EP1140640A1

EP1140640A1 - Nestable and stackable pallet

Info

Publication number: EP1140640A1
Application number: EP99962482A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Laszlo Gyurcsanszky
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-12-19
Filing date: 1999-12-18
Publication date: 2001-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2019-12-18
Also published as: EP1140640B1; CZ20012250A3; DE69915685T2; CZ293287B6; DK1140640T3; SK8912001A3; HU9900778D0; HUP9900778A1; ATE261858T1; DE69915685D1; HRP20010462A2; HU221716B1; AU1885100A; WO2000037324A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a unit-load frame-structure, for the holding, storage and, if needed, handling of a primarily suspended flexible shell structure for storage and transportation - practically of loose material and/or other practically lumped product(s), designed as a logistical, rigid and self-bearing frame structure. The characteristic feature of the invention is that the frame structure (1) being a preferably tetragonal-based prism, whose vertical main supports (F1, F2, ..., FN) are positioned at or near the various edges (S1, S2, ..., SN), equipped with a horizontal bottom and a top bracing unit (K1, K2) connected to the vertical main supports (F1, F2, ..., FN) and, the frame structures (1) of the Unit-Load Frame-Structures can be fitted into one another by the temporary disassembling of the frame structures (1) at times they are not being used.

Description

NESTABLE AND STACKABLE PALLET

The invention relates to a Unit-Load Frame-Structure, primarily for the holding and storage or the handling, if so required, of a suspended, flexible shell structure for storage or transportation - practically of loose material - and/or other - preferably lumped - product(s). The Unit-Load Frame-Structure is a self-bearing, rigid frame enclosing a three-dimensional space.

Large containers and packaging solutions have been widely used with the development of modern transportation and storage technologies. Large freight rail containers, of rigid structure and high endurance have been well known. However, containers of a supple (soft) structure, foldable when empty, are also suitable for various purposes, thus a variety of such containers are also available.

These are mostly sack-like containers, suspended by loops from the fork of the forklift truck Their shape is determined by the nature of the material being stored or shipped.

For example: a method for the ventilated storage of agricultural crops is described in Hungarian Patent Application No.185 405 whereas a container for cereals, e.g. seeds is presented in Hungarian Patent Application No.196 932. Since a substantial strain is generated in the bottom plate of the full container, designs with a view to the reinforcement of the freely lifted container have been developed (Hungarian Patent Application No.187 353).

The.bottom plate may be less sound, however, if the bottom of the container is propped up, the container proper being placed and secured by an appropriate iron structure on top of a base, a pallet, etc. wherever possible. An iron structure to be used in the meat industry, suitable to be positioned on top of a standard (800 x 1200 mm) pallet is described, for instance, in Hungarian Patent Application No.188 376.

The wooden EUR pallet, a well-known basic unit of unit load framing, is currently widely used in road, water, air, as well as rail transport. In the cold-storage industry, for example, refrigerated items are stored and shipped in paper sacks or in cardboard boxes of various sizes as unit loads on the above-mentioned EUR pallet or a metal piling jack fitted on top of and containing the EUR pallet (see patent application No. US 4 221 296). A metal structure similar to this metal piling jack is described in patent application No. EP 0 472 360. Here, the metal structure attached to the EUR pallet encloses a flexible-wall liquid container. This method jointly employs the well-known metal structure and the EUR pallet in order to achieve the desired goal, which however, results in substantial extra weight being added, requiring superfluous efforts during transportation and storage.

As far as the traditional wooden EUR pallet is concerned, apart from having a substantial weight in itself, it soon becomes damaged due to its frequent encounters with forklift trucks. Another drawback of the EUR pallet is that it requires the use of other existing auxiliary rack structures to be piled up in several layers as loading units.

The objective of this invention is the creation of a Unit-Load Frame- Structure that is mobile in itself, is self-bearing and rigid, its inner space being suitable for storage and/or transportation purposes. Expectations toward the invention include the elimination of the disadvantageous characteristics of the previously known solutions, enabling the bruise-free transportation and storage of goods without adding any extra weight. In addition, the frame structures should fill as little space as possible when not being used, thus allowing for their easy storage and transportation. Another expectation toward the Unit-Load Frame-Structure is to be suitable for the holding, the storage as well as for the handling and the practical removal and the appropriate emptying at the desired place and in the desired manner of the primarily suspended, flexible storage and transportation shell structures - practically for loose materials and/or other - preferably lumped - product(s).

