FR2883845A1 - Pallet for e.g. storing products, has blank comprising longitudinal bands with attachment having hole and transversal bands with ribs receiving, positioning and retaining attachment, and lug penetrates into hole - Google Patents

Abstract

The pallet has a tray supported by blocks (6-9), and a blank (1) comprising sliders (3a, 3b) with longitudinal and transversal bands (4a-4d). The bands (4a, 4b) have an arc shape attachment with a hole. The bands (4c, 4d) have two arc shape ribs (16) receiving, positioning and retaining the attachment. A lug (17) penetrates into the hole. The blocks (6) have a wall unit (18) coupled to the slider (3a) or (3b) by a bend line (19), and another wall unit formed by the band (4a) or (4b), and two flaps (20) disposed on both sides of the unit (18) to which the blocks are coupled by a bend line (21).

Description

The invention relates to the technical field of pallets used for

  storage and moving of various products and loads. It relates more particularly to a pallet storable flat and conformable before use, and may be those called single-use, that is to say, which do not

  are not recorded and are not required to return.

  Whether made of wood, plastic or cardboard, wood-cardboard or wood-plastic composite materials, pallets are necessarily transported from their place of manufacture to their place of first loading. Although their dimensions are standardized in relation to the dimensions of the vehicles to be transported, and for example are 1000 x 1200 mm and a height of 150 mm, their size limits their number that can be loaded into a vehicle. Thus, for a standard vehicle having a platform with a width of 2450 mm, a length of 13 200 mm and a loading height of 2760 mm, the plate can receive only two rows of 1200 mm wide by 13 columns of 18 pallets, or 468 pallets. The number 18 results from the division of the value of the height of the loading volume of the vehicle by the height of a pallet, that is to say 2760/150. The cost of transport must therefore be spread over this reduced number of 468 and significantly affect the cost of the pallet.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a flat, conformable storable pallet which, because of its small bulk before use, can be transported in greater numbers, thus reducing the cost of transport and its own cost.

  It relates more particularly to pallets composed of a plate integral with pads.

  According to the invention, the pallet is formed from a molded plastic blank comprising a frame with a central cross member and straightenable strips, respectively longitudinal and transverse, each of these strips being provided at its end with a means of cooperating locking, when the strip is straightened, with a complementary means carried by the end of the adjacent strip, while the pads are each formed: on the one hand, by two wall elements, arranged on either side of the frame , to which they are connected by fold lines for straightening them to come in parallel and vis-à-vis one another, and, secondly, by two articulated and straightenable flaps, the free end each shutter being provided with locking means adapted to cooperate with complementary means carried by the wall element with which it cooperates.

  With a blank having a thickness of 10 mm made of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or any other plastic material chosen according to the load to be borne, and with a reduction in the height of a pallet conforming to 122 mm, which gives a 11 mm wide band width, the same vehicle can carry 26 columns of 263 blanks superimposed on a pallet. The vehicle can carry 6,838 blanks instead of 468 mounted pallets, 14 times more. This makes it possible to divide the cost of transport by 14 without causing overload, since, with a blank having a unit weight of substantially 4 kilograms, the load of the vehicle remains in conformity with the possibilities of the current vehicles.

  Before use the pallets must be shaped by straightening and locking the bands and pads.

  After use the pallet can be reused or sent directly to the recovery. This one is all the more facilitated that this pallet is mono material and monolithic.

  In one embodiment, the means for locking the strips together include: a) a tab protruding from the end of a strip to which it is connected by a fold line allowing it to be folded at right angles, - b) two parallel ribs protruding from the inner face of the adjacent strip adapted to receive and position the aforementioned tab, - c) a projecting pin between the two ribs, and, - d) a cutout in the leg and adapted to s' snap on the post.

  After the strips have been straightened at right angles to the plate, their locking is ensured by engaging the tabs that include some of them between the ribs of others, until snap locks. Finally, it is necessary to mount the studs.

