GB2393156A

GB2393156A - Roll pallet having an adjustable shelf

Info

Publication number: GB2393156A
Application number: GB0321884A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harry Hagelberg; Markku Matoniemi
Original assignee: K Hartwall Oy AB
Current assignee: K Hartwall Oy AB
Priority date: 2002-09-18
Filing date: 2003-09-18
Publication date: 2004-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 2023-09-18
Also published as: FI20021665A; FI20021665A0; GB0321884D0; GB2393156B; FI113958B

Abstract

A roll pallet 1 for the storage, distribution and/or display of products has two fixed side walls 3 and a hinged side wall 2 connected to each of the fixed side walls. There is a supporting frame 4 equipped with wheels. A base 5 is hingedly mounted for pivotal movement relative to the frame 4. An intermediate shelf 6 is provided, the rear part of the intermediate shelf being engaged with a vertical guide rails 7 and the front part of the intermediate shelf being provided with locking members 8 engageable with the hinged side walls 2. The intermediate shelf may be moved to a vertical position by sliding the rear part downwardly with respect to the rails 7.

Description

5 DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A ROLL PALLET AND TO

A METHOD OF ADJUSTING AN INTERMEDIATE SHELF ON A

10 ROLL PALLET"

THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a roll pallet and also to a method of adjusting an intermediate shelf on a roll pallet.

It has been proposed to use a transportation cart equipped with wheels, herein called a roll pallet, for the storage and transportation of products and also for distribution sale and display of such products. Such roll pallets are frequently used with dairy and brewery products, as well as many other 20 products which are retailed through shops and supermarkets.

Many types of roll pallets have been proposed previously, and a typical prior proposed roll pallet has a horizontal frame, the corners of the frame being provided with casters or alternatively, two corners of the frame being provided 25 with casters and two corners of the frame being provided with fixed wheels.

At the rear part of the roll pallet, on each side, there is provided a fixed side wall, which is relatively tall and relatively narrow, and also a moveable side wall which is hingedly connected to the fixed side wall. The roll pallet

incorporates a base, which can be moved to a vertical position for the storage and transportation of the roll pallet, which is pivotally mounted to the rear part of the roll pallet. The side walls can be pivoted inwardly, thus being turned against each other to adopt an overlapping form, and the roll pallet then takes 5 up little space. With an appropriate form of frame the roll pallets can be pushed inside one another for storage and transportation when empty.

A problem that is encountered with roll pallets of this type relates to an intermediate shelf. An intermediate shelf is required in a roll pallet for many 10 purposes.

One problem that arises when an intermediate shelf is provided for a roll pallet is the problem of configuring the roll pallet for storage and transportation as empty. In the prior art it has been proposed to use an unfixed intermediate

15 shelf. The shelf can be lifted from its place and put in a suitable location when the roll pallet is being assembled and disassembled. However, an unfixed intermediate shelf of this type is easily lost during storage and transportation of the roll pallets when empty. A further problem is that the intermediate shelf, or the roll pallet itself, can become damaged due to careless or improper use.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved roll pallet.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a roll pallet suitable for the storage, distribution and/or display of products, the roll pallet 25 having two fixed side walls, and a respective hinged side wall pivotally connected to each of the fixed side walls, there being a supporting frame equipped with wheels, a base hingedly mounted for pivotal movement relative to the frame and an intermediate shelf to be placed above the base, there being guiding tracks provided at the rear part of the roll pallet, the intermediate shelf

being mounted with a rear part of the intermediate shelf in engagement with the tracks for movement along the tracks, the tracks and the intermediate shelf being such that the intermediate shelf may occupy a forwardly directed "use" position. The use position may be substantially horizontal.

Preferably the guide tracks are substantially vertical, the guide tracks extending substantially from the base of the roll pallet upwards to the height of 10 the uppermost desired position of the intermediate shelf.

Conveniently the intermediate shelf has a depth which is greater than the width of the pivoted side walls.

