporting a heavy load but which nevertheless can also accept fork lift entry ~237993 through an expansion action. All the aforementioned prior-art is concerned with maintaining at all times sufficient space for clean-entry of the forks of a fork-lift truck.
DAKOTAS OF THE INVENTION
This invention is primarily intended to improve the efficiency of the transport of unitized and unit loads when used instead of existing pallets, pallet boxes or slip sheets.
Such efficiency improvement may be achieved in the invention by rep cement of pallets through reduced dead weight, less cost, and space, quantity and quality control simplification, and ease of quickly adapting to dimensional and material requirement changes.
US When the present invention is used to replace slip sheets, some extra unit cost is incurred, but significant advantage are gained as the loads can be handled by normal lift truck Forks or slings and two loads can be lifted with a clean action 90 there is no skidding across the tops of supporting loads in stacks. Furthermore spaces are provided for a degree of ventilation between stacked loads.
SUMMARY OF THE I'VE TON
broadly according to this invention there is provided .

~237993 a unit or unitized load handling means comprising a sleeve secured to a lower surface of the load or -to a support pallet to carry the load, the sleeve being defined by a base portion to form a ground bearing surface, side wall portions embodying longitudinal pleats and arranged to collapse or expand by folding about the pleats, and a top portion to secure the sleeves to the load or pallet, the sleeve when fully collapsed under load defining a space sufficient for initial entry of load handling equipment, the pleats allowing the sleeve to expand to fully receive the load handling equipment.
This invention further provides a pallet, baseboard, container or box to a surface of which is secured two sleeve means, as described above, in parallel spaced no-lationship.
As an alternative to the above there may be provided pallet, baseboard, container or box to a surface of which is secured a sleeve means, as described above, and having a width extending across a substantial part of the width of the surface.
A preferred arrangement may have the pallet, baseboard, container or box in combination with a second pallet having a base forming a conventional pallet structure and a top including battens defining channels to receive the sleeves, with the battens supporting the lower surface of the pallet or like.

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, . , Jo ' ' ' ' , ~2~37~93 I, when the sleeve members, normally used in spaced pairs, lie beneath a unitized or unit load they will by in a collapseJstate under the weight of the load thereon but there will by a 5p~c~ formed inside the length of each sleeve by virtue of the convolutions formed by the thicknesses of the folded sides under compression.
Placid at a suitable distance the sleeves provide the necessary entrance for suitable mechanical lifting equipment.
The structure according to thy invention can be used as follows:-HANDLING WITH LIFT TRUCKS
The tips of lift truck forks, set apart at a distance to match the sleeves centers dimension, may enter the open ends of the formed spaces and as the works are driven on under the load, the pleated sides of the sleeve open with the irlcreasing thickness of the forks, thus maintaining the integrity of the sleeve construction and giving protection to the unit load above and also to the floor or deck or supporting load beneath, from fork scudding d~màge.
When the forks reach a suitable position under the load they may be raised to lift, transport and thin place the unit to rest in or on a transport vehicle. The forks may thin be withdrawn, allowing the sleeves to collapse ~37~3 and resume their open ended inner space, compressed sided state, for lit truck fork handling at the unit destination.
It is advantageous when handling loads in this manner to slightly tilt the forks forward during their entry and withdrawal movements within thy sleeves and also to stop them short of passing completely through and clear of the far end of the load.
In this way the width of thy load is used to pinch the rear of the sleeves downward against the floor, deck or load below, whilst thy drag of the forks' underside is reduced. Frictional advantage may also be improved by fitting polished extension forks or with clean and polished normal larks; slip and non slip coatings on the sleeves; or a few creased ridges standing proud on the inside top and bottom sleeves faces.
Such procedures can help when unrestrained loads are handled on slippery surface and can overcome tendencies for such loads to shunt forward during fork entry and follow backwards during forks withdrawal.
Alternatively, pick up and stripping may be carried out with the load restrained or on a slave pallet.
HANDLING WITH SLINGS
Although the availability of lift trucks with normal furls is common throughout the world, there are occasions where it is desirable to handle unitized and unit loads ~3~93 with 'top lift slings, such as when stowing into the holds of deep sea vessels, reception of unitized loads at farms and construction sites and top lift, in plant, handling systems (cranes, traveling hoists).
For such requirements the sleeves of the invention may be spaced to suit slinging.
The sleeves may be constructed to suit chains, but in the case of non attached slings the flat, webbing slings of nylon or terylene such as that used for motor vehicle seat belts is suitably, the flat slings passing easily through the spaces within the sleeves and up to a lifting beam or crucifix for correct top listing.
When the sleeves of the invention are assembled together with lining loops and a base sheet or board, a one piece dice can be provided For both top lift and bottom lift facilities for unitized or unit loads.
Normally a disposable facility, this sling provides-all the advantages of the pallet wren base handling move-mints and side or end loading to and unloading from transportation such as lorries, rail cars and containers, are undertaken.
Further, when top lifting facilities are essential as in docks, quarries, construction sites, farms and Certain industrial premises, the loads may not only be slung successfully but will provide the additional "I
advantage of not requiring the fitting and removing of on site owned slings.
If the sling carried loads are bass handled over the sides of lorry flats by lift trucks so that the sleeves lie on the decks, below and against the raised side risers, unloading at the destination in the reverse manner will normally be difficult.
When lorry flats are used to carry loads then battens can be used to keep the sleeve openings visible and accessible for forks at the receiving destination. The rivers may be castellated with the spaces matching the sleeve centers to provide access to the handling spaces.
Another advantage of slings it that in situations where the loads are not square they may be placed in orientation to suit the open topped space available, As the invention is intended to be a transit facility the load may be sized so that it may be loaded and unloaded in one direction only It is possible to cut and fit sleeves to form a base which may be approached by handling equipment from any side to provide four way entry.
In its preferred use the invention is intended to be strong enough for the life of a particular load, prior, during and subsequent to a single transportation journey. (i. B. non-returnable).

