EP2671815A1 - Pallet - Google Patents

Abstract

The pallet (100) has a set of spacers (200), where each spacer presents a C-type geometry, and includes a high wall (220) that is fixed under a floor (300). A low wall (230) is fixed with a sole (400) and is connected by an intermediate plate (210). A support wall (510) is interposed between the high wall of the spacers, and a lower face (302) of the floor. A set of fasteners (R) i.e. rivets, arranged in a normal loading position of the pallet connects the floor, the support wall, and the high wall.

Description

The present invention relates to a pallet for supporting a load to facilitate its handling, its transport.

The use of the palette started from the Second World War and its growth has continued to grow. The use of the pallet now extends from the production and packaging lines of products, sometimes to the point of sale of these products.

Such a pallet is in principle constituted, in its most known version, dice or pads serving as seating on the ground and which are joined by the top by cross on which is fixed a rectangular or square floor for supporting the commodity. The height of the studs under the cross members delimits a passage in which the forks of a hoist can be introduced so that the machine can handle the pallet. The pallet is called "four entrances", when it is graspable on all four sides. Chevrons can replace the side pads to reinforce its structure and when full, the pallet is called "two entries" as prehensile only on two opposite sides. The pads can be joined from below by means of soles to strengthen the structure of the pallet or to reduce its pressure on the ground. Such a palette is used, for example, to load building materials and must be able to rest on soil without sinking too much to be grippable.

The geometry of the floor surface defines the loading unit of the pallet. The dimensions expressed in cm most common are: 100 x 120, and the corresponding half-pallet: 60 x 100, as well as the corresponding pallet quarter: 50 x 60. The reduction by a factor 2 of one dimension of the reduced pallet allows to join the pallets to transport them and this without loss of useful area.

• Les marchandises sont de plus en plus souvent présentées directement sur des palettes dans les surfaces de ventes, ce qui offre la possibilité de proposer à la vente une diversité plus grande de produits dans les magasins.
• Réduction de la valeur des marchandises présentées quand il s'agit de produits onéreux.
• Possibilité de distribuer sur palettes dans des surfaces de ventes de plus petites tailles.
• Manipulation plus aisée des produits lourds, tels que les boissons, par le personnel féminin.

Some pallets of smaller size have emerged in recent years for the following reasons:

• Goods are increasingly presented directly on pallets in sales areas, which offers the possibility to offer for sale a greater diversity of products in stores.
• Reduction in the value of goods presented when it comes to expensive products.
• Ability to distribute on pallets in sales areas of smaller sizes.
• Easier handling of heavy products, such as drinks, by female staff.

The dimensions in cm most common of these small size pallets are: 80 x 120 (Europe pallet), and the corresponding half-pallet: 60 x 80, and the corresponding pallet quarter: 40 x 60.

To reduce the handling time of these small pallets, we had the idea to group them by two on pallets mothers.

The pallet is made of wood in 90% of cases, still economical material. The assembly of the floor on the sleepers or on the studs, sleepers on the studs, soles on the studs, is made by nailing, stapling. Thanks to this multi-component construction, the pallet can be repaired. However, in view of the relatively large number of nails, staples used, it happens that one of them, poorly depressed, protrudes from the floor and thus damages the goods that the pallet supports. A pallet of milk packs, of which a brick is leaking, is refused, when it is not the rest of the goods transported in the truck which is refused. When such an element protrudes below the pallet, it can paralyze a complete automated packaging chain by blocking a single pallet.

In addition, and in order to prevent the natural moisture of the wood from staining or damaging certain products such as sugar and paper, it is necessary to steam it or even to treat it against insects and fungi for certain markets. export, especially from one continent to another. One known treatment is ISPM 15 (International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15).

There are still one-piece pallets made of plastic and which by their design are not repairable, metal pallets of confidential diffusion, pallets made of cardboard used in rotation in environments protected from moisture.

Given this state of affairs, the applicant has thus sought and developed a pallet that eliminates these disadvantages associated with assembly means while maintaining a relatively low cost and allowing easy repairability.

For this purpose, is proposed a handling pallet comprising a floor provided for supporting the goods, a sole provided to bear on the ground, the floor being separated from the sole by spacers delimiting a passage intended to allow the introduction of forks of a hoist to move it; according to the invention, each spacer has a C-shaped geometry comprising an upper wall fixed under the floor, a lower wall fixed with the soleplate, connected by an intermediate plate, the support wall of an angled profile being interposed between the high walls of the spacers of the same row and the lower face of said floor to support it, fasteners of vertical axis, in the normal position of loading the pallet, connecting the floor, the support wall and said walls; high.