15 Advantageously on each fixed side wall there is at least one support member, the support members being positioned to engage with the intermediate shelf to support the shelf when the shelf is in the use position.

Preferably there are a plurality of support members provided on each of 20 the fixed side walls at predetermined heights.

Conveniently the intermediate shelf is fitted to the guiding Lacks by connecting and guiding members, the connecting and guiding members serving to connect the intermediate shelf to the tracks and also to guide the intermediate 25 shelf as the intermediate shelf moves relative to the guiding tracks. Thus the intermediate shelf cannot become separated from the rest of the roll pallet.

Preferably the intermediate shelf is pivotally connected to the guiding tracks about the guiding and connecting members and is pivotally moveable

from a substantially horizontal or use position to a substantially vertical position. Advantageously the intermediate shelf may be moved to an intermediate 5 inclined position.

Conveniently a lock is provided to maintain the hinged base in a vertical position. 10 Preferably the intermediate shelf is provided with a locking member to engage a hinged side wall to retain the intermediate shelf in the use position.

Advantageously there is at least one supporting member adjacent the rails to be engaged by the locking member to retain the intermediate support 15 shelf in a substantially vertical position. Preferably there are at least two supporting members which are vertically spaced apart to provide different vertical positions for the intermediate shelf.

Conveniently the locking element is a hooked arm, the arm being 20 supported by at least one bush mounted on a rod forming a guide track.

Advantageously the intermediate shelf is moveable to a position directly overlying the base.

25 According to a second aspect of this invention there is provided a method of adjusting an intermediate shelf on a roll pallet, suitable for the storage distribution or display of products, the roll pallet being provided with side walls, a supporting frame provided with wheels, and a base mounted on the frame, the intermediate shelf having guide members engaging with guiding

tracks provided at the rear part of the roll pallet, the method comprising the steps of altering the position of the intermediate shelf by lifting part of the intermediate shelf upwardly whilst it is guided by the guiding tracks, and orienting the shelf in a substantially horizontal use position and supporting the 5 shelf, at its front end, at a desired height, relative to the side walls of the roll pallet. Preferably support members are provided at the rear part of the roll pallet and, as the shelf is moved to the use position, the rear part of the 10 intermediate shelf is lifted so that the guide members on the intermediate shelf rise upwardly, steered by the vertical guiding tracks, and the intermediate shelf is turned forward into its use position, with the rear part of the shelf lying over and being supported by the support members provided at the rear part of the roll pallet. Advantageously the method comprises the step of subsequently taking the intermediate shelf out of the use position, the method comprising the steps of turning the intermediate shelf towards the rear of the roll pallet over the support members, whilst the rear end of the intermediate shelf is steered 20 downwardly by the guide members engaging the guiding tracks, the method comprising the step of locking the intermediate shelf in the vertical position to form a rear wall of the pallet.

Conveniently the intermediate shelf is locked in a vertical position 25 higher than an initial position by engaging the shelf with an additional support rail. Preferably after the intermediate shelf is in a vertical position, with the rear end of the intermediate shelf substantially at the lower end of the guiding

tracks, the intermediate shelf is folded downwardly to occupy a substantially horizontal position on top of the base of the roll pallet.

Advantageously after the intermediate shelf is in a vertical position, the 5 base of the roll pallet is pivoted to occupy a vertical position and is locked in position and the side walls of the roll pallet are pivoted inwards towards each other in front of the intermediate shelf and the base.

It is to be appreciated that a preferred embodiment of the invention 10 provides a roll pallet which may prove to be reliable and steady, as well as being quick to use.

It is to be appreciated that in the embodiments of the inventions the intermediate shelf is retained by the tracks and thus cannot be separated from 15 the rest of the roll pallet. Thus a preferred roll pallet in accordance with this invention is a unit suitable for the storage, transportation and display of products, especially products for sale within a shop or supermarket. The unit is easy to erect and collapse, and it is easy to return in an empty condition.

