CA2079718C - Packaging system and method of loading boxes onto truck pallets or into airline cargo containers - Google Patents
Packaging system and method of loading boxes onto truck pallets or into airline cargo containersInfo
- Publication number
- CA2079718C CA2079718C CA 2079718 CA2079718A CA2079718C CA 2079718 C CA2079718 C CA 2079718C CA 2079718 CA2079718 CA 2079718 CA 2079718 A CA2079718 A CA 2079718A CA 2079718 C CA2079718 C CA 2079718C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- boxes
- sides
- layer
- length
- opposed
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G57/00—Stacking of articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/24—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
- B65D81/26—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators
- B65D81/261—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators for draining or collecting liquids without absorbing them
- B65D81/262—Rigid containers having false bottoms provided with passages for draining and receiving liquids
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Stackable Containers (AREA)
- Loading Or Unloading Of Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
A packaging system for loading boxes onto truck pallets having opposed pairs of first and second edges while preventing extension of said boxes beyond said pallet edges, or loading said boxes into airline cargo containers to maximize the volume occupied by the boxes. The system comprises a plurality of expanded polystyrene boxes, each of the boxes having opposed pairs of mutually perpendicu-lar first, second and third outer sides, with the length of the first outer sides being about 70% of the length of the first pallet edges and about 2.5 times the length of the second outer sides. The length of the third outer sides may be about 20% of the length of the first outer sides and about 50% of the length of the second outer sides; or, about 30% of the length of the first outer sides and about 80% of the length of the second outer sides. Methods for loading the boxes onto truck pallets or into airline cargo containers are disclosed.
Description
TRUCR PALLETS OR INTO AIRLINE CARGO CONT~TN~
Field of the Invention This invention is directed to a packaging system and method of loading boxes onto truck pallets or into airline cargo containers so as to maximize the storage volume occupied by the boxes.
Backqround of the Invention Expanded polystyrene boxes with tight fitting lids have been successfully used as insulated containers for shipping fresh or live seafood. The temperature of the seafood must be maintained within prescribed limits during storage and transportation in order to inhibit bacterial - 15 growth, preserve freshness, appearance and food value. The seafood may have to remain in the box for several days while it is transported between source and destination points, with possible storage stops along the transporta-tion route. Ambient temperatures outside the box may vary widely above or below the ideally maintained temperature limits inside the box.
To assist in maintaining the desired temperature range within the box and to maintain desired levels of humidity and wetting, wet ice is typically placed inside the box. Heat exchange occurring between the seafood itself and the ice, and occurring through the box walls gradually melts the ice, flooding the bottom of the box with water. Although some wetting of the seafood is desirable, excessive wetting can impair the quality of the seafood. The present invention accordingly provides a drainage board to raise the seafood away from the bottom of the box, thus preventing the seafood from resting in fluids which may accumulate in the bottom of the box.
In the prior art, seafood was typically shipped by air. Expanded polystyrene boxes were specially designed for efficient loading into airline cargo containers.
However, with deregulation of the trucking in~ustry, truck , .. . . .
transportation costs have dropped to the point that sig-nificant cost savings may be realized by shipping seafood by truck rather than by air. Moreover, the advent of fish farms has necessitated truck transportation of farm-raised seafood in any case.
Attempts have been made to transport seafood by truck in the same boxes as were designed for use with airline cargo containers. Conventionally, layers of boxes are loaded onto pallets. The loaded pallets are then placed in a truck. However, prior art boxes designed for use with airline cargo containers do not fit properly onto standard 42 inch x 48 inch or 40 inch x 48 inch truck pallets. Only three prior art boxes per layer can be placed on the standard truck pallet. Moreover, the size of the prior art boxes is such that they overlap the edges of the pallets somewhat in one direction, and fall signifi-cantly short of the opposed edges of the pallets in the other direction. This wastes pallet storage space, and consequently wastes truck volume carrying capacity. It is further noteworthy that significant stress forces are imposed on the bottoms of the prior art boxes where they overlap the edges of the pallet. This results in frequent breakage of the prior art boxes as the pallet load shifts during transportation.
One solution to the foregoing problem was the design of a special pallet for truck transportation of prior art boxes originally intended for placement in airline cargo containers. The special pallet accommodates the same number of prior art boxes per layer as a standard truck pallet, but is sized to prevent the ends of the boxes from overlapping the pallet edges. Although the special pallets overcome the foregoing problems, they have not been widely used because they are of a different size than standard truck pallets and therefore not well suited to loading with items other than the aforesaid prior art 207971~
, boxes. The special pallets are accordingly often discarded after a single trip.
The present invention provides an improved packaging system which overcomes the foregoing problems without the need for special non-standard pallets and without sacrificing a significant portion of the available pallet storage space, thus maximizing the volume of truck carrying capacity occupied by the pallet load. This is accomplished while increasing the efficiency attained in shipping via airline cargo containers.
Summary of the Invention In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the invention provides a method of loading boxes onto truck pallets having opposed pairs of first and second edges, while preventing extension of the boxes beyond the pallet edges. The method additionally and alternatively facili-tates loading of the boxes into airline cargo containers.
In either case, the volume occupied by the boxes is maxi-mized. A plurality of boxes are provided, each box having opposed pairs of mutually perpendicular first, second and third outer sides, with the length of the first outer sides being about 70% of the length of the first pallet edges and about 2.5 times the length of the second outer sides.
If the boxes are to be loaded onto a pallet, a first layer of four of the boxes is placed atop the pallet, with one of the second sides of each of three of the boxes aligned along one of the second edges of the pallet and with the first sides of the three boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said second pallet edge.
The fourth box is placed on the pallet with its second sides extending between the opposed second sides of the first three boxes and the opposed second edge of the pallet. A second four box layer is placed atop the first layer, the second layer being identical to the first layer .
but rotated 180 with respect to the first layer. Addi-tional four box layers are placed atop the previous layers, each successive layer being identical to the layer immedi-ately therebeneath, but rotated 180 with respect thereto until the height of the layers reaches a desired level.
If the boxes are to be loaded into an LD-3 type airline cargo container, a first layer of five boxes is placed in the base of the LD-3 container, with one of the second sides of each of four of the boxes aligned along one narrow wall of the base and with the first sides of the four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from wall. The fifth box is placed in the base of the container with its second sides extending between the opposed second sides of the first four boxes and the opposed narrow wall of the base. A second layer of eight boxes is placed atop the first layer, with one of the second sides of each of four of the second layer boxes aligned along one narrow wall of the container and with the first sides of those four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from the wall. The other four second layer boxes are placed with their second sides aligned along the opposed wall, with the first sides of the other four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from the opposed wall. Additional eight box layers are placed atop the previous layers, each successive layer being identical to the second layer, until the layers fill the LD-3 container.
