FI128372B

FI128372B - A blank, an assembly, a set of parts, a method of preparing the assembly, and use of the assembly

Info

Publication number: FI128372B
Application number: FI20185404A
Authority: FI
Inventors: Iiro Numminen; Hans Suominen
Original assignee: Pa Hu Oy
Priority date: 2018-05-02
Filing date: 2018-05-02
Publication date: 2020-04-15
Also published as: FI20185404A1

Abstract

An example aspect of the present invention provides a blank for a sleeve for a pallet, the pallet comprising top deckboards, bottom deckboards, and corner parts connecting the deckboards to each other; the blank comprising: four side panels connected to each other by first folding lines and configured to form sides of the sleeve in an erected configuration; at least two flaps, each of which is configured to be folded about a flap folding line out of the plane of the blank, to face a lateral surface of a corner part and to point towards an interior of the pallet in a locked configuration; wherein upper and lower edges of each flap are configured to contact a lower surface of a top deckboard and an upper surface of a bottom deckboard of the pallet, respectively, in a locked configuration, to provide friction that resists unfolding of the flap.

Description

A blank, an assembly, a set of parts, a method of preparing the assembly, and use of the assembly

20185404 prh 02 -05- 2018

FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to sleeves for pallets. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sleeve made of a foldable material and adapted for being attached to a pallet.

BACKGROUND [0002] Pallets are commonly used for handling and transporting goods. A typical pallet comprises top deckboards, bottom deckboards, and corner parts or legs connecting the top and bottom deckboards to each other. The corner parts, possibly together with further support parts between two corner parts, define entry orifices for the tines of a forklift. The top deckboards form a load-bearing surface. A pallet can be lifted by a forklift (or a pallet jack) by inserting the tines of the forklift into an entry orifice located on one side of the pallet. Two-way pallets can be lifted from two sides of the pallet, while fourway pallets can be lifted from any side.

[0003] Examples of pallets include ISO pallets and EUR pallets. One commonly used four-way pallet is a so-called Dusseldorf (DD) pallet containing metal legs.

[0004] Typically, goods are placed on the pallet in containers, as wrapped or by using a sleeve made of corrugated cardboard. Such sleeves are usually secured to the pallet by using separate fastening means, such as staples or nails or adhesive. The structure of the sleeve is usually a box (a pallet box) according to the standard FEFCO 0201.

[0005] It is imperative that the sleeve or box stays firmly attached to the pallet through the entire transport chain irrespective of the exact weight of the load, the weather conditions, or the manner of handling the loaded pallet. To satisfy these conditions, it may be necessary to use strong water-resistant adhesives or excessive numbers of staples or nails.

20185404 prh 02 -05- 2018 [0006] From the manufacturing point of view, attaching a sleeve to a pallet incurs extra costs and forms a separate and time-consuming manufacturing step.

[0007] After every use, the pallet needs to be cleaned and the adhesive, nails and staples removed in order to reuse the pallet. Freight shipment of the used pallets to pallet 5 providers for cleaning incurs substantial costs.

[0008] It is known to attach a sleeve made of paperboard or corrugated cardboard to a pallet by means of foldable flaps.

[0009] GB 2465021 A describes a blank of creasable, foldable and preferably fluted material such as paper, paper board, card board or plastics material, which may be erected 10 to provide a sleeve for a pallet. The blank comprises flaps adapted to grip the pallet. The flaps are folded about a double folding line by 180 degrees in total.

[0010] DE 202004017512 U1 discloses a transporting container of corrugated cardboard, cardboard or other foldable material which has bottom flaps from which are stamped out four overhanging coiled fastening tabs which are coiled under the outer boards 15 of a pallet.

[0011] DE 202004016554 U1 also discloses a transporting container of corrugated cardboard, cardboard or other foldable material which has bottom flaps from which are stamped out four overhanging fastening tabs which clamp under the outer boards of a pallet.

[0012] There is a need for facilitating the assembling, attaching and separating steps when using sleeves for pallets, while simultaneously providing a secure and reliable engagement of the sleeve and the pallet.

[0013] There is a further need for speeding up and increasing the circulation and reuse of pallets, increasing the lifetime of pallets, and decreasing costs and emissions in 25 pallet circulation.

[0014] Some embodiments of the present invention solve at least part of the problems discussed above.