20 An advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that the intermediate shelf is versatile. It is easy to assemble the roll pallet with the intermediate shelf at a selected height. In a preferred embodiment the shelf may have several predetermined heights that can be utilised. The intermediate shelf can be turned to a vertical position to act as a real wall for the roll pallet, 25 and when in the vertical position the intermediate shelf may be a selected height. A further advantage of a preferred embodiment of the invention is that the roll pallet can be used without any intermediate shelf, and also without a

back wall, by locating the intermediate shelf on top of the base of the roll pallet.

When in this condition the intermediate shelf takes up minimum space and substantially strengthens the base of the roll pallet.

5 In a preferred embodiment the intermediate shelf may quickly be located in the use position, and the roll pallet may be quickly collapsed into the storage and transportation position.

Due to the structure of the intermediate shelf of the preferred 10 embodiment, there is only a minimum risk of the shelf being damaged. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment is that the intermediate shelf may occupy an inclined position, with the front end of the intermediate shelf being lower than the rear end of the intermediate shelf. In such a situation products may be displayed on the inclined intermediate shelf.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an assembled roll pallet in accordance with the invention, FIGURE 2 is a front view of the pallet of Figure 2, FIGURE 3 is a side view of the pallet of Figure 1, FIGURE 4 is a top view of the pallet of Figure 1, as empty and partly collapsed,

FIGURE 5 is a view, from above, showing two roll pallets in accordance with the invention empty and fully collapsed, and placed in engagement with one another, FIGURE 6 is a side view of an empty and collapsed roll pallet according to the invention, and FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of Figure 6 to showing details of the roll pallet when in the collapsed condition.

Referring to Figures l to 3 of the accompanying drawings, a roll pallet 1 in accordance with the invention is provided with two pivotally mounted side walls 2 each of which is provided with a peripheral frame supporting a mesh 15 which forms the main part of the side wall. Each of the pivoted side walls is pivoted to a respective fixed side wall 3, the fixed side walls 3 being located at the rear of the roll pallet. Each fixed side wall 3 is relatively tall and not very wide. Each fixed side wall 3 is provided with a peripheral frame incorporating a tubular frame member 3A located at the front edge of the side wall 3 to which 20 the pivoted side walls 2 are pivotally connected. The fixed side walls 3 are connected, at their lower ends, to a supporting frame 4. The supporting frame 4 has a rear transverse bar, the central part of which is at a level above the rest of the frame 4. The ends of the rear transverse bar are mounted on fixed wheels.

The frame 4 has two converging side arms which extend to a forward 25 transverse bar, the junctions between the converging side arms and the forward bar each being mounted on a respective caster wheel. Of course, instead of using two fixed wheels and two caster wheels the frame could be mounted on four caster wheels.

A base 5 is provided which can, in the condition shown in Figure 1, overlie the frame 4. The base 5 has a peripheral reinforced frame and a mesh.

The base 5 is, at its rearmost edge, pivotally connected to the frame or to the 5 fixed side wall 3, so that the base 5 can be moved from a horizontal position to a vertical position for transportation and storage of the roll pallet.

In the assembled configuration shown in Figure 1, the pivoted side walls 2 have been pivoted to form parallel side walls lying adjacent the frame, and an 10 intermediate shelf 6 is shown in position, parallel with the base S but located at a position above the base 5. The intermediate shelf may be used for many purposes. At the rear part of the roll pallet, on each of the fixed side walls 3, there 15 is a substantially vertical elongated guiding track 7 which extends from the region of the frame 4 upwards to a point which is level with or slightly above the highest position that is to be adopted by the intermediate shelf 6. Here it is to be understood that the intermediate shelf may, in certain embodiments, occupy a number of predetermined positions of different heights above the base 20 5. A rear part of the intermediate shelf 6 is engaged with the track 7, as will be explained in more detail below.