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The material of the construction will normally be fiberboard or similar paper based recycled board which may be creased in the Flat to facilitate the folding or convolution of the pleated sides.
Alternatively where a multi trip, returnable handling facility is preferred, the material of construction may still be of fiberboard material but possibly of heavier construction or of other suitable material such as a therm plastics such as polypropylene or polyethylene where the sleeves may be formed from flat sheets or extruded as open or closed channels with the pleats Formed by the extrusion die.
Preferably from an ecological aspect the material used will be recyclable, disposable, or biodegradables.
The shape a thy basic sleeve part of the invention it variable to suit the r~quiremont of particular handling systems and thy type of unnoticed or unit loads to be carried.
The sleeve may be of dimension, thickness of material, number of pleats and materials as appropriate to enable the cost and utility to be optimized.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
The invention is described further and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings showing various embodiments and configurations for use with .

~L~37~3~33 certain loads.
Referring to the drawings:-Figure 1 shows the invention in the form of an open pleats sleeve which may be used to form a collapsible and expandable units or unit load handling facility, Figures pa to Ed show how two such sleeves may be fixed to a load Figure 3 shows a sleeve similarly pleated to that in Figure 1 but in this case one top pleat has been extended 80 that it may be fastened to its opposite top pleat to form a closed sleeve, Figures 4 and pa show two closed sleeves in combing anion with a top lift intermediate bulk container to provide à bottom lift option for transportation and discharging in -low headroom situations Figure 5 shows how two sleeves may be fastened to a top board to Form a pallet and to maintain the selected dimension of sleeve centers distance, Figure 6 shows a unitized load built on a pallet of Figure 5 and at rest on a floor, Figure 7 shows lift truck forks about to enter the sleeves of a pallet, I.
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Figure shows the truck forks having passed under the load to a position ready for lifting have caused the pleats to open, Figure 9 shows the load raised on the forks in S a transportable position, Figures 1û and aye show the load being placed upon another load then the forks being withdrawn, Figure 11 shows the load at rest with the pleats resuming their collapsed state, Figure 12 shows how two sleeves may be fitted to provide a handling facility for a one piece box, Figures aye to 13c show a one piece sling arrangement or loads, Figures aye to 14~ show a box fitted with permanent or disposable slings and using the sleeves for locating thy slings under the load, Figures aye and 15b show two sleeves added to a top board of plywood or clipboard to satisfy a stiffness requirement : Figure 16 shows the use of additional sleeves to provide a load leveling facility, ;25~ Figure 17 shows timber battens incorporated into I' , - .

~7~3~3 a pallet to maintain fork spaces and to resist the action of heavy, sharp topped loads such as 3tssl drums or bobbins, Figure I shows a further arrangement for resisting heavy loads, Figures aye to 19c show a secondary palls for use with the pleated sleeve arrangement, Figure 20 shows a unnoticed load on a primary pallet resting upon a secondary pallet, I figure 21 shows lift truck forks approaching the primary pallet sleeves, Figure 22 shows the forks having passed through the sleeves and in a lift position, Figure 23 sholJs the load raised on the lift truck forks in a transportable position, Figure 24 shows the load being placed upon another load, and Figure 25 shows the load at resting its transportable state with the sleeves collapsed and maintaining the necessary spaces.

