ES2259142T3 - IMPROVEMENTS IN LOADED CARTON PLATFORMS AND RELATED TO SUCH LOAD PLATFORMS. - Google Patents

Abstract

A corrugated support in the form of a double-blind box ( 10 ) comprising two substantially parallel opposing main body panels ( 18, 20 ) and two pairs of opposing side walls (X, Y) wherein each of one pair of opposing side walls (X) are formed from at least two interlocking parts ( 11, 22, 14, 25 ) to enable the support to be moveable from a collapsed state to an erect state. The support is formed from a blank.

Description

Improvements in cardboard loading platforms corrugated and relative to said loading platforms.

The present invention relates to improvements in loading platforms of corrugated cardboard.

The loading platforms are for daily use and They are usually made of wood, polyethylene, plastic or metal. Loading platforms can be of general size, such as those used in retail or in the industries of manufacture of goods in detail, or can be done for applications  specific. Its main purpose is to store securely the goods or products in quantity and allow the goods or products are mechanically manipulated between the units of manufacturing. Loading platforms also act as units shipping, often through vehicular transport, to the retail sale. Again, in retail sale the loading platforms are handled and stored mechanically before of your transportation to individual stores. Loading platform can then be used to display the goods or products directly on the floor of the store, as a form of unity of marketing.

Loading platforms are usually of a high initial cost and instead there are rental systems for loading platforms Loading platforms can also buy second-hand, but again they are expensive, and can They are prone to contaminants. They are bulky and usually of a standard height and size so that both the systems of the manufacturer as the retail seller's storage are compatible. Wooden loading platforms are heavy for handle them by hand and add to the maximum weight of goods or products stored and transported because frequently several loading platforms for goods or products are stored an envelope other. A standard wooden loading platform typically weighs between 25 kg and 50 kg. This means that hand manipulation is difficult and the weight can damage the goods or products on the rest the loading platform. This type of loading platform It is also expensive to transport due to its inherent weight (see for example document US-A-3 115 105).

A typical operation of a loading platform Reusable can be as follows. A manufactured product such as dry goods packed in boxes are collected and placed on a Standard wooden loading platform. An operator then places a loading platform at the top of this platform stacked cargo and proceeds to gather more products packed in boxes in the top of it. Depending on how many product layers used on each loading platform, each single stack can Contain several loading platforms. The battery is normally wrap with elastic wrap to form a unit that then it is mechanically manipulated by a manual pump truck or a forklift and placed on storage. After a period of time, the product is ordered by a retailer and the unit is mechanically loaded onto a transport vehicle In the retailer's deposit, the unit will Download and store for an additional period. Then it is placed on another vehicle and sent to a retail store, where you can be stored or placed directly for marketing on The floor of the store.

The problem with the aforementioned operation is that the manufacturer does not recover the loading platform. This is very expensive for the manufacturer and, ultimately, for the consumer. After the product or goods are used from the loading platform, the retailer must have the platform Wooden load, which is bulky and heavy. Have the loading platform requires expensive transportation and is expensive for the environment since many loading platforms end in landfills It is estimated that there are about 5 platforms of charge in stock for each person in the British Isles.

If a rental system is used, the Manufacturer must rent a loading platform. A system to locate loading platforms that is not only intensely laborious, but also expensive. The platform of Freight is left with the retailer. The retailer can have a stock of  empty loading platforms that you can return to the manufacturer, requiring the loading of a vehicle in charge to transport bulky, heavy and empty loading platforms back to maker. A manufacturer also has to pay for the return of the loading platform and, if any is lost, it will have You pay the full cost of it. Loading platforms Returned can be rented in a cycle that repeats. The reused cargo platforms also leads to problems of Cleaning and repair Wooden loading platforms they are usually mounted with nails that can be exposed and damage the goods or the product placed on them. On the other hand, the wooden loading platforms can produce more or less splinters large that can both damage the product and enter and contaminate the product, especially food products.

