CN102791587A

CN102791587A - Pallets for the handling of goods, processes for manufacturing pallets and methods of using pallets in the handling of goods

Info

Publication number: CN102791587A
Application number: CN2011800134621A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 彼得·沃特·迪图瓦; 卡尔-海因茨·施米特
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-01-28
Filing date: 2011-01-28
Publication date: 2012-11-21
Also published as: ZA201206448B; AU2011210315A1; KR20120125637A; MX2012008754A; JP2013518001A; RU2012136563A; US20130032507A1; BR112012019705A2; WO2011092652A2; CA2788454A1; WO2011092652A3; EP2528833A2

Abstract

Processes, a pallet (10) and a pallet system are provided for the handling of goods. The pallet (10) includes a main body (12) defining a load deck (16) and feet (18) and the main body (12) is suitable to be used as a pallet for applications such as light duty, one-way transport of goods. The pallet (10) further includes a bottom accessory (14) that can be attached to the feet (18) of the main body (12) to form beams (44,46) extending between the feet (18) to convert the main body (12) into pallet (10) that is suitable for use in heavy duty applications such as in pallet pools. The main body (12) and bottom accessory (14) are each configured to allow them to be nested, when not attached to each other.; The processes of the invention include using the main body (12) to transport goods from manufacturers and then attaching the bottom accessory (14) to the main body (12) to form a pallet (10) for use in a pallet pool. The pallet system includes a variety of attachments that can be attached to the main body (12) and/or the accessory (14) and can be removed, as necessary.

Description

Be used for handling goods tray, be used to make the method for tray and handling the method that goods uses tray

Technical field

The present invention relates to be used to handle the goods tray of (comprise transportation and store goods), and extend to the method for making tray and the method for in handling goods, using tray.

Background technology

Tray is used to handle goods in very large scale, and makes efforts continuously and reduce the cost of tray, improves its mechanical characteristics, prolongs its service life etc.

The various standards that exist tray to satisfy for various application; But some division that can be used for patent is classified comprise tray whether be callable (for example; For supply in the supplier of the goods on the tray), stackable (being on the load of the cargo-carring tray tray that is shelved on the below), (that is, tray can slip in the shelf and support loads continues period of prolonging) that can shelve, lightweight, severe duty.According to these performances that in tray, require (except that such as the common requirements such as cost, intensity, repair ability), the design of tray is usually at compromise between the different attributes and the lasting overall performance that need when suppressing compromise, improve tray.

One of problem that in tray industry, experiences is the supplier of product in batch, polymer manufacturer for example, need be on tray with its Product transport to the customer, but they do not hope to bear the task of after product is transferred, regaining tray.They regard tray as consumable packing cost.Thereby they on expendable tray, supply product usually and in order to keep cost minimum, it is light (about 60 pounds usually) and the intensity that only has the load that is enough to carry the goods that is loaded that tray is fabricated on the weight.Tray is not made into usually be enough durable and/or do not have mechanical strength with allow they such as heavier loading, pile up, shelve etc. other continue to be used in using.Thereby these lightweight expendable one way trays (being called " outlet tray ", " heroin dish " or " one way tray " in the art) are dropped in its destination usually, cause the tray cost waste and cause environmental pressure.

Great majority outlet tray is processed by timber at present; But in many countries, suitable timber is not useable for making tray; And; Perhaps must spend big expense import timber tray, but perhaps must must be made, make the maker's burden cost and/or the strength of product with low slightly similarly expense import timber and tray.And the remarkable environmental concerns of the deforestation that causes except that the supply by the timber that is used for tray, the transportation of the timber tray timber of tray (or be used for) increases gaseous emission.

In case the outlet tray arrives its destination, it is dropped usually, because it is not suitable for as so-called " deposit tray ", the deposit tray is made for and in such as the different application of piling up and shelving, uses and repeatedly re-use.Thereby the outlet tray causes further environmental pressure, and this is because or export tray and directly be dropped or export tray as solid waste and must be opened (according to the type of tray) and its material to be disposed such as the suitable manner of incinerating.

In many countries, allow the timber tray get into country and/or tray need be by sootiness, heat treatment etc. before, " disposal cost " imposed.

Another problem that in tray industry, experiences be no matter during tray is fed to the user, during the withdrawal of tray etc., to saving the needs of the discharged tray of local transportation.The subject matter of this aspect be tray because its essence but heavy (it will be provided at the payload platform that the below has the rising in the space that is used for lift fork) and thereby discharged tray occupy big volume.

Another problem is the problem of labour power, because possibly repacked on the tray at different size in the wooden pallet loads that a country receives, it is fit to automatic stored needs.

Another problem that in tray industry, experiences is the ruined tray that needs repairing.In some situations, it is cost-effective also replacing them to keep in repair tray with new parts through the parts that remove destruction usually.For example common practice is to remove the lath that destroys in the wooden tray and change them.Yet in many situations, the parts of tray are not easy to separate and they are dropped when being destroyed simply, and perhaps destruction of the ease of connection between the parts of tray and tray can not re-assembly with enough intensity.

The another problem that in tray industry, experiences is that the attachment structure of multi-part tray destroys between the used life that tray prolongs, because they receive various load, and for example from the impact of lift fork, the impact when empty tray is processed, etc.

The another problem of tray industry experience is to have the different standard pallet size that waits use for dissimilar goods, load weight, storage configuration (for example, have or do not have pile up and/or shelve).Space constraint in the zones of different that tray need be stored changes and the result is; For the pallet sizes that a kind of application is fit to, for example suitable pallet sizes needn't be for allowing in standard shipping container or automatic stored size of shelving the best use of available floor space in the system for handling fast-moving consumer goods.

Some outlet tray manufacturings have the taper footing, and it is over each other that the taper footing allows a plurality of trays to be nested in, and thereby ought not load the time save space.Yet the hollow footing of these trays produces big discountinuity in its payload platform, the stability (rigidity) in its loss reducing structure intensity and footing zone.

In some molded trays, in pallet structure, be provided with flank, especially below its payload platform, to improve intensity, especially its bending strength of tray.But, in order after molded tray, to make the tray demoulding, mould must make draft angle and the result is that flank has the end tapered cross-section profile wideer than the opposite end.These tapered profiles do not provide suitable strength, need in tray, use extra material and thereby increase the cost of tray.

Usually there is such demand; Promptly the tray of shipping goods should be able to pile up in its received position and/or shelve above that; And correspondingly; The tray that replaces goods to be transported above that is designed to only to be used for during route, to handle and the purpose of supporting cargo load, also need tray be designed with the extra performance that allows it in warehousing system etc., to be used.The result be transportation on the heavy tray can be on light-duty tray handling load, heavy tray manufacturing cost high and when sky (before and/or use) and the traffic cost that when loading, all has increase.

Usually need be able to utilize the storage bin of the fork lifting of conventional bont (for example, forklift, Jack, automated storage and retrieval system etc.), but this storage bin has vertical wall to limit the case that can keep goods.The case of the type in use, it comprises the conventional timber tray with vertical timber wall effectively.Owing to the timber structure of tray case and because the tray case occupies very large reservoir volume when its sky, so these tray casees are heavy, expensive and not environmental protection.Process similar tray case by plastic material; But they suffer identical shortcoming; Be its need to be designed to be with big weight mode sufficiently solid with bearing load and thereby be heavy and expensive; And yet they do not cause deforestation, and when these tray casees of transportation, its weight causes the increase of energy requirement.

When storing or transporting above-mentioned tray case, reduce in the too much space requirement attempting; Can be partly or integrally folding tray case be developed to and had the wall that can be attached to removedly each other, for example have the clip and/or the wall that can be attached to tray removedly.Be used for these walls be attached to clip that mechanism each other need lose usually easily or with the integrally formed parts of wall; It need clamp together, slip etc.; But these mechanisms are easy to destroy annex or annex is lost and therefore, existing folding tray case is unsafty.

In order to realize the optimum utilization of storage area capable of using, the tray case need be stacked usually, goes up the tray case by the wall support of following tray case.For the enough intensity in the wall that the tray case is provided to carry the weight of tray case of its top, wall is made with heavy durable structure, and has above-mentioned shortcoming.Has the tray case of folding wall or or even heavier or lack and allow the intensity of piling up.

The present invention attempts to solve above-mentioned shortcoming; Comprise the tray with good load-carrying capacity cost-effective, lightweight is provided; Through reducing provide convenience and the use cost-effective tray of weight of tray between the delivery period; The structural behaviour of keeping tray simultaneously is with supporting static weight and dynamic load, so that can pile up and shelve etc., and the systems of pallet that comprises the detouchable accessory that rises to tray is provided.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, a kind of tray that comprises main body is provided, said

Main body comprises:

Payload platform, this payload platform have smooth substantially load surface; And

A plurality of isolated footing, these a plurality of isolated footing are outstanding from payload platform on a side relative with load surface, and said footing is included at least one the turning footing in each corner region in four corner regions of body;

Wherein said payload platform has open configuration, the web that this open configuration limits a plurality of cavitys and between adjacent cavity, extends at least in part;

Said footing is hollow and tapered, makes that the footing of this body is inner with the footing that nested mode partly may be received in another this body;

Said tray has the weight less than 40 pounds, preferably less than 30 pounds; And

Process said tray by fibre reinforced materials.

According to a further aspect in the invention, a kind of tray that comprises main body is provided, said main body comprises:

Payload platform, this payload platform have smooth substantially load surface, and said payload platform limits a plurality of cavitys, and each cavity opens wide at least one side, and said payload platform comprises a plurality of webs that between adjacent cavities, extend at least partly; And

A plurality of isolated footing; These a plurality of isolated footing are outstanding from payload platform on a side relative with the load surface; Said footing is included at least one the turning footing in each corner region in four corner regions of body, this footing as strut member with keep payload platform and raise and footing between the space be provided for below payload platform, inserting the inlet of bont;

Wherein at least some webs to be extending with respect to the obtuse angle of payload platform, and at least some webs limiting hole between the upper limb of each this web and lower edge.

When term " rising " meaned in vertically-oriented, payload platform was in the surperficial high height more supported than tray.Being configured in this and being called " opening wide " structure of the part that has at least one side a plurality of cavitys that open wide of tray.

Payload platform can have the degree of depth greater than 20mm, is preferably about 36mm.

Payload platform can comprise and the load surface substantially the flange that extends of coplane and flange can extend from the upper limb of the web of payload platform and be limited to the hole between adjacent web the payload platform, can in this hole, admit insert.

Payload platform can limit and be parallel to the lower surface that between footing, extends on the load surface and payload platform substantially and can comprise and the lower surface flange that extends of coplane substantially.Flange extends and can be limited to the hole between adjacent web the payload platform from the lower edge of the web of payload platform, and it can assist the impact of bearing from such as the bont of fork.

Main body can be processed by the fiber reinforced polymeric material, and weight can be less than 44 pounds, and in a preferred embodiment, and when tray weight can be less than 35 pounds, the load surface can have about 40 * 48 inches size.Except that fiber reinforcement, polymeric material can comprise the support additive.

Each footing can be the hollow structure with conical wall, makes that the footing of this body is inner with the footing that nested mode may be received in another this body partly.

Tray also can comprise annex; And one or more turning footing can limit one or more first attachment structure of the annex that can be attached to tray, makes annex for example between the attachment structure of turning footing, extend at least with criss-cross form, phase box form or both forms.

Payload platform, this payload platform have smooth substantially load surface, and said payload platform limits a plurality of cavitys, and each cavity opens wide at least one side, and web extends between adjacent cavities at least partly; And

A plurality of isolated footing; These a plurality of isolated footing are outstanding from the load surface on a side relative with the load surface; Said footing is included at least one the turning footing in each corner region in four corner regions of body; Footing is provided for below payload platform, inserting the inlet of bont with the space between rising of maintenance payload platform and the footing as strut member; Each said footing is the hollow structure with conical wall, makes that the footing of this body is inner with the footing that nested mode may be received in another this body partly;

Wherein each footing limits at least one tapered recess of extending towards payload platform from the bottom of footing.

One or more recess can extend to from the bottom of its relevant footing payload platform near, and footing can comprise framing member, the framing member of transverse member form for example, this framing member and payload platform general alignment and across recess.