You can easily remove the floor, a spacer and replace them to repair the pallet.

The spacer being fixed by the bottom of the floor, it is possible to use fasteners that do not protrude from the upper face of the pallet to avoid damaging the goods it is required to wear.

The length of the angled profiles is used to determine the length of the pallet.

According to an additional feature of the invention, the bottom wall of each spacer is fixed under the sole; the floor, the sole, are made with common and interchangeable parallelepiped elements, fasteners vertical axis, connecting the sole and said lower walls.

We can build a range of pallets just by choosing the length of the profiles at right angles.

The components of the floor, the soleplate can be easily dismantled, struts removed and replaced to repair the pallet.

The elements of the floor and the soleplate being interchangeable, the construction of the pallet is facilitated. The stock of spare parts is reduced.

According to an additional feature of the invention, the angled section comprises a side wall which abuts a lateral edge of the floor; the intermediate wall of a corresponding spacer adjoins a side edge of the sole.

The two songs on the same side of the palette are practically coplanar. By arranging two pallets in a juxtaposed manner, with these songs turned facing each other, it proves easy to be able to mutually join two juxtaposed pallets to manufacture a pallet with an extended surface, for example by fixing the intermediate walls of the spacers turned vis-à-vis, by welding, by bolting.

According to an additional characteristic of the invention, the bottom wall of the spacer is housed in a groove dug in the lower face of each end of a corresponding element.

The sole rests flat on the floor.

According to an additional feature of the invention, counterbores excavate the upper face of the floor and in which are fully housed the projecting parts of the fasteners.

It is thus avoided that these fasteners do not deteriorate the goods stored on the floor of the pallet or during its transfer on said pallet.

According to an additional feature of the invention, the fastening elements consist of rivets.

Cheap, they are quick to install and can easily be removed to replace a component of the pallet.

According to an additional feature of the invention, the pallet is provided with fastening means secured to the spacers and designed to couple mutually two juxtaposed pallets.

A pallet with an extended surface can be constructed with two basic pallets.

By coupling two juxtaposed pallets they can be moved at the same time, without using a parent pallet.

Advantageously, the fixing means comprise an anti-separation plate arranged at a short distance behind the corresponding intermediate plate of a pallet, so as to define a gap in which a spacer of another pallet can be retained by insertion.

The two selected pallets can not be discarded.

According to an additional feature of the invention, the anti-separation plate is joined to the corresponding intermediate plate of a pallet, via a wall forming a stop in the longitudinal direction to a spacer of another pallet.

The two juxtaposed pallets are correctly positioned at the end of their assembly.

According to an additional characteristic of the invention, the elements of the floor are laterally offset elements of the sole.

The anti-spacing plates spacers of the same row belonging to a pallet, are abutted vertically on the support wall of a pallet juxtaposed at the end of the meeting of the two pallets. It is thus possible to handle the extended pallet consisting of these two assembled pallets.

According to an additional characteristic of the invention, the height of the spacer spacer plate is less than the distance separating the elements of the floor, the elements of the soleplate, and the part of the intermediate plates of a row of struts, located above a sole element, is shaped front offset, that is to say, recessed towards the inside of the pallet.

The edges of the floor and the sole of an extended pallet and which are turned vis-à-vis, are joined. The extended pallet consisting of two assembled pallets remains stable during handling.

According to an additional characteristic of the invention, the number of elements constituting the floor is odd when the number of spacers located on the same side is odd.

Each element is fixed in the same way on the pallet.

• la Fig. 1 représente une vue en perspective d'une palette selon l'invention,
• la Fig. 2 représente quatre vues d'un élément constitutif du plancher, de la semelle, dans une palette selon l'invention,
• la Fig. 3 représente une vue en perspective d'une entretoise destinée à réunir des éléments du plancher, de la semelle, dans une palette selon l'invention,
• la Fig. 4 représente une vue en perspective d'un profilé en équerre conçu pour réunir les bords d'un même côté des éléments de plancher d'une palette selon l'invention,
• la Fig. 5 représente une vue latérale en coupe d'une palette selon l'invention,
• la Fig. 6 représente une vue en perspective de deux palettes juxtaposées et assemblées selon l'invention,
• la Fig. 7 représente une vue en perspective d'une variante de réalisation d'une palette pourvue de moyens de fixation pour la jumeler avec une autre palette juxtaposée selon l'invention,
• la Fig. 8 représente deux vues en perspective éclatée de deux entretoises qui, couplées, forment un moyen de fixation pour deux palettes destinées à être jumelées et qui en sont pourvues,
• la Fig. 9 représente une vue en coupe d'une variante de réalisation de deux palettes juxtaposées et assemblées selon l'invention.