The standard height of most loading platforms, which is usually 160 mm, dictates what quantity of product can be transported on a vehicle, such as a curtain slide. The wooden loading platforms are heavy and can double the weight when wet, making Manual handling dangerous.

It is an objective of the present invention Provide an enhanced loading platform for corrugated cardboard, which aims to overcome, or at least alleviate the disadvantages before mentioned.

It is an additional objective of the present invention provide a manufacturing process for the Production of corrugated cardboard loading platforms.

Therefore, the present invention provides a corrugated cardboard loading platform as defined in the technical characteristics of claim 1.

The provision of a loading platform that can be adjusted from a flat shape to an upright shape preferably it is provided by a number of elements of connection that are secured between the top sheet and the base sheet. Each element is constructed in such a way that it is mobile from a flattened state or folded to an erect state. More preferably, Each connection element is in the form of a cardboard support corrugated comprising two main body panels substantially opposite parallels and two pairs of walls opposite sides where each of the pairs of side walls Opposites are formed by two interlocking parts.

The provision of a pair of side walls opposite that each is composed of two intertwined parts allows the mounted stand to be mobile from a folded state to an upright state. In the folded or flattened state, two parts of each wall are decoupled to allow each part stay flat against your wall or connection panel. In the state upright, the two parts of each wall are intertwined and lies substantially perpendicular to its wall or connection panel.

Preferably, a piece is provided stamped corrugated cardboard for the construction of each support, each die piece comprising two panels forming the main body, a middle panel between said training panels of the body and at least one end fin, each panel having main body formation and each panel half end fins opposite, with each side fin of the body panels main of a slit.

It should be noted that a support is mounted from of the die-cut piece by folding the appropriate parts of the die-cut piece and securing them using appropriate means, more preferably an adhesive. The side fins of the panels main secures to the lateral fins of the middle panel and the End flap bends over and is secured to the main panel. However, the side fins of the body panels Main do not insure each other.

The provision of a slit in each fin side of each main body training panel allows a side fin of a panel of the main body is coupled with the adjacent lateral fin of the other panel of the main body when the die cut piece is mounted to form an upright box, forming thus a double blind box. Before the coupling of the fins, the box is in a flat state. This allows the piece die cut is mounted in a box that can take a folded state or erect.

The opposite side fins of each panel main body are preferably a mirror image one of other. Adjacent side fins of main body panels Adjacent are preferably identical.

Preferably, a fin of end at the end of each main body training panel. More preferably, one of the end fins is also provided with lateral fins. Preferably one is provided tab on each of the side fins of the panels main body for coupling to the lateral fins of the end fin and middle panel in the built box.

Each tab is preferably provided in the remote end of the cleft region of each lateral fin. Preferably, a line of weakness is provided between each tongue and its adjacent lateral fin.

Each side fin of the training panels of the main body, the middle panel and / or end fin is preferably provided with a corner that substantially forms a right angle and an opposite corner that is truncated. Every tab provided on the side fins of the panels main body formation preferably extends from the truncated end of the lateral fin.

It is preferable that ripples form in the longitudinal direction of the die cut piece, that is from a fin from end to end because this increases the resistance of the box formed from the die cut piece and therefore imparts resistance to the loading platform.

The main panels and support walls They can be of any desired size.

Preferably, at least four are provided brackets as described here before between the sheet upper and base to form the loading platform, being optionally of different sizes. More preferably, it they provide between nine and twelve brackets but the exact number it will depend on the size of the loading platform and the size of the brackets and therefore, any number can be provided as is desired.

The brackets are arranged to provide a stable loading platform in its upright form and in such a way that there are separations between adjacent brackets to provide lateral access points to the loading platform. They can be provided supports in each corner of the sheets, with a support located centrally between the corner brackets at length of each side of it and an additional support that provides in the middle between the sheets. Preferably, the support provided in the center is the largest support and the supports provided in the corners are the most sized small.

