EP0595744B1 - Collapsible and stockable pallet, especially for plate-like products - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of packaging and transport of products on pallets, in particular sheet products, in particular glass, and relates to a removable and stackable pallet intended for this purpose.

The transport of sheet materials, in particular glass, generally requires the use of specially adapted pallets, in order to allow packaging of the sheets placed on edge.

To this end, pallets with fixed raised edges or pallets with folding edges are commonly used, against one of the edges of which the sheet products are supported, which are wedged, either with inflatable means, or with specially adapted devices which are clamped on said pallets by means of straps.

These known pallets make it possible to satisfy the storage requirements of the products, but poorly ensure their maintenance and their setting. In addition, the transformers do not necessarily empty a complete pallet in a single operation, so that the wedging elements become inoperative and that correct maintenance against spillage of products in the pallet is no longer guaranteed.

Furthermore, in the case of pallets with fixed raised edges, their large size is very prejudicial when empty for intermediate storage and transport.

The folding pallets have made it possible to overcome the disadvantages of these pallets with fixed edges by ensuring, for example, a folding of two of their edges around the corresponding uprights of a third edge.

However, these known folding pallets, which certainly allow a significant reduction in the size for storage and stacking empty, are of a complex constitution, in particular at the joints, on the one hand, between the lateral edges and the third edge and, on the other hand, between the third edge and the bottom of the pallet. This results in a heavy construction and relatively difficult unfolding and folding which can cause injury risks for the operator.

BE-A-767 414 also discloses a demountable and stackable pallet according to the preamble of claim 1 having a rear part pivotally mounted on a bottom element, this rear part being supported at its upper end in housings provided on the corresponding uprights of the side walls. This rear part is not, however, removable, but simply foldable on the bottom.

In addition, on the pallet according to this document there is no possibility of storing the side walls after dismantling, nor of means for wedging sheet products on a pallet that is not fully filled. Likewise, there is no lower means of protection preventing, in the event of a false maneuver, that the fork of a stacker or the like touches the stored sheet product.

Furthermore, EP-A-0 216 690 also describes a device for handling sheet articles, fitted with built-in feet and the rear product support part, or backsplash, is fixed to the bottom part by pinning, so quick change is impossible.

In addition, the products are locked in position by a system of notched transverse bars supported on the products by means of a strap. As a result, the locking in position is relatively long and complex to implement.

Finally, this device does not allow interchangeability of the different parts, nor their storage in the bottom of the pallet for transport and storage.

The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.

It has, in fact, for a removable and stackable pallet, in particular for sheet products, essentially constituted by a bottom with edges slightly raised, by two side walls mounted by fitting in the corresponding edges of the bottom, and by a rear wall for supporting the products, characterized in that the rear wall for supporting the products is constituted by an upper crosspiece connected at its ends to two sleeves intended to penetrate into the upper end shortened by corresponding uprights of the side walls and by a lower cross-member connected to the upper cross-member by means of fixed and lateral movable central supports, this lower cross-member resting at its ends against stops provided on the corresponding tubular uprights of the bottom and in that it is provided with a wedging means in position of the products.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective de la palette conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en plan du moyen de calage ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en élévation latérale d'un coin de calage, et
• la figure 4 est une vue partielle en coupe d'une variante de réalisation du fond de la palette.

The invention will be better understood from the description below, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of nonlimiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of the pallet according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a plan view of the timing means;
• FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a wedging wedge, and
• Figure 4 is a partial sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the bottom of the pallet.

In accordance with the invention, and as shown more particularly, by way of example, FIG. 1 of the appended drawings, the pallet, in particular for sheet products, is removable and stackable and is essentially constituted by a bottom 1 with edges slightly raised, by two side walls 2 mounted by fitting in the corresponding edges of the bottom 1, by a rear wall 3 of product support and by a means 4 for wedging in position of said products.