If the boxes are to be loaded into an LD-8 type airline cargo container, a first layer of nine boxes is placed in the base of the LD-8 container, with one of the second sides of each of four of the boxes aligned along one narrow wall of the base and with their first sides extend-ing parallel to one another and inwardly from the wall.
Another four boxes are placed in the base of the container with one of the second sides of each of the other four boxes aligned along an opposed narrow wall of the base and with their first sides extending parallel to one another and inwardly from the opposed wall. The ninth box is placed in the base of the container with its second sides extending between the opposed second sides of the other eight boxes. A second layer of twelve boxes is placed atop the first layer, with one of the second sides of each of four of the second layer boxes aligned along one narrow wall of the container and with the first sides of those four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from the wall. Another four of the second layer boxes are placed atop the first layer, with their second sides aligned along the opposed wall and with their first sides extending parallel to one another and inwardly from the opposed wall. A further four second layer boxes are placed atop the first layer, with their second sides aligned between the opposed second sides of the other eight second layer boxes. A third layer of thirteen boxes is placed atop the second layer, with one of the second sides of each of four of the third layer boxes aligned along one narrow wall of the container and with the first sides of those four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from the wall. Another four third layer boxes are placed atop the second layer, with their second sides aligned along the opposed wall with their first sides extending parallel to one another and inwardly from the opposed wall.
A further four third layer boxes are placed atop the second layer, with their second sides aligned along the opposed second sides of one of the first two four box groups of third layer boxes. The thirteenth box is placed atop the second layer with its second sides extending between the opposed second sides of two of the three four box groups of third layer boxes. Additional thirteen box layers are placed atop the previous layers, each successive layer being identical to the third layer, until the layers fill the LD-8 container.
The length of the third outer sides may be about 20% of the length of the first outer sides and about 50% of the length of the second outer sides. Alternatively, the length of the third outer sides may be about 30% of the 5 length of the first outer sides and about 80% of the length of the second outer sides. In the first case, the length of the first outer sides is preferably about 34", the length of the second outer sides is preferably about 13.625" and the length of the third outer sides is prefer-10 ably about 7". In the second case, the length of the firstouter sides is preferably about 34", the length of the second outer sides is preferably about 13.625" and the length of the third outer sides is preferably about 10.875".
Advantageously, an expanded polystyrene drain board may be provided in the base of each of the boxes.
The invention further provided a packaging system 20 for loading boxes onto truck pallets having opposed pairs of first and second edges, while preventing extension of the boxes beyond the pallet edges; or, into airline cargo containers. In either case, the volume occupied by the boxes is maximized. The system comprises a plurality of 25 expanded polystyrene boxes, each of the boxes having opposed pairs of mutually perpendicular first, second and third outer sides, with the length of the first outer sides being about 70% of the length of the first pallet edges and about 2.5 times the length of the second outer sides. The 30 length of the third outer sides may be about 20% of the length of the first outer sides and about 50% of the length of the second outer sides; or, about 30% of the length of the first outer sides and about 80% of the length of the second outer sides.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 depicts an expanded polystyrene box constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 depicts an expanded styrene box con-structed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.
Figures 3A, 3B and 3C are respectively top plan, cross-sectional and bottom plan views of a drain board for use with either of the boxes of Figures 1 or 2, the cross-sectional view in Figure 3B being taken with respect to lines B-B of Figure 3A.
Figure 4 is a cut-away view of the box of Fig-ure 1 with the lid closed and the drain board resting inside the bottom of the box.
Figure 5 is a side elevation view depicting seven layers of Figure 1 boxes loaded onto a standard truck pallet, with four boxes in each layer.
Figure 6 is a top plan view of the lowermost layer of boxes shown in Figure 5, the Figure 6 view being taken with respect to lines 6-6 of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a side elevation view depicting ten layers of Figure 2 boxes loaded onto a standard truck pallet, with four boxes in each layer.
Figure 8 is a side elevation view depicting seven layers of prior art boxes loaded onto a standard truck pallet, with three boxes in each layer.
Figure 9 is a top plan view of the lowermost layer of boxes shown in Figure 8, the Figure 9 view being taken with respect to lines 9-9 of Figure 8.
Figure lOA is a side elevation view depicting five layers of Figure 1 boxes loaded into an LD-8 airline cargo container.
Figure lOB is a top plan view of the lowermost lo layer of Figure loA boxes, taken with respect to lines B-B of Figure lOA.
Figure lOC is a top plan view of the second layer of Figure lOA boxes, taken with respect to lines C-C of Figure lOA.
Figure lOD is a top plan view of the third layer of Figure lOA boxes, taken with respect to lines D-D of Figure lOA.
Figure llA is a side elevation view depicting five layers of Figure 1 boxes loaded into an LD-3 airline cargo container.
Figure llB is a top plan view of the lowermost layer of Figure llA boxes, taken with respect to lines B-B of Figure llA.
Figure llC is a top plan view of the second layer of Figure llA boxes, taken with respect to lines C-C of Figure llA.
Figure llD is a top plan view of the third layer of Figure llA boxes, taken with respect to lines D-D of Figure llA.
Field of the Invention This invention is directed to a packaging system and method of loading boxes onto truck pallets or into airline cargo containers so as to maximize the storage volume occupied by the boxes.
Backqround of the Invention Expanded polystyrene boxes with tight fitting lids have been successfully used as insulated containers for shipping fresh or live seafood. The temperature of the seafood must be maintained within prescribed limits during storage and transportation in order to inhibit bacterial - 15 growth, preserve freshness, appearance and food value. The seafood may have to remain in the box for several days while it is transported between source and destination points, with possible storage stops along the transporta-tion route. Ambient temperatures outside the box may vary widely above or below the ideally maintained temperature limits inside the box.
To assist in maintaining the desired temperature range within the box and to maintain desired levels of humidity and wetting, wet ice is typically placed inside the box. Heat exchange occurring between the seafood itself and the ice, and occurring through the box walls gradually melts the ice, flooding the bottom of the box with water. Although some wetting of the seafood is desirable, excessive wetting can impair the quality of the seafood. The present invention accordingly provides a drainage board to raise the seafood away from the bottom of the box, thus preventing the seafood from resting in fluids which may accumulate in the bottom of the box.
In the prior art, seafood was typically shipped by air. Expanded polystyrene boxes were specially designed for efficient loading into airline cargo containers.
However, with deregulation of the trucking in~ustry, truck , .. . . .
transportation costs have dropped to the point that sig-nificant cost savings may be realized by shipping seafood by truck rather than by air. Moreover, the advent of fish farms has necessitated truck transportation of farm-raised seafood in any case.
