DE102013113315A1 - Pallet with non-slip top - Google Patents

Abstract

In a pallet, with a base made of a plastic material, and with a deck that forms the top of the pallet, and provided on the top of the deck slip-resistant coating, the invention proposes that the coating of a plastic material of the same family of plastics as the Base body is materially connected to the deck, has a layer thickness of 0.1 mm to 2 mm, and is arranged over a large area on the deck. In order to produce such a pallet, the invention proposes that a base body made of a first plastic material is produced by injection molding as a pre-molding, wherein the surface of the deck is delimited by a first molded part, and then a second molded part holding the pre-molded article is brought against a third molded part which is spaced from the surface of the deck of the pre-molded part such that a gap remains between the surface of the deck and the third molded part, and then a second plastic material is applied to the surface of the deck of the pre-molded article as an anti-slip coating by injection compression molding , and prior to solidification of the second plastic material, the second and third mold parts are moved relative to each other such that the gap width is reduced, and wherein the first and second plastic materials originate from the same plastic family.

Description

The invention relates to a pallet according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for producing a pallet.

In non-generic pallets, the decks are designed slip-resistant inserts inserted from an elastomeric material. In order to enable a continuous effect as possible of the slip-resistant design, such plugs must be arranged close to each other, so that even smaller packages reliably stand up on a non-slip designed area of the deck and not just between the plug. The cost of producing such pallets is comparatively high because firstly, in terms of material cost, a significant portion of the anti-slip elastomeric material is not effective on the surface of the deck and is useful as slip resistance, but forms the body of the respective plug, and secondly, in terms of the assembly effort the Variety of plugs must be used in the previously prepared body of the pallet.

For generic pallets, it is known from practice that the coating can be applied to the main body of the pallet in different ways: surface coatings can be welded to the base of a pallet, for example by first coextruded plates are produced, which in turn constructed two layers are. On the top they have the desired slip-resistant layer and the underside of such a coextruded plate is made of a material which is well weldable with the body of the pallet. This production is relatively expensive.

Alternatively, it is known to extrude an anti-slip coating material directly onto the pallet deck. In this so-called extruding is a basically continuous process, which is used very advantageously for other products, which must be carried out discontinuously in pallets, however, due to their limited dimensions, in each case the start and the ending points in the order of the extruded Material procedurally problematic. The extrusion usually takes place in strips. In order to ensure a secure footing for goods of various sizes on the pallet, the strips must be extruded at a small distance from each other on the deck of the body. Correspondingly, many start and end points of the discontinuous extrusion processes result in the production of a pallet and cause a comparatively uneconomical procedure, since in each case the extrusion process has to be stopped and restarted for the next pallet.

As a further alternative, it is known to provide the basic body in a multi-component injection molding process in a first process step. In this case, a comparatively complicated mold with a plurality of injection points for the anti-slip material is required to ensure given a desired low layer thickness that this anti-slip material distributed as completely as possible over a large area on the pallet deck without prematurely solidify. Alternatively, it can be provided to design a plurality of individual non-contiguous locations on the top of the pallet deck in an anti-slip manner in this multi-component injection molding process, wherein a multiplicity of sprues or injection channels for the anti-slip material should also be provided in this embodiment.

The invention has for its object to improve a generic range to the effect that this allows as effective as possible everywhere on the pallet deck slip resistance with the least possible use of anti-slip material. Furthermore, the invention has for its object to provide a suitable method for producing such a pallet.

This object is achieved by a pallet having the features of claim 1. A suitable method for the production of such a pallet is described in claim 11. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

In other words, the invention proposes to provide the slip-resistant coating of a plastic material which originates from the same family of plastics as the base body of the pallet. In this way, a cohesive connection between the slip-resistant coating and the base body is possible, so that the coating excellent against detaching forces, such. B. Shear forces o. The like. Protected, which endeavor to replace the coating from the base body of the pallet. Furthermore, results from this choice of materials the ability to mix the material of the anti-slip coating with the material of the body so that, first, an excellent and highly resilient connection with the body of the pallet can be achieved and also set the anti-slip effect continuously and to the particular requirements can be adjusted. Too strong an anti-slip effect is a hindrance in practice, for example, when material is to be pushed onto the pallet deck.