A further explicit object of the invention is the achievement of both the reduction of its own weight and a level of deformation resistance which allows the piling up of the frame structures, enabling the creation of an independent frame system if necessary, using several of the frame structures, providing appropriate storage capacity to meet the actual demand. Another object of the invention is that its measurements, characteristics and structural design enable it to become a logistics system unit fitting among the existing, internationally used technologies and their measurements, established as standard or quasi-standard in transportation and storage.

The theory of the invention is based on the realisation that the above target is best served by a polygon-based prism-shaped frame construction in which horizontal bottom and top sash bracing is coupled to the vertical main supports to provide for suitable load-bearing. However, since this confined and necessarily oversized rigid unit is not essentially needed when not being used, the frame structures of the unit load frames can be disassembled if so required. The frame structures temporarily disassembled can be simply fitted into one another, thus taking up little space until the time they are next used.

We have realised that, in order to facilitate fitting the empty frames into one another, it is practical to arrange the vertical main supports in a trapezoidal layout, while making one side of the top sash bracing detachable.

Due to the ability to be fitted into one another, the centre of gravity of the frame structures fitted into one another changes as the number of the frame structures increases. To an extent, this is countered by the realisation that the undesired changing of the position of the centre of gravity may be favourably modified by provisionally fastening the detachable side of the upper sash bracing in the appropriate position.

The invention therefore constitutes a Unit-Load Frame-Structure for the holding, storage as well as the handling, if so required, of primarily suspended, flexible storage and transportation shell structures - practically for loose materials - and/or other - preferably lumped - product(s), constructed as a logistical, rigid and self-bearing frame structure, enclosing a three- dimensional space. The invention is characterised by the frame structure being a prism with a polygon - preferably tetragonal - base, with its vertical main supports positioned in or near the edges. It is fitted with horizontal bottom and top bracing units attached to the vertical main supports. When not being used, the frames of the Unit-Load Frame-Structures may be fitted into one other by the provisional disassembling of the frame structures. In a preferred design of the Unit-Load Frame-Structure presented, positioning cavities have been designed at the connections of the vertical main supports and the top bracing unit in order to enable the piling up of the Unit-Load Frame-Structures. The positioning cavities are extrernely important, their purpose being the eccentricity-free transferring to the ground of the forces generated by the piling up of the frame structures.

In another preferred design of the invention, supporting points for the flexible storage and transportation shell structures - practically for loose material -suspended from the vertical main supports have been designed in the vicinity of the connection points of the vertical main supports and the top bracing unit.

In order to allow for the simple handling of the frame structure, the connection points of the bottom bracing unit to the vertical main supports have been formed at a height enabling access by existing material-handling equipment (such as a forklift truck or a pallet truck). For the same reason, guidance units have been developed underneath the bottom bracing unit in order to facilitate the use of existing material-handling equipment.

With a view to the safety of the handling of materials, the part of the bottom bracing unit that comes into contact with the existing material-handling equipment is roughened and/or lined with non-slip material.

It is very advantageous for the bottom bracing unit to include a grated adapter enabling the emptying from underneath of the suspended, flexible storage shell structure practically used for storing loose material and/or the propping up of the existing material-handling equipment.

It may be of importance, in certain cases, that it is fitted with auxiliary adapters enabling the securing of the wheels, known in themselves, to the bottom bracing unit and/or to the grated adapter.

In the practical version of the Unit-Load Frame-Structure, the bottom and the top bracing units are rectangular whereas the vertical main supports are arranged in a trapezoid layout in such a manner that two of the vertical main supports are laid out in the continuance of one of the longer sides of the rectangular bottom and top bracing units - on the outside of the shorter sides - while the remaining two main supports are positioned in the line of the other longer sides of the rectangular bottom and top bracing units -on the inside of the shorter sides.

In a further practical design of the frame structure, the bottom bracing unit and/or the grated adapter enabling the propping up of the existing material-handling equipment is designed to function as a traditional pallet.

The version of the utility model in which the frame structure is designed to be suitable for the positioning of goods placed on top of the pallet, known in itself, in between the bottom and the top bracing units, as required, by the arrangement of the surface-generating elements attached to the vertical main supports, is very practical.

The ability of the frames to be fitted into one another is preferably enabled by one of the sides of the top bracing unit, preferably the longer one, being fastened in a detachable manner, this detachable side preferably being able to be temporarily fastened along the other, longer side.

The stability of the frame structures fitted into one another can be achieved by the use of auxiliary adapters enabling the ability of the frame structures not being used to be fitted into one another at the other, practically shorter sides of the top bracing unit, in between the vertical main supports. To this end, the length of the auxiliary adapters is practically equal with the height of the guidance units facilitating the use of the existing material-handling equipment.

The ability to be fitted into one another is made easier if an ancillary surface is formed on the grated adapter, facilitating the insertion of further frame structures temporarily out of use.