  Advantageously, the locking means of the flaps of the studs comprise an outgrowth profile, for example dovetail or button, protruding from the free edge of this flap and adapted to jam or snap between the edges of a cutout in the wall element that will become perpendicular to it.

  This arrangement facilitates the assembly and reduces the time, while allowing to obtain an indémontable lock without human intervention.

  Other features and advantages will emerge from the description which follows with reference to the attached schematic drawing showing, by way of example, an embodiment of a pallet according to the invention.

  Figure 1 is a plan view from underneath the outgoing blank of molding; Figure 2 is a perspective view from below of the pallet shaped by folding and locking of its components. In this drawing, the reference numeral 1 designates the plastic blank as it is at the press exit and just before forming in 10. palette, since it does not require any additional operation.

  The plate of the pallet is composed of a plane frame 2 formed by two longitudinal members 3a and 3b and three cross members, of which two extremes 3c, 3d and a central 3rd. This plate is surrounded by two longitudinal strips 4a and 4b and two transverse strips 4c and 4d to which it is connected by fold lines at right angles.

  In pallet configuration, and as shown in Figure 2, the plate 2 is supported by angle pads 6, a central stud 7 and pads 8 and 9, arranged at mid length of its sides.

  To lighten the blank and reduce the amount of material, the strips 4a to 4d have openings 10, disposed on either side of a central upright 11, and the frame 2 has openings 13 arranged on either side from the 3rd central crossing.

  In the embodiment shown, the longitudinal strips 4a and 4b have, each at each of their ends, a circular arc tab 14, which extends and is traversed by a light 15. The transverse strips 4c and 4d are provided, near their ends, on the one hand, projecting from their internal face, two ribs in an arc of a circle 16 adapted to receive, position and retain the adjacent leg 14 and, on the other hand, a tenon 17, able to penetrate the light 15 of this leg.

  To form the pallet, the strips 4a to 4d are folded at right angles to the frame 2 defining the plate. Then, each tab 14 is folded at right angles to the strip which carries it and thanks to a fold line 14a, and is then engaged and embedded between the ribs 16 of the adjacent strip, and that until the pin 17 engages in the light 15 of the paw. When all the bands are linked together, they form a belt surrounding the plateau, as shown in Figure 2.

  At this stage, it remains to conform the pads that will now be described in detail. Indeed, and as is apparent from examining Figures 1 and 2, the pads are made and obtained differently, according to their position in the pallet.

  Thus, each of the corner pads 6 is composed of: - a wall element 18 connected to the beam 3a or 3b of the frame by a fold line 19, -of another wall element formed by the portion of the longitudinal strip 4a or 4b which will vis-à-vis the element 18, when it will be straightened, - and two parts 20, arranged on either side of the element 18 to which they are linked by a fold line 21, each flap being provided on its free edge with a locking means 22 adapted to cooperate with the cutting edges 23 formed in the strip 4a and 4b corresponding.

  In the form shown, the locking means 22 is constituted by an outgrowth profile, such as a dovetail or button, protruding from the free edge of each flap, but it can be quite different, chosen from those known to man. business.

  When the wall element 18 is straightened and is parallel to the strip 4a or 4b which is opposite it, the manual folding of the flaps 20 brings the means 22 in or in coincidence with the cutouts 23. At the end of the engagement the stud components are locked and can not be disassembled without human intervention.

  The studs 9, formed at mid-length of the transverse strips 3c and 3d, have a configuration similar to that just described since each composed of a wall element 18t bordered by two flaps 20t and coming opposite the upright 12 bearing the cutouts 23t.

  The pads 8, formed at mid-length of the longitudinal strips 4a and 4b, and at the central cross member, are different insofar as the wall element carrying the flaps 20m is the amount 11 formed in the strip by the openings 10 , which contain these flaps, and wherein the wall member 24 to be opposite the upright 11 is formed in a housing 25 of the cross member of the frame 3. This element 24 is connected to the beam 3a or 3b of the frame by a fold line 26 and has the notches 23m able to receive the protrusions 22m of the shutters 20m.

