DE602004006603T2 - PALETTE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pallet comprising a four-sided support plate, said support plate comprising two first edges arranged opposite each other and two second edges arranged opposite each other, first walls arranged along the first edges of support plate and hinged to the support plate.

Description

The The invention relates to a load-bearing pallet, as in the preamble of Claim 1, and a method of using such a pallet according to the preamble of Claim 17.

A pallet according to the preamble of claim 1 is for example off CA-A-971116 known.

Even though Pallets have significant advantages in improving mechanical handling of goods and commercial products has their use some disadvantages in terms of handling the pallet when they are unloaded. Since most pallets are recycled or that Manufacturer of the goods or the department store from which they are delivered were returned the handling of the empty pallet brings considerable Handling costs with it. Furthermore, the empty pallets need space, otherwise for other purposes in the warehouse / warehouse or while of transport / logistics available could have been.

A pallet of the type that requires little space when empty is out GB 2 061 871 A known. The range described in this reference relates to a load-bearing pallet comprising a base portion having a surface layer and two support members also having surface layers in contact with and fixed to the surface layer of the base portion which are integral are formed together and connected by a flexible hinge portion with the surface layer of the base portion. The pallet is constructed of cardboard as a single element and includes respective outer layers of cardboard. Slidably disposed is a sandwich-type honeycomb structure made of paper.

The pallet, which in GB 2 061 871 A is intended to carry both light goods and heavy goods. However, the construction is susceptible to damage when conveyed by a forklift and, in particular, when the support members are subject to relatively large lateral forces, the walls are prone to collapse.

It It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a pallet of the above type to provide, which is more stable, and wherein the carrier elements are able to, relatively large laterally directed forces withstand.

The Task is in accordance achieved with the invention with a pallet of the type defined above, which is characterized in that the first walls and the second walls Comprise engagement means for connecting the first walls to the second wall, being the walls a stable construction for the carrier plate provide, and wherein the engagement means provide a snap closure, wherein the engagement of the first and second walls is a quick assembly the pallet allowed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment the invention comprises the pallet releasable engagement means, wherein The foldable pallet can be made to flatten again To assume state.

In accordance with other preferred embodiments of the invention are the first walls and the second walls to the carrier plate Using film-like joint areas of reduced thickness articulated, and the film-like hinge portions of reduced thickness are integral molded areas of the pallet, wherein a robust construction of the Pallet is reached.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the invention the second walls at least one, preferably two openings, and wherein the opening a Recess is, which extends in the direction of the joint of an edge the second walls extending away from the joint, wherein an opening for the use of the prongs of a Forklift is obtained.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, two recesses are symmetrically disposed about a central axis of the second walls and extend toward the first walls, the central axis being perpendicular to the film-like hinge portions of reduced thickness, with a central one support element 16 is obtained.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the invention comprises support plate a first layer and a second layer which are welded or formed together are, and being the first walls and the second walls a first layer and a second layer comprising each other welded together or molded, with a particularly lightweight construction of a Pallet is received.

In accordance with yet another further preferred embodiment of the invention, a first layer spaced from the second layer is held by means of separate spacers, the spacers being welded to the layers, a particularly lightweight and rigid ke construction of a pallet is obtained.

In accordance with a still further preferred embodiment of the invention the first layer spaced from the second layer by means of spacers, the spacers Are bulges that protrude from the second layer, and wherein the protrusions are welded to the first layer, whereby still a particularly light and strong construction of the pallet is obtained.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the invention the carrier plate, the first walls and the second walls solid, or essentially solid, creating a strong construction the pallet is received.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the invention the first edges of the carrier plate and the first walls one Extension of about 1200 mm or 1200 mm; and the second edges of the carrier plate and the second walls have an extension of about 800 mm or 800 mm, whereby a pallet of a preferred dimension is obtained.

In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first edges of the carrier plate and the first walls an extension of about 1200 mm or 1200 mm; and the second edges of the carrier plate and the second walls have an extension of about 1000 mm or 1000 mm, a palette of another preferred dimension being obtained becomes.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the invention are after the use of the pallet for transporting goods the walls from each other removed, whereby a pallet is obtained, which has little storage space requires.

The The invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings Drawings explained where:

1 shows a flattened pallet in a rear view, which comprises a base portion, walls and engaging means, and

2a shows the engagement means, seen from the outside of the composite pallet, and

2 B shows the engagement means, seen from the inside of the composite pallet.

3 shows the assembled pallet in a cross section, and

4 shows a cross section of the pallet in a preferred embodiment, and

5 shows a cross section of the pallet in another preferred embodiment.