With a view to the reduction of the weight of the design as well as the achievement of a rigid, self-bearing frame structure, the Unit-Load Frame-Structure is built of light-wall, preferably steel units.

A possible, design example of the Unit-Load Frame-Structure according to the invention is presented in detail in the drawings below, - figure 1 being a schematic view of the preferred design of the Unit-Load Frame-Structure;

- figure 2 showing the front view of the frame structure according to figure 1; figure 3 showing the top view; whereas figure 4 showing the side view of the same; - figure 5 showing the enlarged detail A of figure 2;

- figures 6a, 6b and 6c showing various views of the enlarged detail B of figure 2; figures 7a and 7b showing various views of the enlarged detail C of figure 4; figures 8a and 8b showing the preferred design of one of the detachably fastened sides of the top bracing unit; whereas - figure 9 showing the Unit-Load Frame-Structures fitted into one another, having temporarily disassembled the frame structures in their idle state.

The invention is designed as a Unit-Load Frame- Structure for the holding, storage as well as the moving, if needed, of primarily suspended, flexible - practically loose materials - storage and transportation shell structures and/or other - preferably lumped - product(s), constructed as a logistical, rigid and self-bearing frame structure 1, enclosing a three-dimensional space. The frame structure 1 is a prism with a polygon - preferably tetragonal - base, with its vertical main supports FI, F2, ..., FN positioned in or near the edges. It is fitted with horizontal bottom and top bracing units Kl, K2, attached to the vertical main supports FI, F2, ..., FN.

According to figure 1, positioning cavities P are fashioned at the connections of the vertical main supports FI, F2, ..., FN and the top bracing unit K2 in order to facilitate the ability of the Unit-Load Frame-Structures to be piled up. The connections of the vertical main supports FI, F2, ..., FN and the bottom bracing unit Kl are located at height m, providing access for the existing material-handling equipment (e.g. forklift trucks, pallet-trucks). In addition, guidance units Ml, M2, ..., MN have been designed underneath the bottom bracing unit Kl in order to facilitate the use of the existing material-handling equipment.

Preferably, attachment points Rl, R2, ..., RN have been designed for the flexible shell structure of own development, suspended from the vertical main supports FI, F2, ..., FN, for the storage and transportation - of practically loose material - in the vicinity of the connections of the vertical main supports FI, F2, ..., FN and the top bracing unit K2. In a further very practical version of the Unit-Load Frame-Structure, the bottom bracing unit Kl contains a grated adapter T enabling the emptying from the bottom of the practically loose material placed in the suspended flexible shell structure and/or the propping up of the existing material-handling equipment. If needed, additional useful levels may be produced between the bottom and top bracing units Kl, K2 through the appropriate positioning of the surface generating units El, E2, ... attached to the vertical main supports FI, F2, ..., FN.

According to our design, the frame structure 1 is a polygon-based solution whereas in the version shown in figure 1, it is of a tetragonal, preferably rectangular base fitted with bottom and top bracing units Kl, K2 in which the vertical main supports FI, F2, F3, FN are arranged in a trapezoid layout. The bracing units Kl, K2 are enclosed by sides 01, 02, 03, 04.

Figure 2, showing the front view of the example version according to the invention, is a good illustration of the trapezoid layout of the vertical main supports FI, F2, ..., FN. The part of the bottom bracing unit Kl coming into contact with the existing material-handling equipment is roughened and/or is lined with non-slip material G.

Figure 3, showing the top view, is a very clear representation of the rectangular design of the top bracing unit K2. According to the drawing, the trapezoid layout of the vertical main supports FI, F2, ..., FN, could be described as two vertical main supports FI, FN being positioned in the continuance of one of the longer sides 01 of the rectangle - on the outside of the shorter sides 03, 04 - whereas the remaining two vertical main supports F2, F3 positioned in the line of the other longer side 02 of the rectangle - on the inside of the shorter sides 03, 04.

In certain cases it may be of importance that the Unit-Load Frame-Structure is fitted with auxiliary adapters ST enabling the securing and the detachment of the wheels, known in themselves, connecting to the bottom bracing unit Kl and/or to the grated adapter T.

The example version of the grated adapter T, shown in figure 3, is suitable for the performance of the traditional pallet function, i.e. the Unit-Load Frame-Structure can be easily and safely lifted and handled with the existing material-handling equipment, such as forklift trucks or pallet trucks.

Figure 4 shows the side view of the Unit-Load Frame-Structure. The drawing shows that supplementary adapters PT, to ensure the stability of the piled up idle frame structures 1, are positioned on the practically shorter sides 03, 04 of the top bracing unit K2, between the vertical main supports FI, F2 - and FN, F3, hidden in the drawing.