Body can be sized to and make when this body of top is nested on the top of this body of bottom; Framing member is shelved on the load surface of lower body in abutting connection with ground across the downside of the load recess of the footing of upper body, and the footing inside that makes adjacency between the said framing member of upper body and lower body prevent that the footing of upper body from getting into lower body exceeds predetermined degree.

Tray can comprise nine footing or more, and it comprises four turning footing, and each turning footing can have at least one the said recess that the turning footing is divided at least two pillars.Preferably; Each footing in nine footing has this recess that footing is divided into two or more pillars; Make tray have at least ten eight these pillars; And more preferably, each footing in nine footing has this recess that footing is divided into four pillars, makes tray have 36 these pillars.

According to a further aspect in the invention; A kind of tray that comprises main body and annex is provided; Main body limits the unlimited payload platform with a plurality of cavitys; Each cavity opens wide at least one side, and said payload platform limits smooth substantially load surface and a plurality of isolated footing, and these a plurality of isolated footing are overcenter on a side relative with the load surface; Said footing is included at least one the turning footing in each corner region in four corner regions of body, this footing as strut member with keep payload platform and raise and footing between the space be provided for below payload platform, inserting the inlet of bont; Wherein each footing is the hollow structure with conical wall; Make this body footing with nested mode may be received in partly the footing of another this body inner and wherein each turning footing limit at least one first attachment structure of the annex that can be attached to tray, make annex between the attachment structure of turning footing, extend at least;

Wherein said annex also is an open configuration, and said annex limits a plurality of cavitys, and each cavity opens wide at least one side.

The footing recess can be limited in the downside of footing, and the annex projection can be limited on the annex, makes in the footing recess, to admit the annex projection at least partly.

Each annex projection can be the hollow structure with conical wall, makes that the annex projection of this annex is inner with the annex projection that nested mode may be received in another this annex partly.

Annex can comprise a plurality of second attachment structures of first attachment structure that can be attached at least some footing; And annex can limit a plurality of annex recesses; Wherein footing may be received in these a plurality of annex recesses at least partly; It is inner that second attachment structure is set at the annex recess, and wherein second attachment structure is avoided destroying by protection.

Annex can limit at least one beam and the beam that when annex is attached to footing, between two or more footing, extend can have open configuration, and this open configuration limits a plurality of cavitys, and each cavity opens wide at least one side.

Annex can limit at least one beam that when annex is attached to footing, between two or more footing, extends; And annex can be sized to and make when this annex of top is nested on the top of this annex of bottom; The downside of the beam of last department enclosure is shelved on down in abutting connection with ground on the beam of department enclosure, makes that the adjacency between the beam of going up department enclosure and following department enclosure prevents that the annex recess of department enclosure under the upper body entering from exceeding predetermined extent.

The attachment structure of tray can be releasable, and can comprise clip structure, and tray can limit release aperture, and releasing member can insert and pass this release aperture to discharge clip structure.

Tray can be limited in the top surface of its payload platform, in the downside of its payload platform, on the upside of beam and/or a plurality of holes on the downside at beam, can in these a plurality of holes, admit insert.Tray can comprise a plurality of these inserts that may be received in the hole, processes each insert by anti-slip material.

Tray can comprise at least one turning sleeve; This at least one turning sleeve is attached to the footing of main body through the local extension at least around footing; When annex was attached to first attachment structure, the turning sleeve remained between annex and the payload platform and is captured on the footing.

The payload platform of tray can be included near the crash-resistant periphery edge of at least some its cavitys; And edge insert or platform extend annex can be attached to said edge releasedly, and clamps said edge such as the clamping structure of hook structure and/or clip structure.The edge insert can be included in payload platform top outstanding projection or spine, and platform extends the annex extension of can aliging with payload platform from the edge of payload platform.

Tray can comprise a plurality of wheels that can be attached to tray releasedly; And each wheel can rotatably be supported in the adapter; Adapter can be attached to tray with clamping mode, and for example adapter can be attached to the downside of the footing of main body, or to annex.

According to a further aspect in the invention, a kind of equipment that is used to handle goods is provided, said equipment comprises:

Tray body, this tray body limit payload platform and from the following side-prominent footing of payload platform;

A plurality of walls; Each wall limits first edge, second edge and the 3rd edge and the 4th edge; First edge in use forms top edge, and second edge and first edge form bottom margin relatively and in use, and the 3rd edge and the 4th edge in use form lateral edge;

The pivotal attachment device, this pivotal attachment device pivot be arranged side by side in will adjacent wall lateral edge keep together and the pivot attached lateral edge extension in edge substantially;

The platform attachment structure is provided with this platform attachment structure along the periphery of payload platform; And

The wall attachment structure is provided with this wall attachment structure along the bottom margin of wall, can in the platform attachment structure, admit said wall attachment structure releasedly.

The payload platform of tray body can be a rectangle; And equipment can comprise six walls; It comprises two rigid walls; Rigid walls is configured to when being attached to payload platform to extend along the length of the opposite edges of payload platform, four remaining walls form two right, every pair is configured to extend between rigid walls along the length at an edge in the edge of payload platform.Wall can comprise six turnings, and the lateral edges of wherein adjacent wall is pivotally connected to together through the pivotal attachment device, and the pivotal attachment device can be configured to allow each another inside pivot towards said wall centering of this wall centering.

Each wall can be the structure that is included in the web in a row that limits cavity therebetween; Each cavity has big opening and the tapered shape of the smaller opening on the opposite side at wall on a side of wall, and adjacent cavity is configured to have the big opening on the opposite side of wall.Each cavity can have flange, and the little opening of this flange surrounding cavity extends and forms with web is whole.

The platform attachment structure can comprise that a plurality of recesses and the wall attachment structure that are limited in the payload platform can comprise the projection of extending from the bottom margin of wall, and said projection preferably may be received in the recess of platform attachment structure with clamping mode.Replace or in addition, but the platform attachment structure can comprise the edge of payload platform and the clip structure that the wall attachment structure can comprise clamping load flat-bed edge.

At least some walls can be included in the location structure on its upper limb, and location structure is configured to when above wall, piling up, admit the downside of tray body.

Tray can comprise the lid that is attached to a wall in the wall pivotly.

According to another aspect of the invention, a kind of method that is used to make the tray with payload platform is provided, said method comprises:

Two parts of closed two parts mould are to form mould cavity;

Mouldable material is injected in the mould cavity;

Make mouldable material solidification to form tray; And

Make the tray demoulding;

Wherein tray is included in a plurality of webs in its payload platform; Each web is directed with the obtuse angle with respect to payload platform; And wherein when mould closes; Near two parts adjacency neutral axis of at least some said webs of two parts mould is with near the limiting hole property axle therein in web.

Mouldable material can be the fiber reinforced polymeric material, preferably has the support additive.

According to a further aspect in the invention, a kind of method of using tray is provided, each tray in the said tray comprises tray body and footing, and this tray body limits payload platform and from the following side-prominent footing of payload platform, said method comprises:

First this tray body is transported to the second place from primary importance;

A plurality of annexes are remained on said second place place, and each this annex can be attached to the downside of the footing of this tray body, between at least some footing of tray body, to extend and to the tray body support structure to be provided;

At second place place with the said first tray body supports on this annex;

Use said first tray body and the Holder Fasteners thereof at second place place;

The first tray body is removed from its Holder Fasteners; And

Transport the first tray body from the second place.

Term " support " is not intended to be limited to the supporting of weight, and promptly it not only refers to " carrying ", but has the broad meaning of structural strength of giving and/or rigidity.

The first tray body can be supported on through the footing that annex is attached to the first tray body on the Holder Fasteners of the first tray body; Or annex can be attached to second this tray body and the first tray body can be received within on the top of the second tray body when in the second place, supports with the annex that is attached to the second tray body at least partly.The first tray body and the second tray body can be nestable, and this method can comprise that when in the second place footing with the first tray body is nested in the second tray body, so that the first tray body is kept putting in place on the second tray body.

At least some annexes can have wheel, and this method can comprise through rolling annex on the wheel of at least some annexes and moves tray body and Holder Fasteners thereof at second place place.

Term " wheel " is intended to comprise any variant of rolling element strut member and thereby comprises roller, castor etc.

According to a further aspect in the invention, a kind of method of using tray is provided, each in the said tray comprises the tray body, and this tray body limits payload platform and from the following side-prominent footing of payload platform, said method comprises:

Keep a plurality of tray bodies that wheel is housed at said second place place; Each this tray body that wheel is housed comprises the tray body; This tray body limits payload platform and from the following side-prominent footing of payload platform, and wheel is attached to the downside at least some its footing;

At second place place the said first tray body supports is being equipped with on the tray body of wheel;

Use the said first tray body at second place place and support its tray body that wheel is housed;

The first tray body is removed from the tray body that wheel is housed that supports it; And

Transport the first tray body from the second place.

The first tray body can be nestable with the tray body that wheel is housed; And method can comprise that when in the second place footing with the first tray body is nested in the tray body that wheel is housed, so that the first tray body is kept putting in place being equipped with on the tray body of wheel.Can the first tray body be attached to the tray body that wheel is housed releasedly.

A plurality of annexes are remained on said second place place, and each this annex can be attached to the downside of the footing of this tray body, with extension between at least some footing of tray body and to the tray body support structure is provided, and wheel is attached to the downside of annex;

At second place place the said first tray body supports is equipped with on the annex of wheel at this;

Use the said first tray body at second place place and support its annex that wheel is housed;

The first tray body is removed from the annex that wheel is housed that supports it; And

Transport the first tray body from the second place.

The first tray body can be nested in the second tray body; The second tray body limits payload platform and from the following side-prominent footing of payload platform; The footing of the first tray body is inner with the footing that nested mode may be received in the second tray body, and method can comprise the second tray body is attached to annex that wheel is housed and through supporting the first tray body on the top that the first tray body is received in the second tray body with nested mode.

Transportation and/or be stored in the goods on the first tray body during this method can be included in the first tray body is transported to the second place from primary importance, during the second place is used the first tray body and/or during the first tray body is transported from the second place.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a kind of method that is used to provide the tray of handling goods is provided, said method comprises:

The tray body that limits the payload platform that opens wide is provided; The payload platform that should open wide limits a plurality of cavitys; Each cavity opens wide at least one side; Said payload platform has smooth substantially load surface and a plurality of isolated footing; These a plurality of isolated footing are overcenter on a side relative with load surface, and said footing is included at least one the turning footing in each corner region in four corner regions of body, this footing as strut member with keep payload platform and raise and footing between the space be provided for below payload platform, inserting the inlet of bont;

With cargo loading to the payload platform of tray body;

Transportation is mounted with the tray body of goods at its top; And

The footing that annex is attached to the tray body makes annex between four turning footing, extend at least with annex and the isolated mode of payload platform.

The payload platform of tray body can comprise a plurality of webs that between adjacent cavity, extend at least partly; At least some webs to be extending with respect to the obtuse angle of payload platform, and the limiting hole between the upper limb of each this web and lower edge of at least some webs in these webs.

This method can be included in annex is attached to and in the system of shelving, on opposite side, support tray after the tray footing.

This method can be included in annex is attached to unloaded of cargo before the footing of tray body.

This method can comprise from the attached additional step of the footing release annex of tray body and also can comprise the footing that annex is attached to again the tray body.

Each footing in the footing of tray body can be that hollow structure and this method with conical wall can comprise the step of transporting a plurality of tray bodies with nested arrangement; And before utilizing cargo loading tray body, the footing of this body is inner with the footing that nested mode is received in another this body partly.

Each footing in the footing of tray body can be the hollow structure with conical wall; And this method can comprise the step of transporting a plurality of tray bodies with nested arrangement; And after goods is by unloading and before annex is attached to main body, the footing of this body is inner with the footing that nested mode is received in another this body partly.

Treat that handling load can comprise poly-mer on the tray body, and this method can be included in goods with the poly-mer manufacturing tray body of the position utilization that betransported by sender's supply of attempting transport polymer.

This method can be included in annex is attached to and reuse tray and this method after the footing of tray body and can be included in and tray is leased as the part of tray deposit after annex is attached to main body.

