ES2357687T3 - PALLET (LOAD PLATFORM). - Google Patents

Abstract

A pallet (1) made of plastic or other materials is provided with a plurality of hollow feet (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8) at its underside (10). These are obtained by depressing the pallet material. At least one of these feet-foot (8)-has a length (L') substantially corresponding to the length (L)-or width (B)-of the pallet. This foot (8) contains at least two inner comparatively wide support parts (13, 14, 15), arranged in series and projecting from the bottom part (16) of the foot (8). In this way, according to fire tests-where several identical pallets (1) filled with goods were stacked on top of each other-each pallet (1) has a unique ability to extinguish flames generated in goods on the pallet located directly below the pallet in question, and moreover, the pallet also shows considerable dimensional stability. This makes the pallet (1) particularly suitable for transport on transport means, optionally roller conveyors which cause many bumps.

Description

The present invention relates to a pallet of the type indicated in the introductory part of claim 1.

Technical Background

A plastic pallet, whose pallet is of the type that has a series of hollow feet on its lower face, is known from the description of GB Patent No. 2312415A. Said feet have been obtained by drawing the material of the pallet, so that at least one of the feet (the central foot) has a length substantially corresponding to the length or width of the pallet. Said at least one foot contains two comparatively wide internal support parts, arranged in series and protruding from the bottom surface of said foot. Holes are arranged between the support parts and the pallet cover, the area of the holes being relatively large. Due to the existence of these holes, it is relatively easy that, in case of fire, the air passes from the articles of a pallet located in a lower part to the pallet in question or vice versa, which is not satisfactory.

In addition, a pallet is known which is provided with hollow feet directed downwards. It is known to provide a small support part on the inner lower part directed upwards of each foot, said support part participating in the support of the articles located on the upper face of the pallet. However, this pallet is not completely satisfactory with respect to its ability to interrupt a fire with many items arranged on the pallet when several pallets with items are stacked on top of each other.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is to disclose a pallet of the aforementioned type which, when placed in a stack of identical pallets, is more effective than prior art pallets in extinguishing a fire in the articles of a pallet located below or a fire in the pallet in question, thus reducing the risk of the fire spreading.

The pallet, according to the invention, is characterized in that each of the parts of the support is directed upwards, the hollow of said support part being directed downwards and because some laminar elements are arranged between the wall of each foot and the wall of each support part.

Thus, according to fire tests in which several identical pallets, according to the invention, filled with items, were stacked one on top of the other, a pallet is obtained that has a unique ability to extinguish the flames generated in pallet items. located directly below or on the pallet itself. In addition, the pallet has considerable dimensional stability and is particularly suitable for the transport of articles or means of transport, optionally roller conveyors (with many protrusions).

According to the invention, the support parts may be hollow. In this way, the pallet is particularly light.

Furthermore, according to the invention, at least two, and preferably three laminar elements can be arranged within each support part. In this way, the pallet is comparatively robust.

According to the invention, each of the feet can have a width that is 0.10-0.56 times the length of the foot. This provides a particularly suitable embodiment of the pallet.

Additionally, according to the invention, the side wall of the long foot may be provided with elongated holes in positions located between the support parts. This results in certain material savings.

Furthermore, according to the invention, at least two, and preferably four laminar elements, can be arranged in each support part having said laminar elements, for example, a substantially U-shaped shape. In this way, a specific stabilization of the support part with respect to the wall of the foot and, therefore, with respect to the surrounding part of the pallet, since said laminar elements have a "reinforcing" action of the support parts.

In addition, according to the invention, the pallet can be made of plastic material, preferably plastic containing wood fibers, particularly 40-60% by weight, for example 45-55% by weight of plastic and the other fibers of wood. This material is especially suitable, since it shows satisfactory resistance and does not burn easily.

According to the invention, the intermediate part of the long foot support, appreciated in horizontal cross-section, can have an area that is less than about 35% of the area of the horizontal cross-section that passes through the support part having the horizontal section larger. This embodiment has proved especially suitable.

Additionally, according to the invention, the long foot having a length that is somewhat shorter than the length -L- of the pallet, may have a width -β- of 0.10-0.26, preferably and of approximately 0.2 times the width -B- of the pallet, while the outer feet may have a width b of 0.10-0.15, preferably approximately 0.13 times the width -B- of the pallet. It has been observed that a pallet with the appropriate stiffness is obtained as a result.

According to the invention, the long foot that has a length -L'- can contain two support parts, each of which has a length -l'- of 0.10-0.25, preferably about 0.20 times the length -L'- of the long foot, so that the external feet can have a length -l- of 0.10-0.30, preferably about 0.25 times the length -L- of the pallet. In this way, the area of the intermediate area of the pallet shows a certain flexibility.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the free height of each of the feet of the pallet can reach approximately 0.13 times the length of the pallet with the result that the pallet is relatively easy to move by means of a forklift.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a plan view and at a certain angle of a first embodiment of the pallet according to the invention, and

Figure 2 shows a bottom view, according to a certain angle of the same embodiment,

Figure 3 shows a section of the support part -13- of Figure 1 in a plane perpendicular to the upper face of the pallet and parallel to the front edge thereof, and

Figure 4 is a bottom view with a certain angle of the pallet shown in Figure 1.