The characteristics of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an example of embodiment, said description being made in connection with the accompanying drawings, among which:

• the Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of a pallet according to the invention,
• the Fig. 2 represents four views of a component of the floor, the sole, in a pallet according to the invention,
• the Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of a spacer for joining elements of the floor, the sole, in a pallet according to the invention,
• the Fig. 4 represents a perspective view of an angled section designed to join the edges of the same side of the floor elements of a pallet according to the invention,
• the Fig. 5 represents a sectional side view of a pallet according to the invention,
• the Fig. 6 represents a perspective view of two pallets juxtaposed and assembled according to the invention,
• the Fig. 7 represents a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a pallet provided with fastening means to couple it with another pallet juxtaposed according to the invention,
• the Fig. 8 represents two exploded perspective views of two spacers which, coupled, form a fastening means for two pallets intended to be twinned and which are provided with them,
• the Fig. 9 represents a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of two pallets juxtaposed and assembled according to the invention.

The palette 100, presented on the Fig. 1 , is intended to carry a commodity to facilitate its handling its transport. It is presented in its horizontal position and normal loading. It consists of a floor 300 intended to support the goods, a sole 400 intended to bear on the ground and which are joined by means of spacers 200 defining between the floor 300 and the sole 400 a passage for to allow the introduction of forks of a hoist to move it. The surface covered by the floor is preferably polygonal and preferably rectangular or square.

The floor 300 and the sole 400 consist of a plurality of parallelepipedal elements 310 and a copy of which is shown on the drawing. Fig. 2 , seen from above, in view from below and following two cuts. The elements have the same geometry to enter indifferently into the structure of the floor or the sole. They are therefore interchangeable.

Their two upper longitudinal edges respectively have two chamfers 312 to facilitate the passage of the forks of the handling machine and to simplify the assembly of the elements 310. At least one orifice 320 passes vertically through each element 310 at each of its two ends, in the horizontal loading position of the pallet, to allow its attachment with a spacer.

These elements 310, constituting the floor and the sole, are preferably made of a recycled plastic material. This material is rot-proof, which no longer imposes the wood treatment or drying known pallets of the prior art. Moreover, this material is competitive with wood whose price tends to increase. The manufacture of these elements in other materials is however not excluded, for example wood, wood chipboard, composite materials.

On the Fig. 3 , the spacer 200 has, viewed from the side, a geometry in C defined by an intermediate plate 210, extended respectively at its two ends and perpendicularly, by two walls 220, 230, one 220 said high and the other 230 called low, turned in the same direction and parallel to each other. The upper walls 220 and lower 230 are traversed by at least one hole 222, 232.

On the Figs. 4 and 5 , the upper wall 220 is intended to be fixed, via an angled profile 500, and at least one fastening means R, with a floor element 310 300. The spacer 200 is fixed under said floor element, as shown on the Fig. 5 .

On the Figs. 3 and 5 , the lower wall 230 is intended to be secured by means of at least one other fastening means R, with a member 310 of the sole 400. The lower wall 230 of the spacer 200 is fixed under said element sole, as shown on the Fig. 5 .

The spacer 200 is preferably made of metal by a stamping process. The thickness of its walls is practically constant.

Preferably, the fastening element is a commercial rivet which is identified on the Fig. 5 under the reference R. It can still take the form of a conventional bolt or a bolt whose nut is riveted.

The angled section 500, which is presented on the Fig. 4 , is provided to connect by one of their side edges, a series of elements for forming the floor of the pallet.

It has, in side view, an L-shaped geometry defined by a said support wall 510 intended to be applied under the lower faces of the elements of the floor, at one of their ends, and a so-called edge wall 520 intended to be applied to the side edges of the floor elements located on the same side. The bearing wall 510 serves to take the loads exerted on the floor to distribute them on the spacers. The edge wall 520 provides a lateral wedging of the floor elements and protects their end edges. Holes 512 pass through the bearing wall 510 to fix the angled profile 500 with the elements of the sole. The angled section 500 is preferably made of metal by a stamping process.