The base sheet is preferably provided with regions that are emptied of material to provide points of access from the bottom of the loading platform. Preferably, two to four rectangular areas are emptied of material. However, any number can be provided. adequate access points on the loading platform, forming through the base sheet and / or by spacing between the adjacent brackets provided between the leaves of the platform load.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the components of the loading platform are secured each other only by adhesive. A varnish can be applied to the top sheet, base sheet and / or supports to impart waterproof.

Additionally, at least one additional sheet, for example a conventional plate, can be laminated on the sheet upper and / or base to increase the resistance of the loading platform. Preferably, the undulation of the sheet additional is placed at 90 degrees from the direction of the undulation of the sheet to which it is applied.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a procedure to manufacture a loading platform corrugated cardboard comprising the steps of passing a sheet upper along a conveyor belt, feed at least a connecting element on the top sheet and secure a sheet based on the connection element, where the connection element is mobile between a folded and an upright state and applied to the sheet upper in a folded state.

Preferably, an adhesive is applied to the connecting element before feeding it on the top sheet. Preferably, the connection element is mobile between a state folded and upright and applied to the top sheet in its folded state

Generally, a plurality of connection elements on different leaf locations higher. Preferably, the different connection elements are They feed from hoppers.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it can be carried out reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the drawings attachments in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a piece die cut of a double blind box according to an embodiment of the present invention

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a double blind box erected according to the present invention mounted to from the die cut piece shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view and a double blind box shown in figure 2, shown in its shape folded

Figure 4 is a plan view of a part top for a loading platform according to an embodiment of the present invention

Figure 5 is a visa in plan of the part of the base for a loading platform according to an embodiment of the present invention

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a loading platform mounted according to an embodiment of the present invention using the parts shown in figures 1 to 3, 4 and 5.

Figure 7 is a view of the lower side of the top of the loading platform showing the location of double blind boxes.

Figure 8 is a schematic plan view of an apparatus for mounting a loading platform according to a embodiment of the present invention.

And Figure 9 is a schematic view in perspective of the apparatus shown in figure 8 illustrating the feeding a type of double blind box from a hopper.

With reference to figure 1 of the drawings attached, a plan view of a die cut piece 2 is illustrated for the construction of a double blind box to form a support for use on a loading platform according to an embodiment of The present invention. The die cut piece is cut from one corrugated cardboard sheet and folds are inserted in the piece die cut to provide bending lines, represented by dashed lines in figure 1. Dotted lines indicate the reverse of the fold lines. The die cut piece has two main body training panels 18, 20 connected to through a middle section 19. The two formation panels of the main body 18, 20 are provided with end sections 17, 21 respectively opposed to said middle section 19. Each panel of the main body has lateral fins 11, 22, 14, 25 that are extend to each side of it, each side fin having a slit I. One end of each fin is straight and the other end Opposite closest to the cleft is oblique. Each oblique end it is provided with a tongue 12, 13, 15, 26. The middle section 19 it is also provided with lateral fins 13, 24, being one end straight and being the other side oblique. Fins are provided similar sides 16, 27 extending from a section of end 21 but the opposite end section 17 is free of fins

The die cut piece can be assembled to form a support 10 for a loading platform, comprising the support two opposite main body panels substantially parallel (18, 20) and two pairs of opposite side walls (X, Y) where each pair of opposite side walls (Y) is formed by two interconnected parts (11, 14 and 22, 25) to allow the support is mobile from a folded state to an upright state, as shown in figures 2 and 3.

To form the box 10, the lateral fins 11, 22 on the body forming panel main 18 and tabs 12, 23 fold back to stand against the lateral fins. Glue is then applied to the tabs 12, 23. The side fins 12, 24 and bend then against the middle section 19. The body building panel main 18 then bends against middle section 19 so that the tabs 12, 23 adhere to their lateral fins adjacent 23, 24. The lateral fins 14, 25 are then folded on the other main body training panel 20 and the tabs 15, 26 fold back to stand against the lateral fins 14, 25. The glue is applied to these tabs and the lateral fins 16, 27 bend flat against the section of end 21. End section 21 is now bent against the panel of main body formation 20 so that the fins laterals 16, 27 adhere to their adjacent tabs 15, 26. Finally, glue is applied to its opposite end section 17 which is placed on top to adhere to the outer surface of the another end section 21 to form a mounted box 10, as shown in figure 2. The construction of the box from a die cut piece can be achieved using gluing machines High speed multipoint.

