CA2050399C - Device for the storage and transport of stacked articles - Google Patents
Device for the storage and transport of stacked articles Download PDFInfo
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- CA2050399C CA2050399C CA 2050399 CA2050399A CA2050399C CA 2050399 C CA2050399 C CA 2050399C CA 2050399 CA2050399 CA 2050399 CA 2050399 A CA2050399 A CA 2050399A CA 2050399 C CA2050399 C CA 2050399C
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- pallet
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- articles
- wrap
- boards
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
- Y02W30/00—Technologies for solid waste management
- Y02W30/50—Reuse, recycling or recovery technologies
- Y02W30/80—Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging
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Abstract
A reusable pallet wrap and pallet combination is disclosed as well as a reusable and adjustable pallet wrap and a pallet which is adapted to better withstand damage during handling and transport. The pallet wrap includes a flexible sheet, cooperating fasteners affixed to opposite ends of reinforcing bands extending along the sheet to permit fastening of the sheet around a stack of articles. The pallet wrap further includes terminal flaps attached to the flexible sheet, which flaps are interconnectable to prevent articles from falling off the stack between the ends of the sheet and the reinforcing bands.
The pallet wrap has eyelets which permit fastening of the wrap to a pallet. The pallet includes at least two main stringers made of a U-shaped metal section, a load supporting platform supported by the main stringers and at least two legs per main stringer which are made of a metal pipe to support the main stringers at a fixed distance from a supporting surface. The pallet wrap and pallet combination more reliably retains a stack of articles and better withstands damage during handling and transport.
The pallet wrap has eyelets which permit fastening of the wrap to a pallet. The pallet includes at least two main stringers made of a U-shaped metal section, a load supporting platform supported by the main stringers and at least two legs per main stringer which are made of a metal pipe to support the main stringers at a fixed distance from a supporting surface. The pallet wrap and pallet combination more reliably retains a stack of articles and better withstands damage during handling and transport.
Description
DEVICE FOR THE STORAGE AND TRANSPORT OF STACKED ARTICLES
The invention relates to devices permitting the secure storage and transport of a pile of stacked articles and more particularly to the combination of a pallet and a reusable pallet wrap, which may be fastened around the stacked articles and to the pallet.
Stackable articles are conventionally stored and transported on pallets for ease of handling and efficiency. However, it often occurs during the transport of pallets loaded with a stack of articles that some articles fall off the pallet, especially while rounding corners or during abrupt starts and stops. Furthermore, the articles may be of different sizes or unevenly stacked, which may cause some of the articles to slide from the stack upon vibratioh of the stack during transport. The devices used for transporting pallets, such as forklifts, sometimes lift the center of the pallet slightly more than the remainder of the pallet, which may result in an outward tilting of the sides of the stack and in a sliding or falling of at least some of the articles. The costs for restacking fallen articles onto the pallet and for replacing any damaged articles is considerable. Thus, a device is desired, which would allow the secure storage and transport of stacked articles.
Wakeman (U.S. 4,738,371) teaches a reusable pallet wrap for use with a conventional pallet. The wrap includes a flexible sheet and a plurality of parallel, stiff, elongate corner support members which are secured to the sheet at spaced apart intervals. The ends of the flexible sheet are secured together by detachable means, such as a zipper. This pallet wrap prevents articles stacked on a pallet from falling off during transport, however, it is not adjustable to stacks of different sizes.
Jensen (U. S. 4,876,841) discloses the combination-of a pallet and a flexible sheet member, which is wrapped around the perimeter of a stack of articles carried on the pallet. Opposite ends of the sheet 2~~~~~~
member are releasably fastened together by straps to tightly wrap the sheet around the stack of articles. The articles in the stack may thus be maintained on the pallet with this combination and prevented from falling off the pallet. However, the articles may still fall off the pallet, if they are of such a small size that they would fit through a gap in the flexible sheet member between the opposite ends of the sheet, which gap is partly bridged by the straps when the sheet is tightened around the stack.
Furthermore, a stack of articles or a pallet may move with respect to the pallet during transport, if the wrapping of the stack of articles is not fastened to the pallet.