This method can comprise extends one or more edge that annex is attached to the payload platform of tray body removedly with one or more platform.In one embodiment, payload platform has the load surface of about 40 * 48 inches size and tray and is increased to 52 * 44 inches owing to add platform extension annex.

Description of drawings

In order to understand the present invention better and can how to realize for the present invention is shown, will through non-limiting example the present invention be described with reference to accompanying drawing at present, in the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1A is the 3-D view of seeing from the top according to tray of the present invention;

Figure 1B is the 3-D view of the tray of Figure 1A of seeing from the below;

Fig. 1 C is the top plan view of the tray of Figure 1A;

Fig. 1 D is the lateral plan of the tray of Figure 1A;

Fig. 2 is the 3-D view of main body of the tray of Figure 1A;

Fig. 3 is the detailed view at turning of the main body of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is the 3-D view of a plurality of bodies that pile up with nested arrangement of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is the 3-D view of annex of the tray of Figure 1A;

Fig. 6 is the detailed view at turning of the annex of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is the 3-D view of a plurality of annexes that pile up with nested arrangement of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 A and 8B are the cutaway views of obtaining along VIII-VIII of part that passes the tray of Figure 1A, show joint between the annex of main body and Fig. 5 of Fig. 2 and attached.In Fig. 8 A, be illustrated in part soon before engaging, and be in the part in the joint shown in Fig. 8 B;

Fig. 9 A and 9B are the cutaway views of obtaining along IX-IX of part that passes the tray of Figure 1A, show joint between the annex of main body and Fig. 5 of Fig. 2 and attached.In Fig. 9 A, be illustrated in part soon before engaging, and be in the part in the joint shown in Fig. 9 B;

Figure 10 is the flat-bed cutaway view partly that passes the tray of Figure 1A, shows two inserts that are received in the flat-bed recess;

Figure 11 is the cutaway view that is assemblied in first embodiment of the identification label in the footing of tray of Figure 1A;

Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B are decomposition side view and the sectional side views that is assemblied in second embodiment of the identification label in the footing of main body of tray of Figure 1A;

Figure 13 is the plan view of alternate embodiment at turning of annex of the tray of Figure 1A;

Figure 14 A and Figure 14 B are the sectional side views at the XIV-XIV place of the annex of Figure 13, show the decomposition view and the assembly drowing of the identification label in the turning that is assemblied in annex respectively.

Figure 15 is the 3-D view that the employed platform of the tray of Figure 1A extends annex;

Figure 16 A and 16B are the detailed section view that the platform main body and Figure 15 of Figure 1A tray extends the part that annex is assembled together;

Figure 17 is the 3-D view of the employed edge of the tray of Figure 1A insert;

The detailed section view of Figure 18 part that to be the main body of Figure 1A tray be assembled together with edge Figure 17 insert;

Figure 19 is the 3-D view of turning sleeve of the tray of Figure 1A;

Figure 20 A and 20B are the detailed section view of part of payload platform of passing the tray of Figure 1A, and Figure 20 A shows two parts mould inboard and Figure 20 B shows after the demoulding;

Figure 21 is the 3-D view of pillar insert;

Figure 22 is the birds-eye view of the pillar insert of Figure 21;

Figure 23 is the oblique lateral plan of the pillar insert of Figure 21;

Figure 24 be tray the turning overlook 3-D view, and the pillar insert is inner at its pillar;

Figure 25 is the lateral plan at turning with tray that is supported on the main body on the pillar insert top of pillar insert and Fig. 2;

Figure 26 is the 3-D view of the main body caster wheel insert of Fig. 2;

Figure 27 is the 3-D view of the annex caster wheel insert of Fig. 5;

Figure 28 be wall according to first embodiment of tray case of the present invention under the partial folds state 3-D view;

Figure 29 is the 3-D view that the wall of Figure 28 is in complete folded state;

Figure 30 is the 3-D view of the wall that is placed according to the edge of the tray body of tray case of the present invention of the edge of Figure 29, and wall is opened in that the tray body is spaced above;

Figure 31 is the wall of Figure 30 and the 3-D view of tray body, and wall is in local open mode;

Figure 32 is the wall of Figure 30 and the 3-D view of tray body, and wall is in full open position;

Figure 33 is the detailed three-dimensional view according to the turning of tray case of the present invention, comprises wall and the tray body of Figure 32;

Figure 34 is the front elevation of the tray case of Figure 32;

Figure 35 is the lateral plan of the tray case of Figure 32;

Figure 36 is the 3-D view of two tray casees in the tray case of Figure 32, and these two tray casees are stacked on over each other;

Figure 37 is according to the wall of second embodiment of tray case of the present invention and the 3-D view of lid under the partial folds state;

Figure 38 is the 3-D view of tray case under folded state fully of wall that comprises main tray body and Figure 37 of Fig. 2;

Figure 39 is the 3-D view of the tray case of Figure 38, and wall is in full open position and cap closure; And

Figure 40 is the 3-D view of four tray casees in the tray case of Figure 39, and these four tray casees are stacked on over each other.

The specific embodiment

With reference to accompanying drawing, represent according to tray of the present invention with Reference numeral 10 usually, and represent the main body of tray usually with Reference numeral 12, and represent the bottom annex of tray usually with Reference numeral 14.For simplicity, main body 12 is also referred to as " top ", and annex 14 is also referred to as " bottom ".

Referring to figs. 2 to Fig. 4; Main body (top) 12 can be processed by any suitable light, crash-resistant and durable material; But be preferably the moulded piece that strengthens polymeric material, and it comprises payload platform 16 and nine side-prominent footing 18 under the payload platform.The top of payload platform 16 limits smooth substantially load surface 20, and the flat-bed downside is limited to lower surface continuous between the footing 18 22.Footing 18 be arranged in corner, along the centre at edge and in payload platform 16 in the heart.In other embodiments, top 12 can comprise the footing 18 that only is arranged in its four corner regions, or also comprises central footing alternatively.

Continuous web grid and flange limiting cubic cavity 24 in a row constitute platform 16, and each cubic cavity 24 limits rectangular recess or the hole 26 that is surrounded by rectangular flange or framework.Cavity 24 alternately has hole 26, and this hole 26 is disposed in the load surface 20 and lower surface 22 of payload platform 16.Lower surface 22 centers on the periphery of payload platform 16 towards the surperficial bevel of load.Payload platform 16 has the following degree of depth, and this degree of depth is greater than 20mm and preferably be about 36mm.

Each footing 18 is a hollow, and has the tapered outer wall 28 of giving its cardinal principle octagonal profile.Each footing is limited to wherein the footing recess 30 that is surrounded by bevelled inwall 32 in the heart.And each footing 18 has from its bottom 36 upwardly extending four recesses 34, makes footing have four angled pillars 38, and each pillar is limited between inwall 32, outer wall 28 and two recesses 34.In the at of each pillar 38, there is first attachment structure of the form of rectangular opening 40.

When body is stacked on when over each other; As shown in Figure 4, the hollow structure of each footing 18 allows the footing of a body (top) 12 to be received within nested mode in the hollow of footing of another body 12 of these body 12 belows together with the angled structure of inwall of footing 18 32 and outer wall 28.Under nested state; The downside 22 of payload platform 16 of the body 12 of top is put on the load surface 20 of the body that leans against these body 12 belows, and this adjacency of payload platform to prevent that the footing 18 of upper body from getting into the inside of footing of lower body too dark and thereby prevent that footing is stuck in nested arrangement owing to cone locking.

As appreciable in Fig. 8 A and Fig. 8 B, body (top) 12 is included in aliging with payload platform substantially and stride across the transverse member 41 of footing recess 30 between the inwall 32 of footing 18.Transverse member 41 is used to be carried on the tensile load on the inside of footing 18, is putting footing distortion when being placed on or being stacked on the tray with heavy lift with opposing.In some preferred embodiments; Transverse member 41 has the dark profile of weight/HP ratio platform 16; But align with load surface 20 in the top of transverse member simultaneously; Therefore the bottom that this means transverse member is lower than that lower surface 22 extends and, when body 12 when nested, the bottom of the transverse member of upper body 12 is shelved on the top of transverse member of lower body 12 and this adjacency of transverse member 41 prevents the pillar 18 of body 12 entering are too dark each other.

To Fig. 7, annex (bottom) 14 also can be processed by any suitable light, crash-resistant and durable material with reference to figure 5, but is preferably the moulded piece of the polymeric material of enhancing.Annex (bottom) 14 for general rectangular and have in its corner, along the centre of its side and nine " second " attachment structures 42 being provided with of heart place therein.The size of bottom annex 14 is corresponding with the size of payload platform 16 and position attachment structure 42 is corresponding with the position of footing 18.

Bottom annex 14 comprises outer beam 44 and inner beam 46; Outer beam 44 is being arranged on corner and between the middle attachment structure 42 that is provided with of annex side, is extending; To form rectangular configuration (being called " photo frame " in this area); Inner beam 46 extends to along each attachment structure the attachment structure of the centre of side from the center attachment structure, to form transversary (being called " criss-cross " in this area).The structure of each in the beam 44,46 is similar to the structure of payload platform 16 very much, has continuous web grid and the flange that limit cavity 24, has in the top of each beam and the hole on the bottom 26 and has the edge of bevel.Yet the degree of depth of the obvious weight/HP ratio platform 16 of the degree of depth of beam 44,46 is little, make payload platform be suitable for supporting flexural load better, but beam is suitable for carrying tensile load.

Each attachment structure 42 limits octagonal annex recesses 48 substantially and in the hollow appendage projection 50 of the setting at recess center.The wall of projection 50 is angled and limit ladder 52, makes each corner region of recess 48 to be received between the wall and ladder 52 of recess 48 and projection 50 with the mode the be close to lower end with the pillar 38 of its corresponding footing 18.

In each corner of each recess 48, be provided with second attachment structure with the form of a pair of Flexible clamp 54 of barb with outward.In the embodiment shown, the upper end of clip 54 is outstanding above the upper surface of adjacent outer beam 44, but in some preferred embodiments, the degree of depth of beam and the length of clip are chosen to make clip not outstanding above the upper surface of beam 44,46.

Similar with the situation of top body 12, bottom annex 14 can be stacked to form the nested heap of annex as shown in Figure 7.It is inner that the projection of an annex was received within the projection that is close to the annex on it below the hollow structure of projection 50 and conical wall thereof allowed in nested arrangement.Similar with the situation of top body 12; Bottom annex 14 is shaped and is configured such that when when nested; The downside of beam 44,46 of bottom annex 14 is shelved on the top of upper surface of beam of annex of below of this bottom annex 14, and the projection 50 of time department enclosure can not crossed in the projection that far extends to the top annex.In certain embodiments, when nested, the part of upper bottom annex 14 may extend in the recess 48 of lower base annex, but the degree that this situation can occur is destroyed clip 54 by the adjacency restriction of beam 44,46 with any part that prevents the top annex.

Trellis and beam 44,46 with reference to payload platform 16.Payload platform 16 is whole to have homogeneous thickness and has consistent supporting capacity, and load surface 20 as one man has identical intensity with lower surface 22 in whole flat, and this allows to handle better the uneven load on table top.And payload platform 16 can clean easily, and it does not comprise sealed hollow 24, but has at the load surface 20 of payload platform 16 and the opening in the lower surface 22 (except that footing 18).This characteristic also allows air or the water capacity to be prone to flow through whole tray 10, allows better cooling and temperature to control under the situation of this energy requirement that is reducing when transport pallet in lorry or transfer cask (for example, in " cold chain ").The improved control of passing tray 10 and being deposited in the air-flow of fruit and other perishable product on the payload platform 16 allows tray and load thereof by more effectively and cooling expeditiously.Because can avoid becoming quickly ripe and other high temperature problem, thereby less reject product is arranged also.And, when retail, when during transport fresh produce on the tray 10, better cooling off and/or the temperature control permission longer pot-life of product.The actv. cooling characteristics of tray 10 allows directly containerzation, has eliminated at shipment pre-cooled needs in freezer before.But fruit immediate shipments now and the pot-life that arrives designated market earlier and guarantee to grow.