Furthermore, it is proposed by the proposal that the coating has a layer thickness of only 0.1 to 2 mm. Compared to applying the coating in a conventional two-component injection molding, this means a significant material savings and thus a cost savings.

These thin layer thicknesses of the slip-resistant coating can be achieved, for example, by applying the coating in the so-called injection-compression-molding method. For this purpose, the base body is first produced as a so-called pre-molded part, in the injection molding process, wherein a tool with two moldings is used. A first molded part bounds the surface of the deck of the main body. After the pre-molded part has sufficiently solidified, this first molded part is removed, so that the pre-molded part is still held by the second molded part and can be brought with this against a third molding, which is located at a distance from the surface of the deck of the pre-molded part. So there remains a gap between this deck surface and the mentioned third molding. The gap width of this gap is greater than the layer thickness of the slip-resistant coating to be produced. The second plastic material, which forms the slip-resistant coating, is then introduced into this gap and then the two mold parts, ie the third, initially located at a distance from the deck molding, as well as the first, holding the pre-molded part, to each other, so that there the gap width is reduced. The material in the gap is thereby distributed over the entire gap surface until the final gap width is achieved, which corresponds to the desired layer thickness of the slip-resistant coating.

Due to the fact that the coating material is first injected into a comparatively wide gap, this injection process can be carried out with comparatively low pressure, since the pressure does not have to be so high that the lamination material is distributed over the entire gap over its entire area. This distribution is only subsequently effected during the reduction of the gap width. In particular, if from the outset the gap would have such a small gap width as would correspond to the layer thickness of the slip-resistant coating to be produced, an injection process with considerable pressure would be required, which places considerable demands on injection molding machines.

Advantageously, the coating substantially completely covers the deck of the pallet. So it is advantageous not only single surface sections coated anti-slip, such as several circular points and thus comparable to the insertion of several circular plugs in a pallet top, but can be ensured by a possible full-surface coating of the pallet deck even with small container sizes that on the Pall Good is secured against unwanted sliding. That it be provided that this coating of the top surface not actually completely, but only "essentially" make, for example, means that openings that may be provided in a conventional pallet type in the pallet surface, maintained even in the design of the pallet with a non-slip surface be so that for various reasons, from which such openings may be provided, the range deliberately does not have a full surface slip-resistant designed deck.

Another reason that the range does not have to have a full surface slip-resistant coated deck is that at the peripheral edges of this coating advantageous against damage, eg. B. may be protected against shearing or peeling impacts by a frame, which is created by the body. For this purpose, the main body at the peripheral edges of the deck on such a frame, which extends upwards. Even if there are openings in the deck, corresponding, upwardly extending frames may advantageously run around them. In this way, a trough is created on the top of the body, which can be filled with the coating material, so that substantially the entire pallet surface is designed to be slip-resistant.

The frame advantageously does not extend over the entire height of the slip-resistant coating. Thus, even in the face of manufacturing tolerances, which could lead to a comparatively high frame and a comparatively thin coating, it is ensured that even large objects are secured against slipping by not standing up on the frame, but rather on the non-slip coating, which has a larger area Layer thickness and extends higher than the frame. The frame protects the anti-slip coating against the aforementioned shearing or peeling effects by laterally covering the boundary area in which the anti-slip coating material abuts the material of the base body.

In view of the small layer thickness, which is provided according to the proposal and given that except for the openings and the frame, the pallet surface is configured over a large area slip-resistant, is at a low Material use of anti-slip material provides an excellent, almost full-surface transport protection for standing on the pallet Good by almost full-surface anti-slip effect on the top of the range guaranteed. Since the coating is bordered by the mentioned frame and protected against lateral damage, a durable design of the pallet is made possible despite the small layer thickness of the coating.