During lifting and transport, conventional pallets may bend under the load of a stack of articles thereon. This may lead to instability of the stack as described above and to undesired stress in a pallet wrap fastened around the stack. Therefore, conventional pallets are generally made of wood or similar materials and may be easily damaged by pallet hoisting apparatus.
Thus, a device for the secure storage and transport of stacked articles is desired, which reliably prevents the articles from falling off the stack, accommodates different sizes of stacks of articles and is less damaged during handling with pallet hoisting apparatus.
Accordingly, the invention in one aspect provides a device for securely supporting a stack of articles, comprising a reusable, adjustable pallet wrap having a flexible sheet for fastening around the stack of articles, a pallet for supporting the stack of articles and means for fastening the pallet wrap to the pallet. The pallet wrap preferably includes adjustable connecting means for releasably connecting opposite ends of the sheet to permit fastening of the pallet wrap to different sizes of stacks of articles, and means preventing the articles in the stack from falling off the stack through a gap defined by the opposite ends of the sheet when the pallet wrap is fastened around the stack of articles.
2~~~<~~
The invention relates to devices permitting the secure storage and transport of a pile of stacked articles and more particularly to the combination of a pallet and a reusable pallet wrap, which may be fastened around the stacked articles and to the pallet.
Stackable articles are conventionally stored and transported on pallets for ease of handling and efficiency. However, it often occurs during the transport of pallets loaded with a stack of articles that some articles fall off the pallet, especially while rounding corners or during abrupt starts and stops. Furthermore, the articles may be of different sizes or unevenly stacked, which may cause some of the articles to slide from the stack upon vibratioh of the stack during transport. The devices used for transporting pallets, such as forklifts, sometimes lift the center of the pallet slightly more than the remainder of the pallet, which may result in an outward tilting of the sides of the stack and in a sliding or falling of at least some of the articles. The costs for restacking fallen articles onto the pallet and for replacing any damaged articles is considerable. Thus, a device is desired, which would allow the secure storage and transport of stacked articles.
Wakeman (U.S. 4,738,371) teaches a reusable pallet wrap for use with a conventional pallet. The wrap includes a flexible sheet and a plurality of parallel, stiff, elongate corner support members which are secured to the sheet at spaced apart intervals. The ends of the flexible sheet are secured together by detachable means, such as a zipper. This pallet wrap prevents articles stacked on a pallet from falling off during transport, however, it is not adjustable to stacks of different sizes.
Jensen (U. S. 4,876,841) discloses the combination-of a pallet and a flexible sheet member, which is wrapped around the perimeter of a stack of articles carried on the pallet. Opposite ends of the sheet 2~~~~~~
member are releasably fastened together by straps to tightly wrap the sheet around the stack of articles. The articles in the stack may thus be maintained on the pallet with this combination and prevented from falling off the pallet. However, the articles may still fall off the pallet, if they are of such a small size that they would fit through a gap in the flexible sheet member between the opposite ends of the sheet, which gap is partly bridged by the straps when the sheet is tightened around the stack.
Furthermore, a stack of articles or a pallet may move with respect to the pallet during transport, if the wrapping of the stack of articles is not fastened to the pallet.
During lifting and transport, conventional pallets may bend under the load of a stack of articles thereon. This may lead to instability of the stack as described above and to undesired stress in a pallet wrap fastened around the stack. Therefore, conventional pallets are generally made of wood or similar materials and may be easily damaged by pallet hoisting apparatus.
Thus, a device for the secure storage and transport of stacked articles is desired, which reliably prevents the articles from falling off the stack, accommodates different sizes of stacks of articles and is less damaged during handling with pallet hoisting apparatus.
Accordingly, the invention in one aspect provides a device for securely supporting a stack of articles, comprising a reusable, adjustable pallet wrap having a flexible sheet for fastening around the stack of articles, a pallet for supporting the stack of articles and means for fastening the pallet wrap to the pallet. The pallet wrap preferably includes adjustable connecting means for releasably connecting opposite ends of the sheet to permit fastening of the pallet wrap to different sizes of stacks of articles, and means preventing the articles in the stack from falling off the stack through a gap defined by the opposite ends of the sheet when the pallet wrap is fastened around the stack of articles.