The structure of the tray of being processed by poly-mer (plastics) material 10 also has the advantage that suppresses or prevent on tray, to form mould or bacterium, because wooden impurity, this is often discovery on wooden tray.Plastic material also can be made into anti-bacterium, mould etc., and this helps the long pot-life of the product of transportation on tray 10 once more.Moisture in the timber helps in closed container, to condense and cause and promote damage of product, causes and promote fungi, mould and mould growth and burning.The existence of any extra moisture source relevant with the timber of undried or insufficient drying usually in container has also been eliminated in the use of polymeric material.

The homogeneous texture of platform 16 also prevent as in the situation of prior art tray, the fork truck blade at any flank, the slab etc. that correctly is not connected to tray locate from below (through human error) get into platform.

Forming top body 12 and bottom annex 14 in the mould separately, footing 18 or middle attachment structure 42 got into mould cavity in the middle of wherein the poly-mer of fusing passed, and according to circumstances decided, and passed big inlet.The purpose of big inlet is to keep the fiber in the poly-mer long, to the polymer-matrix body weight, to realize the favorable mechanical performance.Polymeric matrix can comprise fibrous glass and other additive, such as UV resistance colorant, the additive that is used to make the various polymerization thing compatible, auxiliary fire retardant of abideing by UL 2335 standards, enhanced granule, weighting material etc.If necessary, even antibacterial additives can be provided.If necessary, can in preparaton, use many other additives.Through passing single injection phase injection of polymer, but the formation Be Controlled of weld line and degree of freedom with cooling die make that even formed weld line, weld line also is crash-resistant, because the temperature of the poly-mer on the weld seam opposite side differs in 5% each other.Mould can be designed such that also poly-mer flows into mould as follows: weld seam mainly joins at the footing of tray.

As by molded the substituting of the big inlet of mono-; Can for example central inlet and four isolated inlets come molded body 12 or annex 14 through a plurality of inlets; All all be based upon in the mould and at the interface wall place of mould the closing molding cavity, and mouldable material is supplied to each inlet from TOP-TIP.

The material property that in matrix, has a polyolefinic long glass fibres is given lower creep and is better and be in close proximity to the het expansion value of the het expansion value of steel than aluminium and magnesium, if but in polypropylene, use then fibrous glass must be longer than 10mm and by weight need be more than 20% fibrous glass.Fibrous glass for fire be inertia and only need provide cost high flame-retardant additive to the polymer moieties of material.Material described herein is heat-staple under the temperature of the scope between-20 ℃ to 40 ℃.

With reference to figure 8 and 9, when body 12 and bottom annex 14 are attached to a time-out, each footing 18 is attached to its cooresponding attachment structure 42 and simultaneously:

The lower end of the pillar 38 of footing is received in recess 48 inboards of attachment structure 42;

The projection 50 of each footing is received in recess 30 inboards (projection 50 extend in the depth/height of recess 30 about 1/3rd) in the embodiment shown, of attachment structure;

The outer wall 28 of footing 18 is in abutting connection with the outer wall of recess 48;

The outer wall of projection 50 is in abutting connection with the inwall 32 of footing; And

Every pair of clip 54 engages the hole 40 of its corresponding pillar 38 with clamping mode.

Joint between footing 18 and its attachment structure 42 can bear downward clamp load, because the bottom 36 of pillar 38 compresses the bottom of recess 48 simply.Compress the wall of recess 48 and make the wall of projection 50 compress the wall of recess 30 through the wall that makes pillar 38, this joint also can bear shearing load, promptly acts on side on body 12 or the bottom annex 14 to the power of side.Correspondingly, the only power that need bear of clip 54 joint in hole 40 is to attempt vertical power that body and annex are drawn back.These masterpieces are that tensile force is born in clip 54 and clip thereby do not receiving tangible shearing force or bending force between normal used life and only receiving gentle bending force at the joint of body 12 and bottom annex 14 or during breaking away from.

The hollow of each pillar 38 forms release aperture 56, and the device that suitably is shaped can insert release aperture 56 from the top, compressing the bevel edge 58 of clip 54, clip is compressed for being close together and thereby discharging engaging of clip and hole 40.Therefore, if desired, bottom annex 14 can remove from body 12, and can ressemble this body or another body.This allows the interchangeability of body 12 and annex 14, to allow maintaining easily tray 10 through changing the body 12 or the bottom annex 14 that destroy.

The outside dimension of the outside dimension of payload platform 16 and bottom annex 14 approximately identical and this be different from have can nested top other tray.And the beam of bottom annex 14 44,46 covers trays 10 downsides more than 55% and be generally 65% area.

Referring to figs. 1 to Fig. 9; In use; Body 12 can be used for need not piling up or shelving and need not bear the purpose of the tray of heavy load, although in actual experiment, the intensity that has been found that top body 12 be enough to be bearing in pile up and/or shelve during needed load.Particularly, but the static weight (when on lifting fork, transporting) of 1375 kilograms of the typical case Zhi Chengyue of top body 12 and can support and surpass 4,000 kilograms static weight.Body 12 also only deflects into maximum 17mm under 1,375 kilogram load when being supported on the opposite edges (for example, in the system of shelving).The low deflection of body 12 allows it when having annex 14, in shelf, not use, thereby allows the space of payload platform 16 belows is used for moving of automatic stored equipment.

And body 12 is quite light on weight certainly, and can be by nested.The weight of main body 12 is less than 40 pounds, preferably less than 30 pounds, and about 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) and be significantly less than any existing nested tray that can accomplish same task with the wooden tray of one way usually.Body 12 itself thereby can be used on its payload platform, admit load and can be used for transporting this load has the lightweight advantage of body.In addition, through during transportation body is nested together and thereby save the space, body 12 can be transported to it with the position that is loaded with cost-effective mode.

In some cases, if can be, then use body 12 to come the benefit of load transported or even bigger at product with the production site body 12 that betransported.Particularly, at chemical frbre industry, wherein the polymeric material product needed of very large amount is transported to its customer from poly-mer supplier on tray, is used in the place that the polymeric material product will betransported from supplier's poly-mer and makes body 12.Similarly, in the situation of the maker of suitable fortifying fibre (for example, fibrous glass), can be used for making body 12 from the fibrous glass of maker.

Body 12 is made in the place that is transported or made body in other place and compare so that the completion form is transported to the wooden tray of routine the cost of current practice in this place the cost that they are transported to this place lower at product.

And, do not increase the total weight of load because the low weight of body 12 allows transportation more products in load, thereby saved traffic cost.For example, one extra 25 kilograms polymeric articles bag can be carried on each top body 12 (heavily about 8 kilograms), and this can realize identical functions with heavily about 42 kilograms conventional wooden tray.Through adding extra polymer pouches to each pallet loads, can in each capacity weight, transport extra product, and not have extra capacity weight cost up to 800 kilograms.Transportation during body under not having load condition (no matter be to the warehouse, dealer, retailer, washing warehouse or other place); Saved half traffic cost at least; Because the conventional wooden tray (utilizing the nail assembling) for equal volume and weight can transport the body 12 (in above-mentioned nested configuration) more than the twice number.These transportations are saved and have been reduced the energy that transport point needs, and this causes reducing the substantial benefit of carbon emission.In addition, tray 10 keeps environmental advantages, and promptly its material that can not cause the deforestation in wooden tray situation and make tray 10 is callable.Sustainability and environmental benefit are very significantly and allow tray 10 on economic base, to compete with the wooden tray of routine.

In case body 12 is available in the place that goods will betransported, just loads body 12 and goods and tray on the load surface 20 and be transported to goods by discharged its destination through goods is placed on.Under the normal trade condition; Being used for shipping goods will be with the wooden tray of the one way that is dropped up to the tray of this point; Or it will be durable, the heavy tray that can re-use, but will have the shortcoming (because the weight of tray with can not nested property) of expensive transportation up to this stage.Yet body 12 of the present invention can be collected after using and owing to its low weight can be saved into nested ability that this locality betransported and can re-use.

Know according to the inventor: the existing wooden tray that in shipping products, uses does not have the nested ability of its footing.Yet, the plastic pallet that existence can be nested, but existing nested tray can not carry the dynamic heavy lift more than 2800 pounds (1270 kilograms).Can be on performance (that is, with regard to static and dynamic carrying capacity, utilize with regard to bending shelves etc.) do not have the nested ability of its footing with the existing plastic pallet that tray 10 is competed.Existing nested tray can not satisfy following the requirement simultaneously: " people lifting is less than 35 pounds " (promptly; " OSHA requirement "), in height is 40 * 48 inches trays of 5.75 inches, have 50% safety and less than the sinuousness of 20mm more than 2800 pounds the weight of shelving.Yet the tray 10 that separates into main body 12 and bottom annex 14 has that to reach main body be nestable and the bottom annex is the nested ability of nestable degree.Tray 10 satisfies all these demands.

Can nested ability and carrying and shelve demand to be combined in the whole world tray industry be important breakthrough.This material preparaton through tray 10 is realized with design.When footing 18 was attached to its cooresponding receiving structure 42, complete tray 10 became and has the very structural elements of low weight (promptly less than 44 pounds).

In fact; Tray 10 process by two parts (body 12 with bottom annex 14) and thereby in single injection molding (in the situation that in single injection, is molded together like top platform and bottom platform), be not molded at tray, need be from the mould side slide cores portion and mould complicacy not too.The single injection tray of in Unitarily molded, whole tray being made with top and bottom platform always can not be nested to save traffic cost.This single injection tray also must be heavier, because it need be shaped to allow mould to break away from from flank with taper design, but the tapering that the design of tray 10 need be in rib formations.

Space usefulness between the footing 18 acts on the inlet such as the fork of the lifting means of forklift, the body 12 (or tray 10) that has or do not have load with lifting.

When body 12 will be re-used, can perhaps, can use body 12 as use body 12 above-mentionedly with the form of heavy tray 10 through as stated bottom annex 14 being attached to body 12, heavy tray 10 can pile up, shelves and bear heavy duty.Bottom annex 14 is strengthened the tray 10 that is used to pile up, because beam 44,46 can distribute the weight (and load) of tray 10 on the load of tray thereunder.Bottom annex 14 allows tray 10 to be shelved, because beam 44,46 can bear tensile load, thereby increases the rigidity of tray significantly, bending or the deflection of opposing under its load.Bottom annex 14 is also usually through providing the intensity that strengthens tray 10 than the firm tray of body 12 self.

In this structure; Whole tray 10 will preferably be lighter than 35 pounds or 16 kilograms and still satisfy and be used for the OSHA requirement that a people promotes among the USA; Have and surpass 1.5 tonnes dynamic carrying capacity, have up to 12 tonnes or more static load-carrying capacity and can be to shelve more than 1300 kilograms less than the deflection of 20mm.The inventor believes that these performances can realize under about 23 ℃ room temperature, but also is being low to moderate-20 ℃ temperature and realizes up to 40 ℃ or under the temperature of higher temperature.

Thereby in case bottom annex 14 has been attached to body 12, tray 10 just can be used for many purposes; But desired use according to tray; Preferred the attached of annex to body that discharges, for example, so that the mode of piling up with nested (more saving the space) is transported body and bottom annex respectively; It is own preferably to reuse body 12, or the like.

The advantage that the present invention keeps is; As required; The providing of bottom annex 14 that can be attached to body 12 releasedly allows body to be transformed into heavy type (" returning " or " deposit ") tray from light-duty (" one way " or " outlet ") tray, and the present invention simultaneously also keeps opening in 14 minutes when body 12 and bottom annex the advantage of time save space and weight.The design of tray 10 further gives tray 10 and is used for the required intensity of heavy-duty applications, and tray has obviously lower cost and weight.

Like what in Fig. 1 D, can best see, the recess 34 between the pillar 38 of footing 18 forms the hole when footing 18 is attached to attachment structure 42.The design saving in weight with these holes that formed by recess 34 of footing 18 also increases the structural strength of tray 10.

With reference to Figure 10, the insert 60 of each the receivability anti-slip material in many recesses or the hole 26 (being called " grommet " in the art).A plurality of holes 26 allow the number of grommet 60 and the needs that the position is selected to the special-purpose that is fit to tray 10.Therefore can be to load surface 20 (sliding on the tray), in the downside (centering on slips) of beam 44,46 and downside 22 and/or the number and the position of top (with the slip that prevents that tray from not expecting with respect to the fork of bont) the selection grommet 60 of beam 44,46 at payload platform 16 to prevent tray to prevent load.