Attempts have been made to transport seafood by truck in the same boxes as were designed for use with airline cargo containers. Conventionally, layers of boxes are loaded onto pallets. The loaded pallets are then placed in a truck. However, prior art boxes designed for use with airline cargo containers do not fit properly onto standard 42 inch x 48 inch or 40 inch x 48 inch truck pallets. Only three prior art boxes per layer can be placed on the standard truck pallet. Moreover, the size of the prior art boxes is such that they overlap the edges of the pallets somewhat in one direction, and fall signifi-cantly short of the opposed edges of the pallets in the other direction. This wastes pallet storage space, and consequently wastes truck volume carrying capacity. It is further noteworthy that significant stress forces are imposed on the bottoms of the prior art boxes where they overlap the edges of the pallet. This results in frequent breakage of the prior art boxes as the pallet load shifts during transportation.
One solution to the foregoing problem was the design of a special pallet for truck transportation of prior art boxes originally intended for placement in airline cargo containers. The special pallet accommodates the same number of prior art boxes per layer as a standard truck pallet, but is sized to prevent the ends of the boxes from overlapping the pallet edges. Although the special pallets overcome the foregoing problems, they have not been widely used because they are of a different size than standard truck pallets and therefore not well suited to loading with items other than the aforesaid prior art 207971~
, boxes. The special pallets are accordingly often discarded after a single trip.
The present invention provides an improved packaging system which overcomes the foregoing problems without the need for special non-standard pallets and without sacrificing a significant portion of the available pallet storage space, thus maximizing the volume of truck carrying capacity occupied by the pallet load. This is accomplished while increasing the efficiency attained in shipping via airline cargo containers.
Summary of the Invention In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the invention provides a method of loading boxes onto truck pallets having opposed pairs of first and second edges, while preventing extension of the boxes beyond the pallet edges. The method additionally and alternatively facili-tates loading of the boxes into airline cargo containers.
In either case, the volume occupied by the boxes is maxi-mized. A plurality of boxes are provided, each box having opposed pairs of mutually perpendicular first, second and third outer sides, with the length of the first outer sides being about 70% of the length of the first pallet edges and about 2.5 times the length of the second outer sides.
If the boxes are to be loaded onto a pallet, a first layer of four of the boxes is placed atop the pallet, with one of the second sides of each of three of the boxes aligned along one of the second edges of the pallet and with the first sides of the three boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said second pallet edge.
The fourth box is placed on the pallet with its second sides extending between the opposed second sides of the first three boxes and the opposed second edge of the pallet. A second four box layer is placed atop the first layer, the second layer being identical to the first layer .
but rotated 180 with respect to the first layer. Addi-tional four box layers are placed atop the previous layers, each successive layer being identical to the layer immedi-ately therebeneath, but rotated 180 with respect thereto until the height of the layers reaches a desired level.
If the boxes are to be loaded into an LD-3 type airline cargo container, a first layer of five boxes is placed in the base of the LD-3 container, with one of the second sides of each of four of the boxes aligned along one narrow wall of the base and with the first sides of the four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from wall. The fifth box is placed in the base of the container with its second sides extending between the opposed second sides of the first four boxes and the opposed narrow wall of the base. A second layer of eight boxes is placed atop the first layer, with one of the second sides of each of four of the second layer boxes aligned along one narrow wall of the container and with the first sides of those four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from the wall. The other four second layer boxes are placed with their second sides aligned along the opposed wall, with the first sides of the other four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from the opposed wall. Additional eight box layers are placed atop the previous layers, each successive layer being identical to the second layer, until the layers fill the LD-3 container.
If the boxes are to be loaded into an LD-8 type airline cargo container, a first layer of nine boxes is placed in the base of the LD-8 container, with one of the second sides of each of four of the boxes aligned along one narrow wall of the base and with their first sides extend-ing parallel to one another and inwardly from the wall.
Another four boxes are placed in the base of the container with one of the second sides of each of the other four boxes aligned along an opposed narrow wall of the base and with their first sides extending parallel to one another and inwardly from the opposed wall. The ninth box is placed in the base of the container with its second sides extending between the opposed second sides of the other eight boxes. A second layer of twelve boxes is placed atop the first layer, with one of the second sides of each of four of the second layer boxes aligned along one narrow wall of the container and with the first sides of those four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from the wall. Another four of the second layer boxes are placed atop the first layer, with their second sides aligned along the opposed wall and with their first sides extending parallel to one another and inwardly from the opposed wall. A further four second layer boxes are placed atop the first layer, with their second sides aligned between the opposed second sides of the other eight second layer boxes. A third layer of thirteen boxes is placed atop the second layer, with one of the second sides of each of four of the third layer boxes aligned along one narrow wall of the container and with the first sides of those four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from the wall. Another four third layer boxes are placed atop the second layer, with their second sides aligned along the opposed wall with their first sides extending parallel to one another and inwardly from the opposed wall.
A further four third layer boxes are placed atop the second layer, with their second sides aligned along the opposed second sides of one of the first two four box groups of third layer boxes. The thirteenth box is placed atop the second layer with its second sides extending between the opposed second sides of two of the three four box groups of third layer boxes. Additional thirteen box layers are placed atop the previous layers, each successive layer being identical to the third layer, until the layers fill the LD-8 container.
The length of the third outer sides may be about 20% of the length of the first outer sides and about 50% of the length of the second outer sides. Alternatively, the length of the third outer sides may be about 30% of the 5 length of the first outer sides and about 80% of the length of the second outer sides. In the first case, the length of the first outer sides is preferably about 34", the length of the second outer sides is preferably about 13.625" and the length of the third outer sides is prefer-10 ably about 7". In the second case, the length of the firstouter sides is preferably about 34", the length of the second outer sides is preferably about 13.625" and the length of the third outer sides is preferably about 10.875".
Advantageously, an expanded polystyrene drain board may be provided in the base of each of the boxes.
The invention further provided a packaging system 20 for loading boxes onto truck pallets having opposed pairs of first and second edges, while preventing extension of the boxes beyond the pallet edges; or, into airline cargo containers. In either case, the volume occupied by the boxes is maximized. The system comprises a plurality of 25 expanded polystyrene boxes, each of the boxes having opposed pairs of mutually perpendicular first, second and third outer sides, with the length of the first outer sides being about 70% of the length of the first pallet edges and about 2.5 times the length of the second outer sides. The 30 length of the third outer sides may be about 20% of the length of the first outer sides and about 50% of the length of the second outer sides; or, about 30% of the length of the first outer sides and about 80% of the length of the second outer sides.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 depicts an expanded polystyrene box constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 depicts an expanded styrene box con-structed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.