The bottom 1, which is provided in a known manner with feet 5 scalloped to allow stacking, has at its corners elements of tubular uprights 6 interconnected, on the one hand, at the level of the feet 5 by crosspieces 7 and spars 7 'in profiled elements and, on the other hand, at the side walls by a sheet 8 extending above the corresponding side members 7', the side members 7 'and cross members 7 being, in addition, connected to their lower part by a bottom plate 9.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the bottom 1 is further provided with support profiles 10 for the sheet products, these profiles being mounted between the crosspieces 7 with the possibility of transverse displacement by guidance on a median axis 11 connected to the longitudinal members 7 'and passing through corresponding holes in said profiles 10, which bear at their ends on the crosspieces 7. For this purpose, the profiles 10 are advantageously cut at said ends.

Such mounting of the support profiles 10 allows their adjustment in transverse direction and an adaptation to the length of the products to be packaged in the pallet.

The side walls 2 are preferably in the form of tubular frames which are symmetrical with one another in the mounting position, the uprights 2 'of which fit into the tubular uprights 6 of the bottom 1 and are interconnected by two upper crosspieces 12 and lower 13, the uprights 2 'corresponding to the rear wall of the pallet having a shortened upper part.

The rear wall 3 for supporting the products consists of an upper cross member 14 connected at its ends to two sleeves 15 intended to penetrate the shortened upper end of the corresponding uprights 2 ′ of the side walls 2 and by a lower cross member 16 connected to the upper cross member 14 by means of fixed central supports 17 and movable lateral supports 18, this lower cross member 16 bearing at its ends against stops 19 provided on the corresponding tubular uprights 6 of the bottom 1.

The free ends of the uprights 2 ′ of the side walls 2 and of the sleeves 15 have a reinforcement 20 intended to cooperate with the notch of the feet 5 for stacking.

The movable lateral supports 18 are preferably mounted on the upper 14 and lower 16 crosspieces with the possibility of sliding in grooves 21 cooperating with lugs (not shown) provided on said supports 18. Thus, it is possible to adjust the frontal support of the products in sheets, optimally, the lateral supports 18 being movable on the crosspieces 14 and 16 as a function of the length of said products.

The means 4 for positioning the products in position is advantageously constituted by at least one wedging wedge 22 mounted on an axis 23 provided at its ends with a device 24 for mounting and adjustable holding on an adjusting means 25 provided on the crosspieces lower 13 of the side walls 2 (Figures 2 and 3).

To this end, the adjustment means 25 provided on each lower cross member 13 is preferably constituted by a rack and the mounting device 24 and adjustable support is in the form of an arm provided at each end with a stud 26 intended to cooperate with a notch of the rack forming the means 25, this arm being mounted on the corresponding end of the axis 23 with offset , so that the distances from the pins 26 to the axis are different. Thus, it is possible, before final pressing of the wedging wedge (s) 22 against the stack of products to be wedged, to determine the pins 26 of the arms of the two ends of the axis 23 which have to be inserted in the notches of the rack forming the adjustment means 25. In fact, by rotation of the axis 23, it is possible to bring the wedging wedge or wedges together or apart, so that the arms of the device 24 extend practically the horizontal when the corner or corners 22 are pressed against the stack of products. As a result, the wedge or corners 22 tend to come closer to the products to be wedged at each vibration or shaking, so that said wedging is ensured in a perfect manner.

For the release of the products, that is to say to unlock the corner or corners 22, it suffices to pull on the axis 23, which has the effect of pivoting the latter around the pins 26 cooperating with the notches of the rack forming the adjustment means 25, causing detachment of said corners 22 of the stack of products.

The rear wall 3 for supporting the products can be housed, after disassembly, in the bottom 1 between the sheets 8 connecting the tubular uprights 6, the side walls 2 then being arranged above said wall 3, also between the side walls 8. Furthermore, the means 4 for positioning the products in position is also disposed between said sheets 8, the corners 22 being housed in the intervals determined respectively between the central supports 17 and side 18 of the wall 3, or between the sheets 8 and said lateral supports 18.

The pallet according to the invention can be completed by a lateral wedging device of known type, namely inflatable or even mechanical constituted by two bars extending along the side walls 2 and guided on the latter with the possibility of pivoting in the direction products to be wedged and locked in position, by means of a slider or the like. Such a device is not described in more detail, being already known from the prior art.

Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings shows an alternative embodiment of the invention, in which the bottom 1 is provided with support profiles 10 for the sheet products cooperating, by the ends of their core, with notches 27 of a or of several profiles 28 provided on the internal face of the crosspieces 7, the support profiles 10 extending outwardly being each provided with at least two parts 29, projecting outwards and upwards at an acute angle, intended to cooperate with a timing bar 30. Thus, it is possible to adjust the support parts 10 as a function of the length of the products to be packaged and to wedge these products laterally with the timing bars 30, which automatically clamp against the edges of said products, thus preventing any ripping.

According to another characteristic of the invention, not shown in the appended drawings, the pallet can be completed by a closing wall hooking on the uprights 2 ′ opposite to the rear wall 3 by means of hooking lugs penetrating into said uprights 2 ', this wall being provided, in addition, at its lower part, retaining tabs pressing against the internal face of the corresponding uprights 6 of the bottom 1. Thus, it is possible to completely close the pallet. Of course, this front wall can also be stored in the bottom 1, between the sheets 8 and in the overall height delimited by the uprights 6.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the support profiles 10 provided in the bottom 1, as well as the support profiles 17 and 18 provided on the rear wall 3 and the setting bars 30 are advantageously provided with a coating anti-shock in felt, rubber or the like, intended to prevent any deterioration of the products on their edges or on their edges.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to produce a pallet for the packaging of sheet products, in particular fragile products, such as glass and making it possible to ensure a perfect setting and tightening of said products. In addition, due to the provision of a wedging with the use of racks, it is possible to efficiently and securely clamp a pile of products which has started, so that the risks existing to date of overturning of the pile and destruction of the products can be eliminated.

Finally, due to the completely removable construction of the pallet, it is possible to store the latter in the non-use position, for example for return transport from the user to the supplier or for intermediate storage, in an extremely space reduced, resulting in a significant corresponding reduction in storage and transport costs.

In addition, such a pallet does not require any non-reusable or disposable ancillary element, so that it perfectly meets the criteria of environmental protection and economy.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention, as defined in the claims.

Claims (6)

1. Collapsible and stackable pallet, in particular for products in sheet form, consisting of a base (1) with slightly raised edges, two side walls (2) mounted by fitting into the corresponding edges of the base (1), and a rear wall (3) for supporting the products, characterised in that the rear wall (3) for supporting the products consists of an upper cross-piece (14) connected at its ends to two sleeves (15) designed to enter the shortened top end of corresponding uprights (2') of the side walls (2) and a lower cross-piece (16) connected to the upper cross-piece (14) by means of fixed central supports (17) and movable side supports (18), this lower cross-piece (16) bearing at its ends against stops (19) provided on the corresponding tubular uprights (6) of the base (1) and in that it is provided with a means (4) for chocking the products in position.
2. Pallet according to Claim 1, characterised in that the free ends of the uprights (2') of the side walls (2) and of the sleeves (15) have a reinforcement (20) designed to cooperate with a cutout in the feet (5) for packing.
3. Pallet according to Claim 1, characterised in that the movable side supports (18) are preferably mounted on the upper cross-pieces (14) and lower cross-pieces (16) with the possibility of sliding in grooves (21) cooperating with lugs provided on the said supports (18).
4. Pallet according to Claim 1, characterised in that the means (4) of checking the products in position consists of at least one chocking wedge (22) mounted on a shaft (23) provided at its ends with a mounting and holding device (24) adjustable on an adjustment means (25) provided on the lower cross-pieces (13) of the side walls (2).
5. Pallet according to claim 4, characterised in that the adjustment means (25) provided on each lower cross-piece (13) preferably consists of a rack and the adjustable mounting and holding device (24) is in the form of an arm provided at each end with a stud (26) designed to cooperate with a notch in the rack forming the means (25), this arm being mounted on the corresponding end of the shaft (23) with offset, so that the distances from the studs (26) to the shaft are different.
6. Pallet according to claim 1, characterised in that the base (1) is provided with supporting profiled members (10) for the products in sheet form cooperating, through the ends of their web, with notches (27) on one or more profiled members (28) provided on the internal face of the cross-pieces (7), the supporting profiled members (10) extending externally each being provided with at least two parts (29), projecting outwards and upwards at an acute angle, designed to cooperate with a chocking bar (30).

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