With reference to figures 11 to Figure 14, tray 10 can be equipped with such as the identification label of RFID label and discern with auxiliary tray.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 11; First embodiment of RFID label 62 is positioned at protectiveness cylindrical shell 64 inboards, through with admitting the upper end of housing in the complementary structure 66 of protectiveness cylindrical shell 64 from below insertion footing recess 30 and on being formed on transverse member 41 protectiveness cylindrical shell 64 being assembled to body 12.The lower end of housing 64 is received within the complimentary aperture in the top of annex projection 50 and housing and label 62 are held and are captured in footing 18 inside, protects housing and label 62 through the structure around the footing herein.When body 12 separates with bottom annex 14 as stated, can remove label 62 easily.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 12 A and Figure 12 B; Second embodiment of RFID label is for adhesively being attached to the band of carrier 74; Carrier 74 can be inserted in the recess 30 and be assembled on the complementary structure 66; To be held in place the hole that this flexible clip 76 engages in the inwall 32 that is limited to pillar 38 through flexible clip 76.Thereby the RFID label is assemblied in recess 30 inside securely dearly, and the RFID label is protected in order to avoid destroy in recess 30.And these labels permissions body 12 under the situation that has or do not have bottom annex 14 is identified.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 13, Figure 14 A and Figure 14 B, the 3rd embodiment of RFID is sealed in two bands between the strip of plastic material, to form strip-type RFID device 78.Elongated slot 80 is limited at annex 14 inside, bottom, and device 78 can be received within the elongated slot 80.Each slit 80 has the maintenance barb 82 on the opposite side of slit, makes that device 78 can be crooked to be assemblied between the barb and to be inserted in the slit 80, and afterwards, this device is in a single day inner with regard to becoming straight at slit, makes this device be held through barb and catches.Device 78 allows to be identified at the situation lower bottom part annex 14 of the main body that has or do not have tray.Device 78 reduces the danger of the impact of the fork that comes self-loading and unloading vehicle near the position of the downside of bottom annex 14; Because pitch in fact always angled (with prevent tray and/or load when driving to front slide), make fork end side and thereby be higher than device 78 on the ground.

Can be assemblied in main body 12 (at Figure 12 A with shown in Figure 12 B), bottom annex 14 (at Figure 13 with shown in Figure 14) and/or comprise that the RFID label that separates on the assembling tray 10 of main body and annex (shown in Figure 11) allows tray 10 and/or its

parts

12,14 to be followed the tracks of or followed the tracks of respectively together.

With reference to Figure 15 and Figure 16; Provide the platform that comprises hook structure 70 and clip 72 to extend annex 84; This hook structure 70 and clip 72 are similar to the hook structure 70 and clip 72 of the edge insert 68 shown in Figure 17 and Figure 18, but the edge of this hook structure 70 and clip 72 clamping load platforms 16.In addition, annex 84 has longer clip 86, and this longer clip 86 can be in its darker zone for example, the edge of clamping load platform 16 in the zone of footing 18 (and except that recess 26, hook structure is received within the inboard of pillar 38).

Annex 84 is configured to along two vertical edges extensions of payload platform 16 and has upper surface, the load of this upper surface and payload platform surface 20 general alignment when annex is assembled.Correspondingly, when annex was assembled, it engaged the edge (utilizing hook 70 and clip 72,86) of payload platform 16 and the size that prolongs load surface 20.End 88 bevels of annex 84 make when two annexes are mounted to body 12, and these two annexes increase the size on load surface 20 in all four edges of payload platform 16.

The effect of mounting fittings 84 is that the load surface and the annex 84 that increase tray body 12 can be removed once more, this means and utilizes annex, and the size that changes the load surface is possible to be fit to the load needs.

As mentioned above, in some industry, preferably some pallet sizes is to optimize available space; For example; In chemical frbre industry, the tray of 1.3m * 1.1m is preferred for the one way shipment (or in the U.S. 52 * 44 inches) of product, because it allows pig and vehicle more preferably to load.Yet, in other industry, for example; The transportation of fast-moving consumer goods; Other size (such as, 1.2m * 1.0m tray or in the U.S. 48 * 40 inches) possibly be standard, it is medium that it is assemblied in warehousing system (it is shelved needs and/or piles up and it can automation).These pallet sizes only as an example and have many other standard sizes be used for tray; It is identical that but principle keeps; If the tray that is different size need satisfy different tray transportation demands and make tray by arbitrary dimension, it will be impossible then perhaps in other is used, using tray or its use in other is used will make its performance (with regard to space utilization, tray weight, load capacity etc.) folding loyalty.Yet, utilizing annex 84, tray 10 of the present invention can be used as big tray when annex 84 is assembled, and when annex 84 is removed, can be used as less tray after a while, and vice versa.This is through as above comprising with describing or get rid of the ability that bottom annex 14 replenishes other performance that changes tray 10.

As the polyfunctional instance that

annex

14,84 provides, that tray of the present invention can be used as is big, lightweight, the one way tray is with from maker's allocated product (like what accomplish on the wooden tray that is dropped) at present.In case product is transferred, can be as required and when needs, tray 10 can be transformed into reduced size and/or produce bigger intensity through increasing annex 14 through removing annex 84.

The size of tray 10 can be changed the printing pallet sizes with the USA chemical standard of all standard pallet configurations of " the C P1 " to " CP9 " that realizes being used for chemical frbre industry and 40 * 48 inches * 5.75 inches high, 52 * 42 inches and 45 * 45 inches and 44 * 44 inches, 48 * 42 inches and 42 * 42 inches.Know that according to the inventor the present available tray that satisfies these demands does not have nestable.

Also is possible such as rubber manufacturing annex 84 with protection payload platform 16 by absorbing impact material.

With reference to Figure 17 and Figure 18, can be through hook structure 70 being inserted payload platforms 16 in the hole 26 of flat-bed edge and utilize clip 72 to clamp platforms and edge insert 68 is assembled to payload platform 16.When edge insert 68 was admitted by this way, it was provided at the outstanding setting spine 73 in 20 tops, load surface and slides or the payload platform 16 that slips away on load surface 20 with the auxiliary load that prevents.

With reference to Figure 19, showing can be with the turning sleeve 90 of tray 10 uses.Sleeve is processed by suitable durable material, and being preferably can absorbing vibration and protect the material of tray, such as thermoplastic elastic body.Sleeve 90 has internal cavities 92, its shaping and be sized to around the pillar 38 of the main body 12 that closely is engaged in tray and cavity in its top and open bottom end.Two hook structures 70 are to be oriented relative to one another to the top that vertically arranged mode is set at sleeve 90.Hook structure 70 is shaped similarly or identically with the hook structure 70 of above-described platform extension annex 84 and edge insert 68 and can be received within the recess 26 of payload platform 16.Sleeve 90 has two projections 94 in the recess 48 that may be received in bottom annex 14 in its lower end.

Through turning sleeve 90 being slipped over pillar 38 and hook structure 70 being clipped in the recess on the turning opposite side of payload platform and turning sleeve 90 being assembled to the turning of main body 12.Sleeve 90 keeps sleeve 90 putting in place on main body 12 around the joint and the joint of hook structure 70 in hole 26 of pillar 38 securely, and no matter whether main body 12 is assembled together with bottom annex 14.When bottom annex 14 is assemblied in 12 last times of main body, the lower end of pillar 38 (it stretches out below sleeve 90) is received within the recess 48 of bottom annex 14 with normal mode, on its either side, has projection 94.

Sleeve 90 has the upper wall 96 that extends around the turning of payload platform 16, has the lower wall 98 that extend at the turning of the annex 14 around the bottom, and has at these walls 96, isolated flank 100 between 98.The turning of

wall

96,98 and flank 100 protection trays 10 is avoided impacting.

With reference to figure 20A and Figure 20 B; When making main body 12; Mold part 102 and bed die part 104 are pressed together and with mouldable material, are preferably mould cavity that the melted polymeric material that strengthens with long glass fibres injects two parts mould to form main body.In case molded material solidifies,

mould part

102 and 104 is moved apart (that is, mould is opened) and makes main body 12 demouldings (promptly removing from mould).

As appreciable in Figure 20 B, payload platform 16 comprises cube structure in a row, an extension in each cube structure surrounding cavity 24.Each cube structure be included on four sides of cavity 24 four webs 106 and at the top of cavity or the flange of at.Thereby extend on cube structure five in six quadrature sides of cavity 24, stay next side (top or bottom) to open wide.Platform 16 be constructed such that the cavity 26 that opens wide for load surface 20 and the cavitys that open wide for lower surface 22 alternately, and the result is the cross section profile that web 106 and flange 108 have castellated, shown in Figure 20 B.Hole 26 be formed on each flange 108 shown in Figure 20 B in make each flange form in the heart to reduce the weight of main body 12 and the attached of grommet (in Figure 10, illustrating with Reference numeral 60) is provided around framework and this hole in its hole.The part of extending around each hole 26 of flange 108 increases the rigidity of payload platform 16 and just looks at the auxiliary formation of situation continuous load surface 20 or lower surface 22.

As appreciable in Figure 20 A; Through forming the castellated profile of payload platforms 16 from mold part 102 to the projection 110 at intermittence that extends below, this, projection 110 was received between the upwardly extending projection 112 of bed die part 104 at intermittence in the single injection-molded step of as above describing.In order to make the 16 easy demouldings of molded payload platform, each web 106 has angled slightly orientation, that is, it is to extend with respect to blunt (non-perpendicular) angle of load surface 20 and/or lower surface 22.

The main purpose of web 106 is for payload platform 16 provides intensity, more specifically, and for payload platform increases rigidity and prevents in the load deflect.Thus, so that rigidity is provided, the cross section profile of web should preferably have the big cross sectional moment of inertia about its neutral axis 114 to each web 106 as the longeron that below load surface 20, extends.As appreciable in Figure 20 A, projection 110 contacts near the center of each web 106 with 112 side, makes in each web, near neutral axis 114, forms hole 116.The result is that each web 106 has in its top and at; Material and this material in each web 106 of promptly integrally being connected to flange 108 above that in the zone of edge and lower edge have big cross sectional moment of inertia, because it is quite far away from neutral axis 114.Thereby each web 106 can provide big rigidity owing to its high cross sectional moment of inertia, so but owing to the reason weight of saving in material is light through forming hole 116.These webs 106 with hole 116 on two vertical axial directions, below payload platform 16, extend and therefore payload platform be crash-resistant unusually for its weight.

Main therein body 12 can be nested and annex 14 nestable embodiments of the invention in; When main body and annex are not attached at a time-out; Under situation with factor of safety that tray therein only is supported on 50% in two storage shelves on the relative footing; The load that tray 10 (comprising main body 12 and attached annex 14) can carry greater than 2800 pounds continues more than 30 day, and tray 10 can be not crooked more than 20mm after 30 days.

When fork truck carries annex and is loaded into the annex load in container, the lorry etc.; Main body 12 (not having attached annex 14) can carry the dynamic load up to 2800 pounds, and payload platform 16 can not bend to the degree that the goods on the payload platform drops that is carried on.

Main body 12 is used in and replaces heavier wooden tray (about 65 pounds) outbound cargo in the pig, and wooden tray is commonly called " outlet tray ", " one way tray " or " in vain " tray.Conventional outlet tray uses than the same size tray that satisfies the requirement of laying in tray and lacks about 33% timber (wherein lay in tray refer to for client, can take at issuance of materials the callable tray that can utilize again rather than the client that rent on (route expense) basis buy new tray).

Two-piece type tray 10 of the present invention extends annex 84 together with removable platform provides the alerting ability for the first outlet shipment, on price, competed with " in vain " one way outlet tray of routine (promptly; The price of wherein main body 12 is compared with the price of " in vain " tray) and replacement subsequently bury, abandon or use " in vain " pallet lumber and be used to repair other wooden tray; Utilize the integral part of main body 12 as new fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) deposit tray; Remove from tray in case platform extends annex 84, this deposit tray can pile up, can shelve and be durable.With this mode, avoided making the cost of main body 12 once more.In wooden tray situation, have many wastes because wooden " in vain " tray have wrong size and enough not durable and thereby can not use as the FMCG tray and to one way only and made, like what one of its name showed.The present invention can greatly assist and reduce deforestation, if especially tray 10 becomes standard.Bury and the mode of using global natural resources improperly through trying hard to stop, this advantage further is exaggerated through commercial interest, because become payable in the country of the goods of handling on receiving tray.