Figures 3A, 3B and 3C are respectively top plan, cross-sectional and bottom plan views of a drain board for use with either of the boxes of Figures 1 or 2, the cross-sectional view in Figure 3B being taken with respect to lines B-B of Figure 3A.
Figure 4 is a cut-away view of the box of Fig-ure 1 with the lid closed and the drain board resting inside the bottom of the box.
Figure 5 is a side elevation view depicting seven layers of Figure 1 boxes loaded onto a standard truck pallet, with four boxes in each layer.
Figure 6 is a top plan view of the lowermost layer of boxes shown in Figure 5, the Figure 6 view being taken with respect to lines 6-6 of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a side elevation view depicting ten layers of Figure 2 boxes loaded onto a standard truck pallet, with four boxes in each layer.
Figure 8 is a side elevation view depicting seven layers of prior art boxes loaded onto a standard truck pallet, with three boxes in each layer.
Figure 9 is a top plan view of the lowermost layer of boxes shown in Figure 8, the Figure 9 view being taken with respect to lines 9-9 of Figure 8.
Figure lOA is a side elevation view depicting five layers of Figure 1 boxes loaded into an LD-8 airline cargo container.
Figure lOB is a top plan view of the lowermost lo layer of Figure loA boxes, taken with respect to lines B-B of Figure lOA.
Figure lOC is a top plan view of the second layer of Figure lOA boxes, taken with respect to lines C-C of Figure lOA.
Figure lOD is a top plan view of the third layer of Figure lOA boxes, taken with respect to lines D-D of Figure lOA.
Figure llA is a side elevation view depicting five layers of Figure 1 boxes loaded into an LD-3 airline cargo container.
Figure llB is a top plan view of the lowermost layer of Figure llA boxes, taken with respect to lines B-B of Figure llA.
Figure llC is a top plan view of the second layer of Figure llA boxes, taken with respect to lines C-C of Figure llA.
Figure llD is a top plan view of the third layer of Figure llA boxes, taken with respect to lines D-D of Figure llA.
2~7g71~
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Figure 1 depicts a box having an expanded poly-styrene container portion 10, an expanded polystyrene lid 12 and an expanded polystyrene drain board 14. As best 5 seen in Figure 4, lid 12 fits tightly over the upper rim of container portion 10 by pressing lid 12 downwardly such that upwardly protruding rib 16 of container portion 10 fits snugly within mating recess 18 on the underside of lid 12. Figure 4 further depicts the manner in which drain 10 board 14 rests inside the bottom of container portion 10, substantially covering inside bottom surface 20 of con-tainer portion 10.
As depicted in Figures 3A, 3B and 3C, a plurality 15 of apertures 22 are provided in drain board 14. A series of intersecting ribs 24 are formed on the underside 26 of drain board 14 to protrude downwardly therefrom. Ribs 24 support upper surface 28 of drain board 14 away from bottom surface 20 so that items resting on drain board 14 are held 20 away from inside bottom surface 20, and thus away from fluids which may accumulate in the bottom of the container.
Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1, but depicts an alternative box having a container portion 30 and a lid 32.
25 The Figure 2 box is identical to the Figure 1 box, except that the height of the Figure 2 box is less than the height of the Figure 1 box. The Figure 2 box is depicted without a drain board. However, drain board 14 may be utilized in the Figure 2 box in precisely the same manner described 30 above with respect to the Figure 1 box.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate the difficulties encountered in loading prior art boxes onto standard 42"
by 48" truck pallets. As best seen in Figure 9, standard 35 truck pallet 34 has a first pair of opposed 48" side edges 36, 38 and a second pair of opposed 42" side edges 40, 42.
The size of the prior art boxes is such that only three - 10 - 207g718 prior art boxes 44, 46, 48 per layer can be placed atop standard truck pallet 34. Moreover, such placement results in the box ends 50, 52 overhanging pallet edges 40, 42 respectively. Figure 8 depicts the manner in which an additional six layers of prior art boxes are conventionally stacked atop the lowermost layer, with three boxes in each layer. Each layer is similar to the lowermost layer depicted in Figure 9, with alternate layers rotated 180 relative to the immediately underlying three box layer.
Significant breakage of prior art expanded polystyrene boxes has been experienced when such boxes are loaded atop standard truck pallets in the manner described above with reference to Figures 8 and 9. This is believed to be partially due to the lack of support for the box portions which overhang pallet edges 40, 42. A further problem, illustrated by Figure 9, is the wastage of a relatively large amount of unoccupied pallet space in regions 54, 56 on either side of the three prior art boxes laid atop pallet surface 34. When extended upwardly along both sides of the seven layers of boxes depicted in Figure 8, these regions represent a significant wastage of pallet carrying capacity and consequential wastage of truck volume carrying capacity when multiplied by the total number of pallets carried in the truck. Moreover, a truck contain-ing a loaded pallet travels at relatively high speed, negotiating bends in the road, bumps, etc. The empty, wasted space allows the layered boxes to sway laterally.
The cumulative effect of the foregoing conditions is believed to result in forces which may result in failure of the sidewalls of the lowermost boxes in a pallet load.
As the truck load sways, the upper layer boxes impose large forces on the lower layer boxes. The unsupported box portions which overhang the pallet edges are unable to resist such forces. Box failure may result in total loss of the seafood shipped in the failed boxes, necessitate . , cleanup of the contents spilled from the failed boxes, and may also necessitate manual unloading of the boxes from the truck.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 show how the Figure 1 or Figure 2 boxes may be loaded onto standard truck pallet 34.
Figure 5 shows seven layers of Figure 1 boxes loaded onto pallet 34, with four boxes in each layer. Figure 7 shows ten layers of Figure 2 boxes loaded onto pallet 34, with four boxes in each layer. Figure 6 is representative of the lowermost layer of either the Figure 5 or Figure 7 pallet loads, since the Figure 1 and 2 boxes differ only in their respective heights.
The Figure 1 and Figure 2 boxes each have opposed pairs of mutually perpendicular first, second and third outer sides 58, 60; 62, 64; and 66, 68 (Figures 1, 2 and 6). For either box, first outer sides 58, 60 extend over a length "L" and second outer sides 62, 64 extend across a width "W". Third sides 66, 68 of the Figure 1 box extend over a height "H~", whereas third sides 66, 68 of the Figure 2 box extend over a height "H2". First outer sides 58, 60 are about 70% of the length of first pallet edges 36, 38 and are also about 2.5 times the width "W" of second outer sides 62, 64. More particularly, length "L" is preferably about 34 inches and width "W" is preferably about 13.625 inches. The height "H1" of the Figure 1 boxes is preferably about 20% of the length "L" of first outer sides 58, 60 and about 50% of the width "W" of second outer sides 62, 64.