20185404 prh 02 -05- 2018

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0015] The invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Some specific embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0016] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blank 5 for a sleeve for a pallet, the pallet comprising top deckboards, bottom deckboards, and corner parts connecting the top and bottom deckboards to each other; the blank comprising: four side panels, which are connected to each other by first folding lines and configured to form sides of the sleeve in an erected configuration of the blank; at least two flaps, each of which is configured to be folded about a flap folding line out of the plane of 10 the blank, to face a lateral surface of a corner part and to point towards an interior of the pallet in a locked configuration of the sleeve; wherein upper in use and lower in use edges of each flap are configured to contact a lower in use surface of a top deckboard and an upper in use surface of a bottom deckboard of the pallet, respectively, in a locked configuration, to provide friction that resists unfolding of the flap.

[0017] Various embodiments of the first aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following bulleted list:

• The blank comprises four flaps, wherein two of the flaps are connected to a first side panel and the other two flaps are connected to a second side panel via respective flap folding lines, said first and second side panels being opposite to each other in an erected configuration of the blank.

• The blank comprises only two flaps, both of which are connected to a first side panel via respective flap folding lines.

• The blank comprises only two flaps, one of which is connected to a first side panel and the other is connected to a second side panel via respective flap folding lines, said first and second side panels being opposite to each other in an erected configuration of the blank.

• The length of said upper in use and lower in use edges of each flap is equal to or less than a width of said lateral surface of a corner part.

• The length of said upper in use and lower in use edges of each flap is at least 15 mm, preferably at least 20 mm.

20185404 prh 02 -05- 2018 • The blank comprises four auxiliary panels, each of which is connected to a lower in use edge of a respective side panel via a second folding line and configured to be folded about said second folding line out of the plane of the blank by 90 degrees to face at least a part of the top deckboards in a locked configuration.

· Each flap is configured to be folded about a single flap folding line against a lateral surface of a corner part of the pallet and to point towards an interior of the pallet, when folded to a locked configuration.

• Each flap is configured to be folded once by 70 to 110 degrees, preferably by about 90 degrees, about a respective flap folding line.

· Each flap comprises an alternative flap folding line parallel with said flap folding line, wherein each flap is adapted or configured to be folded once by about 90 degrees about only one of these flap folding lines in a locked configuration.

• Substantially the entire lengths of said upper and lower in use edges of each flap are configured to contact a lower in use surface of a top deckboard and an upper in use surface of a bottom deckboard of the pallet, respectively, in a locked configuration, to provide friction that resists unfolding of the flap.

• The blank is made of a foldable material, such as corrugated cardboard or paperboard or cardboard.

• The foldable material is corrugated cardboard with a thickness in the range 0.5 mm to 20 mm.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an assembly comprising: a pallet comprising top deckboards, bottom deckboards, and comer parts connecting the top and bottom deckboards to each other and defining entry orifices for tines of a forklift; and a sleeve erected from the blank; wherein the sleeve has been 25 assembled around the pallet and folded to a locked configuration in which at least one of said flaps has been folded about a respective flap folding line out of the plane of the blank, to face a lateral surface of a corner part and to point towards an interior of the pallet; whereby the sleeve releasably grips the pallet by means of said at least one folded flap; and wherein upper and lower in use edges of said at least one folded flap contact a lower in use

20185404 prh 02 -05- 2018 surface of a top deckboard and an upper in use surface of a bottom deckboard of the pallet, respectively, to provide friction that resists unfolding of the flap.

[0019] Various embodiments of the second aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following bulleted list:

· The pallet is a four-way pallet.

[0020] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a set of parts comprising a pallet and an unfolded blank, the pallet comprising top deckboards, bottom deckboards, and corner parts connecting the top and bottom deckboards to each other and defining entry orifices for tines of a forklift.

[0021] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of preparing the assembly, comprising erecting the blank to a sleeve; sliding the sleeve over a pallet; securing the sleeve to the pallet by folding at least one of said flaps about a respective flap folding line out of the plane of the blank, to face a lateral surface of a corner part and to point towards an interior of the pallet; whereby upper and lower in use 15 edges of said at least one folded flap contact a lower in use surface of a top deckboard and an upper in use surface of a bottom deckboard of the pallet, respectively, to provide friction that resists unfolding of the flap.

[0022] Various embodiments of the fourth aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following bulleted list:

· Each flap is folded about a single flap folding line by 70 to 110 degrees, preferably by about 90 degrees.