  Finally, the central stud 7 is composed of two wall elements 18c disposed on either side of the central cross member 3e to which each is connected by a fold line 19c. Each element is connected to a flap 20c by a fold line and carries on its free edge a pin 22c adapted to cooperate with a cutout 23c, formed on the free edge of the wall. FIG. 1 clearly shows that the flaps are arranged in opposition so that, after straightening the elements 18c to bring them parallel to one another, the folding of these flaps forms the other two sides of the parallelepipedal central stud 7 of FIG.

  Thanks to their design, the formation of the pads and the general conformation of the pallet are carried out quickly, while providing a very resistant pallet.

  After use, this pallet is either reused internally or sent to a recovery center.

  It has not seemed useful to define the shapes of the fold lines that can be used, because these are well known to the technician and are generally chosen according to the material used.

  Finally, it is obvious that the particular conformation of the studs can evolve and that it is not beyond the scope of the invention by realizing each of them with two rectifying wall elements to be vis-àvis and two foldable shutters closing the parallelepiped.

Claims (6)

  1. Pallet storable flat and conformable before use having a plate supported by studs (6 to 9) characterized in that it is formed from a blank (1) molded plastic comprising a frame (3a-3d ) with a central cross member (3e) and straightenable strips, respectively longitudinal (4a, 4b) and transverse (4c, 4d), each of these strips being provided at its end with a locking means (14, 15 or 16, 17) cooperating, when the strip is straightened, with a complementary means (16,17, or 14,15) carried by the end of the contiguous panel, while the pads (6 to 9) are each formed, on the one hand , by two wall elements (4a, 4b, 11, 12, 18), arranged on either side of the frame (2) to which they are connected by fold lines (19) to straighten them to come in parallel and facing each other, and, secondly, by two articulated and straightenable flaps (20), the free end of each shutter etan t provided with locking means (22) adapted to cooperate with complementary means (23) carried by the wall element (4a, 4b, 11,12,18) with which it cooperates.   2. Pallet storable flat and conformable before use according to claim 1 characterized in that the locking means strips 20 (4a to 4d) between them comprise: - a) a tab (14), arcuate, projecting the end of a strip (4a, 4b) to which it is connected by a fold line (14a) allowing it to be folded at right angles, - b) two parallel ribs (16), in a circular arc, projecting the inner face of the adjacent strip (4c, 4d) and adapted to receive and position the aforementioned tab, - c) a pin (17) projecting between the two ribs (16), and, - d) a light (15) arranged in the paw and able to snap on the tenon (17).   3. Pallet storable flat and conformable before use according to claim 1 characterized in that the means (22) for locking the flaps (20) of the studs (6 to 9) comprise a protruding profile, for example dovetail or button projecting from the free edge of this flap and able to jam or snap between the edges of a cutout (23) formed in the wall element which will become perpendicular thereto.   4. Pallet storable flat and conformable before use according to claim 1 characterized in that, at least for the corner pads (6), the wall element (18) carrying two flaps (20) is disposed in one openings (13) of the frame, while the other wall element is constituted by a portion of the strip (4a, 4b) corresponding.   5. storable pallet flat and conformable before use according to claim 1 characterized in that the central stud (7) is composed of two wall elements (18c) which, arranged on either side of the central cross member (3e) , each comprise, in the extension of one of their two edges, a hinged flap (18c) and, in their other edge, a cutout (23c) adapted to receive the latch (22c) of the flap (20c) of the other wall element (18c).   6. Pallet storable flat and conformable before use according to claim 1 characterized in that each of the studs (8) provided at mid-length and at the central cross member (3e) of the frame comprises, in a housing (25) of this cross, a wall element (24) connected to the frame by a fold line (26) and adapted to come by straightening in front of a post (11), formed in the strip (4a, 4b), this amount being delimited by lightening openings (10) which each serve as a housing for one of the two flaps (20m) cooperating with the wall member (24) of the cross member.