More particularly, the height "H1" of the Figure 1 box is preferably about 10.875 inches. The height ''Hl'' of the Figure 2 boxes is preferably about 30% of the length "L" of first outer sides 58, 60 and about 80% of the width "W" of second outer sides 62, 64. More particularly, the height "H2" of the Figure 2 box is preferably about 7 inches.
/
The Figure 1 boxes are loaded onto pallet 34 as follows (see Figures 5 and 6). A first layer of four boxes 70, 72, 74, 76 is placed atop pallet 34 as shown in Figure 6. One of second outer sides 62 of each of boxes 70, 72 and 74 is aligned along one of the narrower (i.e. 42 inch) second edges 42 of pallet 34. The first sides 58, 60 of each of boxes 70, 72, 74 extend parallel to one another and inwardly from pallet second edge 42. The fourth box 76 is placed so that its second sides 62, 64 extend between the opposed second sides 64 of boxes 70, 72, 74 and the opposed second edge 40 of pallet 34. A second layer 78 (Figure 5) of four identical Figure 1 boxes is placed atop the first layer. Second layer 78 is identical to the first layer, except that it is rotated 180 with respect to the first layer. That is, whereas second sides 62 of boxes 70, 72, 74 in the first layer are aligned against second pallet edge 42, the corresponding second sides 62 of the three parallel boxes in second layer 78 are aligned against the opposed second edge 40 of pallet 34, with the fourth box (not shown) in second layer 78 lying between the second outer sides 64 of the three parallel second layer boxes and second edge 42 of pallet 34.
Additional four box layers are placed atop the previous layers, with each successive layer being identical to the immediately underlying layer, but rotated 180 with respect thereto, until the total height of all such layers reaches a desired level.
The identical loading pattern is adopted with respect to the Figure 2 boxes, except that a greater number of layers of such boxes can be accommodated, due to the reduced height "H2" of the Figure 2 boxes relative to the height "H1" of the Figure 1 boxes. Compare the seven layers of Figure 1 boxes depicted in Figure 5 with the ten layers of Figure 2 boxes depicted in Figure 7.
~~ - 13 -As revealed by Figure 6, very little storage space is wasted on pallet 34. Only small regions 80, 82 remain unoccupied between second outer sides 62, 64 of box 76 and first pallet edges 36, 38; plus narrow unoccupied 5 margins extending between first outer side 58 of box 70 and pallet first edge 36; and, between first outer side 60 of box 74 and pallet first edge 38. The unoccupied portions corresponding to regions 80, 82 are shown cross-hatched in each of Figures 5 and 7 for each odd numbered layer of 10 boxes, starting with the lowermost layer. Similar unoc-cupied regions exist on the portions of the even numbered layers away from the viewer in each of Figures 5 and 7.
Truck pallets measuring 40" by 48" are also 15 common. The Figure 1 and Figure 2 boxes can also be efficiently loaded atop such pallets in a manner identical to that described above with respect to 42" by 48" pallet 34. In the case of a 40" by 48" pallet, the box ends overhang the pallet edges by about ~" in the 40" direction.
20 However, such minimal overhang has been found to be insig-nificant, in that the Figure 1 and Figure 2 boxes are not prone to failure of the sort described above with respect to the prior art boxes.
The manner in which the Figure 1 boxes are loaded into an LD-3 type airline cargo container will now be described with respect to Figures llA, llB, llC and llD.
A first layer (Figure llB) of Figure 1 boxes is laid in the base 84 of LD-3 container 86. One of the second sides 62 30 of each of four Figure 1 boxes 88, 90, 92, 94 is aligned along one narrow wall 96 of base 84. The first outer sides 58, 60 of each of boxes 88, 90, 92, 94 extend parallel to one another and inwardly from wall 96. The fifth box 98 is placed with its second outer sides 62, 64 extending between 35 the opposed second side 64 of boxes 88, 90, 92, 94 and the opposed narrow wall 100 of base 84.
A second layer (Figure llC) of eight Figure 1 boxes is placed atop the first layer. One of the second sides 62 of each of a group of four second layer boxes is aligned along one narrow wall 102 of the LD-3 container, with the first sides 58, 60 of those four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from wall 102. The second sides 62 of a second group of four second layer boxes are aligned along and supported by sloped container wall 103 which extends beneath opposed container wall 104, with the first sides 58, 60 of the second group of four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from opposed wall 104. Additional eight box layers (Figure llD) are placed atop the previous layers, with each successive layer being identical to the second layer, until the layers of boxes fill the LD-3 container.
Figures 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D depict the manner in which the Figure 1 boxes are preferably loaded into an LD-8 type airline cargo container. A first layer (Figure 10B) of nine boxes is placed in the base 106 of LD-8 container 108. One of the second sides 62 of each of a first group of four boxes 110, 112, 114, 116 is aligned along one narrow wall 118 of base 106. The first outer sides 58, 60 of each of boxes 110, 112, 114, 116 extend parallel to one another and inwardly from wall 118. The second sides 62 of each box in another four box group are aligned along an opposed narrow wall 120 of base 106 with the first outer sides 58, 60 of the second group of four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from opposed wall 120. The ninth box 122 is placed between the first two groups of four boxes, with the second outer sides 62, 64 of box 122 extending between the opposed (i.e.
inward) second sides 64 of each of the two four box groups.
A second layer (Figure 10C) of twelve boxes is placed atop the first layer. One of the second sides 62 of each one of a first four box group is aligned along one ~~ - 15 -narrow wall 124 of container 108, with the first sides 58, 60 of those four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from wall 124. The second sides 62 of another four box group are aligned along the opposed container wall 126 with the first sides 58, 60 of the second group of four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from wall 126. A third group of four boxes is placed between the first two four box groups with the first sides 58, 60 of the third four box group aligned between the opposed (i.e. inward) second sides 64 of each of the two outwardly disposed four box groups.