As mentioned earlier, the construction of the box 10 is such that it can be provided in a folded form (figure 3) or in an upright form (figure 2). He Assembling the box in its folded form requires that the fins sides 11, 14, 22, 25 of the panels that form the body main push in so that they are against its respective panel. Pushing in the outer surface of the folded box, in particular the middle section 19 and the section on end 17, force the side fins away from its panel and the fins are blocked by the slit I. This forms a box double blind that is extremely difficult to fold again.

It has been found that the provision of undulation in the longitudinal direction C, shown in figure 1, it provides a much stronger box thus allowing the box Support higher weights. This is opposite to the direction of undulation provided in conventional corrugated cardboard boxes.

The direction of undulation and the provision of two blind ends in the box results in the erect box being inherently strong. Before this one end of the box could open to allow items to be placed inside the box. The box according to the present invention can be used as a support, for example acting as an exhibition shelf for bear goods that are for sale. The box has advantages on prior art supports, such as their capacity if transported and stored flat until required and its ability to be recycled It is also made of materials cheap.

A preferred application for a box according to the present invention is the construction of a loading platform in which adhere a plurality of boxes to an upper sheet and bottom to provide a loading platform that can move from a folded to an upright state. Can be provided any size of cargo platform required and larger the loading platform, generally more boxes will be used in your building.

Figures 4 to 7 of the attached drawings illustrate a loading platform according to the present invention. This realization is made of eleven unique sheets of corrugated cardboard, which they are die cut as shown in figure 1, figure 4 and in the Figure 5. A rectangular solid sheet 28 is provided to form the top of the loading platform and a additional rectangular sheet 29 of substantially the same size to form the base of the loading platform, having this sheet two rectangular sections 40, 42 that are emptied of material.

Nine boxes 30-38 adhere according to the present invention in its folded form to the lower side of top sheet 28, as shown in figure 7. This figure details the location of the nine double blind boxes that create the compression force of the loading platform. In the realization Shown, there are four different sizes of boxes for each loading platform. A smaller box size 30, 32, 36, 38 is place in each corner of the sheet. A larger box 34 is placed in the center of the loading platform. Other box size 31, 37 se centrally placed along two opposite faces of the loading platform between corner boxes and still one size Additional box 33, 35 is placed centrally along the other two opposite faces of the loading platform. Applies then glue to the panel 20 of the boxes and the bottom sheet 29 of the loading platform sticks on the folded boxes.

It should be appreciated that any number of boxes to form the loading platform. The boxes they can be of an identical size or they can be of size different.

The loading platform can be erected by a hit of the loading platform on the ground, or by a machine, causing each of the boxes to move towards its shape upright thus expanding the loading platform in its state extended. Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings illustrate the loading platform in its extended state.

The orientation of the undulation on the sheet superior can be in any direction but the orientation of the undulation regarding boxes is important to provide general compression force to the loading platform. The ubication of the boxes is such as to provide access to an elevator fork mechanic along the four edges of the loading platform. The boxes are also located so that they will always be in the correct position to support the systems accumulation standard in deposits. The mechanical forks of manipulation can be entered in A or B at each edge of the loading platform, as illustrated in figure 6. If a loading pallet truck for handling, then the wheels roll on the base of the loading platform 29 and then they sit against the ground when the loading platform rises to move.

An additional sheet (not shown), for example of diagonal corrugated cardboard, can be secured on the top sheet and / or base to increase the strength of the loading platform. He corrugated of the additional sheet is preferably transverse to the direction of undulation of the sheet to which it is applied.