• The blank comprises four auxiliary panels, each of which is connected to a lower in use edge of a respective side panel via a second folding line and configured to be folded about said second folding line out of the plane of the blank by 90 degrees to 25 face at least a part of the top deckboards in a locked configuration; and the method comprises erecting the blank to a sleeve, and wherein, before the sliding step, the auxiliary panels are folded about the respective second folding lines by about 90 degrees to face at least a part of the top deckboards.

[0023] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided use of 30 the assembly for holding and transporting bulk goods.

20185404 prh 02 -05- 2018 [0024] The present invention provides many advantages.

[0025] Separate means for attaching the sleeve to the pallet are no longer needed. Nails and adhesives can be dispensed with. Material costs can be decreased and time savings achieved in the manufacturing stage.

[0026] The sleeve according to the present invention is easy and quick to mount onto a pallet. Locking the sleeve to the pallet can be performed by one hand or even by foot, which improves ergonomics. Unlocking is as easy as locking and can be done quickly by hand.

[0027] The present invention provides a constant and high quality in sleeve 10 attachment. Variations that often occur when using nails or staples (such as variation in the amount of nails or staples used, or variations in the gluing process) are avoided. The sleeve of the present invention becomes positioned centrally onto the pallet.

[0028] The sleeve can be disengaged from the pallet easily, without damaging the sleeve, by folding the flaps back to their initial unlocked configuration. The sleeve can thus 15 be reused multiple times. The pallet remains clean of any separate attachment means.

Folding and unfolding of the flaps can be done multiple times.

[0029] Today, cleaning of the pallets after use is a necessary and time-consuming step. By using the present invention, pallets can be distributed for reuse immediately. Transport of empty pallets decreases.

[0030] Overhanging goods is a major problem in transport logistics. The present sleeve prevents the goods from hanging over an edge of the pallet, because the structure of the sleeve ensures that it becomes assembled and stays in a centralized position on the pallet. The present invention also ensures a perfect fit of the sleeve with regard to the size of the pallet, preventing the sleeve from hanging over from any side.

[0031] The sleeve encloses the pallet so that the visual appearance of the pallet is improved and can even be tailored. The corners of the pallet are no longer visible. The pallet may contain legs made of wood, metal, plastic or composite materials. Also the deckboards of the pallet may be made of wood, metal, plastic or composite materials.

[0032] The present locking mechanism engages the sleeve with the pallet so tightly 30 that is becomes possible to lift and move an assembly of the sleeve and the empty pallet by

20185404 prh 02 -05- 2018 grasping from the sleeve only. In this way the user need not bend down, which improves ergonomics.

[0033] The sleeve according to the invention enables the pallet to be lifted by a forklift by inserting the tines of the forklift from any of the four sides of the pallet without 5 any risk of damaging the sleeve or of impairing the engagement of the sleeve to the pallet.

Insertion of the tines in fact may improve the engagement and ensure that the flaps stay properly folded, particularly during lifting.

[0034] The present sleeve enables four-way entry - even in small pallets - with a forklift or a pallet jack as the flaps do not block the entry points or orifices of the pallet or 10 impair their accessibility in any way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0035] FIGURE 1A illustrates a schematic side view of a blank in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention.

[0036] FIGURE IB shows a magnified view of the circled area in FIGURE 1 A.

[0037] FIGURE 2 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a blank that has been erected to a sleeve in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present.

[0038] FIGURE 3 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a blank that has been erected to a sleeve and partly folded in accordance with at least some embodiments of the 20 present invention;

[0039] FIGURE 4 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a sleeve that has been slid over a pallet in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention;

[0040] FIGURE 5 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a sleeve that has been secured to a pallet in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention;

EMBODIMENTS [0041]

DEFINITIONS

20185404 prh 02 -05- 2018 [0042] In the present context, the term “erected configuration” comprises a configuration in which the blank has been erected to have an overall shape of a sleeve.

[0043] In the present context, the term “locked configuration” comprises a configuration in which an erected blank, i.e. a sleeve, has been secured (locked) to a pallet.

At least one flap of the blank has been folded so that it grips the pallet releasably.

[0044] In the present context, the term “in use” refers to a state or configuration in which the pallet with the assembled sleeve is standing for example on the ground so that the bottom deckboards and the legs support the top deckboards.