~2~9~3 Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, these show a basic sleeve unit, two of which would conventionally be used with a load which may comprise a box or other container, A shown the sleeve 1 is generally of channel shape having a bate 2 and side walls constituted by two section 3 and 4 which ore joined through an intermediate crease 5. the top section 4 of the side wall has an interned flange part 6 which serves to secure the sleeve member to a container or the like This flange 6 is similarly connected to the side wall member 4 by means of crease line 7. In figure 2 the sleeves are shown attached to a box like container 8 with the lateral spacing between two sleeves arranged to conform with the stander spaying between the forks of a fork lift truck (not shown), In the unloaded condition the sleeve will be in a partially extended relaxed state as shown in Figure 1 and ~ig~tre~ 2B and C, but when played on a floor the weight of the contents of box 8 will cause the sleeve to be compressed to adopt the form shown in figure PA wherein the side wall portion 3 and 4 take up a convoluted collapsed state as illustrated. In this state however there is still left a sufficient space 9 between thy lower part 2 of the channel and the lower part of the box 8 into which the tapered ends of the fork of a fork lift truck may engage, As will be appreciated from the drawings, with such an arrangement according to the invention the overall I height of the box 8 is reduced to a Mooney= after the forks ,:

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of a fork lift truck have been withdrawn The eve it conveniently constructed of a fibre board material and this can be constructed from a sheet by creasing and folding to the shape shown.
As may be alto teen from figure PA, when in the folded or collapsed state the sleeve form a good load bearing support and notwithstanding the cardboard material use may carry a considerable loading.
Referring now to Figure 3, this show a modified arrange-mint" the essential difference being the extension of one of the flanges k to overlie and be Joined with the opposite flange 6 to form a closed box like sleeve. The construction 19 otherwise slmllas to that described. This arrangement may be used to support load by attachment to the base and in Figure 4 a container it shown having top supports for a slung assembly 40 as well as having the loosed Slav of Figure 3 scoured to the base, Figure PA shows the load being supported by a sling system, whereas Pharaoh 4 shows the load being transported by a fork lift into the rear end of a road vehicle.
Figures 5 and 6 show a further arrangement in which the sleeve units are secured to a base forming a pallet which may be loaded with cartons or the like.
Pharisee 7 to 9 show the cotton in lifting a load supported on the sleeves according to the invention and in Figure 7 the ; 25 load, for example that indicated in Figure 6, is shown with ' ~37993 the sleeves in the collapsed state with the fork 70 about to enter the partially open portions of each sleeve. As can be seen, the forks 70 ens tapered 90 that the ends may insert into the sleeves, and as the fork are driven home the sleeve expand about the crease lines with the expansion progressing from the point of entry as indicated in Figure 8.
After entry by sufficient distance to ensure adequate support for the load the fork may be raised to transport the load as indicated in Figure 9. Figures 10 and 11 show the raised load being placed within a container for transport, and after having located the iced correctly as in figure AYE
the forks may be progressively withdrawn/ during which cotton the sleeves collapse end the loan it left in a stable state as shown in inure 110 figure 12 shows an arrangement in which a cardboard container box is integrally provided with the sleeves to form a complete oaxton which can be lifted by means of a fork lift a previously described. Figure 13 owe an arrangement in which a base it provided with the Levi to incorporate slings attached thereto whereby a load of sacks or the like may be supported and selectively lifted either through the slink means or through the ~lseves. The boy unit of Figure 12 may haze the base constructed of timber or polystyrene for strength and such an arrangement is preferred for purpose of security and protection of the contents, .