Now the 1 Turning to the drawings, there is shown a bottom plan view of the pallet in a collapsed condition wherein the pallet is a platen 10 (Base section), two first walls 11 , which at the opposite edges of the support plate 10 (Base section) are arranged and two second walls 12 , which on two opposite edges on the support plate 10 are arranged. The first walls 11 and the second walls 12 are to the platen 10 through film-like joint areas of reduced thickness 20 hinged, wherein the film-like joint areas of reduced thickness 20 preferably integrally molded parts of the pallet ( 10 ) are. The walls 11 . 12 include edges 11a . 12a , which is perpendicular to the film-like joint areas of reduced thickness 20 are, and at the edges 11a . 12a cover the walls 11 . 12 Engagement means, which for the engagement of the first wall 11 with the second wall 12 are arranged. A central axis 5 is arranged symmetrically or substantially symmetrically to the two edges.

In 2a and 2 B For example, a portion of the pallet of two viewpoints is shown, which show in more detail the engagement means, the pallet being ready for use in this condition, with the walls 11 . 12 are connected. In the preferred embodiment, the engagement means is a snap closure, wherein the edge 11a the first wall 11 an excellent eyelet 31 which is flexible and a feathery movement of the outstanding eyelet 31 allowed. The second wall 12 includes an opening 30 , which is for inserting the excellent eyelet 31 is arranged, whereby an engagement between the first wall 11 and the second wall 12 is provided. As can be seen from the figures, the edges become 32 when the pallet is assembled and placed on the floor, the contact surfaces between the floor and the walls 11 . 12 form.

Alternatively, there could be another opening (not shown) in the first wall 11 be arranged, and the excellent eyelet 31 could be constructed by a separate clamp (not shown) which is arranged for insertion into the apertures, thereby providing a snap-fit for engagement of the first wall 11 with the second wall 12 is provided.

In turn, the 1 turning to grips each of the second walls 12 two recesses 13 extending in the direction of the film-like joint areas of reduced thickness 20 (Joint) from an edge 12c the second wall 12 extending away from the joint.

This construction becomes a central support element 16 provided, which serves the bending moments of the support section ( 10 ), where the bending moments and other factors are dependent on the cantilever span of the platen (FIG. 10 ) are dependent.

The two recesses 13 provide a space for the use of the tines of a forklift (not shown) so that the pallet can be lifted by the forklift. It should be noted that the recesses 13 preferably an extension in the direction of the hinge-like regions of reduced thickness 20 wherein the tines of the forklift will contact the surface of the underside of the support portion upon application of the tines, thereby providing contact of the tines with the surface of the underside of the support plate.

Well the 3 turning, is a cross-sectional view of the pallet at the hinged edge between one of the walls 11 . 12 and the platen (base section) 10 shown with the pallet in an upside down position. The platen 10 (Base section) comprises a support surface 9 and a bottom 8th , wherein the support surface 9 for carrying the goods / products to be transported or stored.

How out 3 as can be seen, the walls comprise 11 . 12 a contact surface 30a , which are perpendicular to a side surface 9a the walls 11 . 12 which extends in the region of the hinge-like region of reduced thickness 20 are arranged. A similar contact surface 30b the platen 10 is on the edges 10a . 10b the platen 10 arranged, with the contact surface 30b parallel to the support surface 9 the platen 10 towards the hinge-like areas of reduced thickness 20 extends.

When assembled, the first walls and the second walls are both around the film-like hinge areas of reduced thickness 20 rotated, preferably at an angle of 90 °, wherein the first contact surface 30a and the second contact surface 30b abutting each other, thereby ensuring that forces related to the goods loaded on the support surface (platen) from the contact surfaces 30a . 30b be distributed through the walls to the base (floor).

It should be noted that the thickness of the pallet (the walls 11 . 12 and the platen 10 ) and the extent of the contact surface 30a . 30b in accordance with the loads to be carried, and in some special cases will still depend on the construction of the pallet if the pallet is either solid or of the sandwich cardboard type.

In 4 FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the pallet in the region of the hinged edge (the film-like regions of reduced thickness. FIG 20 ) between a wall 11 . 12 and the platen 10 shown. It can be seen from the figure that the pallet may be constructed of a solid plate material or of a substantially massive plate material. Preferably, the pallet is made from plastic materials, and more preferably from a thermoplastic material. In some specific cases, the pallet is made of a reinforced plastic material comprising fibers, for example: glass fibers, carbon fibers. In some other specific cases, the pallet is constructed of reinforced plastic material, or the pallet may comprise a reinforcement of steel or aluminum in the form of a reinforcing mat, a wire mesh or rods.