[0045] The present invention is a sleeve which can be assembled on and around a 10 pallet in order to hold, store and transport goods on the pallet and to prevent them from overhanging the edges of the pallet or dropping off the pallet. The assembling of the sleeve is preferably performed by erecting a blank to a sleeve, folding the auxiliary panels, sliding the sleeve over a pallet, and folding all or some of the flaps of the sleeve to face a respective lateral surface of a corner part or foot of the pallet.

[0046] We have surprisingly observed that folding of the flaps about a single folding line into a space between the top and bottom deckboards of a pallet provides a reliable engagement between the sleeve and the pallet. In this folding mechanism, the upper and lower edges of the flaps contribute preferably along their entire length to produce the friction that keeps the flaps reliably in a locked configuration. Wooden deckboards are 20 preferable with regard to producing sufficient friction.

[0047] Preferably, the foldable material of the blank is corrugated cardboard or a corresponding material with a thickness in an exemplary range of 0.5 mm to 20 mm, which implies that the edges of the flaps comprise a surface with a width in the exemplary range of 0.5 mm to 20 mm. The flap edge surfaces have such an area that a sufficient friction to 25 resist unfolding is produced as the edges (i.e. the edge surfaces) contact the deckboards.

[0048] FIGURE 1A illustrates a schematic side view of a blank 10 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. FIGURE IB shows a magnified view of the circled area in FIGURE 1 A. Folding lines are depicted with dashed lines, and cut lines are depicted with solid lines.

20185404 prh 02 -05- 2018 [0049] The blank 10 comprises four flaps Ila, 11b, 11c, lid, which are connected to the side panels 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d via the flap folding lines 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d. Two of the flaps (Ila, 1 lb) are connected to the first side panel 13b and the other two flaps (11c, lid) are connected to the second side panel 13d via respective flap folding lines, said first and 5 second side panels 13b, 13d being opposite to each other in an erected configuration of the blank [0050] The flaps Ila, 11b, 11c, lid are arranged to be folded about the flap folding lines 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, respectively, out of the plane of the blank, to face a respective lateral surface of a corner part of a pallet. A folded flap points toward an interior of the 10 pallet.

[0051] The side panels 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d are connected to each other by the first folding lines 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d and arranged to form the sides of the sleeve in an erected configuration by folding them about the first folding lines 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d by 90 degrees.

[0052] The erected sleeve surrounds a rectangular area which is sufficiently slightly larger than the top surface (the load-bearing surface) area of a pallet so that the sleeve can be conveniently slid over and around the pallet.

[0053] The auxiliary panels 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d are connected to a lower in use edge of a respective side panel 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d via a second folding line 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 20 and arranged to be folded about the second folding lines 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d by 90 degrees to face a top surface (top deckboards) of the pallet or a part of it. The folding of the auxiliary panels is performed before sliding the sleeve over the pallet.

[0054] FIGURE 2 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a blank that has been erected to a sleeve in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention.

The flaps 11 and the auxiliary panels 15 are still in an unfolded state. The sides of the sleeve surround a rectangular area that matches or is slightly larger than the top surface area of the pallet around which the sleeve is to be assembled.

[0055] FIGURE 3 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a blank that has been erected to a sleeve in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention.

The flaps 11 are in an unfolded state. The auxiliary panels 15 have now been folded along the second folding lines 16 by 90 degrees to a plane that is perpendicular with the side

20185404 prh 02 -05- 2018 panels 13 that form the sides of the sleeve. In this embodiment, the auxiliary panels 15 are adapted to cover only a part of the top surface of the pallet. In other embodiments, the auxiliary panels can be configured to cover substantially the entire top surface of the pallet. The auxiliary panels are optional.

[0056] FIGURE 4 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a sleeve of FIGURE 3 that has been slid over and around a pallet 41 in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. The flaps 11 are still unfolded.

[0057] FIGURE 5 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a sleeve that has been secured to a pallet in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention.

Each of the four flaps 11 has been folded once under the pallet 41 by 90 degrees along the respective flap folding line 12. Each flap is folded to face a lateral surface of a respective comer part (only one, 53a, of the four corner parts is marked in the figure) between one of the top deckboards (the reference sign 51 depicts one of the multiple deckboards) and one of the bottom deckboards (the reference sign 52a depicts one of the multiple bottom deckboards) of the pallet to provide friction between the upper and lower edges 17a, 17b of the flap (see also FIG. IB) and the surfaces of the deckboards. In the locked state shown in FIG. 5, the end 17c of each flap 11 points towards the interior of the pallet 41.