Advantageously, the layer thickness of the slip-resistant coating between about 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm, so that on the one hand a sufficiently wear-resistant and therefore durable coating, and on the other hand the least possible use of anti-slip material are combined. Practical tests have shown in these aspects and in terms of trouble-free production, a layer thickness of 1.5 mm as advantageous. This layer thickness is also sufficient, on the one hand to allow a durable cohesive connection with the main body of the pallet and on the other hand to be able to ensure the anti-slip effect without being affected by the less slip-resistant material of the main body of the pallet.

As already mentioned above, the coating can advantageously be configured as an injection-molded, thin layer. Due to the injection-compression technique, materials can be processed as anti-slip coating, which, for example, are harmless under food law and, moreover, originate from the same family of plastics as the main body of the pallet.

Pallets usually have so-called retraction openings, in which the tines of the fork of a material handling vehicle can be inserted. With a particularly fast handling of the pallets in daily practice, with strong acceleration and braking forces, it can happen when braking the industrial trucks that the pallets threaten to slip due to the inertia of the fork of the truck before the fork completely lowered and the Pallet is parked on the ground. It may therefore be advantageous to provide a slip-resistant effect not only for the cargo standing on the pallet, but also between the pallet and the industrial truck. For this reason, the underside of this upper edge can also be coated slip-resistant at the upper edge of a retraction opening, said layer is referred to the linguistic distinction of the slip-resistant coating on the pallet deck as anti-slip layer.

The slip-resistant coating and the anti-slip layer are advantageously made of the same material and are interconnected by a connecting channel which extends through the body of the pallet and which is filled with this slip-resistant material. In this way, namely, a particularly economical production of the pallet is assisted by the fact that the coating on the top of the deck and the anti-slip layer in the entry opening can be made simultaneously in the same injection molding.

The main body and the anti-slip coating may advantageously consist of an olefin material. The group of olefins represents a family of plastics in which the individual plastics provide on the one hand the desired properties for the basic body of the pallet, for example with regard to mechanical stability, and also the properties desired for the coating, namely to have an anti-slip effect. In addition, food grade plastics can be selected from the family of olefin plastics, so that appropriate requirements for a range that is to be used in the food processing sector, can be easily met.

For example, the body can be advantageously made of a polyethylene or a polypropylene and the anti-slip coating may consist of an olefin block copolymer.

In the already described manufacturing method for the production of a proposed range, the simultaneous production of the coating on the top of the deck and the anti-slip layer in the entrance pocket can be done by retracting a part of said first molded part holding the pre-molded part which limits the later underside of the upper edge of a retraction opening. In this way, a gap is created between this underside and the first molded part. A core of the injection mold is removed from the pre-molded part, so that a connection channel between the mentioned gap on the entrance pocket and the already mentioned above first gap is provided, which is provided on the deck of the main body. Removal of the core and creation of the aforesaid connecting channel connect the two gaps so that when the slip-resistant coating material is injected into the first gap, but at the latest during injection compression when the gap width of the first gap is reduced, slip-resistant material passes from the first gap the connecting channel flows into the second gap, which is provided on the underside of the upper edge of the entry opening. In this injection process so the slip-resistant coating on the deck of the pallet and the Anti-slip layer created at the bottom of the upper edge of the entry opening in a single process step, so that the most economical production of the pallet is supported.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the purely schematic representations. It shows

1 a basic body of a pallet in perspective view,

2 those using the main body of 1 finished pallet,

3 a schematic representation of an injection molding apparatus for producing the pallet,

4 - 6 Sketches explaining the procedure for applying the slip-resistant coating,

7 a perspective view of the cutout of a main body of a pallet deck in the region of an entry opening,

8th a perspective view from below of the area of 7 , and

9 a view like 8th However, wherein the body is provided with an anti-slip layer.

In 1 is a basic body 1 a pallet shown, with this body 1 one as a deck 2 has designated upper side, and two entry openings 3 and several feet 4 , Each entry opening 3 is outlined on all sides, with two feet 4 the two lateral edges of a retraction opening 3 make up and those feet 4 connected to runners, so that these skids the lower edge 5 a retraction opening 3 form. An upper edge 6 the entry opening 3 gets through the bottom of the deck 2 educated.