The intermediate shelf has a depth (i.e. a front-to-back dimension) which is substantially equal to the depth of the roll pallet. Thus the intermediate shelf 25 will extend from the front of the roll pallet to the rear of the roll pallet, or at least almost to the rear of the roll pallet. It is thus to be understood that the total depth of the intermediate shelf is substantially equivalent to the combined width of the pivoted side wall 2 and the fixed side wall 3.

At the front end of the intermediate shelf 6, on each side of the shelf, there is a respective locking member 8 which can be engaged with a horizontal wire of the adjacent pivotally mounted side wall 2 which is located at a suitable 5 height when the intermediate shelf 6 is being installed into the horizontal or "working" position. Each locking member 8 is mounted on a diagonally extending guiding track located at a forward corner of the intermediate shelf 6 and can move either backwardly and inwardly or forwardly and outwardly along the guiding track. It is, however, to be understood that other locking 10 members of different designs may be utilised.

Turning now to Figures 2 and 3, it is to be noted that support members 10 and 11 are provided at different heights on the frame member 3A of each fixed side wall 3 to support the rear part of the intermediate shelf 6 at different 15 selected heights. In the illustrated embodiment two support members 10 and 11 are provided on each fixed side wall 3, and thus, in this embodiment, the intermediate shelf may have two alternate heights above the base S. It is to be appreciated that more support members could be provided if it is desired for the intermediate shelf to have more alternate shelf heights.

It is to be appreciated that in the described embodiment the hinged side walls 2 are mounted, by hinges 12, on the frame member 3A of the fixed side walls 3.

25 A locking mechanism 13 is provided which is located adjacent the rear part of the frame. The locking mechanism 13 is to act to engage the rear end of the base 5, when the base 5 is in the vertical position, to retain the base 5 in the vertical position to facilitate storage and transportation of the roll pallet when empty.

On each of fixed side walls 3, extending between the frame member 3A and the track 7, support rails 16, 16A are provided, each of which has a downwardly extending recess or "niche". The locking members 8 of the 5 intermediate shelf 6 can be engaged within these niches when the intermediate shelf 6 is moved to a vertical position for storage or transportation of the roll pallet or for any other purpose. When the intermediate shelf is in this position, the intermediate shelf acts as a rear wall of the roll pallet. The intermediate shelf 6 may be located in this position before the base 5 is moved to the vertical 10 position.

It is to be appreciated that the provision of two support rails 16, 16A enables the position of the intermediate shelf, when it is forming the rear wall of the roll pallet, to be in one of two alternate positions, one position being higher than the 15 other. It is to be understood that there may be more supporting rails equivalent to the supporting rails 16 and 16A, if desired, to enable the intermediate shelf 6 to occupy one of a plurality of possible alternate positions.

As will become clearer from the following description, when the roll

20 pallet is to be collapsed from the assembled position as shown in Figure 1, initially the locking members a are dis-engaged from the wires of the mesh of the pivoted side walls 2, and a rear part of the intermediate shelf, which is engaged in the vertical tracks 7 is moved downwardly, and the intermediate shelf 6 is thus moved to a position in which the rear edge of the intermediate 25 shelf is located adjacent the base 4 and the intermediate shelf is itself substantially vertical. The base 5 of the roll pallet may then be hinged upwardly to become substantially vertical lying adjacent the vertical intermediate shelf 6. This is the condition of the roll pallet as shown in Figure 4.

As can be seen in Figure 5, after the intermediate shelf 6 has been placed in a vertical position and the base 5 has been pivoted upwardly to be in a vertical position, then the pivotally mounted side walls 2 may be hinged 5 inwardly to overlap each other. A first roll pallet may then be "rested" with another roll pallet by sliding the frame of the first roll pallet, from the rear, into the frame of the second roll pallet. A plurality of roll pallets may be "rested" in this way for storage or transportation.