[0058] The height of each flap is such that the flap fits between the top and bottom deckboards of the pallet and contacts the deckboards via substantially the entire length, 20 preferably by at least 90% of the length in the horizontal (in use) direction, of the flap edges to produce friction.

[0059] Preferably, each flap is folded only once, i.e. about a single flap folding line. Single folding ensures that a strong friction between the flap edges and the deckboards can be realized. Another advantage is that such folding is easy to reverse by unfolding the flap.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, each flap is folded about a single flap folding line by about 70 to 110 degrees, more preferably by 85 to 95 degrees, and even more preferably by about 90 degrees.

[0061] Preferably, each flap is folded only once, about only one flap folding line to bring it from an unfolded state to a locked state. The advantage of this embodiment is that the folding can be performed even by foot or by a hand-held stick or by a tine of a forklift or a pallet jack. It is not necessary for the user to bend down in order to get the flaps

20185404 prh 02 -05- 2018 properly folded. Once-folded flaps can be successfully and easily unfolded so that the sleeve can be pulled up and separated from the pallet. The preferred 90-degree folding and unfolding can be repeated many times without impairing the properties and functioning of the flaps and the folding lines, which increases the lifetime of the sleeve.

[0062] The locking mechanism of the present sleeve is based on friction between the horizontal (in use) upper and lower edges of the flaps and, respectively, the under surface of the top deckboards and the top surface of the bottom deckboards of the pallet. Substantially the entire upper and lower edges of each flap contributes to create this friction force.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the length of the flaps (i.e. the length of the edge

17a or 17b) is determined on the basis of the width of the lateral surface of the respective corner part that the flap is designed to face upon folding. Preferably, the length of a flap is approximately equal to or less than the width of said lateral surface of the corner part. The advantage is that the flap does not extend past the corner part and interfere with forklift 15 tines during lifting.

[0064] Preferably, the length of the upper in use and lower in use edges, such as the edges 17a and 17b, of the flaps is at least 15 mm, more preferably at least 20 mm.

[0065] In EUR pallets, the width of the corner part (the leg) is 100 to 150 mm. In one embodiment, the sleeve is designed to be attached to a EUR pallet, and the length of 20 the flaps is 20 to 150 mm, for example 20 to 100 mm, or for example 80 to 100 mm.

[0066] In some embodiments, the length of the flaps (i.e. the length of the edge 17a or 17b) is determined on the basis of the width of the respective side panel. The length of the flaps (i.e. the length of the edge 17a or 17b) is then preferably about 5% to 30% of the maximum width (the width of the upper in use edge) of the respective side panel, for 25 example 10% to 20%, or 15% to 25%.

[0067] In other embodiments, the length of the flaps is larger, at least 30%, for example 30% to 60%, or 40% to 50%, of the maximum width of the respective side panel. Increasing the length of the flaps increases the friction between the flaps and the deckboards.

20185404 prh 02 -05- 2018 [0068] In one embodiment, the sleeve is slid on the pallet, goods are loaded, and the flaps are left unfolded until the loaded pallet needs to be lifted and transported. In this embodiment, folding of all or at least some of the flaps is performed by inserting the tines of a forklift or a pallet jack in such a way into the entry points or orifices located on the 5 same side as the flaps that the tines push and fold the flaps under the pallet.

[0069] In one embodiment, there are only two flaps, for example the flaps Ila and 11c, and the flaps are arranged to be located on different sides of the pallet. The advantage of this embodiment is that the assembling (and disassembling vice versa) of the sleeve is quicker, when compared to a four-flap embodiment, as there are only two flaps to fold or 10 unfold. Locating the two flaps on different sides of the pallet brings more rigidity and stability than locating them on the same side of the pallet. Centralization of the sleeve with regard to the pallet is also ensured.

[0070] In another embodiment, there are only two flaps, for example the flaps Ila and 11b, both of which are arranged to be located on the same side of the pallet. The 15 advantage of this embodiment is that the assembling of the sleeve is even easier as the user need not go around the pallet to engage flaps located on both sides of the pallet. This brings flexibility during the loading stage: the empty pallet can be placed for example against a wall or directly next to another pallet, as only one side of the pallet needs to be accessible for the user so that he is able to secure the sleeve by folding the two flaps.