The deck 2 is configured substantially closed, but has two lattice-like openings in its central region 7 on. Around the openings 7 around and along the outer perimeter of the deck 2 each frame run 8th that face the rest of the deck 2 slightly upwards.

2 shows a palette 9 that the main body 1 from 1 as well as on the top of the deck 2 an anti-slip coating 10 , The coating 10 and the main body 1 consist of different plastic materials, but which consist of the same plastic family, namely each of an olefin material. The coating 10 close to the frame 8th However, it extends slightly higher so that except for the openings 7 and the frames 8th a closed and flat top of the pallet 9 is created, which is like the top of the main body 1 also referred to as a deck.

3 shows very simplified and schematically a insert machine 11 , which is designed as injection molding machine and has a total of three moldings. A first molding 12 is shown on the left. A second molding 14 is movably mounted and can from its the first molding 12 adjacent position to be pivoted by 180 ° about an upright axis.

3 shows the second molding 14 during this pivoting movement. For the production of the main body 1 lay the second molding 14 initially the first molded part 12 on, leaving the first molded part 12 the area of the deck 2 of the basic body 1 has limited. After the main body 1 is made, become the first molding 12 and the second molding 14 separated from each other. The main body 1 is in the second molding 14 held while this is pivoted about the upright axis, until at the end of this pivoting movement of a third molding 15 is applied, this third molding 15 a gap to the surface of the deck 2 leaves free. The third molding 15 is also relative to the second molding 14 movable, so that by a corresponding relative movement of these two moldings 14 and 15 the gap width can be reduced.

The 4 - 6 illustrate in a highly simplified, schematic representation of the application of the slip-resistant coating 10 during the production of the pallet 9 :
In 4 is on the left the second molding 14 with the basic body held thereon 1 shown while this second molding 14 still at a distance from the third molding 15 located. This schematically illustrated distance illustrates the turning movement during which the second molding 14 rotated by 180 ° and the third molding 15 is approximated. Subsequently, there is the second molding 14 closer to the third molding 15 , as in 4 shown further right, with a gap 16 with a first, comparatively large, gap width between the third molding 15 and the body 1 exists, and this gap 16 enclosed on all sides so that it forms a mold cavity. That for the slip-resistant coating 10 provided coating material is through the third molding 15 and an injection channel provided therein 17 in the gap 16 injected.

5 shows that by this injection process the slip-resistant coating 10 on the deck 2 of the basic body 1 is applied, however, is the surface of the deck 2 initially not completely covered, and the anti-slip coating 10 still has a comparatively large layer thickness, namely the comparatively large gap width of the gap 16 equivalent.

6 illustrated by the multiple parallel arrows, that subsequently the second molding 14 against the third molding 15 can be moved so that the gap width of the gap 16 decreases and the coating material on the deck 2 of the basic body 1 distributed so as to obtain the desired slip-resistant coating 10 to form on substantially the entire pallet top.

7 shows a partial view of the area of a deck 2 above a retraction opening 3 , In this embodiment, a multi-part design of the main body 1 provided, so that the pallet deck is first produced as a separate element, which then with, for example, the feet 4 is welded. The in 7 apparent area of the deck 2 forms the upper edge 6 a retraction opening 3 the pallet. Also in this embodiment is provided, the deck 2 with an anti-slip coating 10 to provide and also in this embodiment is a the deck 2 surrounding frame 8th provided, facing the rest of the deck 2 slightly upwards. In the deck 2 is an estuary 18 recognizable, which forms the upper end of a connecting channel.

8th shows the area of the deck 2 of the 7 in a perspective view from below. It can be seen that the mentioned connection channel, here with 19 marked, from the top of the deck 1 to the bottom of the top edge 6 runs and flows there.