Can make main body 12 to export market; Wherein main body is in the needed size of country of destination; For example for the U.S. 40 take advantage of 48 inches and the height less than 5.72 inches; And can extend annex 84 around the attached platform of the payload platform of tray and extend payload platform increasing the size of payload platform, so that at the container middle outlet and best the use with on even keel.This increasing can be any suitable dimensions, for example 52 * 44 inches size.Platform extends annex 84 and can be removed, and stays that shelve, the durable tray of 40 * 48 inches sizes, and annex 14 can be attached to main body 12 so that the durable deposit tray of tray 10 in the FMCG trade, using.

Main body 12 with the platform extension annex 84 that strengthens payload platform also is nestable.

When the empty tray 10 of needs transportations and main body 12 can transport in the nested arrangement of separating with annex 14, can be through easily taking tray 10 apart from footing 18 release annexes 14.In normal conditions, can in five lorries, transport and the tray 10 that in 12 lorries, transports conventional " in vain " tray similar number at present, this is to reduce because of the volume that the nested parts by tray 10 occupies.This allows in container and on lorry, aircraft and train, obviously to save the capacity weight cost and will have main influence to global environment and the minimizing of carbon footprint.

Therein tray 10 have tray 10 among any embodiment of payload platform size commonly used weight less than 44 pounds; But when having 40 * 48 inches payload platform size, tray 10 weight are less than 35 pounds and be contemplated to and satisfy for shelving, pile up and/or the minimum weight tray of the FMCG market demand of durability.

When bearing goods on tray 10; Client can increase by 60 pounds of extra capacity weights on tray; Because this is the difference between the weight of wooden tray of routine and tray 10; Through utilizing this tray weight differential between wooden tray and this tray, allow in about 1500 pounds and about 1000 pounds of extra free supportings of weight quilt in 40 feet containers on 53 feet lorries.

Tray 10 avoided by tray become overweight for example when raining, make owing to drenching with rain weight increase, with the fine that causes such as inconsistent of the horizontal surface in the tray, and load can be controlled best and can not caused traffic and other fine.

For per 52 wagon loads of utilizing tray 10, from CO2 carbon footprint viewpoint, save a whole wagon load, or change a kind of saying, when not having extra cost, can on per 53 feet wagon loads, carry 1400 pounds additional product.

Can be used for avoiding impact to the turning of tray 10 to increase the service life of tray before need being recovered at it by thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or the molded turning sleeve 90 of rubber composition.By dropping downwards and the destruction that causes will also be reduced through turning sleeve 90 at the turning of tray 10.When tray fitted together with main body that is attached at 12 and annex 14, turning sleeve 90 can not be removed from tray 10.

The present invention allows when using main body 12 under the situation that is not having annex 14 use strapping to fix and strengthen the footing 18 of main body 12.

In another embodiment of the present invention; Can second attachment structure 42 that the middle footing 18 of main body 12 is processed with annex 14 be had identical construction; And can with attachment structure in the middle of annex 14 corresponding process with the footing 18 of main body promptly in the middle of footing 18 have identical construction; And shown in accompanying drawing, middle second attachment structure 42 can be squeezed.

With reference to Figure 22 to Figure 23, show pillar insert 160, it is configured as hollow leg 38 inboards that are assemblied in tray 10.Each pillar insert 160 is a moulded piece, and this moulded piece forms peripheral wall 162 and three vertical web 164, and this peripheral wall 162 is in order to replenish the inboard of pillar, and these three vertical web 164 are extended between wall 162.The vertical dimension of web 164 is less than the vertical dimension of wall 162.Hole 166 is limited on the following outer turning of insert 160 and Flexible clamp 168 extends in the recess and has towards outer barb.

Figure 24 has shown the turning with the tray 10 that is assemblied in four pillar inserts 160 of pillar 38 in-to-ins, these pillar 38 formation turning footing.The upper limb that the upper limb of wall 162 is lower than load surface 20 and web 164 is still lower.Clip 168 is sandwiched in the hole of the following corner that is limited to pillar 38, although it is invisible in Figure 24.

With reference to Figure 25, show the turning with the pillar insert 160 in the pillar of its turning footing 18 of tray 10, and top body 12 is supported on tray 10 tops, and the lower end of the pillar of top body 12 is supported on the pillar insert 160.In this arrangement, the load of top body 12 surface 20 obviously be elevated to the top, floor (or other surface) of supporting tray 10 and this in confectionery industry for example when handling some food because health former thereby be required.In exemplary embodiments, load surface 20 will exceed the about 230mm in floor, thereby satisfiedly exceed the floor industrial requirements of 200mm at least.

In layout shown in Figure 25; Top body 12 can be used for the purpose of continuous bearing goods, for example, can on body 12, admit, handle and/or convey goods; Tray 10 only is used for when needed simultaneously, for example support, top body 12 when needs store goods on shelf.Between the payload platform 16 of top body 12 and tray 10, there is the gap of about 55mm, thereby reserved enough spaces that the fork of bont gets into easily, so that tray 10 is left in mainboard 12 liftings in top.Because the more shallow depth of nesting, when promoting, also very easily withdraw from the pillar of top body 12 from tray 10.And, the pillar 38 of tray 10 through pillar insert 160 structure strengthen and these pillars are vulnerable to destroy most because their are overhead recently and the destruction that receives lift fork.

When with tray when a position is transported to another position; For example, when when maker or supplier convey goods, cargo loading is on tray body 12; Tray body 12 is light and cheaply, but can be at static weight and the dynamic load of handling and bear between the delivery period goods.Owing to the weight savings of during transportation using lightweight tray rather than heavy tray to cause allows to increase conveying efficiency; No matter whether be counted as the minimizing of load transported; Allow more capacity weight quality and do not increase the combined load of capacity weight and tray, reduce the energy requirement of transportation etc.

When tray body 12 is received within it need have in the position that allows its supernumerary structure performance that is stacked, shelves etc. the time; For example need in warehousing system or tray deposit, use in the position of tray body 12; Annex 14 is attached to the footing 18 of tray body 12, has the tray 10 of warehouse or the required all properties of deposit tray with formation.Thereby tray 10 can be in the position that body 12 is admitted and is used in its assembled state and when body 12 need be transported; For example; When distribution depot conveys goods; Can remove annex 14 from tray body 12, make goods only on tray body 12, be transported and transport, and not have annex 14 and thereby have weight savings above-mentioned and benefit once more.

If it is preferred; Replacement has the tray of the improved structural behaviour of being given by annex 14 at needs position is attached to tray body 12 with annex 14; The annex 14 that has been attached to tray body 12 can be provided; To form stack-mounted " subordinate " tray 10 and to need supported tray body 12 can be received within on the top of subordinate tray 10, the footing 18 of tray body 12 is nested in footing 18 inside of subordinate tray 10 simultaneously.This approach need can be used for the extra tray body 12 of each annex 14, but it keeps annex 14 need be by advantage attached or that be removed from tray body 12.

Subordinate tray 10 can preferably have the pillar 38 in-to-in pillar inserts 160 at its footing 18; Make the footing 18 of top body 12 only be nested in the footing inside of subordinate tray partly; Thereby the payload platform and the space between the top body 12 that allow subordinate tray 10 be used for lift fork and get into, make take apart nested more easily and improve the intensity of subordinate tray footing.

Term " position " do not need only to refer to single building, courtyard etc., but can be operating area, such as regional tray deposit.Thereby body 12 is unnecessary with annex 14 transportation never, but for some time at least, especially for long-distance transportation, body 12 betransported when not having annex 14.

Except that a large amount of savings of traffic cost above-mentioned, the advantage that only keeps in the method for time of needs and/or position support, top body 12 is with respect to the number of the tray body 12 that is used for shipping goods, to need only a small amount of annex 14.This method only needs to have at needs the available annex 14 in position of the tray of the improvement structural behaviour that is used to shelve, pile up etc. effectively.There are a large amount of trays in the transportation between the position of these improved structural behaviours of needs at any time; And effectively; The present invention avoids in transit the needs for the annex that is used for each tray 14, and allows the quantity of annex 14 to be reduced only to satisfy the needs in the position of actual needs annex 14.

In other embodiments of the invention; Tray 10 (no matter being merely the combination of the form of tray body 12, the form that is merely annex 14 or tray body and attached annex thereof) is equipped with wheel; Thus; Tray 10 has wheel at its downside, on the floor, moves easily to allow its rolling behavior of passing through wheel.This tray receivability tray body 12 that wheel is housed (for example; Be mounted with the tray body of goods) and support tray body 12; Also allow the rolling behavior of the tray of tray body 12 through wheel is housed to move around simultaneously; And need not promote the tray body, for example utilize forklift or Jack.

Tray body 12 can be accomplished through hand in that moving on the tray top of wheel is housed usually, and forklift (or analogue) only need be used to promote tray, for example is used to be loaded into that lorry, ship, train etc. are gone up or from unloadings such as lorry, ship, trains.Minimizing for utilizing lifting such as forklift and handling the needs of tray body reduces the destruction that the tray body receives widely.(make sure to keep in mind, this bont is the most outstanding reason that causes the destruction of tray).

And tray 10 reduces the required floor space of storage goods on tray through hand in the ability that moves on the wheel widely, can be by enough spaces of forklift or Jack utilization for each tray because need between tray, not reserve.In many situations, can get rid of the needs of shelving or piling up in resulting improvement on the floor space degree of utilization for tray 10.

With reference to Figure 26 and Figure 27; Wheel or castor 170 are attached to adapter 172; This adapter 172 is configured as on the downside of the footing that is clamped to tray body 12, or wheel/castor 170 is attached to adapter 174, and this adapter 174 is configured as and utilizes bayonet fitting to be received within projection 50 inboards of annex 14.On the contrary, wheel can be fixedly attached to downside tray body 12 or annex 14.Adapter 174 shown in Figure 27 shows through four bolts 173 and has been attached to adapter caster wheel 170; But centre hole 175 is limited in the adapter, makes this centre hole 175 to be used for attached center bolt caster wheel caster wheel 170 for example shown in Figure 26 with needs and uses.

Be shipped under the situation about need shelved before distributing center, ultimate consumer, warehouse (for example, freezer) etc. at manufactured product, needs are comprised the tray body 12 that is attached to annex 14 and do not have the tray 10 of wheel.Yet,, can annex 14 releases and tray body and cargo load thereof can be transported from tray body 12, and annex 14 keeps staying the position that need shelve in case tray 10 no longer need be shelved.

Need under situation about having on the tray of wheel, can use annex 14 to admit cargo-carring tray body 12 at manufactured product, but annex 14 can be configured such that its not attached (clamping) is to tray body 12 with wheel.Correspondingly, go up when transporting them when tray body 12 and load thereof are raised they are loaded into lorry, train etc., the tray body is raised and leaves the annex that wheel is housed, and the annex that wheel is housed stays and only tray body and load thereof are transported.

Through the goods of transport and load on tray body 12 only, in whole logistics value chain, avoided the extra weight of transportation annex 14.Compare with the wooden top platform that uses same Freight Transport to comprise the wooden tray (612) of top and bottom platform or only to have a footing that can not be nested, this allows on same lorry, to load and transport up to quadruple purpose tray body 12 (2448 tray bodies 12).

With reference to Figure 29 to Figure 36; Be used to handle the form of device that has of goods, comprise tray 10 (no matter being only to comprise tray body 12 or have tray body 12) and be attached at wall 120,122 together pivotly at the annex 14 of its downside according to first embodiment of tray case 118 of the present invention.

Each wall 120,122 has bottom margin 124, top 126, lateral edge 128, outside face 134 and inside face 136, and wall utilizes attachment arrangement to be attached at together pivotly with the mode that is arranged side by side, and pivot overlaps with lateral edge.The definite configuration of pivotal attachment device can change; For example; It can comprise the structure (not shown) of partial sum on lateral edge 128 that forms the pivot axle (not shown), and lateral edge 128 centers on this wheel shaft extension at least partly and can turn round around this wheel shaft or any other suitable pivotal attachment.Preferably, wall 120,122 is attached for forever in the pivotal attachment at its lateral edge 128 places, does not have removable any parts.