In order to ensure a stable resting, the length of the supplementary adapters PT is practically equal with the height m of the guidance units Ml, M2, ..., MN, developed beneath the bottom bracing unit Kl, in order to facilitate the use of the existing material-handling equipment.

Figure 5 shows the enlarged detail A of figure 2, illustrating part of the bottom bracing unit Kl and guidance unit Ml, facilitating the use of the existing material-handling equipment. The practical utilisation of the design according to the invention is assisted by the fact that the part of the bottom bracing unit Kl coming into contact with the existing material-handling equipment is roughened and/or lined with non-slip material G as well as an ancillary surface SF is fashioned on the bottom bracing unit Kl and/or the grated adapter T in order to facilitate the fitting in of another idle frame structure 1.

Figures 6a, 6b and 6c show the connection of the vertical main support FN and the top bracing unit K2 and its environment. Figure 6a shows the preferred version of the attachment point RN of the flexible shell structure, known in itself, used for the storage and transportation of practically loose material, suspended on the vertical main support FN whereas figure 6b illustrates the design of the positioning cavity P. Figure 6c shows a possible method of securing one detachably fastened side - practically side 01 - of the top bracing unit K2.

Similarly to figures 6a and 6b, figures 7a and 7b show - another - connection point of the vertical main support F2 and the top bracing unit K2.

It can be clearly seen in the drawings that the attachment point RN is positioned in the direction of the inner space of frame structure 1 - left of the main support FN - whereas the attachment point R2 is positioned on the outside of the frame structure 1 - left of the main support F2 - in figures 6a and 7a respectively. Not being accidental, this design is the consequence of the trapezoid layout of vertical main supports FI, F2, ..., FN. The attachment points_. Rl, R2, ..., RN of the suspended, flexible shell structures for the storage and transportation - of practically loose material - is not practical to arrange asymmetrically, in order to ensure an even load distribution and the according uses.

Figure 7b also shows the practical design of the positioning cavity P.

Figures 8a and 8b represent two views of the preferred design of one of the detachably fastened sides, practically side 01, of the top bracing unit K2. Based on one of the chief objects of the invention, the frame structures 1 of the Unit-Load Frame-Structures can be fitted into one another, by the temporary disassembling of the frame structures 1, if necessary. At the preferred design of the invention, one side, practically the longer side 01, of the top bracing unit K2 is fastened in a detachable manner. Figures 8a and 8b show a possible version of such detachable side 01.

Figure 9 shows Unit-Load Frame- Structures fitted into one another in their idle state, by the temporary disassembling of the frame structures 1. The longer sides 01 of the top bracing unit K2 of these frame structures 1 having been detached, the frame structures 1 have been fitted into one another. According to our design, the temporarily so 'disassembled' side 01 can be provisionally fastened along the other side, preferably again the longer side 02.

The essential function of the Unit-Load Frame-Structure is that, due to its practical design, it marks off a polygon-based three-dimensional space, within which the various goods and products destined to be stored or transported can be safely placed - primarily inside a suspended flexible shell structure for storage and transportation - practically of loose material. The design according to the invention being suitable for heavy duty, it can be piled up, along with the suspended flexible shell structure, if necessary. Due to its design, the forces generated on piling up are conveyed directly to the ground via the vertical main supports FI, F2, ..., FN. The design is suitable as a unit of a logistics system, being adjustable to the actual requirements, due to its floor space measurements, characteristics and structural design. Its design described above as an example fits in well with established transportation and storage technologies in the international practice.

A further advantage of the Unit-Load Frame-Structure according to the invention, the idle individual frame structures 1 can be fitted into one another, ensuring their economical storage. Due to the appropriate design of the frame structures fitted into one another - supplementary adapters PT and the specific guidance units Ml, M2, ..., MN positioned at the suitable positions - the piled-up structure is also very stable.

The illustrated design of the grated adapter T connecting to the bottom bracing unit Kl serves multifunctional purposes. Apart from static factors, the protection of the suspended flexible shell structures, the possibility to empty them from underneath and the possible performance of the traditional pallet function have all played a role in the process of the designing of the grated adapter T.

The design having stood the test of practice, it meets the strict TUV standards.