A third layer (Figure lOD) of 13 boxes is placed atop the second layer. The third layer is similar to the second layer, except that the third layer is sufficiently high that it sits in a wider part of container 108 than the second layer. This leaves room for a thirteenth box 128 between two opposed four box groups as shown in Figure lOD.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. For example, besides attaining efficient loading of LD-3 or LD-8 airline cargo containers as described above, the invention also facilitates efficient loading of other types of airline cargo containers, such as LD-2, LD-5, LD-7, LD-8, LD-9 or LD-ll containers. The following table illustrates the improved loading attainable with the Figure 1 box, as compared with prior art boxes of the type described above with references to Figures 8 and 9:
Number of Prior Art Number of Airline Cargo Boxes in Figure 1 Boxes Container Type Container in Container LD-ll 60 65 Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Figure 1 depicts a box having an expanded poly-styrene container portion 10, an expanded polystyrene lid 12 and an expanded polystyrene drain board 14. As best 5 seen in Figure 4, lid 12 fits tightly over the upper rim of container portion 10 by pressing lid 12 downwardly such that upwardly protruding rib 16 of container portion 10 fits snugly within mating recess 18 on the underside of lid 12. Figure 4 further depicts the manner in which drain 10 board 14 rests inside the bottom of container portion 10, substantially covering inside bottom surface 20 of con-tainer portion 10.
As depicted in Figures 3A, 3B and 3C, a plurality 15 of apertures 22 are provided in drain board 14. A series of intersecting ribs 24 are formed on the underside 26 of drain board 14 to protrude downwardly therefrom. Ribs 24 support upper surface 28 of drain board 14 away from bottom surface 20 so that items resting on drain board 14 are held 20 away from inside bottom surface 20, and thus away from fluids which may accumulate in the bottom of the container.
Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1, but depicts an alternative box having a container portion 30 and a lid 32.
25 The Figure 2 box is identical to the Figure 1 box, except that the height of the Figure 2 box is less than the height of the Figure 1 box. The Figure 2 box is depicted without a drain board. However, drain board 14 may be utilized in the Figure 2 box in precisely the same manner described 30 above with respect to the Figure 1 box.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate the difficulties encountered in loading prior art boxes onto standard 42"
by 48" truck pallets. As best seen in Figure 9, standard 35 truck pallet 34 has a first pair of opposed 48" side edges 36, 38 and a second pair of opposed 42" side edges 40, 42.
The size of the prior art boxes is such that only three - 10 - 207g718 prior art boxes 44, 46, 48 per layer can be placed atop standard truck pallet 34. Moreover, such placement results in the box ends 50, 52 overhanging pallet edges 40, 42 respectively. Figure 8 depicts the manner in which an additional six layers of prior art boxes are conventionally stacked atop the lowermost layer, with three boxes in each layer. Each layer is similar to the lowermost layer depicted in Figure 9, with alternate layers rotated 180 relative to the immediately underlying three box layer.
Significant breakage of prior art expanded polystyrene boxes has been experienced when such boxes are loaded atop standard truck pallets in the manner described above with reference to Figures 8 and 9. This is believed to be partially due to the lack of support for the box portions which overhang pallet edges 40, 42. A further problem, illustrated by Figure 9, is the wastage of a relatively large amount of unoccupied pallet space in regions 54, 56 on either side of the three prior art boxes laid atop pallet surface 34. When extended upwardly along both sides of the seven layers of boxes depicted in Figure 8, these regions represent a significant wastage of pallet carrying capacity and consequential wastage of truck volume carrying capacity when multiplied by the total number of pallets carried in the truck. Moreover, a truck contain-ing a loaded pallet travels at relatively high speed, negotiating bends in the road, bumps, etc. The empty, wasted space allows the layered boxes to sway laterally.
The cumulative effect of the foregoing conditions is believed to result in forces which may result in failure of the sidewalls of the lowermost boxes in a pallet load.
As the truck load sways, the upper layer boxes impose large forces on the lower layer boxes. The unsupported box portions which overhang the pallet edges are unable to resist such forces. Box failure may result in total loss of the seafood shipped in the failed boxes, necessitate . , cleanup of the contents spilled from the failed boxes, and may also necessitate manual unloading of the boxes from the truck.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 show how the Figure 1 or Figure 2 boxes may be loaded onto standard truck pallet 34.
Figure 5 shows seven layers of Figure 1 boxes loaded onto pallet 34, with four boxes in each layer. Figure 7 shows ten layers of Figure 2 boxes loaded onto pallet 34, with four boxes in each layer. Figure 6 is representative of the lowermost layer of either the Figure 5 or Figure 7 pallet loads, since the Figure 1 and 2 boxes differ only in their respective heights.
The Figure 1 and Figure 2 boxes each have opposed pairs of mutually perpendicular first, second and third outer sides 58, 60; 62, 64; and 66, 68 (Figures 1, 2 and 6). For either box, first outer sides 58, 60 extend over a length "L" and second outer sides 62, 64 extend across a width "W". Third sides 66, 68 of the Figure 1 box extend over a height "H~", whereas third sides 66, 68 of the Figure 2 box extend over a height "H2". First outer sides 58, 60 are about 70% of the length of first pallet edges 36, 38 and are also about 2.5 times the width "W" of second outer sides 62, 64. More particularly, length "L" is preferably about 34 inches and width "W" is preferably about 13.625 inches. The height "H1" of the Figure 1 boxes is preferably about 20% of the length "L" of first outer sides 58, 60 and about 50% of the width "W" of second outer sides 62, 64.
More particularly, the height "H1" of the Figure 1 box is preferably about 10.875 inches. The height ''Hl'' of the Figure 2 boxes is preferably about 30% of the length "L" of first outer sides 58, 60 and about 80% of the width "W" of second outer sides 62, 64. More particularly, the height "H2" of the Figure 2 box is preferably about 7 inches.
/
The Figure 1 boxes are loaded onto pallet 34 as follows (see Figures 5 and 6). A first layer of four boxes 70, 72, 74, 76 is placed atop pallet 34 as shown in Figure 6. One of second outer sides 62 of each of boxes 70, 72 and 74 is aligned along one of the narrower (i.e. 42 inch) second edges 42 of pallet 34. The first sides 58, 60 of each of boxes 70, 72, 74 extend parallel to one another and inwardly from pallet second edge 42. The fourth box 76 is placed so that its second sides 62, 64 extend between the opposed second sides 64 of boxes 70, 72, 74 and the opposed second edge 40 of pallet 34. A second layer 78 (Figure 5) of four identical Figure 1 boxes is placed atop the first layer. Second layer 78 is identical to the first layer, except that it is rotated 180 with respect to the first layer. That is, whereas second sides 62 of boxes 70, 72, 74 in the first layer are aligned against second pallet edge 42, the corresponding second sides 62 of the three parallel boxes in second layer 78 are aligned against the opposed second edge 40 of pallet 34, with the fourth box (not shown) in second layer 78 lying between the second outer sides 64 of the three parallel second layer boxes and second edge 42 of pallet 34.
Additional four box layers are placed atop the previous layers, with each successive layer being identical to the immediately underlying layer, but rotated 180 with respect thereto, until the total height of all such layers reaches a desired level.