2~~~<~~
The pallet has at least two main stringers made of a metal section of an upwardly open, U-shaped cross-section, a corresponding number of main stringer boards fractionally retained in the U-shaped main stringers and load carrying means for supporting the stack of articles. The load carrying means is connected to the main stringers. The pallet further includes main stringer support means for supporting the main stringers at a selected distance from a supporting surface.
The means for fastening the pallet wrap to the pallet preferably includes at least one eyelet affixed to the sheet and at least one strap for releasably tying the at least one eyelet to the pallet, which strap preferably has two ends and a hook attached to each end, the hooks being respectively engageable with the eyelet and with the pallet.
In another aspect, the invention provides a reusable, adjustable pallet wrap for securing a stack of articles including a flexible sheet for positioning around the stack of articles, which sheet has a pair of opposite ends;
connecting means for releasably connecting the opposite ends of the sheet to permit fastening of the sheet around the stack of articles, the connecting means being ad3ustable to permit fastening of the pallet wrap to different sizes of stacks of articles; and means for preventing articles from falling off the stack through a gap defined by the opposite ends of the sheet, when the pallet wrap is fastened around the stack of articles.
The flexible sheet is preferably provided'with at least one non-stretchable reinforcing band, which extends between the opposite ends of the sheet and may extend beyond the opposite ends of the sheet and incorporate the connecting means.
~fl~~~~9 In a preferred embodiment, the pallet wrap includes a sheet having two outer reinforcing bands extending along opposite edges of the sheet and an intermediate reinforcing band extending parallel to and intermediate the outer reinforcing bands, the connecting means being a pair of cooperating fasteners attached to the respective ends of each reinforcing band.
The sheet preferably includes fastening means for releasably fastening the pallet wrap to the pallet. In a preferred embodiment, the fastening means includes at least one eyelet affixed to the sheet and at least one strap for releasably tying the at least one eyelet to the pallet, which strap preferably has two ends and a hook attached to each end, the hooks being respectively engageable with the eyelet and with an appropriate part of the pallet.
In yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a pallet comprising at least two main stringers made of a metal section of an upwardly open, U-shaped cross-section;
a corresponding number of main stringer boards frictionally retained in the U-shaped main stringers;
load carrying means for supporting the stack of articles, the load carrying means being affixed to and interconnecting the main stringer boards; and main stringer support means for supporting the main stringers at a selected distance from a supporting surface.
The load carrying means is preferably a plurality of spaced apart parallel top boards, which may be stapled to the main stringer boards. The staples used are preferably of sufficient length so that during stapling of the top boards to the main stringer boards, the ends of the staples impact on the metal main stringers and are deflected into the main stringer boards. -In a preferred embodiment of the pallet in accordance with one aspect of the invention, the main stringer support means includes stringer posts made of lengths of metal pipes, which posts are each welded at one of their ends to the main stringers and at the other of their ends welded to a foot plate. The foot plate is preferably bolted to one of at least two bottom boards, which boards extend rectangularly to the main stringers.
The invention will now be further described by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device for the storage and transport of a stack of articles in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the pallet wrap of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an isometric view of the pallet of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;
Figure 4 illustrates the construction of the pallet shown in Figure 3, the main stringer boards and the top boards being omitted;
and Figure 5 is a cross-section taken along line V-V through the pallet shown in Figure 3.
In the preferred embodiment as illustrated in Figure 1, the device for storage and transport of stacked articles in accordance with the invention, in the following generally referred to by reference numeral 10, includes a pallet wrap 12, a pallet 14 and elastic straps 16 for the tying of pallet wrap 12 to pallet 14.
Pallet wrap 12 is tightened by way of quick connect fasteners 18 around a stack 20 of articles 2'1, which stack 20 is supported by pallet 14. The straps 16 are conventional bungie cords, which each )~~
include an elastic band 22 and a pair of hooks 24 affixed to the ends of band 22. Hooks 24 respectively engage eyelets 25 affixed to the pallet wrap 12. The pallet wrap 12 is adjustable in length to accommodate different size stacks of articles. Furthermore, pallet wrap 12 includes end flaps 26, which prevent articles from falling off the stack 20 through a gap between the fasteners 18.