In the case of the 4 to 6 described manufacturing method is provided that a part of the second molded part 14 , which is the upper edge 6 of the basic body 1 limited, within the second molding 14 is movably mounted and from the main body 1 is removed slightly before the coating material according to 5 in the gap 16 is injected. In this injection process or at the latest by means of 6 explained embossing process, namely, when the gap width of the gap 16 is reduced, coating material passes through the connecting channel 19 from the surface of the deck 2 in the gap, which between the upper edge 6 and the movable part of the second molded part 14 is created, so that simultaneously with the application of the anti-slip coating 10 on the deck 2 of the basic body 1 also an anti-slip layer 20 at the bottom of the top edge 6 is created in 9 is apparent. Through the connection channel 19 are the anti-slip coating 10 and the anti-slip layer 20 connected to each other, so that in addition to their respective cohesive connection with the body 1 also a positive connection is created.

Claims (12)

Palette ( 9 ), with a basic body ( 1 ) made of a plastic material, and with a deck ( 2 ), which is the top of the pallet ( 9 ) and one on top of the deck ( 2 ) provided slip-resistant coating ( 10 ), characterized in that the coating ( 10 ) of a plastic material of the same plastic family as the main body ( 1 ), the coating ( 10 ) cohesively with the deck ( 2 ), the coating ( 10 ) has a layer thickness of 0.1 mm to 2 mm, and the coating ( 10 ) large area on the deck ( 2 ) is arranged. Pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the coating ( 10 ) the deck ( 2 ) is substantially completely covered. Pallet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the basic body ( 1 ) one at the peripheral edges of the deck ( 2 ) frame ( 8th ) extending upwards such that the coating ( 10 ) through the frame ( 8th ) is limited. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coating ( 10 ) has a layer thickness between 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm. Pallet according to claim 4, characterized in that the coating ( 10 ) has a layer thickness of 1.5 mm. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coating ( 10 ) is designed as an injection-molded thin film. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by entry openings ( 3 ) for receiving the fork of a material handling vehicle, wherein an entry opening ( 3 ) an upper edge ( 6 ), which is accessible from the fork, and this upper edge ( 6 ) on its underside with an anti-slip layer ( 20 ), the coating ( 10 ) and the anti-slip layer ( 20 ) consist of the same material and by a filled with this material connecting channel ( 19 ) are interconnected. Pallet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic body ( 1 ) and the coating ( 10 ) consist of an olefin material. Pallet according to claim 8, characterized in that the basic body ( 1 ) consists of a polyethylene or polypropylene material. Pallet according to claim 8, characterized in that the coating ( 10 ) consists of an olefin block copolymer. Method for producing a pallet ( 9 ), where a basic body ( 1 ) is produced from a first plastic material by injection molding as a preform, wherein the surface of the deck ( 2 ) by a first molded part ( 12 ) is limited, and then a preform holding the second molded part ( 14 ) against a third molding ( 15 ), which is at a distance from the surface of the deck ( 2 ) of the preform, such that a gap ( 16 ) between the surface of the deck ( 2 ) and the third molded part ( 15 ), and then wherein a second plastic material, which comes from the same family of plastics as the first plastic material of the base body ( 1 ), as an anti-slip coating in the injection-compression molding process in the gap ( 16 ) is introduced, and before the solidification of the second plastic material, the second molded part ( 14 ) and the third molded part ( 15 ) are moved relative to each other, such that the gap width of the gap ( 16 ) is reduced. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that a part of the second molded part ( 14 ), which the later underside of the upper edge ( 6 ) of an entry opening ( 3 ) of the preform is limited, is retracted, such that a second gap between this underside and the second molded part ( 14 ) is created, and that a core is removed from the pre-molded part, such that a connecting channel ( 19 ) between the first gap ( 16 ) and the second gap is created, and that the second plastic material in the first gap ( 16 ) and through the connection channel ( 19 ) is injected into the second gap, such that in this injection process, the slip-resistant coating ( 10 ) on the deck ( 2 ) of the pallet ( 9 ) as well as the anti-slip layer ( 20 ) at the bottom of the upper edge ( 6 ) of the entry opening ( 3 ) is created.

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