On the Fig. 2 , the lower face 302 of the element 310, considering its laying position, is hollowed at each end of the element, a groove 330 opening laterally and in which can take place the bottom wall of a spacer. The thickness of this groove is substantially equal to that of said upper wall. On the Fig. 3 each hole 232 is formed through a boss 233 formed on said lower wall 230 and which is turned towards the inside of the spacer. On the Fig. 2 each projection can take place in a countersink 322 digging the groove 330 at the outlet of the orifice 320 so that the projecting portion of the fixing means can be housed inside the boss. This montage is visible on the Fig. 5 of the palette presented in section.

Similarly, and on the Fig. 2 , a second countersink 324 hollow on the other side the element 310, that is to say in its upper face 304 to receive the projecting portion of a fastening element so that this projecting part can be entirely housed in this second counterbore, to prevent the fastener does deteriorate the goods stored on the pallet floor or during its transfer on said pallet. This montage is visible on the Fig. 5 of the palette presented in section.

On the Fig. 4 , the holes 512 pass through bosses 513 formed in the bearing wall 510. These bosses 513 can take place, with reference to the Fig. 2 in the counterbores 322 of the elements 310 constituting the floor to facilitate the positioning of the angled profile with its floor elements during the construction of the pallet.

The manufacture of a pallet 100 of the invention is carried out as follows. The sole 400 is prepared by assembling elements 310 with spacers 200, that is to say by placing their lower walls 230 in the corresponding grooves 330 and joining these components by rivets R, two in number by assembly on the Fig. 1 . On this Fig. 1 , we notice that three elements 310 are constituted, with their respective spacers 200, the sole 400. The intermediate element 310i forms, with its two spacers, an intermediate support for the floor 300. Is then deposited on the ground, the assembled components of the sole 400 spacing them parallel and two brackets 500 are respectively placed on the top walls 220 of the two rows of spacers 200. All that remains is to rivet elements 310 to build the floor 300 and complete the manufacture of the pallet 100.

The elements 310 are riveted directly on the upper walls 220 of the spacers 200 or, where appropriate, on said upper walls 220 sandwiching the bearing walls 510 of the profiles 500.

The number of elements 310 constituting the floor 300 is preferably odd so that with an odd number of sole members 310, all members 310 of the floor 300 are mounted in the same manner.

With reference to the Fig. 1 , the mass of the goods may be deposited on the floor 300 of the pallet 100 is taken up by the angled sections 500 which rest on the spacers 200, to be carried on the sole 400 when the pallet rests on the ground.

Four relatively inexpensive components are sufficient to build the pallet of the invention. To replace a damaged element 310, simply disassemble it and replace it with another one. The same goes for replacing a spacer. This simplicity to repair the palette makes it attractive for users and prescribers. The elements 310 being unique, the construction of the pallet is simple. The stock of spare parts is reduced.

The palette is of the "four-way" type because it is grippable from all four sides.

Another aspect of the invention is to allow the coupling of two pallets to avoid the use of a pallet mother for handling. This coupling mainly concerns small pallets.

On the Fig. 6 two pallets 100a and 100b have been arranged juxtaposed by having placed back to back the intermediate plates 210 of two rows of struts 200 arranged vis-à-vis. By assembling these intermediate plates, for example by bolting, by welding, we obtain an extended pallet 100 'whose floor area is doubled. These assembly means constitute means for fixing the two juxtaposed pallets.

On the Fig. 7 , the pallet 100 shown is provided with other fastening means designed to couple two juxtaposed pallets to one another. These fixing means are integral with spacers 200 'modified.

On the Fig. 8 each spacer 200 'is provided with a counter-wall 240 arranged at a small distance behind the intermediate plate 210 so as to define a gap in which a spacer 200' of another juxtaposed pallet can be retained by insertion, thus forming a part of the fastening means of the two juxtaposed pallets.

The two pallets assembled in this way can not be discarded. The width of the gap is barely greater than the thickness of the constituent plates of the spacer 200 '.

This against-wall 240, visible only on the right side of this Fig. 8 , has an angular geometry defined by an anti-spacing plate 242 extended perpendicularly by a stop wall 244 intended to cooperate with a spacer 200 'of another pallet juxtaposed to form a stop, in the longitudinal direction, for the two pallets assemblies. To allow its attachment to the body of the spacer, the intermediate plate 210 is extended perpendicularly to an edge, a fixing wall 211 on which is fixed, for example by welding, the abutment wall 244 of the counter- wall 240. In a method of manufacture, not shown, the abutment wall 244 is welded directly to the intermediate plate which is then devoid of fixing walls 211. This abutment completes the fastening means of the two juxtaposed pallets.