Turning now to the detailed construction of a pallet wrap 12 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pallet wrap 12 includes a porous, flexible, but non-stretchable sheet 28, which is made of polypropylene material arid has a burst strength of 775 lbs (ASTM 1-3786 Mullen). A
pair of outer non-stretchable nylon reinforcing bands 30 are stitched to the outer edges of sheet 28 and an intermediate non-stretchable nylon reinforcing band 32 is stitched to sheet 28 along the centerline thereof. Reinforcing bands 30 and 32 extend beyond the ends 34 of sheet 28 and are provided at their respective ends With cooperating clip-together fasteners 18 (FASTEX* plastic buckles). One end of each of the reinforcing bands 30, 32 is provided with friction-lock type sliding buckles 33 to permit length adjustment and tightening of the pallet wrap 12 to different size stacks 20. A free end of the respective reinforcing band is threaded first through the eliding buckle 33, then through fastener 18 and subsequently back through buckle 33 in such a way, that on one hand the length of the pallet wrap 12 may be reduced by pulling on the free end of the reinforcing band even when the pallet wrap is tensioned around a stack of articles, while on the other hand, friction created between the reinforcing band and the buckle 33 when the pallet wrap 12 is under tension prevents a lengthening of the pallet wrap, the length of the pallet wrap 12 may be lengthened when the pallet wrap is not under tension. End flaps 26 are stitched to the ends 34 of sheet 28 and are of sufficient size to overlap when the pallet wrap is tightened around a stack of articles. In the fastened condition of the pallet wrap 12, the end flaps 26 cover the gaps defined by the reinforcing bands 30, 32 and the ends 34 of sheet 28 in order to prevent articles 21 from *Trade Mark 7 _ falling off the stack 20 through these gaps. End flaps 26 are provided with interlocking strips 36 of VELCRO* fasteners, which retain the end flaps in overlapping relationship while the pallet wrap is fastened around a stack 20 of articles 21. The pallet wrap 12 is also provided with a number of eyelets 25 fixed to each of the outer reinforcing bands 30 which eyelets permit the tying of the pallet wrap 12 to the pallet 14 by straps 16 as discussed above. It is important that both the sheet 28 and the reinforcing bands 30, 32 are non-stretchable in order to achieve a wrapped stack of maximum solidity. When elastic materials are used for the construction of the pallet wrap 12, movements of the whole or parts of the stack cannot be reliably prevented.
Turning now to Figure 3, pallet 14 includes three parallel, spaced apart main stringers 40 and a plurality of load carrying top boards 42, which are positioned rectangularly to and connect the main stringers 40. Each main stringer 40 is supported at a selected distance from a supporting surface by posts 44 and bottom boards 46, which extend rectangularly to the main stringers 40 and are spaced to permit four-way access of pallet hoisting apparatus.
Details of the construction of pallet 14 will now be discussed with reference to Figures 4 and 5, The main stringers 40 are each made of an upwardly open U-shaped light gauge metal section 48, which is bent to fractionally hold a main stringer board 50. The top boards 42 are stapled to the main stringer boards 50 by staples 52, which are of sufficient length so that their ends impact on metal sections 48 during stapling. As a result, the ends of staples 52 are deflected back into the main stringer boards 50 (see Fig. 5). Thus, the top boards 42 are secured to the main stringer boards 50 at a greater strength more reliably than if nails were used. Furthermore, the deflected ends prevent staples 52 from working themselves back out of the top boards 42 and the main stringer boards 50 so that damage by *Trade Mark ~~~'j~~~
_8_ protruding staples to the load supported by the top boards 42 is prevented. Furthermore, the ends of staples 52 are obliquely cut (not illustrated) so that the originally parallel legs of the staples are laterally deflected during stapling and extend obliquely in top boards 42 and main stringer boards 50. Each post 44 is made of a length of steel pipe and is welded at one end to the bottom of one of metal sections 48. A steel bottom plate 54 is welded to the other end of post 44 and is fastened to one of bottom boards 46 by bolts schematically illustrated at 56. The metal section 48, steel posts 44 axed bottom plates 54 provide pallet 14 with a very high rigidity, which substantially prevents a sagging of a loaded pallet 14 when lifted by a pallet hoisting apparatus such as a forklift.