[0071] In one embodiment, there are only two flaps which have an elongated structure and which are particularly suitable for use in two-way pallets. Each of the flaps extends over at least one fourth, for example over at least one third, preferably over at least one half, of the maximum width of the respective side panel. The advantage is that the sleeve becomes fixed to the pallet very tightly as the friction between the elongated flaps 25 and the pallet deckboard surfaces is strong. If each flap extends over at least one third of the maximum width of the respective side panel, it is advantageous to position the flaps on different (opposite) sides of the pallet, preferably diagonally. For example, the sleeve could contain only the diagonally positioned flaps Ila and 11c, or alternatively 1 lb and lid.

[0072] In one embodiment, there is only one flap.

20185404 prh 02 -05- 2018 [0073] In one embodiment, each flap comprises an alternative flap folding line parallel with the flap folding line, wherein each flap is adapted to be folded once by about 90 degrees about only one of these flap folding lines to lock the sleeve to a pallet.

[0074] The material of the sleeve is preferably selected from the following group: 5 corrugated cardboard, paperboard, cardboard. Other possible materials include foldable plastic materials or foldable metal materials.

[0075] The preferred material is corrugated cardboard, which can have a single-wall or double-wall structure and be lined on one or both sides.

[0076] The thickness of the sleeve material is preferably 0.5 to 20 mm, for example 10 1 to 15 mm.

[0077] By way of example, the present sleeve is suitable to be used together with any of the following pallet structures: ISO pallets, EUR pallets (EUR, EUR 2, EUR 3, EUR 6).

[0078] The dimensions of the pallet (an ISO pallet) can be for example: 1016 mm x 15 1219 mm; 1000 mm x 1200 mm; 1165 mm x 1165 mm; 1067 mm x 1067 mm; 1100 mm x

1100 mm; or 800 mm x 1200 mm.

[0079] Further, the dimensions of the pallet (an EUR pallet) can be for example: 800 mm (width) x 1200 mm (length) x 145 mm (height); 1200 mm x 1000 mm x 144 mm; 1000 mm x 1200 mm x 144 mm; or 800 mm x 600 mm x 144 mm.

[0080] Other possible pallet dimensions are 600 mm x 400 mm; and 400 mm x 300 mm.

[0081] The present sleeve can be used together with standard as well as non-standard pallets. Preferably the pallet is a four-way pallet.

[0082] Bulk goods or articles that are to be transported on a pallet benefit 25 significantly from the use of the present sleeve, because they require strong and reliable support, and the risk of overhanging or dropping off is substantial.

[0083] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the 30 relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for

20185404 prh 02 -05- 2018 the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0084] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present 5 invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0085] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, 10 these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the present invention may be referred to herein along 15 with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.

[0086] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be 20 combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, 25 etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

[0087] While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation 30 can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.

[0088] The verbs “to comprise” and “to include” are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of also un-recited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the use of “a” or “an”, i.e. a 5 singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY [0089] The present invention is industrially applicable in the packaging industry for packing, storing and transporting goods on pallets.

20185404 prh 02 -05- 2018

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

10	blank
1 la-d	flaps
12a-d	flap folding lines
13a-d	side panels
14a-d	first folding lines
15a-d	auxiliary panels
16a-d	second folding lines
17a, 17b	upper and lower edges of a flap
17c	end of a flap
41	pallet
51	top deckboard
52a	bottom deckboard
53a	corner part

20185404 prh 02 -05- 2018

Claims

CLAIMS:

A blank (10) for a collar of a pallet (41), the pallet comprising top boards (51), bottom boards (52a) and four corner pieces (53a) connecting the top and bottom boards to each other;

each blank comprising:

- four side panels (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d) connected to each other by first folding lines (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d) and arranged to form the sides of the collar in the erected configuration of the blank;

- at least two flaps (1a, 11b, 11c, 1 Id), each arranged to be folded around the flap fold line (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) out of the plane of the blank against the lateral surface of the corner piece and pointing towards the inside of the pallet in a locked configuration of the collar;

- wherein the in-service upper and lower edges (17a, 17b) of each flap are arranged to contact the in-use lower surface of the blade top board and the in-service upper surface of the base board, respectively, in a locked configuration to provide friction against friction opening;

wherein the platform is four-way; and wherein the length of said in-use upper and lower edges of each flap is equal to or less than the width of said lateral surface of the corner piece;

characterized in that:

each flap is arranged to be folded about one flap fold line against the lateral surface of the blade corner piece and to point towards the inside of the blade, when folded into a locked configuration.