Figures 8 and 9 of the attached drawings illustrate an embodiment of an apparatus for construction automatic loading platforms according to the present invention. In the embodiment shown, a loading platform is manufactured to from eleven pieces of corrugated cardboard that have been punched out. A upper sheet 28 is fed on a conveyor belt 100. The top sheet of the loading platform can be made from of a plurality of corrugated cardboard with walls, depending on the resistance characteristics required. It is expected that a loading platform will normally be used with loads of less than 700 kg but by varying the weight of the cardboard used, and of the type of undulation, can be done to withstand considerably more weight.

Nine folding boxes 10 are fed from the 101-104 hoppers on the top sheet. Hoppers they are placed in such a way that the boxes are placed in their position correct on sheet 28. Each folded box is passed over a glue application wheel 112 housed inside a bath of glue 110 and applied to the bottom side of the top sheet by means of an application wheel 114. A sheet is then fed bottom 29 on top of boxes 10 from a sheet feeder 106 to form a loading platform folded The bottom sheet is also of corrugated cardboard that has cut access slots in it so that the article mounted It can be mechanically manipulated with a pump truck.

The boxes 10 give the loading platform its ability to bear load. The boxes are single double boxes blinds with automatic erect ends, as described in the Figures 2 and 3. When the sides of the box are pressed towards inside, they form a rigid box that cannot be folded again. The boxes also have a degree of flexibility so that a vibration movement through them will have an action cushioned No metal clips are used, only glue. When the loading platform is not erected in a folded form, the Preferred embodiment is only about 25 mm thick. In  contrast, when the edges hit on a surface, or push, the loading platform is deployed on a platform 100 mm rigid load. The loading platform can be deployed by a machine, as in conventional systems Automated loading platform training, or can manually deploy easily in a movement using the hit an edge on the ground.

The absence of any mechanical support of metal means that the loading platform cannot damage or contaminate any product or goods placed in it. His height reduced in relation to the conventional type of platform loading means that extra layers of product can be earned for the transport. The cardboard can also be treated with varnish or other suitable means to make it waterproof and can be printed with descriptions or other decoration, such as for use in a store display marketing unit.

The provision of loading platforms made of corrugated cardboard that are mobile between a folded shape and a upright overcomes any of the difficulties associated with prior art loading platforms. Loading platform can be stored in its folded form, potentially producing thus a 600% saving in storage space over Conventional loading platform systems. Transport prior to use it can also be done with the loading platform in its folded shape, meaning that fewer vehicles will be needed. For example, 4000 loading platforms are expected according to the The present invention can be transported with a single vehicle while 11 vehicles would be required to transport the same number of conventional wooden loading platforms. For the therefore, a loading platform according to the present invention has clear economic and environmental benefits. On the other hand, once upright, a loading platform according to the present invention only it can be approximately 100 mm high, being almost half of the height of a conventional wooden loading platform but high enough to allow manipulation by all conventional mechanical means. The loading platform according to the The present invention is designed for non-recoverable use. While that the loading platform is robust enough to be mechanically manipulated and transported several times, it is expected that the loading platform will be compacted after use and will recycle Regarding this, the loading platform is 100% recyclable. This saves on storage space and expensive return transport. Moreover, the loading platform is much cheaper to manufacture than other types of platforms wood load currently in stock, minimizing the cost For the final consumer.

On average, a loading platform according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention weighs approximately 1-3 kg In contrast, a loading platform Conventional wood weighs between 25-50 kg. For the Therefore, the present loading platform can be manipulated manually without any concern for health or safety limitations of weight. Its lightness also helps in preventing damage to product when the charging platform is used in battery units multiple. It is designed for a two way or four way entrance tracks and can be handled by a manual pumping truck loading platforms or various forklifts Forks without modification. The loading platform is also designed so that it can be placed safely in most Shelving systems

An additional benefit provided by a loading platform according to the present invention is that its design basic constructive can be used to provide any size of loading platform required. By varying the degree Corrugated cardboard used, the cargo box or pallet can manufactured to support different dead loads of up to several tons.