Furthermore, damage by such apparatus to posts 44, main stringers 40 and bottom boards 46 is substantially reduced, which lowers operating costs.
During operation, a number of stackable articles 21 is piled onto pallet 14 in a cubed stack 20. Pallet wrap 12 is then positioned around stack 20, adjusted in length, if required, and tightened around the stack by clipping together fasteners 18 and pulling free ends 35 of reinforcing bands 30, 32 through buckles 33 until a desired tension of the pallet wrap is achieved. Subsequently, end flaps 26 axe fastened together by VELCRO strips 36 in overlapping relationship.
Finally, straps 16 are placed around the center post 44 on each side of the pallet 14 and hooked to the respectively closest pair of eyelets 26. The combination of the non-stretchable pallet wrap 12 and the straps 16 substantially prevents the mutual movement of the articles in the stack and the movement of the stack itself on pallet 14. Furthermore, the high rigidity of pallet 14 substantially prevents the extra tension stress which would be created in pallet wrap 12, if pallet 14 would be sagging during lifting by a forklift.
Once the articles have been transported to their final destination, they are unloaded from pallet 14 by performing the above. operations in reverse order. The pallet wrap 12 may be folded and fastened to pallet 14 by straps 16 for return transport to the point of origin.
g Alternately, if a number of devices in accordance with the invention were unloaded, all the pallet wraps 12 may be folded and returned in one pallet 14 and the other pallets 14 may be easily stacked by turning every other pallet upside down and fitting the following, staggered, right side up.
It will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that sheet 28 and reinforcing bands 3G, 32 may be made of different flexible, but non-stretchable materials as long as it is guaranteed that the pallet wrap 12 will withstand the tension stress created during transport of a stack of articles on pallet 14.
The end flaps 26 may be provided with other fasteners than interlocking strips 36, for example, with snap fasteners, however, VELCRO fasteners are preferred for longevity and ease of handling.
Pallet wrap 12 may be provided with other means of engagement for the hooks 24 of straps 16 such as, fox example, reinforced holes in reinforcing bands 30. Furthermore, as will be readily appreciated by the art skilled person, other means than stitching may be used for fixing the reinforcing bands 30 and 32 to flexible sheet 28, for example gluing or riveting, as long as a positive connection between sheet 28 and reinforcing bands 30, 32 is achieved, which connection withstands the stress created during transport.
Top boards 42 may be replaced by other load carrying means such as a sheet of plywood or press wood or similar materials or an appropriate metal grid.
Although the elastic straps 16 having hooks 24 are the preferred means for fastening the pallet wrap 12 to the pallet 14, other non-elastic straps, cords or bands may be used as long as a reliable fastening of the pallet wrap to the pallet is achieved.
The means for fastening the pallet wrap to the pallet preferably includes at least one eyelet affixed to the sheet and at least one strap for releasably tying the at least one eyelet to the pallet, which strap preferably has two ends and a hook attached to each end, the hooks being respectively engageable with the eyelet and with the pallet.
In another aspect, the invention provides a reusable, adjustable pallet wrap for securing a stack of articles including a flexible sheet for positioning around the stack of articles, which sheet has a pair of opposite ends;
connecting means for releasably connecting the opposite ends of the sheet to permit fastening of the sheet around the stack of articles, the connecting means being ad3ustable to permit fastening of the pallet wrap to different sizes of stacks of articles; and means for preventing articles from falling off the stack through a gap defined by the opposite ends of the sheet, when the pallet wrap is fastened around the stack of articles.
The flexible sheet is preferably provided'with at least one non-stretchable reinforcing band, which extends between the opposite ends of the sheet and may extend beyond the opposite ends of the sheet and incorporate the connecting means.