10 Figure 6 is a side view of the roll pallet in the "collapsed" condition, ready for "resting" with another roll pallet. The intermediate shelf 6 is in a vertical position, and is retained in a vertical position by engagement of the locking member 8 in the niche of the supporting rail 16A which extends between the guiding track 7 and the frame member 3A of the fixed side wall 3, 15 and by the engagement of the lower part of the intermediate shelf with the track 7. Thus the intermediate shelf 6 cannot turn forwardly or backwardly.

The base 5 of the roll pallet, as well as the intermediate shelf 6, is in a vertical position at the rear part of the roll pallet. The pivoted side walls 2 have been turned inwardly to embrace each other.

As can be seen in Figure 7, the intermediate shelf 6 is in the vertical position. The intermediate shelf 6 is provided with transversely extending pins 15 which acts as a guiding element and a joint. Each pin 15 is situated at the rear end of the intermediate shelf, and it is to be appreciated that two pins 25 are provided, mounted on the opposed sides of the intermediate shelf. Each pin 15 extends between two round bars which are spaced apart to define the guiding track 7. The pin terminates with an enlarged flange 15A, which is located on the side of the bars forming the track 7 remote from the rest of the intermediate shelf 6, the flange being dimensioned so that it will not pass

between the round bars, thus acting to retain the intermediate shelf on the rest of the roll pallet.

It is to be appreciated that Figure 7 shows the structure of the S intermediate shelf 6 in some detail. The intermediate shelf 6 is formed from a substantially rectangular peripheral frame, the frame being provided with a meshwork which incorporates a plurality of wires 6A which extend in the direction of the depth of the pallet, the wires cooperating transverse support bars 6B which extend crosswise of the roll pallet to form a mesh.

At the front of the intermediate shelf 6, on each side, the locking member 8 consists of an elongate arm terminating with a hook-like configuration to engage part of the mesh of the pivoted side walls 2. The arm incorporates or is secured to at least one cylindrical bush 8A. The cylindrical 15 bush 8A is slideably mounted on the guiding track 9, the guiding track 9 being in the form of an elongate rod which is mounted in an appropriate position, extending, in a diagonal fashion, inwardly and rearwardly from each front corner of the intermediate shelf 6. Each locking member 8 may preferably have two spaced apart bushes 8A which engage the track 9.

The locking member 8 has two uses. A first use is to lock the intermediate shelf in a horizontal or "in use" position, with the hook shaped end of the locking member engaging part of the mesh of the pivoted side wall. A second function is to lock the intermediate shelf 6 in a substantially vertical 25 position when the roll pallet is collapsed for storage and transportation or, alternatively, when the roll pallet is used with the intermediate shelf 6 forming a substantially vertical rear wall for the roll pallet. It is appreciated in the latter case the intermediate shelf 6 can be placed into vertical position at one or more

selected heights. In Figure 7 the locking of the intermediate shelf in a vertical position is achieved by placing the locking member 8 onto the support rail 16.

As can also be seen from Figure 7, the base 5 is formed from a 5 peripheral frame, the frame being provided with connecting wires which extend in the direction of the depth of the roll pallet and transverse support bars SB which extend crosswise to the roll pallet to form a mesh. In the lower part of the base there is a locking pin 14. The locking pin 14 is dimensioned to be inserted into a slot provided in the locking mechanism 13 on the frame part 4 to 10 secure the base in a vertical position, when desired. It is to be noted that Figure 10 shows clearly the support member 10 of the intermediate shelf 6, the support member 10 being fixed onto the inner edge of the frame element 3A of the fixed side wall 3.

15 It is to be understood that the described roll pallet is to be used as follows. If the roll pallet is initially in the storage and transportation position as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the base 5 and the intermediate shelf 6 are initially in 20 a vertical position at the rear part of the roll pallet, and the pivoted side walls are turned inwardly against each other. The roll pallet occupies a minimum of space and can be engaged or nested with other roll pallets, in order to minimise storage and transportation costs.