The height of this against-wall 240 is less than the distance between the two rows of elements respectively constituting the floor and the sole of the pallet, at the end of its manufacture.

The intermediate plate 210 'of the spacer 200'b located to the right of the Fig. 8 , at its upper part, intended to be located above a sole element, which is in front offset, that is to say advanced towards the inside of the pallet after its integration into the palette.

By examining the Fig. 9 it can be seen that these two characteristics make fastening means 210, 210 '; 242, are arranged between the two rows of the elements 310. The elements 310 can thus be brought into contact directly by the intermediate plates 210, 210 'of the spacers 200'. In the upper part of the extended pallet 100 ', the elements 310 of the floor are also joined via the edge walls 520 of the two angled profiles 500. Thus, the load arrow of the extended pallet 100 'is reduced because of the spacing of the contact points and the wear in time also reduced because of the metallic nature contact areas.

Always on this Fig. 9 , it is noted that the elements 310 of the floor 300 are laterally offset elements 310 of the sole 400. The spacer plates 242 of the spacers of the same edge of a pallet 100b are, by this construction, locked vertically, by placing in abutment against the bearing wall 510 of an angled section of the other pallet 100a. This stop completes the fixing means of the two pallets.

The pallet of the invention avoids that the goods it is to bear can not be damaged by elements protruding from its floor, since the fastening means, retaining these components are removed from the upper face of the floor. The blocking of a production line, for the same reasons of absence of nails, staples, emerging from its sole, is also excluded.

The manufacture of its floor, its sole, preferably made of recycled plastic, limits deforestation.

It remains repairable by simple disassembly to replace a worn or deteriorated component.

It is relatively easy to manufacture and easy to repair. Its cost per use is comparable to conventional pallets made of wood.

Claims (12)

Pallet (100) handling comprising a floor provided for supporting the goods, a sole provided to bear on the ground, the floor being separated from the sole by spacers delimiting a passage intended to allow the introduction of forks of a lifting machine for moving it, characterized in that each spacer (200, 200 ') has a C-shaped geometry comprising an upper wall (220) fixed under the floor (300), a lower wall (230) fixed with the sole ( 400), connected by an intermediate plate (210, 210 '), the support wall (510) of an angled section (500) being interposed between the upper walls (220) of the spacers (200, 200') d a same row and the lower face (302) of said floor (300) to support it, fixing elements (R) of vertical axis, in the normal position of loading the pallet, connecting the floor (300), the bearing wall (510) and said upper walls (220). Pallet (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower wall (230) of each spacer (200, 200 ') is fixed under the sole and in that the floor (300), the sole (400), are manufactured with common and interchangeable parallelepiped elements (310), fixing elements (R) with a vertical axis, connecting the sole (400) and said lower walls (230). Pallet (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the angled profile (500) comprises a side wall (520) which abuts a lateral edge of the floor (300) and that the intermediate wall (210, 210 ') of a corresponding spacer (200, 200') adjoins a side edge of the sole (400). Pallet (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the lower wall (230) of the spacer (200, 200 ') is housed in a groove (330) hollowed in the lower face (302) of each end of a corresponding element (310). Pallet (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that countersinks (324) hollow the upper face (304) of the floor (300) and in which are housed integrally the projections of the fastening elements (R) . Pallet (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening elements (R) consist of rivets. Pallet (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with fastening means (240) integral with the spacers (200 ') and adapted to couple mutually two pallets (100a, 100b) juxtaposed. Pallet (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the fastening means (240) comprise an anti-separation plate (242) arranged at a short distance behind the corresponding intermediate plate (210, 210 ') of a pallet (100a) so as to define a gap in which a spacer (200 ') of another pallet (100b) can be retained by insertion. Pallet (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the spacer plate (242) is connected to the corresponding intermediate plate (210, 210 ') of a pallet (100a), via a wall (244) forming a stop in the longitudinal direction to a spacer (200 ') of another pallet (100b). Pallet (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the elements (310) of the floor (300) are laterally offset elements (310) of the sole (400). Pallet (100) according to claim 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that the height of the spacer plate (242) of the spacers (200 ') is smaller than the distance between the elements (310) of the floor (300) , elements (310) of the sole (400), and in that the portion of the intermediate plates (210 ') of a row of struts (200'b), located above an element (310) sole (400), is shaped in front offset, that is to say recessed towards the inside of the pallet. Pallet (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the number of elements (310) constituting the floor (300) is odd when the number of spacers (200, 200 ') located the same side is odd.

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