~fl~~~~9 In a preferred embodiment, the pallet wrap includes a sheet having two outer reinforcing bands extending along opposite edges of the sheet and an intermediate reinforcing band extending parallel to and intermediate the outer reinforcing bands, the connecting means being a pair of cooperating fasteners attached to the respective ends of each reinforcing band.
The sheet preferably includes fastening means for releasably fastening the pallet wrap to the pallet. In a preferred embodiment, the fastening means includes at least one eyelet affixed to the sheet and at least one strap for releasably tying the at least one eyelet to the pallet, which strap preferably has two ends and a hook attached to each end, the hooks being respectively engageable with the eyelet and with an appropriate part of the pallet.
In yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a pallet comprising at least two main stringers made of a metal section of an upwardly open, U-shaped cross-section;
a corresponding number of main stringer boards frictionally retained in the U-shaped main stringers;
load carrying means for supporting the stack of articles, the load carrying means being affixed to and interconnecting the main stringer boards; and main stringer support means for supporting the main stringers at a selected distance from a supporting surface.
The load carrying means is preferably a plurality of spaced apart parallel top boards, which may be stapled to the main stringer boards. The staples used are preferably of sufficient length so that during stapling of the top boards to the main stringer boards, the ends of the staples impact on the metal main stringers and are deflected into the main stringer boards. -In a preferred embodiment of the pallet in accordance with one aspect of the invention, the main stringer support means includes stringer posts made of lengths of metal pipes, which posts are each welded at one of their ends to the main stringers and at the other of their ends welded to a foot plate. The foot plate is preferably bolted to one of at least two bottom boards, which boards extend rectangularly to the main stringers.
The invention will now be further described by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device for the storage and transport of a stack of articles in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the pallet wrap of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an isometric view of the pallet of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;
Figure 4 illustrates the construction of the pallet shown in Figure 3, the main stringer boards and the top boards being omitted;
and Figure 5 is a cross-section taken along line V-V through the pallet shown in Figure 3.
In the preferred embodiment as illustrated in Figure 1, the device for storage and transport of stacked articles in accordance with the invention, in the following generally referred to by reference numeral 10, includes a pallet wrap 12, a pallet 14 and elastic straps 16 for the tying of pallet wrap 12 to pallet 14.
Pallet wrap 12 is tightened by way of quick connect fasteners 18 around a stack 20 of articles 2'1, which stack 20 is supported by pallet 14. The straps 16 are conventional bungie cords, which each )~~
include an elastic band 22 and a pair of hooks 24 affixed to the ends of band 22. Hooks 24 respectively engage eyelets 25 affixed to the pallet wrap 12. The pallet wrap 12 is adjustable in length to accommodate different size stacks of articles. Furthermore, pallet wrap 12 includes end flaps 26, which prevent articles from falling off the stack 20 through a gap between the fasteners 18.
Turning now to the detailed construction of a pallet wrap 12 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pallet wrap 12 includes a porous, flexible, but non-stretchable sheet 28, which is made of polypropylene material arid has a burst strength of 775 lbs (ASTM 1-3786 Mullen). A
pair of outer non-stretchable nylon reinforcing bands 30 are stitched to the outer edges of sheet 28 and an intermediate non-stretchable nylon reinforcing band 32 is stitched to sheet 28 along the centerline thereof. Reinforcing bands 30 and 32 extend beyond the ends 34 of sheet 28 and are provided at their respective ends With cooperating clip-together fasteners 18 (FASTEX* plastic buckles). One end of each of the reinforcing bands 30, 32 is provided with friction-lock type sliding buckles 33 to permit length adjustment and tightening of the pallet wrap 12 to different size stacks 20. A free end of the respective reinforcing band is threaded first through the eliding buckle 33, then through fastener 18 and subsequently back through buckle 33 in such a way, that on one hand the length of the pallet wrap 12 may be reduced by pulling on the free end of the reinforcing band even when the pallet wrap is tensioned around a stack of articles, while on the other hand, friction created between the reinforcing band and the buckle 33 when the pallet wrap 12 is under tension prevents a lengthening of the pallet wrap, the length of the pallet wrap 12 may be lengthened when the pallet wrap is not under tension. End flaps 26 are stitched to the ends 34 of sheet 28 and are of sufficient size to overlap when the pallet wrap is tightened around a stack of articles. In the fastened condition of the pallet wrap 12, the end flaps 26 cover the gaps defined by the reinforcing bands 30, 32 and the ends 34 of sheet 28 in order to prevent articles 21 from *Trade Mark 7 _ falling off the stack 20 through these gaps. End flaps 26 are provided with interlocking strips 36 of VELCRO* fasteners, which retain the end flaps in overlapping relationship while the pallet wrap is fastened around a stack 20 of articles 21. The pallet wrap 12 is also provided with a number of eyelets 25 fixed to each of the outer reinforcing bands 30 which eyelets permit the tying of the pallet wrap 12 to the pallet 14 by straps 16 as discussed above. It is important that both the sheet 28 and the reinforcing bands 30, 32 are non-stretchable in order to achieve a wrapped stack of maximum solidity. When elastic materials are used for the construction of the pallet wrap 12, movements of the whole or parts of the stack cannot be reliably prevented.