25 When the roll pallet is to be used, initially the side walls are folded or pivoted open to extend directly forwardly from the fixed side walls 3, parallel with each other. Subsequently the base 5 is lifted, to dis-engage the locking pin 14 from the slot of the locking mechanism 13, and the base 5 is then turned

round its joint in a forward direction to occupy a horizontal position on top of the forward transverse bar of the frame 4.

If desired the roll pallet can be used in this configuration, the 5 intermediate shelf 6 being left in its vertical position. In this case the intermediate shelf 6 forms a rear wall for the roll pallet.

However, if the supporting function of the rear wall as constituted by the intermediate shelf 6 is needed at a greater height than that initially occupied by 10 the rear wall, the intermediate shelf may be lifted straight upwardly within the guiding tracks 7, and the intermediate shelf may be locked into a higher vertical position than its initial position by engaging the locking members 8 into the niche of the additional supporting rails 16A, the supporting rails 16A being higher than the supporting rails 16 which were used initially.

If the rear wall function is not needed, and could, for example, cause inconvenience, the locking members 8 are retracted, thus dis-engaging the locking members from the niches in the supporting rails 16, 16A, and the intermediate shelf 6 is turned around the axis defined by the pins 15 which are 20 at the lower part of the guiding tracks 7 so as to lie immediately on top of the base 5 of the roll pallet. With the roll pallet in this condition the intermediate shelf 6 is not in an obstructive position, and the intermediate shelf 6 forms a re-inforcement for the base of the roll pallet.

25 In the case where the intermediate shelf is needed as a shelf, the locking members 8 are retracted, so as to freer the intermediate shelf, and the intermediate shelf is lifted. As the shelf is lifted, the rear part of the intermediate shelf 6 is steered or guided by the pins 15 engaging the guiding tracks 7, which are situated at the rear part of the roll pallet. The intermediate

shelf may be turned about the axis defined by the joint pins 15 so as to occupy the desired height. As the shelf is pivoted to occupy a horizontal position so (as can be seen from Figure 2) a rear part of the shelf will overlie, and thus be supported by, the supporting members 10 or 11, depending upon the selected 5 height of the shelf. The locking members 8 may then be engaged with an appropriate part of the mesh of the pivoted side walls 2 so that the shelf is horizontal. The roll pallet may subsequently be collapsed back into its storage and 10 transportation position by returning both the intermediate shelf and the base 5 to the vertical position and locking the intermediate shelf 6 and the base 5 in the vertical position. Subsequently the pivoted side walls 2 may be pivoted inwardly against each other.

15 It is to be clear that the invention is not limited to the specific examples described above, and there may be variations within the scope of the Claims.

The locking and guiding mechanisms of the intermediate shelf may be different. Similarly the intermediate shelf can be placed in an inclined position so that the front end is lower than the rear end. In this case, the roll pallet can 20 be used, for example, for the display of products. To stop the products sliding down the inclined shelf 6 an extra support may be needed at the front end of the intermediate shelf. This may be a separate support which is pivoted to the leading edge of the intermediate shelf and which may be moved to an elevated position. Also it is to be understood that there may be more than two heights at 25 which the shelves may be placed and more than two heights for the vertical rear wall. Also it is to be noted that the way in which the base is locked in the vertical position may be modified.

In the present Specification "comprises" means "includes or consists of"

and "comprising" means "including or consisting of".