Tray case 118 comprises six walls: two rigid walls 120 and two pairs of inside pivotable walls 122, each of these centerings is extended between the lateral edge of rigid walls.Rigid walls 120 is configured to when tray case 118 is assembled to extend and every pair of inside pivotable wall 122 is configured to extend along an edge in two remaining edges of payload platform along the opposite edges of payload platform 16.In the example shown, rigid walls 120 is wideer than in each inside right wall 122 that pivots each, but for different embodiments of the invention, the size of wall can change.

Wall 122 in every pair of inside pivotable wall is attached at together at its adjacent lateral edge 128 places through the pivotal attachment device; To form inside pivotable turning; Its mesospore can inwardly be pivoted to the folding position that its outside face 134 faces with each other, and outwards is pivoted to the setting or the open position of its mesospore alignment.

Each lateral edge 128 of each rigid walls 120 is attached to the lateral edge 128 of wall 122 from a pair of wall that can inwardly pivot; To form external corners 132; Its mesospore 120,122 is configured between folding position and setting or open position, pivot, and in the folding position, the inside face 136 of rigid walls 120 faces with each other; In setting or open position, wall is to have an angle of 90 degrees degree location within it between the surface.

Each wall 120,122 is similar to the structure of payload platform 16 for being included in the moulded piece that limits the web in a row 138 of cavity 140 between it very much.Each cavity 140 opens wide in the both sides of wall and has conical by its shape, between the little opening 144 on the opposite side of big opening 142 on the side of wall and wall, extends, and flange 146 extends around little opening simultaneously.The conical by its shape of cavity 140 allows to withdraw from mould and adjacent cavity forming at 120,122 o'clock and be the taper towards the opposite side of wall making wall.Resulting to the opposite side of wall tapered along the structure that has cavity 140 alternately in the two-dimensional array of wall 120,122 and have its flange 146 on the opposite side at wall, form significantly crash-resistant and still very light structure.The structural strength of this structure is especially remarkable during along the flat compressed of wall at wall 120,122, and its median ventral plate 138 bears clamp load (not having inside or bandy trend) and web and flange for rigidity is provided each other with flange 146 with balance mode.

Form the platform attachment structure that wall 120,122 can be attached removedly along the cavity 124 at the edge of payload platform 16 and the edge self of payload platform.Along the bottom margin 124 of each wall 120,122, formed a plurality of projections 148, the cavity 24 of itself and payload platform 16 complementally is shaped and can be received within this cavity inside.(in other embodiments, projection 148 also can have clip etc., so that projection 148 is kept putting in place at cavity inside.) and, being provided with a plurality of clip structure 150 along the bottom margin 124 of each wall 120,122, it can be with the firm but edge of releasable clamping mode clamping load platform 16.

Along the top 126 of wall 120,122, be provided with the location structure of the form of projection 152 and spine 154, the downside of the footing 18 of itself and tray body 12 complementally is shaped and/or complementally is shaped with the downside of annex 14.

When not in use, case 118 can be stored and occupy very little space simultaneously.In the above and in patent application early, described the saving in space characteristic of nestable body 12 and annex 14.And; The pivotal arrangements at 130,132 places allows wall 120,122 to be pivoted to like Fig. 7 and smooth folded state shown in Figure 8 at the turning; The wherein outside face contact of inside fully pivot in turning 130 and inside pivotable wall 122, and the inside face of the wall 120,122 at 132 places, turning contacts outside each.

In order to hold up tray case 118; With wall 120,122 from as above its folding position of describing with reference to figure 7 and Fig. 8 be deployed into like Fig. 6 and partial folds state shown in Figure 9 and the open mode as Figure 10 to Figure 14 shown in, wherein the inside pivotable wall 122 of every centering align and outside each the wall 120,122 at 132 places, turning meet at right angles.When wall 120,122 was in its open mode, wall 120,122 was orientated as to extend and through the edge along payload platform projection 148 is inserted in the cavitys 24 and through allowing clip structure 150 clamping load flat-bed edges along the periphery of payload platform 16 wall 120,122 is attached to payload platform removedly.

When wall 120,122 was attached to payload platform 16, tray case 118 was in assembling or upright state, and above payload platform, defines the reservoir cavity 156 in the inboard of wall.Can use tray case 118 to be used for admittance, storage, transportation at cavity 140 in-to-in goods etc. in a usual manner.When do not need the tray case any period, can be through clip structure 150 being untied and is withdrawn from projection 148 from cavity 24 and take the tray case apart from the edge of payload platform 16.Wall 120,122 can be folded and body 12 can be nested in other body medium.

Can be through piling up tray case 118 on the top that a tray case is placed on another tray case, make the weight of upper tank carry by the wall 120,122 of lower tank.This intensity through the wall in compression 120,122 becomes possibility, as above-described.And, top tray case 118 through projection 152 and spine 154 and above it tray 10 (be body 12 or annex 14, the joint of downside depending on circumstances) and keep putting in place with respect to lower tank.

If desired; Wall 120,122 of the present invention can be shaped and be sized to payload platform and use; This payload platform extends annex 84, extends through the cavity of engagement platform extension annex and the cavity and the edge of edge rather than payload platform self, as above-described through platform.

(not shown) in another embodiment of the present invention; It maybe can be removable maybe can make very lowly that inside pivotable wall 122 can be omitted, and makes tray case 118 only comprise body 12 and the rigid walls on the opposite side of payload platform 16 120 effectively.This embodiment allows on tray body 12, to carry slender body, and is outstanding on the edge of payload platform simultaneously, but is held in place on payload platform by rigid walls simultaneously.

(not shown) in another embodiment of the present invention provides the annex that extends form, and it can be received within on the payload platform 16 and/or on the downside of tray 10, and it is configured to admit standard-sized big object, and is especially bulging, such as 44 gallons drum.This annex does not need very high, and for example it can be about 50 to 75mm height, but must be enough high to prevent that object side is to moving.Annex can be attached to payload platform to prevent the object payload platform that slips away; But in a preferred embodiment, another annex is placed on the downside of tray 10, and this tray 10 is stacked on the tray top of carrying object; And in this configuration, object is formed for the stable support of tray above it.

With reference to Figure 37 to Figure 40, show second embodiment of tray case.Green phase with Reference numeral be illustrated in total feature structure between the tray case of tray case and Figure 37 to Figure 40 of Figure 28 to Figure 36, in Figure 37 to Figure 40, have suffix " 2 ".

Tray case 118.2 is similar to the case 118 of Figure 28 to Figure 36 very much, but its wall 120.2 and 122.2 is obviously higher, has about equal height with the sectional dimension of tray body 12.Thereby case 118.2 is the cardinal principle cubic shaped.The result is that shown in figure 38 when the wall 120.2,122.2 of tray case 118.2 is folded, it can be set level with the payload platform 16 of cardinal principle across tray body 12.

Tray case 118.2 also comprises lid 176, and lid 176 is attached to one upper limb in the rigid walls 120.2 pivotally and is shown in and is shown in an open position among Figure 37 and in Figure 39, is in the close position.In Figure 38, lid 176 on even keels are positioned on inversion (putting upside down) position on the top of folding wall 120.2,122.2.

Lid 176 can be attached to the upper limb of rigid walls 120.2 by locking, and is relative with its pivotal attachment.Yet lid 176 comprises the window 178 that is attached to framework 180 pivotally, and this window 178 extends around the periphery of lid 176.Framework 180 comprises and is arranged in its four corners and along the centre at each edge, in recess 48 and projection 50 corresponding to the position of the attachment structure 50 of annex 14 and recess 48.Therefore, the bottom of the footing 18 of tray body 12 can be received within recess inside around projection 50.Footing 18 this nested permission tray case 118.2 on lid 176 is stacked on over each other safely; Shown in figure 40; And do not have the tray case to slip away to support the danger of its tray case, and the wall 120.2,122.2 of the bottom tray weight of bearing the tray case of its top simultaneously.

Rigid walls 120.2 thereby pivotable wall 122.2 and lid 176 can be attached to the payload platform 16 of tray body 12 through releasable breech lock 182.

In another embodiment of the present invention, footing 18 is not molded with the remainder of main body 12, but separately molded and be attached to payload platform 16 subsequently.Attached between footing 18 and the payload platform 16 can be nonvolatil or can be releasable.The advantage that this embodiment of the present invention keeps is, can be by for example using the wearing and tearing that lower cost materials or more anti-footing possibly receive through the fork contact with lifting means in the tray deposit and/or the material of impact to process footing 18 to one way (outlet) tray with the remainder material different of body 12.Footing 18 more is subject to the destruction of this fork and is attached to removedly among the embodiment of payload platform 16 at footing, the footing of replaceable destruction, thereby under serviceable condition, safeguard tray 12 with the cost of a footing only.At last, in different application, using, need different tray height and footing 18 that can molded different size, make that tray 10 can be assembled to have selected height.

The strength and stiffness demand of payload platform 16 can change according to the desired use of tray 10 and for guarantee when needed enough intensity and for maybe the time reduce weight and cost; The thickness of payload platform (being the degree of depth) may be selected to for the tray that can shelve 10 thicker (for example, 36mm).Equally, the number of cavity in payload platform 16 24 and web 106 can be increased so that firm/crash-resistant payload platform to be provided, or the number of cavity and web can be reduced so that lighter payload platform to be provided.

Some webs 106 in the payload platform 16 are slightly thick and do not have hole 116 than other web, make it be used as the beam of reinforcement payload platform.These thicker webs preferably run through between the opposite edges of payload platform 16 and extend, and with the attachment point of extending annex or wall 120 and payload platform to edge insert 68, platform all the time intensity are provided.

Claims

1. tray, said tray comprises main body, said main body comprises:

Payload platform, said payload platform have smooth substantially load surface; And

A plurality of isolated footing, said a plurality of isolated footing are outstanding from said payload platform on a side relative with said load surface, comprise at least one turning footing in said footing each corner region in four corner regions of said body;

It is characterized in that,

Said payload platform has open configuration, the web that said open configuration limits a plurality of cavitys and between adjacent cavity, extends at least in part;

Said footing is hollow and tapered, makes the said footing of a said body can partly be received in the inside of the said footing of another said body with nested mode;

Said tray has the weight less than 40 pounds; And

Said tray is processed by fibre reinforced materials.

2. tray according to claim 1 is characterized in that said tray has the weight less than 30 pounds.

3. according to claim 1 or the described tray of claim 2; It is characterized in that; The said cavity of in the said payload platform at least some opens wide at least one side; At least some said webs become ground, obtuse angle to extend with respect to said payload platform, and at least some said webs limiting hole between the upper limb of each said web and lower edge.

4. tray according to claim 3 is characterized in that said payload platform comprises flange, and extend on said flange and said load surface coplane ground substantially.

5. tray according to claim 4 is characterized in that, said flange extends from the upper limb of the said web of said payload platform, and in said payload platform between adjacent web limiting hole.

6. according to each the described tray in the aforementioned claim; It is characterized in that; Said payload platform limits lower surface; Said lower surface is parallel to said load surface substantially and between said footing, extends, and said payload platform comprises flange, the coplane ground extension substantially of said flange and said lower surface.

7. tray according to claim 6 is characterized in that, said flange extends from the lower edge of the said web of said payload platform, and in said payload platform between adjacent web limiting hole.

8. according to each the described tray in the aforementioned claim, it is characterized in that have an appointment 40 * 48 inches size of said loadmeter mask.

9. according to each the described tray in the aforementioned claim; It is characterized in that; Said tray also comprises annex; And each turning footing limits at least one first attachment structure at least, and said at least one first attachment structure can be attached to the said annex of said tray, makes said annex between the said attachment structure of said turning footing, extend at least.

10. tray according to claim 9 is characterized in that said annex has open configuration, the web that said open configuration limits a plurality of cavitys and between adjacent cavity, extends at least in part.

11. tray according to claim 10 is characterized in that, each opens wide the said cavity of at least some of said annex at least one side.