The identical loading pattern is adopted with respect to the Figure 2 boxes, except that a greater number of layers of such boxes can be accommodated, due to the reduced height "H2" of the Figure 2 boxes relative to the height "H1" of the Figure 1 boxes. Compare the seven layers of Figure 1 boxes depicted in Figure 5 with the ten layers of Figure 2 boxes depicted in Figure 7.
~~ - 13 -As revealed by Figure 6, very little storage space is wasted on pallet 34. Only small regions 80, 82 remain unoccupied between second outer sides 62, 64 of box 76 and first pallet edges 36, 38; plus narrow unoccupied 5 margins extending between first outer side 58 of box 70 and pallet first edge 36; and, between first outer side 60 of box 74 and pallet first edge 38. The unoccupied portions corresponding to regions 80, 82 are shown cross-hatched in each of Figures 5 and 7 for each odd numbered layer of 10 boxes, starting with the lowermost layer. Similar unoc-cupied regions exist on the portions of the even numbered layers away from the viewer in each of Figures 5 and 7.
Truck pallets measuring 40" by 48" are also 15 common. The Figure 1 and Figure 2 boxes can also be efficiently loaded atop such pallets in a manner identical to that described above with respect to 42" by 48" pallet 34. In the case of a 40" by 48" pallet, the box ends overhang the pallet edges by about ~" in the 40" direction.
20 However, such minimal overhang has been found to be insig-nificant, in that the Figure 1 and Figure 2 boxes are not prone to failure of the sort described above with respect to the prior art boxes.
The manner in which the Figure 1 boxes are loaded into an LD-3 type airline cargo container will now be described with respect to Figures llA, llB, llC and llD.
A first layer (Figure llB) of Figure 1 boxes is laid in the base 84 of LD-3 container 86. One of the second sides 62 30 of each of four Figure 1 boxes 88, 90, 92, 94 is aligned along one narrow wall 96 of base 84. The first outer sides 58, 60 of each of boxes 88, 90, 92, 94 extend parallel to one another and inwardly from wall 96. The fifth box 98 is placed with its second outer sides 62, 64 extending between 35 the opposed second side 64 of boxes 88, 90, 92, 94 and the opposed narrow wall 100 of base 84.
A second layer (Figure llC) of eight Figure 1 boxes is placed atop the first layer. One of the second sides 62 of each of a group of four second layer boxes is aligned along one narrow wall 102 of the LD-3 container, with the first sides 58, 60 of those four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from wall 102. The second sides 62 of a second group of four second layer boxes are aligned along and supported by sloped container wall 103 which extends beneath opposed container wall 104, with the first sides 58, 60 of the second group of four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from opposed wall 104. Additional eight box layers (Figure llD) are placed atop the previous layers, with each successive layer being identical to the second layer, until the layers of boxes fill the LD-3 container.
Figures 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D depict the manner in which the Figure 1 boxes are preferably loaded into an LD-8 type airline cargo container. A first layer (Figure 10B) of nine boxes is placed in the base 106 of LD-8 container 108. One of the second sides 62 of each of a first group of four boxes 110, 112, 114, 116 is aligned along one narrow wall 118 of base 106. The first outer sides 58, 60 of each of boxes 110, 112, 114, 116 extend parallel to one another and inwardly from wall 118. The second sides 62 of each box in another four box group are aligned along an opposed narrow wall 120 of base 106 with the first outer sides 58, 60 of the second group of four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from opposed wall 120. The ninth box 122 is placed between the first two groups of four boxes, with the second outer sides 62, 64 of box 122 extending between the opposed (i.e.
inward) second sides 64 of each of the two four box groups.
A second layer (Figure 10C) of twelve boxes is placed atop the first layer. One of the second sides 62 of each one of a first four box group is aligned along one ~~ - 15 -narrow wall 124 of container 108, with the first sides 58, 60 of those four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from wall 124. The second sides 62 of another four box group are aligned along the opposed container wall 126 with the first sides 58, 60 of the second group of four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from wall 126. A third group of four boxes is placed between the first two four box groups with the first sides 58, 60 of the third four box group aligned between the opposed (i.e. inward) second sides 64 of each of the two outwardly disposed four box groups.
A third layer (Figure lOD) of 13 boxes is placed atop the second layer. The third layer is similar to the second layer, except that the third layer is sufficiently high that it sits in a wider part of container 108 than the second layer. This leaves room for a thirteenth box 128 between two opposed four box groups as shown in Figure lOD.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. For example, besides attaining efficient loading of LD-3 or LD-8 airline cargo containers as described above, the invention also facilitates efficient loading of other types of airline cargo containers, such as LD-2, LD-5, LD-7, LD-8, LD-9 or LD-ll containers. The following table illustrates the improved loading attainable with the Figure 1 box, as compared with prior art boxes of the type described above with references to Figures 8 and 9:
Number of Prior Art Number of Airline Cargo Boxes in Figure 1 Boxes Container Type Container in Container LD-ll 60 65 Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following claims.