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following

5 Claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS:

5 1. A roll pallet suitable for the storage, distribution and/or display of products, the roll pallet having two fixed side walls, and a respective hinged side wall pivotally connected to each of the fixed side walls, there being a supporting frame equipped with wheels, a base hingedly mounted for pivotal movement relative to the frame and an intermediate shelf to be placed above 10 the base, there being guiding tracks provided at the rear part of the roll pallet, the intermediate shelf being mounted with a rear part of the intermediate shelf in engagement with the tracks for movement along the tracks, the tracks and the intermediate shelf being such that the intermediate shelf may occupy a forwardly directed "use" position.
2. A roll pallet according to Claim 1 wherein the guide tracks are substantially vertical, the guide tracks extending substantially from the base of the roll pallet upwards to the height of the uppermost desired position of the intermediate shelf.
3. An apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the intermediate shelf has a depth which is greater than the width of the pivoted side walls.
4. A roll pallet according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein on 25 each fixed side wall there is at least one support member, the support members being positioned to engage with the intermediate shelf to support the shelf when the shelf is in the use position.
5. An apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein there are a plurality of support members provided on each of the fixed side walls at predetermined heights. 5
6. An apparatus according to any of the preceding Claims wherein the intermediate shelf is fitted to the guiding tracks by connecting and guiding members, the connecting and guiding members serving to connect the intermediate shelf to the tracks and also to guide the intermediate shelf as the intermediate shelf moves relative to the guiding tracks.
7. An apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein the intermediate shelf is pivotally connected to the guiding tracks about the guiding and connecting members and is pivotally moveable from a substantially horizontal or use position to a substantially vertical position.
8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the intermediate shelf may be moved to an intermediate inclined position.
9. A roll pallet according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein a 20 lock is provided to maintain the hinged base in a vertical position.
10. A roll pallet according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the intermediate shelf is provided with a locking member to engage a hinged side wall to retain the intermediate shelf in the use position.
11. A roll pallet according to Claim 10 wherein there is at least one supporting member adjacent the rails to be engaged by the locking member to retain the intermediate support shelf in a substantially vertical position.
12. A roll pallet according to Claim 10 of Claim 11 wherein the locking the locking element is a hooked arm, the arm being supported by at least one bush mounted on a rod forming a guide track.
13. A roll pallet according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the intermediate shelf is moveable to a position directly overlying the base.
14. A method of adjusting an intermediate shelf on a roll pallet, suitable for 10 the storage distribution or display of products, the roll pallet being provided with side walls, a supporting frame provided with wheels, and a base mounted on the frame, the intermediate shelf having guide members engaging with guiding tracks provided at the rear part of the roll pallet, the method comprising the steps of altering the position of the intermediate shelf by lifting part of the
15 intermediate shelf upwardly whilst it is guided by the guiding tracks, and orienting the shelf in a substantially horizontal use position and supporting the shelf, at its front end, at a desired height, relative to the side walls of the roll pallet. 20 15. A method according to Claim 15 wherein support members are provided at the rear part of the roll pallet and, as the shelf is moved to the use position, the rear part of the intermediate shelf is lifted so that the guide members on the intermediate shelf rise upwardly, steered by the vertical guiding tracks, and the intermediate shelf is turned forward into its use position, with the rear part of 25 the shelf lying over and being supported by the support members provided at the rear part of the roll pallet.
16. A method according to Claim 14 or Claim 15 wherein the method comprises the step of subsequently taking the intermediate shelf out of the use

position, the method comprising the steps of turning the intermediate shelf towards the rear of the roll pallet over the support members, whilst the rear end of the intermediate shelf is steered downwardly by the guide members engaging the guiding tracks, the method comprising the step of locking the intermediate 5 shelf in the vertical position to form a rear wall of the pallet.
17. A method according to Claim 16 wherein the intermediate shelf is locked in a vertical position higher than an initial position by engaging the shelf with an additional support rail.
18. A method according to any one the preceding Claims wherein, after the intermediate shelf is in a vertical position, with the rear end of the intermediate shelf substantially at the lower end of the guiding tracks, the intermediate shelf is folded downwardly to occupy a substantially horizontal position on top of the 15 base of the roll pallet.
19. A method according to any one of Claims 14 to 18 wherein after the intermediate shelf is in a vertical position, the base of the roll pallet is pivoted to occupy a vertical position and is locked in position and the side walls of the 20 roll pallet are pivoted inwards towards each other in front of the intermediate shelf and the base.
20. A roll pallet substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
21. A method of adjusting an intermediate shelf substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
22. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.