Claims

1. Unit-Load Frame-Structure, for the holding, storage and, if needed, handling of a primarily suspended flexible shell structure for storage and transportation - practically of loose material and/or other practically lumped product(s), designed as a logistical, rigid and self- bearing frame structure, characterised by the frame structure (1) being a preferably tetragonal-based prism, whose vertical main supports (FI, F2, ..., FN) are positioned at or near the various edges (S I, S2, ..., SN), equipped with a horizontal bottom and a top bracing unit (Kl, K2) connected to the vertical main supports (FI, F2, ..., FN) and, the frame structures (1) of the Unit-Load Frame- Structures can be fitted into one another by the temporary disassembling of the frame structures (1) at times they are not being used.

2.^" The Unit-Load Frame-Structure as claimed under claim 1, characterised by positioning cavities (P) located at the connections of the vertical main supports (FI, F2, ..., FN) and the top bracing unit (K2) in order to ensure the ability of the individual Unit-Load Frame-

Structures to be piled onto one another.

3. The Unit-Load Frame-Structure as claimed under claim 2, characterised by attachment points (Rl, R2, ..., RN) for the suspended flexible shell structure for storage and transportation - practically of loose material - located near the connection points of the vertical main supports (FI, F2, ..., FN) and the top bracing unit (K2).

4. The Unit-Load Frame-Structure as claimed under any of claims 1 - 3, characterised by the connection points of the bottom bracing unit (Kl) to the vertical main supports (FI, F2, ..., FN) are located at a height (m) ensuring the access of the existing material-handling equipment.

5. The Unit-Load Frame-Structure as claimed under claim 4, characterised by guidance units (Ml, M2, ..., MN) being located underneath the bottom bracing unit (Kl) in order to facilitate the use of the existing material-handling equipment.

6. The Unit-Load Frame-Structure as claimed under claim 5, characterised by the part of the bottom bracing unit (Kl) coming into contact with the existing material-handling equipment being roughened and/or secured with a non-slip material (G).

7 The Unit-Load Frame-Structure as claimed under claim 5 or 6, characterised by the bottom bracing unit (Kl) containing a grated adapter (T) enabling the emptying of the practically of loose material placed in a suspended flexible storage shell structure and/or the propping up of the existing material-handling equipment.

8. The Unit-Load Frame-Structure as claimed under claim 7, characterised by being equipped with auxiliary adapters (ST), enabling the securing of wheels, known in themselves, attached to the bottom bracing unit (Kl) or to the grated adapter (T).

9. The Unit-Load Frame-Structure as claimed under any of claims 1 - 8, characterised by the bottom and the top bracing units (Kl, K2) being rectangular whereas the vertical main supports (FI, F2, ..., FN) being positioned in a trapezoid layout, in such a manner that two of the vertical main supports (FI, FN) are located in the continuance of the one of the longer sides (01) of the rectangular bottom and top bracing units (Kl, K2), on the outside of the shorter sides (03, 04) whereas the remaining two vertical main supports (F2, F3) are located in the line of the other longer side (02) of the rectangular bottom and top bracing units (Kl, K2), on the inside of the shorter sides (03, 04).

10. The Unit-Load Frame-Structure as claimed under any of claims 7 - 9, characterised by the bottom bracing unit (Kl) and/or the grated adapter (T) providing for the propping up of the existing material-handling equipment is designed to enable the performance of the traditional pallet function.

11. The Unit-Load Frame- Structure as claimed under any of claims 1 - 10, characterised by the frame structure (1) being designed to be suitable for the loading of goods on a pallet, known in itself, by the positioning of surface-generating units (El, E2, ...) fastened to the vertical main supports (FI, F2, ..., FN) between the bottom and the top bracing units (Kl, K2), if necessary. -12-

12. The Unit-Load Frame-Structure as claimed under any of claims 9 - 1 1, characterised by one side, practically the longer side (01) of the top bracing unit (K2) is fastened in a detachable manner, preferably enabling the temporary fastening of this detachable side (01) along the other, preferably longer side (02).

13. The Unit-Load Frame-Structure as claimed under claim 12, characterised by supplementary adapters (PT) being located on the remaining, preferably the shorter sides (03, 04) of the top bracing unit (K2), in between the vertical main supports (FI, F2, ..., FN), in order to ensure that the idle frame structures (1) can be fitted into one another.

14. The Unit-Load Frame- Structure as claimed under claim 13, characterised by the length of the supplementary adapters (PT) being equal with the height (m) of the guidance units (Ml, M2, ..., MN), located under the bottom bracing unit (Kl), in order to facilitate the use of the existing material-handling equipment.

15. The Unit-Load Frame-Structure as claimed under any of claims 7 - 14, characterised by an ancillary surface (SF) is produced on the grated adapter (T) in order to facilitate the fitting inside of another frame structure (1).

16. The Unit-Load Frame-Structure as claimed under any of claims 1 - 15, characterised by being constructed of light-wall, preferably steel units.