Turning now to Figure 3, pallet 14 includes three parallel, spaced apart main stringers 40 and a plurality of load carrying top boards 42, which are positioned rectangularly to and connect the main stringers 40. Each main stringer 40 is supported at a selected distance from a supporting surface by posts 44 and bottom boards 46, which extend rectangularly to the main stringers 40 and are spaced to permit four-way access of pallet hoisting apparatus.
Details of the construction of pallet 14 will now be discussed with reference to Figures 4 and 5, The main stringers 40 are each made of an upwardly open U-shaped light gauge metal section 48, which is bent to fractionally hold a main stringer board 50. The top boards 42 are stapled to the main stringer boards 50 by staples 52, which are of sufficient length so that their ends impact on metal sections 48 during stapling. As a result, the ends of staples 52 are deflected back into the main stringer boards 50 (see Fig. 5). Thus, the top boards 42 are secured to the main stringer boards 50 at a greater strength more reliably than if nails were used. Furthermore, the deflected ends prevent staples 52 from working themselves back out of the top boards 42 and the main stringer boards 50 so that damage by *Trade Mark ~~~'j~~~
_8_ protruding staples to the load supported by the top boards 42 is prevented. Furthermore, the ends of staples 52 are obliquely cut (not illustrated) so that the originally parallel legs of the staples are laterally deflected during stapling and extend obliquely in top boards 42 and main stringer boards 50. Each post 44 is made of a length of steel pipe and is welded at one end to the bottom of one of metal sections 48. A steel bottom plate 54 is welded to the other end of post 44 and is fastened to one of bottom boards 46 by bolts schematically illustrated at 56. The metal section 48, steel posts 44 axed bottom plates 54 provide pallet 14 with a very high rigidity, which substantially prevents a sagging of a loaded pallet 14 when lifted by a pallet hoisting apparatus such as a forklift.
Furthermore, damage by such apparatus to posts 44, main stringers 40 and bottom boards 46 is substantially reduced, which lowers operating costs.
During operation, a number of stackable articles 21 is piled onto pallet 14 in a cubed stack 20. Pallet wrap 12 is then positioned around stack 20, adjusted in length, if required, and tightened around the stack by clipping together fasteners 18 and pulling free ends 35 of reinforcing bands 30, 32 through buckles 33 until a desired tension of the pallet wrap is achieved. Subsequently, end flaps 26 axe fastened together by VELCRO strips 36 in overlapping relationship.
Finally, straps 16 are placed around the center post 44 on each side of the pallet 14 and hooked to the respectively closest pair of eyelets 26. The combination of the non-stretchable pallet wrap 12 and the straps 16 substantially prevents the mutual movement of the articles in the stack and the movement of the stack itself on pallet 14. Furthermore, the high rigidity of pallet 14 substantially prevents the extra tension stress which would be created in pallet wrap 12, if pallet 14 would be sagging during lifting by a forklift.
Once the articles have been transported to their final destination, they are unloaded from pallet 14 by performing the above. operations in reverse order. The pallet wrap 12 may be folded and fastened to pallet 14 by straps 16 for return transport to the point of origin.
g Alternately, if a number of devices in accordance with the invention were unloaded, all the pallet wraps 12 may be folded and returned in one pallet 14 and the other pallets 14 may be easily stacked by turning every other pallet upside down and fitting the following, staggered, right side up.