Preferred way of carrying out the invention

The platform -1- shown in figure 2 is equipped with a series of hollow feet -2-, -3-, -4-, -5-, -6-, -7-, -8-, on its lower face -10-, whose feet have been obtained by pressing the material of the pallet completely or partially from the upper face 11 (figure 1) of the pallet. As is evident, the foot -8- in the middle zone (figure 2) is a long foot that has a length -L’-, which corresponds almost to the length -L- of the pallet (see figure 1). The long foot -8- contains three relatively wide internal support parts -13-, -14-, -15- arranged in series and protruding from the bottom part -16a- of the foot -8-.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the support parts -13-, -14- and -15- are hollow, the hollow part being directed downwards. At least two laminar elements, preferably three -21-, -22-, -23-, can be arranged within each support part -13-, -14-, -15- (see figure 4).

As can be seen in Figure 4, each of the feet can have a width -β- that is 0.10-0.56 times the length -l- of said foot.

As shown particularly in Figure 1, the long foot -8- (of Figure 2) having a length -L substantially corresponding to the length -L- of the pallet, is arranged in the middle area of the pallet appreciated in the longitudinal direction of it.

As can be seen particularly in Figure 2, the side wall of the long foot -8- can be provided with elongated holes -26-, -27-, -28- and -29- in the places between the support parts -13-, -14- and -15-.

As shown in Figure 1, at least two, and in the present case four laminar elements -40-, -41 -, - 42- and -43- can be arranged between a wall -31- of the long foot -8- and a side wall -13a- of each of the support parts -13-, each of said laminar elements having a substantially U-shaped.

The pallet -1- that has been shown can be made of different materials, for example plastics, preferably plastics containing wood fibers, particularly 40-60% by weight, for example 45-55% by weight of plastic and the rest of wood fibers.

The intermediate support part -14- of the long foot -8-, appreciated in horizontal section, may have an area that is less than about 35% of the area of the horizontal section through the support part -13- or -15 - having the largest horizontal section. The long foot -8- (see figure 2) has a length -L’- (see figure 1) that substantially corresponds to the length -L- of the pallet. The long foot -8- can have a width -β- of 0.10-0.25, preferably 0.2 times the width B of the pallet. The feet -2-, -3-, -4-, -5-, -6- and -7- can have a width -b- of 0.10-0.15, preferably about 0.13 times the width B of the pallet.

The two support parts -13- and -15- of the foot -8- (see figure 1) can each have a length -l'- which is 0.10-0.25, preferably approximately 0.20 times the length -L'- of the long foot -8-. The feet -2-, -3-, -4-, -5-, -6-and -7- can have a length -l- of 0.10-0.30, preferably approximately 0.25 times the length -L- of the pallet.

With respect to the free height -h'- of the pallet -1-, this can be approximately 0.13 times the length -L- of the pallet. However, Figure 2, the free height -h’- is only approximately 0.05 times the length -L- of the pallet.

The pallet -1- can typically have a length -L- of 1140-1200 mm, a width B of 760-800 mm, and a height -h'- of 110-150 mm.

Claims (10)

1. Pallet (1) made of plastic or other materials, of the type that has a series of hollow feet (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) on its lower face (10), said feet being obtained by pressing the pallet material, so that at least one of the feet (8), the long foot (8), has a length (L ') substantially corresponding to the length (L) or width (B) of the pallet (1), and being positioned in the middle part of the pallet (1), appreciated in the longitudinal direction or in the transverse direction, respectively, of the pallet, said long foot (8) containing at least two internal support parts, comparatively wide (13, 14, 15) arranged in series and protruding from the bottom part of the long foot (8), characterized in that each support part (13, 14, 15) is directed upwards, the hollow of said support down, and that laminar elements (40, 41, 42, 43) are arranged between the wall (31) of each foot (8) and the wall (13a) of each support part.

2.

 Pallet, according to claim 1, characterized in that, at least two, and preferably three, laminar elements (21, 22, 23) are arranged in each support part (13).

3.

 Pallet, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the feet (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) has a width (b; β), which is 0.10-0.56 times the length (l; L ') of the corresponding foot.

Four.

 Pallet, according to one or more of claims 1-3, characterized in that the side wall of the long foot (8) is provided with elongated holes (26, 27, 28, 29) in positions located between the support parts (13, 14 , fifteen).

5.

 Pallet, according to one or more of claims 1-4, characterized in that, at least two, and preferably four laminar elements are arranged in each support part, each laminar element having, for example, a substantially U-shaped.

6.

 Pallet, according to one or more of claims 1-5, characterized in that it can be made of different materials, preferably plastic, in particular plastic containing wood fibers, especially 40-60% by weight, for example 45-55% by weight of plastic and the rest of wood fibers.

7.

 Pallet, according to one or more of claims 1-6, characterized in that the middle support part (14) of the long foot (8), appreciated in horizontal section, has an area less than about 35% of the area of the horizontal section that it passes through the support part (13 or 15) that has the largest horizontal section.

8.

 Pallet, according to one or more of claims 1-7, characterized in that the long foot (8) has a length (L '), which is somewhat shorter than the length (L) of the pallet and a width (β) of 0 , 10-0.25, preferably approximately 0.2 times the width (B) of the pallet, and that the outer feet (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) have a width (b) of 0.10 -0.15, preferably about 0.13 times the width (B) of the pallet.

9.

 Pallet, according to one or more of claims 1-8, characterized in that the long foot (8) contains two support parts (13, 15) each of which has a length (l ') of 0.10-0, 25, preferably about 0.20 times the length (L ') of the long foot, and because each of the outer feet (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) has a length (l) of 0.10- 0.30, preferably about 0.25 times the length (L) of the pallet.

10.

 Pallet, according to one or more of claims 1-9, characterized in that the height (h ') of each of its feet (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) is approximately 0.13 times the pallet length (L) (1).