In 5 Fig. 3 is a sectioned cross section of a preferred embodiment of the pallet. The sectioned section shows the pallet at the hinged edge (the film-like areas of reduced thickness 20 ) between a wall 11 . 12 and the platen 10 , Furthermore, in 5 a cross-section of an assembled pallet shown. How out 5 As can be seen, the pallet is a composite plate type, which is a first layer 9 and a second location 8th includes, wherein the second layer 8th Spacers includes which bulges 35 which are from the surface of the second layer 8th protrude. The bulges 35 form a plurality of rows of spacers (support points) in the second layer, which are then attached to the first layer. The first location 9 and the second location 8th are along the edges 10a . 10b the pallet preferably by forming techniques or by welding techniques, which are known in the art of plastics production / production, assembled. Furthermore, the bulges 35 which is from the surface of the second layer 8th protrude, on the inner surface of the first layer 9 spot-welded, wherein the spot weld by the reference numeral 6 is marked.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the pallet can be transported or stored when in the mold, which in 1 is discharged becomes. That is, the pallet can be transported or stored in its flat form, which, in combination with its lightweight construction, can provide substantial savings compared to conventional type pallets, for example the EU range of wood.

Claims (18)

Palette ( 1 ), which has a four-sided support plate ( 10 ), wherein the support plate ( 10 ) a support surface ( 9 ), a bottom ( 8th ), two first edges ( 10a ), which are arranged facing away from each other, two second edges ( 10b ), which are arranged facing away from each other, first walls ( 11 ), which along the first edges ( 10a ) of the platen ( 10 ) are arranged and on the support plate ( 10 ), and wherein the pallet ( 10 ) continue to have two second walls ( 12 ), which along the two second sides ( 10 ) of the platen ( 10 ) are arranged and hinged thereto, wherein the first walls ( 11 ) and the second walls ( 12 ) are connectable to each other, wherein the first side walls ( 11 ) and second side walls ( 12 ) Edge ( 32 ), which cover the contact surfaces between the floor and the side walls (FIG. 11 . 12 ) when the pallet is assembled and placed on the ground, characterized in that the first walls ( 11 ) and the second walls ( 12 ) Engagement means for providing a snap closure ( 30 . 31 ) for connecting the first walls ( 11 ) with the second walls ( 12 ). Pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the engagement means are releasable. Pallet according to claim 2, characterized in that upon release of the engagement means towards the Joints allow the first and second sidewalls to rotate in this way to be that the pallet assumes a flattened state. Pallet according to claim 3, wherein the engagement means are arranged to each other the first and second walls, which turned around the joints from the flattened state are to get engaged. Pallet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first walls ( 11 ) and the second walls ( 12 ) on the support plate ( 10 ) by using film-like joint regions of reduced thickness ( 20 ) are articulated. Pallet according to claim 5, characterized in that the film-like hinge portions of reduced thickness integrally formed portions of the pallet ( 1 ) are. Pallet according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the walls ( 11 . 12 ) and the platen ( 10 ) respective contact surfaces ( 30a . 30b ) in the region of the film-like joint regions of reduced thickness ( 20 ), wherein the contact surfaces ( 30b ) from the walls ( 11 . 12 ) against respective contact surfaces ( 30b ) of the platen ( 10 ) when the pallet is assembled. Pallet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second walls ( 12 ) at least one, preferably two openings ( 13 ) exhibit. Pallet according to claim 8, characterized in that the opening ( 13 ) is a recess extending in the direction of the hinge from an edge of the second walls ( 12 ) extends opposite the joint. Pallet according to claim 9, characterized in that the two recesses ( 13 ) symmetrically about a central axis ( 5 ) of the second walls ( 12 ) are arranged, and in the direction of the first walls ( 11 ), the central axis ( 5 ) perpendicular to the film-like joint regions of reduced thickness ( 20 ). Pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the support plate ( 10 ) a first layer ( 9 ) and a second layer ( 8th ), which are welded or formed together. Pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the first walls ( 11 ) and the second walls ( 12 ) a first layer ( 9a ) and a second layer ( 8a ), which are welded or molded together. Pallet according to any one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that the first layer ( 9 . 9a ) at a distance from the second layer ( 8th . 8a ) is held by means of separate spacers, wherein the spacers are welded to the layers. Pallet according to any one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that the first layer ( 9 . 9a ) at a distance from the second layer ( 8th . 8a ) is held by means of spacers, wherein the spacers bulges ( 35 ), which protrude from the second layer, and that the bulges ( 35 ) to the first location ( 9 . 9a ) are welded. Pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the support plate ( 10 ), the first walls ( 11 ) and the second walls ( 12 ) massive or substantially massive are. Pallet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first edges ( 10a ) of the platen ( 10 ) and the first walls ( 11 ) have an extension of about 1200 mm or 1200 mm; and that the second edges ( 10b ) of the platen ( 10 ) and the second walls ( 12 ) have an extension of about 800 mm or 800 mm. Pallet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that first edges ( 10a ) of the platen ( 10 ) and the first walls ( 11 ) have an extension of about 1200 mm or 1200 mm; and that second edges ( 10b ) of the platen ( 10 ) and the second walls ( 12 ) have an extension of about 1000 mm or 1000 mm. Method of using the pallet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein after use of the pallet for transporting goods the walls ( 11 . 12 ) are solved from each other.