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The boxes are independently stackable without requiring separate pallets.
Such a box may be adapted for discharge of the content through the base and Figures 14 show various method by which this may be achieved. Where slings are used the base can be opened as indicated in Figure AYE or where 81ing3 are not used the whole bottom construction including flay carrying the sleeves may be allowed to fall open after withdrawal of the forks of a fork lift truck as exemplified in Figures 14B to 14F. As shown in Figures 14G and 14F, the base can be arranged to open whilst the forks Or the fork lift remain in the sleeve, thereby providing a controlled discharge of the product.
In a modified arrangement additional material may be provided in the base of the boxes or extra eve may be included. Figure AYE shows two sleeves secured to a base of plywood suitable for supporting various artiole3, and on Figure 16 a base is indicated hazing four such sleeves attached thereto and serving to support greater loadings through the larger surface provided on the underside.
Figure 15B shows an arrangement wherein the sleeves 1 have at each side thereof longitudinally extending battens 50 which are arranged to take part of the weight Or the load when the sleeves are collapsed. this arrangement it particularly suitable for heavy items or articles having relatively sharp Icky edges such a drums of Figure 17 and the battens 50 serve to provide a suitable bearing surface for any pallets loaded on top .
A further embodiment it shown in Figure 18 wherein one sleeve 1 it shown extending Assyria the width of the base with battens 50 located inside the sleeve to provide intermediate support when in the collapsed condition. When load supported on the sleeves according to the invention are to be used in normal handling situations then a suitable standard pallet may be provided which has an upper reface provided with channels to receive the sleeve. Such an arrangement is indicated in Figures 19 and 20 wherein a standard pallet unit 60 has battens 61 scoured to the top s~rfaae to provide suitable only 62 to receive the sleeves 1 of a pallet arrangement aoaordln~ to thin invention. Figure 19B shows a standard pallet and a pallet according to the invention assembled together, and Figure 20 shows the arrangement with a load wherein the sleeves are collapsed with the battens 61 providing additional support for the load.
In Figure 21 a fork lift truck is shown lifting a load from the standard pallet through entry of the forks into the Lucy according to the invention, and Figures 22 to 25 show the load which is now detached from the standard pallet being transported and stacked in a road vehicle in the manner described previously. At the destination the sequence Or operations would of course be reverted to put the load onto a standard pallet for subsequent movement within the destination area.
A may be appreciated, the use of the pallet arrangement according to the invention in conjunction with standard pallets reduces wear and tear and hence prolong the life whilst having the advantage of avoiding the standard pallet units having to be transported with the load between destination.

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Claims (13)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A unit or unitised load handling means comprising a sleeve secured to a lower surface of a load or to a support pallet to carry the load, the sleeve being defined by a base portion to form a ground bearing surface, side wall portions embodying longitudinal pleats and arranged to collapse or expand by folding about the pleats, and a top portion to secure the sleeves to the load or pallet, the sleeve when fully collapsed under load defining a space sufficient for initial entry of load handling equipment, the pleats allowing the sleeve to expand to fully receive the load handling equipment.

2. A means in accordance with claim 1, wherein the side wall portions have a medial crease line, the side walls folding inwardly of the sleeve about the crease line.

3. A means in accordance with claim 2, wherein the side walls join integrally with the base, the junctions comprising crease lines.

4. A means in accordance with claim 3, wherein the top portion comprises a flange integrally joined with the side wall, the junction comprising a crease line.

5. A means in accordance with claim 4, wherein the sleeve when collapsed has the pleats, the base and top portions in coplanar stacked relationship forming a load bearing support foot.

6. A means in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top portion extends the width of the sleeve, one side of the top portion being integral with a side wall, the other side overlapping and joined to a flange integral with the other side wall.

7. A means in accordance with claim 1, wherein the interior of the sleeve includes a friction reducing material or lubricant compound.

8. A means in accordance with claim 1, wherein the interior of the sleeve has creases to reduce friction.

9. A pallet, baseboard, container, box or the like to a surface of which are secured two sleeves in parallel and spaced relationship, each sleeve being defined by a base portion to form a ground bearing surface, side wall portions embodying longitudinal pleats and arranged to collapse or expand by folding about the pleats, and a top portion secured to said surface, the sleeve when fully collapsed under load defining a space sufficient for initial entry of load handling equipment, the pleats allowing the sleeve to expand to fully receive the load handling equipment.

10. A pallet, baseboard, container, box or the like to a surface of which is secured a sleeve defined by a base portion to form a ground bearing surface, side wall portions embodying longitudinal pleats and arranged to collapse or expand by folding about the pleats, and a top portion secured to said surface, the sleeve when fully collapsed under load defining a space sufficient for initial entry of load handling equipment, the pleats allowing the sleeve to expand to fully receive the load handling equipment, and each sleeve having a width extending across a substantial part of the width of the said surface.

11. A pallet or the like in accordance with claim 9, wherein battens are provided extending parallel with the sleeves, the height of the battens being such as to provide ground bearing support for the pallet or the like when the sleeves are collapsed.

12. A pallet or the like in accordance with claim 10, wherein a batten is located within the sleeve.

13. A pallet or the like in accordance with claim 9, in combination with a second pallet having a base forming a conventional pallet structure and a top including battens defining channels to receive the sleeves, with the battens supporting the lower surface of the pallet or the like.