12. tray according to claim 9 is characterized in that, the footing recess is limited in the downside of said footing, and the annex projection is limited on the said annex, and said annex projection can be received in the said footing recess at least in part.

13. tray according to claim 12; It is characterized in that; Each said annex projection is the hollow structure with conical wall, makes the said annex projection of a said annex can partly be received in the inside of the said annex projection of another said annex with nested mode.

14. according to each the described tray in the claim 9 to 13; It is characterized in that; Said annex comprises a plurality of second attachment structures; Said a plurality of second attachment structure can be attached to said first attachment structure at least some said footing, and said annex limits a plurality of annex recesses, and said footing can be received in the said annex recess at least in part; Said second attachment structure is set at the inside of said annex recess, and wherein said second attachment structure is protected in order to avoid be damaged.

15. according to each the described tray in the claim 9 to 14; It is characterized in that; Said annex limits at least one beam that when said annex is attached to said footing, between at least some said footing, extends; Said beam is an open configuration, and this open configuration limits a plurality of cavitys, and each opens wide said a plurality of cavitys at least one side.

16. according to each the described tray in the claim 9 to 15; It is characterized in that; Said annex limits at least one beam that when said annex is attached to said footing, between some said footing, extends; And the size of wherein said annex is configured such that when the said annex in proper top is nested on the top of the said annex in bottom; The said downside of going up the beam of department enclosure is shelved on the beam of said department enclosure down in abutting connection with ground, make adjacency between the said beam of going up department enclosure and following department enclosure prevent upper body get into said under the said annex recess of department enclosure exceed predetermined extent.

17. each the described tray according in the claim 9 to 16 is characterized in that said attachment structure is releasable.

18. tray according to claim 17 is characterized in that, said attachment structure comprises clip structure, and wherein said tray qualification release aperture, and releasing member can insert to discharge said clip structure through said release aperture.

19. each the described tray according in the aforementioned claim is characterized in that, each footing limits at least one tapered recess, and said at least one tapered recess is extended towards said payload platform from the bottom of said footing.

20. tray according to claim 19; It is characterized in that; Near at least one said recess extends to said payload platform from the bottom of the relevant footing of at least one said recess; And said footing comprises framing member, said framing member and said payload platform general alignment and across said recess.

21. tray according to claim 20; It is characterized in that; The size of said body is configured such that when the said body in proper top is nested on the top of the said body in bottom; The downside across the load recess of the footing of said upper body of said framing member is shelved on the said load surface of said lower body in abutting connection with ground, and the inside that makes adjacency between the said framing member of said upper body and lower body prevent that the said footing of said upper body from getting into the said footing of said lower body exceeds predetermined extent.

22. according to each the described tray in the claim 19 to 21; It is characterized in that; Said tray comprises nine footing; It comprises said four turning footing, and wherein each said turning footing has at least one said recess, and at least one said recess is divided at least two pillars with said turning footing.

23. tray according to claim 22; It is characterized in that; Said tray comprises nine footing; And each in the said footing has at least one said recess, and at least one said recess is divided at least two pillars with said footing, makes said tray have at least ten eight said pillars.

24. each the described tray according in the aforementioned claim is characterized in that, said payload platform limits a plurality of holes in its top surface, in said hole, can admit insert.

25. each the described tray according in the aforementioned claim is characterized in that, said payload platform limits a plurality of holes in its downside, in said hole, can admit insert.

26., it is characterized in that said annex is limited to a plurality of holes on the upside of said beam, in said hole, can admit insert according to claim 15 or the described tray of claim 16.

27., it is characterized in that said annex is limited to a plurality of holes on the downside of said beam, in said hole, can admit insert according to claim 15 or the described tray of claim 16.

28. each the described tray according in claim 24 to the claim 27 is characterized in that said tray comprises a plurality of inserts, in said hole, can admit said insert, each insert is processed by anti-slip material.

29. according to each the described tray in the claim 9 to 18; It is characterized in that; Said tray comprises at least one turning sleeve; Said at least one turning sleeve can be attached to said footing through extending around at least a portion of the footing of said main body, and when said annex was attached to said first attachment structure, said turning sleeve remained trapped on the said footing between said annex and said payload platform.

30. each the described tray according in the aforementioned claim is characterized in that, said payload platform comprises the crash-resistant periphery edge of at least some cavitys in the cavity that is close to said payload platform.

31. tray according to claim 30; It is characterized in that; Said tray comprises at least one edge insert; The clamping structure that said at least one edge insert utilization clamps said edge can be attached to said edge releasedly, and said edge insert is included in the outstanding projection in said payload platform top.

32. tray according to claim 30; It is characterized in that; Said tray comprises that at least one platform extends annex; The clamping structure that said at least one platform extension annex utilization clamps said edge can be attached to said edge releasedly, and said platform extends annex edge from said payload platform when being attached to said edge and extends with said payload platform with aliging.

33. each the described tray according in the aforementioned claim is characterized in that said tray comprises:

A plurality of walls; Each wall limits first edge, second edge and the 3rd edge and the 4th edge; Said first edge in use forms top; Said second edge is relative with said first edge, and said second edge in use forms bottom margin, and said the 3rd edge and the 4th edge in use form lateral edge;

The pivotal attachment device, said pivotal attachment device pivot be arranged side by side in will adjacent wall lateral edge keep together the wherein pivot attached lateral edge extension in edge substantially;

The platform attachment structure, said platform attachment structure is along the periphery setting of said payload platform; And

The wall attachment structure, said wall attachment structure can be admitted said wall attachment structure along the bottom margin setting of said wall releasedly in said platform attachment structure.

34. tray according to claim 33; It is characterized in that; Said tray comprises six said walls, and it comprises two rigid walls, and said two rigid walls are configured to the length of the opposite edges of the said payload platform in edge when being attached to said payload platform and extend; Wherein four all the other walls form two pairs, and every pair is configured to extend between said rigid walls along the length at an edge in the edge of said payload platform.

35. tray according to claim 34; It is characterized in that; Said wall comprises six turnings; The lateral edges of wherein adjacent wall is pivotally connected to together through said pivotal attachment device, and said pivotal attachment device is configured to allow in the said right wall each that wall another in said right wall inwardly pivoted to wall.

36. tray according to claim 33; It is characterized in that; Each wall is the structure that comprises web in a row; Said web in a row limits cavity betwixt, and each cavity has big opening and the tapered shape of the smaller opening on the opposite side at said wall on a side of said wall, and adjacent cavity is configured to make its big opening on the opposite side of said wall.

37. tray according to claim 36 is characterized in that, each cavity has flange, and said flange extends around the little opening of said cavity, and said flange and said web are integrally formed.

38. according to each the described tray in the claim 33 to 37; It is characterized in that; Said platform attachment structure comprises a plurality of recesses that are limited in the said payload platform; And said wall attachment structure comprises the projection of extending from the bottom margin of said wall, in the said recess of said platform attachment structure, can admit said projection.

39. according to each the described tray in the claim 33 to 38; It is characterized in that; Said platform attachment structure comprises the edge of said payload platform, and said wall attachment structure comprises clip structure, and said clip structure can clamp the edge of said payload platform.

40. according to each the described tray in the claim 33 to 39; It is characterized in that; At least some said walls are included in the location structure on its upper limb, and said location structure is configured to when the tray body is stacked on the top of said wall, admit the downside of tray body.

41. each the described tray according in the claim 33 to 40 is characterized in that said tray comprises lid, said lid is attached to a wall in the said wall pivotly.

42. each the described tray according in the aforementioned claim is characterized in that said tray comprises a plurality of wheels that can be attached to said tray releasedly.

43., it is characterized in that each wheel in the said wheel rotatably is supported in the adapter according to the described tray of claim 42, said adapter can be attached to said tray with clamping mode.

44. a method that is used to make the tray with payload platform, said method comprises:

Two parts of closed two parts mould are to form mould cavity;

Mouldable material is injected in the said mould cavity;

Allow said mouldable material solidification, to form said tray; And

Make the said tray demoulding;

It is characterized in that; Said tray is included in a plurality of webs in its payload platform; Each web is directed with respect to said payload platform with becoming the obtuse angle; And wherein when said mould closes, near said two parts adjacency neutral axis of at least some said webs of said two parts mould is with near the limiting hole property axle therein in said web.

45., it is characterized in that said mouldable material is the fiber reinforced polymeric material according to the described method of claim 44.

46. a method of using tray, each tray in the said tray comprises the tray body, and said tray body limits payload platform and from the following side-prominent footing of said payload platform, said method comprises:

The first said tray body is transported to the second place from primary importance;

A plurality of annexes are remained on said second place place, and each said annex can be attached to the downside of the said footing of said tray body, between at least some said footing of said tray body, to extend and to said tray body support structure to be provided;

At said second place place with the said first tray body supports on said annex;

Use said first tray body and the Holder Fasteners thereof at said second place place;

The said first tray body is removed from its Holder Fasteners; And

Send the said first tray body from the said second place.

47., it is characterized in that the said first tray body is supported on the Holder Fasteners of the said first tray body through the said footing that said annex is attached to the said first tray body according to the described method of claim 46.

48. according to the described method of claim 46; It is characterized in that; Said annex is attached to the second said tray body and the said first tray body can be received on the top of the said second tray body when in the said second place, supports at least in part with the said annex that is attached to the said second tray body.

49. according to each the described method in the claim 46 to 48; It is characterized in that; Said first tray body and the said second tray body are nestable; And said method comprises: the said footing with the said first tray body when in the said second place is nested in the said second tray body, so that the said first tray body is kept putting in place on the said second tray body.

50. according to each the described method in the claim 46 to 49; It is characterized in that; At least some said annexes have wheel, and said method comprises: roll on its wheel through making said annex, move said tray body and Holder Fasteners thereof at said second place place.

51. a method of using tray, each tray in the said tray comprises the tray body, and said tray body limits payload platform and from the following side-prominent footing of said payload platform, said method comprises:

Keep a plurality of tray bodies that wheel is housed at said second place place; Each said tray body that wheel is housed comprises following tray body; This tray body limits payload platform and from the following side-prominent footing of said payload platform, and wherein wheel is attached to the downside of at least some footing in the footing of the said tray body that wheel is housed;

At said second place place with the said first tray body supports on the said tray body that wheel is housed;

Use the said first tray body at said second place place and support the tray body that wheel is housed of the said first tray body;

The said first tray body is removed from the tray body that wheel is housed that supports the said first tray body; And

Send the said first tray body from the said second place.

52. according to the described method of claim 51; It is characterized in that; Said first tray body and the said tray body that wheel is housed are nestable; And said method comprises: when in the said second place, the said footing of the said first tray body is nested in the said tray body that wheel is housed, so that the said first tray body is kept putting in place on the said tray body that wheel is housed.

53., it is characterized in that the said first tray body is attached to the said tray body that wheel is housed releasedly according to the described method of claim 52.

54. a method of using tray, each tray in the said tray comprises the tray body, and said tray body limits payload platform and from the following side-prominent footing of said payload platform, said method comprises:

A plurality of annexes are remained on said second place place; Each said annex can be attached to the downside of the said footing of said tray body; Between at least some said footing of said tray body, to extend and for said tray body support structure to be provided, wherein wheel is attached to the downside of said annex;

At said second place place with the said first tray body supports on the said annex that wheel is housed;

Use the said first tray body at said second place place and support the annex that wheel is housed of the said first tray body;

The said first tray body is removed from the annex that wheel is housed that supports the said first tray body; And

Send the said first tray body from the said second place.

55. according to the described method of claim 54; It is characterized in that; The said first tray body can be nested in the second tray body; The said second tray body limits payload platform and from the following side-prominent footing of said payload platform, the said footing of the wherein said first tray body can be received in the inside of the said footing of the said second tray body with nested mode.

56. according to the described method of claim 55; It is characterized in that; The said second tray body is attached to the said annex that wheel is housed, and through supporting the said first tray body on the top that the said first tray body is received in the said second tray body with nested mode.

57. according to each the described method in the claim 54 to 56; It is characterized in that; During the said first tray body is transported to the said second place from said primary importance, during the said second place is used the said first tray body and/or during the said first tray body is sent from the said second place, handle the goods on the said first tray body.