Claims (6)
1. A method of loading boxes onto truck pallets having opposed pairs of first and second edges while prevent-ing extension of said boxes beyond said pallet edges, or loading said boxes into LD-3 or LD-8 type airline cargo containers to maximize the volume occupied by said boxes, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a plurality of boxes, each of said boxes having opposed pairs of mutually perpen-dicular first, second and third outer sides, wherein the length of said first outer sides is about 70% of the length of said first pallet edges and about 2.5 times the length of said second outer sides;
(b) if said boxes are to be loaded onto said pallets:
(i) placing a first layer of four of said boxes atop said pallet, with one of said second sides of each of three of said boxes aligned along one of said second edges of said pallet and with said first sides of said three boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said pallet second edge, said second sides of said fourth box extending between the opposed second sides of said three boxes and said opposed second edge of said pallet;
(ii) placing a second layer of four of said boxes atop said first layer, said second layer identical to said first layer but rotated 180° with respect to said first layer;
(iii) placing additional four box layers atop said previous layers, each successive layer identical to the layer immediate-ly therebeneath but rotated 180° with respect thereto until the height of said layers reaches a desired level;
or, (c) if said boxes are to be loaded into said LD-3 type airline cargo containers:
(i) placing a first layer of five of said boxes in the base of said LD-3 container, with one of said second sides of each of four of said boxes aligned along one narrow wall of said base and with said first sides of said four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said wall, said second sides of said fifth box extending between the opposed second sides of said four boxes and an opposed narrow wall of said base;
(ii) placing a second layer of eight of said boxes atop said first layer, with one of said second sides of each of four of said second layer boxes aligned along one narrow wall of said container and with said first sides of said four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said wall, said second sides of said other four second layer boxes aligned along said opposed wall with said first sides of said other four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said opposed wall;
(iii) placing additional eight box layers atop said previous layers, each suc-cessive layer identical to said second layer, until said layers fill said LD-3 container; or, (d) if said boxes are to be loaded into said LD-8 type airline cargo containers:
(i) placing a first layer of nine of said boxes in the base of said LD-8 container, with one of said second sides of each of four of said boxes aligned along one narrow wall of said base and with said first sides of said four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said wall, with one of said second sides of each of another four of said boxes aligned along an opposed narrow wall of said base and with said first sides of said other four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said opposed wall, said second sides of said ninth box extending between the opposed second sides of said eight boxes;
(ii) placing a second layer of twelve of said boxes atop said first layer, with one of said second sides of each of four of said second layer boxes aligned along one narrow wall of said container and with said first sides of said four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said wall, said second sides of another four of said second layer boxes aligned along said opposed wall with said first sides of said other four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said opposed wall, said first sides of a further four of said second layer boxes aligned between the opposed second sides of said eight second layer boxes;
(iii) placing a third layer of thirteen of said boxes atop said second layer, with one of said second sides of each of four of said third layer boxes aligned along one narrow wall of said container and with said first sides of said four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said wall, said second sides of another four of said third layer boxes aligned along said opposed wall with said first sides of said other four boxes extending paral-lel to one another and inwardly from said opposed wall, said second sides of a further four of said third layer boxes aligned along the opposed second sides of one of said four box groups of third layer boxes, said second sides of said thirteenth box extending between the opposed second sides of two of said four box groups of third layer boxes;
(iv) placing additional thirteen box layers atop said previous layers, each successive layer identical to said third layer, until said layers fill said LD-8 container.
(a) providing a plurality of boxes, each of said boxes having opposed pairs of mutually perpen-dicular first, second and third outer sides, wherein the length of said first outer sides is about 70% of the length of said first pallet edges and about 2.5 times the length of said second outer sides;
(b) if said boxes are to be loaded onto said pallets:
(i) placing a first layer of four of said boxes atop said pallet, with one of said second sides of each of three of said boxes aligned along one of said second edges of said pallet and with said first sides of said three boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said pallet second edge, said second sides of said fourth box extending between the opposed second sides of said three boxes and said opposed second edge of said pallet;
(ii) placing a second layer of four of said boxes atop said first layer, said second layer identical to said first layer but rotated 180° with respect to said first layer;
(iii) placing additional four box layers atop said previous layers, each successive layer identical to the layer immediate-ly therebeneath but rotated 180° with respect thereto until the height of said layers reaches a desired level;
or, (c) if said boxes are to be loaded into said LD-3 type airline cargo containers:
(i) placing a first layer of five of said boxes in the base of said LD-3 container, with one of said second sides of each of four of said boxes aligned along one narrow wall of said base and with said first sides of said four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said wall, said second sides of said fifth box extending between the opposed second sides of said four boxes and an opposed narrow wall of said base;
(ii) placing a second layer of eight of said boxes atop said first layer, with one of said second sides of each of four of said second layer boxes aligned along one narrow wall of said container and with said first sides of said four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said wall, said second sides of said other four second layer boxes aligned along said opposed wall with said first sides of said other four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said opposed wall;
(iii) placing additional eight box layers atop said previous layers, each suc-cessive layer identical to said second layer, until said layers fill said LD-3 container; or, (d) if said boxes are to be loaded into said LD-8 type airline cargo containers:
(i) placing a first layer of nine of said boxes in the base of said LD-8 container, with one of said second sides of each of four of said boxes aligned along one narrow wall of said base and with said first sides of said four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said wall, with one of said second sides of each of another four of said boxes aligned along an opposed narrow wall of said base and with said first sides of said other four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said opposed wall, said second sides of said ninth box extending between the opposed second sides of said eight boxes;
(ii) placing a second layer of twelve of said boxes atop said first layer, with one of said second sides of each of four of said second layer boxes aligned along one narrow wall of said container and with said first sides of said four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said wall, said second sides of another four of said second layer boxes aligned along said opposed wall with said first sides of said other four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said opposed wall, said first sides of a further four of said second layer boxes aligned between the opposed second sides of said eight second layer boxes;
(iii) placing a third layer of thirteen of said boxes atop said second layer, with one of said second sides of each of four of said third layer boxes aligned along one narrow wall of said container and with said first sides of said four boxes extending parallel to one another and inwardly from said wall, said second sides of another four of said third layer boxes aligned along said opposed wall with said first sides of said other four boxes extending paral-lel to one another and inwardly from said opposed wall, said second sides of a further four of said third layer boxes aligned along the opposed second sides of one of said four box groups of third layer boxes, said second sides of said thirteenth box extending between the opposed second sides of two of said four box groups of third layer boxes;
(iv) placing additional thirteen box layers atop said previous layers, each successive layer identical to said third layer, until said layers fill said LD-8 container.
2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the length of said third outer sides is about 20% of the length of said first outer sides and about 50% of the length of said second outer sides.
3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the length of said third outer sides is about 30% of the length of said first outer sides and about 80% of the length of said second outer sides.
4. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the length of said first outer sides is about 34", the length of said second outer sides is about 13.625" and the length of said third outer sides is about 7".
5. A method as defined in claim 3, wherein the length of said first outer sides is about 34", the length of said second outer sides is about 13.625" and the length of said third outer sides is about 10.875".
6. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising an expanded polystyrene drain board in the base of each of said boxes.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2079718 CA2079718C (en) | 1992-10-02 | 1992-10-02 | Packaging system and method of loading boxes onto truck pallets or into airline cargo containers |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2079718 CA2079718C (en) | 1992-10-02 | 1992-10-02 | Packaging system and method of loading boxes onto truck pallets or into airline cargo containers |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2079718A1 CA2079718A1 (en) | 1994-04-03 |
| CA2079718C true CA2079718C (en) | 1996-04-16 |
Family
ID=4150487
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2079718 Expired - Lifetime CA2079718C (en) | 1992-10-02 | 1992-10-02 | Packaging system and method of loading boxes onto truck pallets or into airline cargo containers |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2079718C (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5881908A (en) * | 1997-03-17 | 1999-03-16 | Premier Industries, Inc. | Insulated shipping container for fish |
| CN103662422A (en) * | 2013-12-16 | 2014-03-26 | 苏州安特实业有限公司 | Low temperature preservation tank |
-
1992
- 1992-10-02 CA CA 2079718 patent/CA2079718C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2079718A1 (en) | 1994-04-03 |
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