Additionally, the provision of a platform of load destined for a single use reduces the risk of any contamination of the product from the platform of load. Wood loading platforms require spraying against wood-boring insects. The single use aspect of the loading platform also reduces minor costs associated with the provision of labor to control loading platforms, clean loading platforms and store and Download the loading platforms.

Claims (25)

1. Corrugated cardboard loading platform comprising an upper sheet (28), a base sheet (29) and at least one connecting element (30-38) between said upper and base sheets, the mobile connecting element being for change the loading platform from a relatively flat to a relatively upright, characterized by the fact that each connecting element comprises two substantially parallel main body forming panels (18, 20) and two pairs of opposite side walls (X, Y ) where each of said pairs of opposite side walls is formed from at least two parts that are locked together (11, 14, 22, 25) to allow each element to be mobile from a flattened state or folded to a been upright 2. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to claim 1 characterized in that each support (10) is constructed from a die-cut piece (2) comprising two main body forming panels (18, 20), a middle panel (19) between said main body forming panels and at least one end fin (21), each main body forming panel and each middle panel having opposite side fins (11, 22, 14, 25, 13, 24), each side flap of the main body panels being provided with a slit (1). 3. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to claim 2 characterized in that the opposite lateral fins (11, 22, 14, 25) of the main body panels are secured to the lateral fins (13, 24) of the panel half the end fin (21) bends and secures to the main panel and the side fins of the main body panels do not secure each other. 4. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the opposite lateral fins (11 and 22, 14 and 25) of each panel of the main body are a mirror image of each other. 5. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the adjacent lateral fins (11 and 14, 22 and 25) of adjacent panels of the main body are identical. 6. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to any claim from 2 to 5, characterized in that an end flap (17, 21) is provided at the end of each main body forming panel. 7. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to claim 6 characterized in that one of the end fins (21) is provided with side fins (16, 27). 8. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to claim 7 characterized in that a tongue (12, 15, 23, 26) is provided on each of the side wings (11, 14, 22, 25) of the panels of formation of the main body to join the lateral fins of the end fin and the middle fin in the constructed support. 9. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to claim 8, characterized in that each tongue is provided at the remote end of the groove region of each lateral fin. 10. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to any of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the corrugation is formed in the longitudinal direction of the die-cut piece. 11. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to any of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that an end fin of each main body forming panel is substantially the same length as the middle panel. 12. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least 4 connection elements are provided between the upper sheet (28) and the base sheet (29). 13. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to claim 12, characterized in that between 9 and 12 elements are provided between the upper sheet (28) and the base sheet (29). 14. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to claim 13, characterized in that the connecting elements are arranged in each corner of the sheets, with at least one element centrally located between the corner elements along each side thereof and an additional element provided in the center between the sheets. 15. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to claim 14, characterized in that the central connecting element is the largest size element and the elements provided at the corners are the smallest size. 16. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base sheet is provided with regions (40, 42) emptied of material to provide access points from below the loading platform. 17. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base sheet (29), the top sheet (28) and at least one connecting element (30-38) are secured together only through adhesive. 18. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a varnish is applied to the top sheet, the base sheet and / or at least one connecting element. 19. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one additional sheet is secured to the top sheet and / or the base sheet. 20. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to claim 19, characterized in that the additional sheet is a diagonal corrugated cardboard. 21. Corrugated cardboard loading platform according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the corrugation of the additional sheet lies 90 degrees from the direction of corrugation of the sheet to which it is applied. 22. Method of manufacturing a corrugated cardboard loading platform comprising the steps of passing an upper sheet (28) along a conveyor belt (100), feeding at least one connecting element (10) on the upper part of the sheet and secure a base sheet (29) to the connection element, characterized in that the connection element is mobile between a folded and an upright state and that it is applied to the upper sheet in its folded state. 23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that adhesive is applied to the connecting element before being fed onto the upper sheet. 24. Method according to claim 23 characterized in that a plurality of connecting elements are fed over different locations of the upper sheet. 25. Method according to claim 24 characterized in that the connecting elements are fed from hoppers (101-104).