A blank according to claim 1, comprising four flaps, two of which are connected to the first side panel and the other two are connected to the second side panel via respective flap fold lines, said first and second side panels being opposite each other in an erected configuration of the blank.

The blank of claim 1, comprising only two flaps, each of which is connected to the first side panel via respective flap fold lines.

The blank of claim 1, comprising only two flaps, one connected to the first side panel and the other connected to the second side panel via respective flap fold lines, said first and second side panels facing each other in an erected configuration of the blank.

A blank according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of said upper and lower edges of each flap during use is at least 15 mm, preferably at least 20 mm.

A blank according to any preceding claim, further comprising four additional panels (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) each connected to the in-use lower edge of the respective side panel via a second fold line (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) and arranged to be folded 90 degrees in said second fold. around the fold line outwardly from the plane of the blank against at least a portion of the top boards in a locked configuration.

A blank according to any preceding claim, wherein each flap is arranged to be folded once about a flap folding line corresponding to about 90 degrees.

A blank according to any preceding claim, wherein each flap comprises an alternative flap folding line parallel to said flap folding line, each flap being arranged to be folded once by about 90 degrees in only one of these flap folding lines in a locked configuration.

A blank according to any preceding claim, wherein substantially the entire lengths of the in-service upper and lower edges of each flap are arranged to contact the in-use lower surface of the blade topboard and the in-use upper surface of the base board, respectively, in a locked configuration to provide anti-flap friction.

Blank according to one of the preceding claims, made of a foldable material, preferably corrugated cardboard, with a thickness of 0.5 to 20 mm.

11. An assembly comprising:

- a platform comprising top boards, bottom boards and four corner pieces connecting the top and bottom boards to each other and defining the entrance openings for the fork tines; and

- a collar erected from the blank according to claim 1;

wherein the collar is mounted around the pallet and folded into a locked configuration in which at least one of said flaps is folded around a respective flap fold line from the plane of the blank outwardly against the lateral surface of the corner piece and pointing toward the interior of the pallet; wherein the collar releasably engages the pallet through said at least one folded flap; and wherein the in-use upper and lower edges of said at least one folded flap contact the in-use lower surface of the blade top board and the in-service upper surface of the base board, respectively, to provide friction against anti-opening of the flap;

wherein the platform is four-way; and wherein the length of said in-use upper and lower edges of each flap is equal to or less than the width of said lateral surface of the corner piece, characterized in that:

each flap is folded around one flap fold line against the lateral surface of the pallet corner piece and pointing toward the interior of the pallet, in a locked configuration.

A plurality of parts, the plurality comprising a pallet and an unfolded blank according to claim 1, the pallet comprising top boards, bottom boards and four corner pieces connecting the top and bottom boards to each other and defining entry openings for forklift spikes; wherein the platform is a four-way platform; and wherein the length of said in-use upper and lower edges of each flap is equal to or less than the width of said lateral surface of the corner piece.

A method of making an assembly according to claim 11, wherein the method

- erecting a blank according to claim 1 as a collar;

- lower the collar around the platform;

- attaching the collar to the pallet by folding at least one of said flaps around the corresponding flap fold line from the plane of the blank outwards against the lateral surface of the corner piece and pointing towards the inside of the pallet;

wherein the in-use upper and lower edges of said at least one folded flap contact the in-use lower surface of the blade topboard and the in-use upper surface of the base board, respectively, to provide friction to prevent the flap from unfolding;

wherein the platform is a four-way platform; and wherein the length of said in-use upper and lower edges of each flap is equal to or less than the width of said lateral surface of the corner piece, characterized in that:

each flap is folded around one flap fold line against the lateral surface of the blade corner piece and pointing toward the interior of the blade, in a locked configuration.

5

The method of claim 13, wherein each flap is folded 70 to 110 degrees, preferably about 90 degrees, around one flap fold line.

A method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the method comprises erecting a blank according to claim 6 as a collar and wherein before the lowering step

The additional panels 10 are folded about 90 degrees around the corresponding second fold lines against at least a portion of the top boards.

Use of an assembly according to claim 11 for holding and transporting bulk goods.