It will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that sheet 28 and reinforcing bands 3G, 32 may be made of different flexible, but non-stretchable materials as long as it is guaranteed that the pallet wrap 12 will withstand the tension stress created during transport of a stack of articles on pallet 14.
The end flaps 26 may be provided with other fasteners than interlocking strips 36, for example, with snap fasteners, however, VELCRO fasteners are preferred for longevity and ease of handling.
Pallet wrap 12 may be provided with other means of engagement for the hooks 24 of straps 16 such as, fox example, reinforced holes in reinforcing bands 30. Furthermore, as will be readily appreciated by the art skilled person, other means than stitching may be used for fixing the reinforcing bands 30 and 32 to flexible sheet 28, for example gluing or riveting, as long as a positive connection between sheet 28 and reinforcing bands 30, 32 is achieved, which connection withstands the stress created during transport.
Top boards 42 may be replaced by other load carrying means such as a sheet of plywood or press wood or similar materials or an appropriate metal grid.
Although the elastic straps 16 having hooks 24 are the preferred means for fastening the pallet wrap 12 to the pallet 14, other non-elastic straps, cords or bands may be used as long as a reliable fastening of the pallet wrap to the pallet is achieved.
Claims (8)
1. A pallet for supporting a stack of articles comprising at least two main stringers made of a metal section of an upwardly open, U-shaped cross-section;
a corresponding number of main stringer boards frictionally retained in the U-shaped main stringers;
load carrying means for supporting the stack of articles, the load carrying means being affixed to and interconnecting the main stringer boards; and main stringer support means for supporting the main stringers at a selected distance from a supporting surface.
a corresponding number of main stringer boards frictionally retained in the U-shaped main stringers;
load carrying means for supporting the stack of articles, the load carrying means being affixed to and interconnecting the main stringer boards; and main stringer support means for supporting the main stringers at a selected distance from a supporting surface.
2. A pallet as defined in claim 1, wherein the load supporting means is a plurality of spaced apart parallel top boards extending rectangularly to the main stringer boards.
3. A pallet as defined in claim 2, wherein the top boards are stapled to the main stringer boards.
4. A pallet as defined in claim 3, wherein the staples are of sufficient length so that during stapling of the top boards to the main stringer boards the ends of the staples impact on the metal main stringers and are deflected into the main stringer boards.
5. A pallet as defined in claim 4, wherein the main stringer support means includes at least two bottom boards for supporting the pallet on a supporting surface, the bottom boards extending rectangularly to the main stringers, and main stringer posts for supporting the main stringers on the bottom boards.
6. A pallet as defined in claim 5, wherein the main stringer posts are made of lengths of metal pipes having one of their ends welded to a main stringer and the other of their ends welded to a foot plate.
7. A pallet as defined in claim 6, wherein the foot plate is bolted to one of the bottom boards.
8. A pallet as defined in claim 7, wherein each of the main stringer posts is welded to a separate foot plate.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2050399 CA2050399C (en) | 1991-08-30 | 1991-08-30 | Device for the storage and transport of stacked articles |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2050399 CA2050399C (en) | 1991-08-30 | 1991-08-30 | Device for the storage and transport of stacked articles |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2050399A1 CA2050399A1 (en) | 1993-03-01 |
| CA2050399C true CA2050399C (en) | 2003-02-11 |
Family
ID=4148282
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2050399 Expired - Lifetime CA2050399C (en) | 1991-08-30 | 1991-08-30 | Device for the storage and transport of stacked articles |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2050399C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102442458A (en) * | 2010-09-06 | 2012-05-09 | 普罗特克纳有限公司 | Transport and storage container for liquids |
-
1991
- 1991-08-30 CA CA 2050399 patent/CA2050399C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102442458A (en) * | 2010-09-06 | 2012-05-09 | 普罗特克纳有限公司 | Transport and storage container for liquids |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2050399A1 (en) | 1993-03-01 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |