GB2454529A

GB2454529A - Pallet for sheets of glass

Info

Publication number: GB2454529A
Application number: GB0722162A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Mcgee
Original assignee: Levy Brothers & Knowles Ltd
Current assignee: Levy Brothers & Knowles Ltd
Priority date: 2007-11-12
Filing date: 2007-11-12
Publication date: 2009-05-13
Anticipated expiration: 2027-11-12
Also published as: GB2454529B; GB0722162D0

Abstract

A support 10 formed of foldable material is suitable for supporting one or more articles, preferably sheets of glass, in an inclined position during transportation. The support 10 comprises an upright 27 having two opposed sloping walls 12, 14 against which opposing articles can lean, and a base 23 upon which the articles to be transported can be supported. A plurality of bearers 28 is located beneath the base 23, and the support 10 comprises one or more inserting members 20, 22 that fit into one or more bearers 28. Preferably the foldable material from which the support 10 is formed is cardboard. There may be provided a plurality of wedges 19, 21 at each side of the upright.

Description

Supports

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to supports.

More specifically it relates to supports that can be used for transporting articles.

Introduction

Certain articles such as glass panes or glazing can be fragile, but can also be very heavy. They can therefore be difficult to transport without breakage.

One of the most common ways of transportation panes is to use a wooden support, known in the trade as a "stillage", which has a frame against which panes of glass can be leant. The base of the stillage is generally similar to that of a pallet and therefore it allows easy access for a fork-lift truck.

The panes of glass/glazing are normally leant against inclined parts of the frame walls.

Typically the same number (or a similar number) of items are located on opposing sides so that the load is generally evenly distributed.

The panes can be secured in place by any desired means. The securing means may for example be in the form of ties, straps, wrapping, webbing, etc., as is well known in the art of transportation.

Stillages with panes of glass/glazing secured to them can then be transported. Typically they are initially lifted by a forklift truck and loaded onto lorries for subsequent transportation. They can then be unloaded from the lorries and moved by another forklift truck towards a desired area at the site of arrival The glass panes/glazing may of course be protected during transportation in various ways. This includes the use of spacers between adjacent panes, the use of protective packaging for the panes, the use of cushioning material, of wedges underneath the glass, etc. Thus the risk of accidental breakage can be reduced.

Although wooden stillages work well and are commonly used for transporting a wide range of articles (whether fragile or no-fragile), they can be expensive to manufacture. Typical costs are around �50 per support. They can also be bulky and expensive to store prior to use.

Stillages formed of moulded plastics are also known. However they are again expensive to manufacture and can be undesirable desirable environmentally.

A more unusual approach is to use a foldable material such as cardboard.

One such stillage is disclosed in FR 2783506. It has a planar base formed of cardboard and an upright frame having a cross section in the general form of an equilateral triangle. Sloping side walls from the side walls of the triangle. Glass/glazing units can be stacked against the side walls in approximately equal numbers.

This support does not however have optimal structural strength, especially at its base. It is therefore unsuitable for very high loads. Indeed cardboard supports (or support made out of other foldable materials) are still not widely used as stillages in the transportation industry.

The vast majority of supports used for transporting panes of glass/glazing are still wooden.

Supports of the present invention The present inventor has now devised a support that can be formed from a foldable material such as cardboard, but can have a high degree of structural strength.

According to the present invention there is provided a support formed of foldable material that is suitable for supporting one or more articles in an inclined position during transportation; wherein the support comprises an upright having two opposed sloping walls against which articles can lean, a base upon which the articles to be transported can be supported, and a plurality of bearers located beneath the base; and wherein the support comprises one or more inserting members that fit into one or more bearers.

Desirably the fit is a compression fit. Thus the inserting members may deform when pressed into position and can then remain lodged in place in a manner that avoids accidental displacement.

Preferably the inserting members fit into reinforced parts of the bearers. For example they may fit into cylindrical reinforcing members. These are well known in the art and are known as "cores".

The inserting members are desirably slightly larger than the inner diameter of the cores so that they need to deform when forced into place. As indicated earlier, this is useful in ensuring a secure fit.

Preferably at least two inserting members fit into a bearer, with at least one at either side of the upright.

More preferably there are at least two bearers that each receive at least two inserting members.

Most preferably every bearer receives at least two inserting members.

The inserting members are preferably tabs, but any other male members that can be inserted into the cores can be used.

Preferred inserting members extend downwardly from the side walls of the upright. Thus they can be inserted into the cores and used to fix the upright in place relative to the base.

In one embodiment of the invention the base comprises provides a platform at each side of the support, where each platform is formed by a foldable material that is folded over upon itself.

Folding can be used to produce opposed, sloping platforms, which assist where it is desired to stack units of material (e.g. glass/glazing) in a manner in which the units are leant against opposing sides of an upright. Such sloping platforms are not contemplated in FR 2783506.

The folded material preferably comprises ends with inserting members that can be inserted into the cores as aforesaid, thereby fixing the folded material in position.

Indeed, it is preferred that each core (or other receiving member present in the bearer) used to receive an inserting member from the upright also receives an inserting member from the folded over portion of the base. Thus each such core may receive two inserting members.

Such an approach is again simply not considered in FR 2783506.

Indeed the approach of the present inventor of providing inserting retaining members that fit into cores provided in bearers is a very elegant and practical one. It can be used to provide a strong yet lightweight structure at very low cost. Furthermore the structure can be made on site when needed from flat templates, as discussed later. Thus storage space can be optimised Supports of the present invention can preferably be used to support at least 100kg at either side of the upright and still remain intact and usable.

More preferably they can be used to support at least 200kg, at least 300kg, or at least 400kg at either side.

Most preferably they can be used to support at least 550kg at least 600 kg or at least 750kg at either side.

For large weights multilayered materials are preferred (e.g. double layered, triple layered or higher).

Fluted, multilayered material is most preferred. Different flute sizes can be used for different weights.

Preferably a support of the present invention is formed of a relatively light, flexible material (when compared to existing wood stillages), such as cardboard.

It is surprising that such large weights can be provided using cardboard. C is also advantageous in that it is biodegradable and is re-usable.

However, any suitable foldable material can be used, including foldable plastics, card, stiff foldable fabrics, etc. The material may be treated if desired. For example it may be coated, laminated, impregnated, etc. This can be done for various purposes, including weatherproofing, strengthening andlor preservation.

Desirably the cores, bearers, side walls, base (and other major components such as end walls, wedges, etc., as discussed later on) are formed of the same foldable material.

Preferably the support also comprises end walls. These can further contribute to structural strength.

If desired, the support may also comprise a plurality of apertures for receiving securing means that can be used to secure articles to the support.

The articles may rest upon sloping platforms. However it is important to note that it is not essential to provide sloping platforms.

For some applications horizontal platforms may be satisfactory.

If it is desired to incline articles, then wedges can be used in an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Here it is preferred that a plurality of wedges are present at either side of the upright.

The wedges may be attached to a horizontal platform or, more preferably, may be attached to bearers. In the latter case apertures may be provided in a platform and may be shaped for receiving said wedges. The provision of wedges can be useful in minimising costs, because if a support is intended to be large then a correspondingly large amount of material would be needed if sloping platforms were to be provided by folding over parts of the base as described earlier.

Templates In addition to supports, the present invention includes various templates that can be used to make a support (or to make parts of a supports, e.g. the base and/or upright). The templates se can be shaped accordingly.

They can also have fold lines positioned accordingly, if required.

Base Template The base of the support is preferably formed from a generally planar template by folding over the flexible material and inserting one or more tabs into corresponding apertures in the template.

For example the template for the base may be a piece of generally rectangular material that has one or more of tabs at each of two opposing sides. It may comprise a plurality of apertures located between the opposing sides. This template is sometimes referred to herein as the "base template" (see e.g. Figure 4, as described in detail later on).

A first side of the base template may be folded over so that the one or more tabs can be pushed into one or more apertures that were located a predetermined distance from the tabs prior to folding. Folding may, for example, be via two fold lines, which, when folded, provide an edge for the support. A sloping platform for the support may then be formed from a region of the folded material that runs from the top of the edge down towards the apertures in which the tabs are located.

A second side can be folded over in the corresponding manner. Thus one or more tabs from the second side can then be pushed into one or more apertures that were located a predetermined distance from the tabs of the second side prior to folding. Again, folding can be done via two fold lines to provide an edge. The sloping platform can again be formed from a region of the folded material that runs from the top of the edge down towards the apertures in which the tabs are located.

Preferably each side has a plurality of tabs and the plurality of tabs fit into a corresponding row of apertures. Thus the template for the base may have first and second rows of apertures for receiving first and second sets of tabs, respectively.

It is however important to appreciate that many other base templates are possible. For example a base template may be provided that is not folded. This is described in detail later, with reference to Figure 12. Here wedges are used, rather than inclined platforms, arid the template comprises apertures shaped for receiving the wedges in a manner so that they can be secured to bearers.

It is also possible to provide a base template with additional components.

For example the template may include one or more regions shaped to form end walls in the finished support. (This can be appreciated by analogy with Figure 9, which shows an upright template that comprises two end wall portions. One or both of the end wall portions could of course be supplied via the base template instead.) Bearers are preferably attached to the base template. Wedges may also be attached Upright template Another generally planar template may be provided that can be used to form the side walls and top of the support. This template is sometimes referred to herein as the "upright template". It may also be generally rectangular and may also have one or more tabs located at each of two opposing ends. It may have one or more fold lines.

For example a single fold line may be used to fold the upright template at a central position so that a ridge can be provided.

More preferably, however, two fold lines are provided that can be used to fold the upright template so that the region between the two fold lines provides a flat roof. Here the two fold lines are preferably substantially parallel with one another. This is illustrated in Figure 4, which will be described later in further detail.

Two side walls are formed by the regions of the upright template located at either side of the apex or flat roof.

One or more tabs (derived from the one or more tabs at opposite ends of the upright template prior to folding) are located at the bottom of each side wall. These can then be inserted into the same apertures as the tabs of the base template. Preferably the side walls each have a plurality of tabs that fit into a row of apertures in the base.

It is however important to appreciate that many other upright templates are possible. For example the template may include one or more regions shaped to form end walls in the finished support. This is illustrated in Figure 9, which shows an upright template that comprises two end wall portions.

End wall templates As indicated earlier end wall portions can conveniently be incorporated into base and/or upright templates. However one or more end wall templates may be provided separately.

Preferred end wall templates are generally triangular or generally trapeziform, given that the side walls will be sloping in opposing directions and the end walls connect the side walls.

Figure 10 shows a support in which the end walls are formed by generally trapeziform templates of cardboard that have been stapled in place. However if the support shown had a pointed rather than a sloping roof the end walls could be generally triangular instead Other templates Many variations are of course possible. For example the side walls of an upright may each be formed of separate templates that are subsequently connected together (e.g. by tabs, adhesive.

stapling, etc).

It is preferred however that there a single base template and a single upright template. These templates may incorporate end walls as described previously, or end wall templates may be provided separately, if desired.

It is even possible to provide a single piece of material from which all templates my be cut out from guides or punched/pressed out.

For convenience, however, templates are preferably provided to a user in a form in which they are already appropriately shaped for use in constructing a support of the present invention.

They may additionally have one or more fold lines (if required), as discussed previously Kits The invention also includes various kits.

For example it includes a kit comprising one or more templates and instructions for using the one or more templates to form a support of the present invention (or a part thereof).

Preferably the kit comprises a plurality of templates.

For example it may comprise at least a base template and an upright template as described earlier.

The kit may also include one or more of the following components: a) one or more bearers (preferably at least two) b one or more end wall templates (preferably two) c) attachment means (e.g. a stapler, glue, single or double side adhesive tape, etc.) d) securing means for securing articles to the support (e.g. one or more ties, belts, fasteners or wrappings) e) one or more wedges (preferably at least two) Methods offorming supports The present invention also includes various methods.

One such method is a method of forming a support of the present invention by using one or more templates of the present invention and/or by using a kit of the present invention.

Preferably a plurality of templates are connected together to form said support.

More preferably the method includes inserting a plurality of tabs into a plurality of apertures.

In one method the following steps are included: a) forming a base by folding over two ends of a base template and inserting tabs present at said ends into apertures in said template, said tabs extending into bearers located underneath the base; and b) forming an upright by folding an upright template and inserting tabs of the upright into apertures in the base formed by step a); said tabs also extending into the bearers In an alternative method the base template is not folded over but it comprises apertures into which wedges are placed and are secured to bearers. The upright is formed by folding an upright template and inserting tabs of the upright into other apertures in the base; said tabs extending into the bearers.

Methods of transportation/securing articles In addition to methods of forming the support, the invention includes methods in which the support is used for transportation Thus a further method of the present invention is a method comprising placing one or more articles onto a support of the present invention and transporting the support with the one or more articles thereon from a first location to a second location.

Preferred articles for transportation are articles that can stack against one another in an inclined position. Desirably they are generally planar.

Thus for example glass panes, glazed items, tiles, mirrors, metal plates, doors, windows, etc. can all be conveniently transported using a support of the present invention. The invention is particularly suitable for transporting works of art, such as paintings or prints.

The support is not limited to the above uses. Indeed it is not even limited to transporting generally planar articles, but can be used to transport a wide range of articles, where the article or a package containing the article (e.g. a box) can be secured to the upright of the support or leant against it.

Thus for example engineering components, motor vehicle parts, etc can all be transported using the present invention.

Indeed the support can be therefore be used in transporting a wide range of fragile or non fragile materials. Dimensions of the support and/or securing means can of course be adjusted accordingly for different shaped articles. If desired cushioning (e.g. bubble wrap) or spacers may also be provided In an alternative embodiment the sloping sides of the upright may be used primarily for display purposes. Thus for example advertising or promotional material may be secured thereto (or printed thereon). The support may then be placed on display at a desired location or may be used for mobile display (e.g. upon a trailer).

Various non-limiting examples of supports of the present invention will now be described overleaf.

Examples

Having described the invention in general terms, it will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings; wherein: Figure 1 shows a cross section through one embodiment of a support of the present invention Figure 2 shows a view facing one side of the support shown in Figure 1 Figure 3 shows a template this is shaped and has fold lines positioned so that it can he used to form the side walls and top of the support shown in Figures 1 and 2 Figure 4 shows a template this is shaped and has fold lines positioned so that it can be used to form the base of the support shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 5 is a schematic partial view showing how tabs at the base of the side wall and a tab of a part of the base that is folded over on itself both fit into the same aperture. A bearer is shown underneath the base. For ease of illustration the bearer is spaced from the base, although in practice it would be secured thereto.

Figure 6 is a partial cross sectional view showing the tabs fitting into the same aperture. In this view the bearer is shown attached to the base.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the invention in which end walls are present.

Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in which end walls are present Figure 9 shows a template useful in forming the upright and end walls of the embodiment shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 shows an embodiment similar to that shown in Figure 7, apart from the fact that wedges are used rather than sloping platforms.

Figure 11 shows an embodiment similar to that shown in Figure 8, apart from the fact that wedges are used rather than sloping platforms.

Figure 12 shows a template useful in forming the base of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 10.

Turning now to Figures 1 and 2, a support of the present invention 10 is shown, which has an upright 27 that comprises two opposing sloping side walls 12, 14 and a flat top 16. The support also has a base 23 and a plurality of bearers 28 attached underneath the base 23. The base 23 comprises two opposing sloped platforms 19, 21, two side edges 18 and a floor 25.

It can be seen that the support 10 is symmetrical about two axes. One of these is an axis A that runs between the side walls. Another is an axis B that bisects the side walls.

The symmetry of the support 10 is useful in facilitating an even distribution of weight. It also assists in assembly because templates used to make the support 10 (described later) can also be symmetrical and this aids in folding.

Various angles (a, 13, 0 and y) are shown) in Figure 1.

In the embodiment illustrated the angle a between the sloping walls of the upright 12, 14 and the sloping platforms 19, 21 of the base 23 is a right angle. In practice however this may vary from an exact right angle (e.g. within +1-20 0 more preferably within +1-100 and most preferably within +1-5°).

The sloping platforms 19, 21 slope in opposite directions from one another are at an angle 13 that is typically between 50 and 30°.

The angle 0 between the inner edge of a sloping wall and the floor of the base is typically between 60° and 85°) The other angle shown in Figure 1 (y) is the angle between the inner edge of a sloping wall and the top of the upright. This is typically between 95 and 120°.

Turning back to the base 23, this allows several panes of glass or other articles (which may be in packages and/or have spacers or cushioning in between) to be stacked on each platform 19, 21 in a manner so that they can lean against sloping side walls 12, 14.

The bearers 28 serve to raise the base 23 above ground level and are reinforced with upright cylindrical tubes known as "cores" 24 (see also Figure 8). The cores 24 are resistant to compression. They therefore increase the structural strength of the bearers 28 and allow large weights to be supported.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 the walls 12, 14 and top 16 are formed from a single pre-shaped piece of cardboard 29, referred to herein as the "upright template" 29 (in contrast with the "base template" 31, which will be described later) This is several layers thick for increased strength and is also fluted.

An upright template 29 is shown in Figure 3. It is generally rectangular, and has tabs 22 at opposing ends that are shaped to fit into slots 32 in the base 23 (not shown in Figure 3).

Putative walls 12, 14 and top 16 are demarcated on the upright template 29 by two fold lines 30.

(The region that will become the top 16 is located between the two fold lines 30. The regions that will become the two sloping side walls 12, 14 are located at either side of the two fold lines.) The fold lines 30 may be pre-creased or scored to aid folding. Alternatively they may simply be marked so that they provide a guide to folding.

Thus, when the upright template 29 has been folded along the two fold lines 30 and the tabs 22 have been inserted into slots 32 in the base 23, the sloping side walls 12, 14 and planar top 16 are formed. (The base 23 is normally formed first from the base template 31, with bearers 28 attached thereto, as described later.) In an alternative, but less preferred, embodiment there is a single central fold line 30, and therefore a ridge is formed rather than a flat top 16.

It can be seen from Figure 3 that the upright template 29 is symmetrical about a central axis that lies parallel to the fold lines and is located mid-way between them. This is the Y axis shown in the figure. The template 29 is also symmetrical about an axis that lies at right angles to the X axis and bisects the fold lines 30. This is the X axis shown in the figure. Thus the template has two-fold symmetry.

The template 31 that is used for the base 23 (the "base template") is shown in Figure 4. It is also formed from a piece of cardboard that is generally rectangular, several layers thick and has tabs and fold lines 30. Like the upright template 29 shown in Figure 3 it is symmetrical about X and Y axes and therefore has two-fold symmetry.

Opposing ends of the base template 31 can be folded over on themselves via fold lines 30.

There are two pairs of these fold lines 30 that are each spaced a given distance from the closest set of tabs and closest fold line. The region between each set of fold lines will ultimately form an edge 18 of the base 23. The regions to the left and to the right of the outermost fold lines 30 will ultimately form the sloping platforms 19, 21 of the base 23.The central region between the innermost fold lines 30 will ultimately form the floor 25 of the base 23.

Prior to constructing the base 23 from the base template 31, bearers 28 (not shown in Figure 4) will normally be attached underneath the template as described later. In an alternative embodiment the base template 31 may be provided with the bearers 28 already attached, so as to speed up assembly.

The tabs 20 can then be pushed into corresponding slots 32 in the base template. These slots also receive tabs 22 of the sloping side walls (described earlier, with reference to Figure 3) A tight fit is therefore achieved and the tabs 20, 32 are therefore not likely to become accidentally displaced from the slots 32.

Figure 5 is useful in showing an enlarged view of two tabs 20, 22 and a common slot 32 in the base into which the tabs 20, 22 fit. It also shows a slot 34 in a bearer 28 located below the base into which the tabs also fit. The fit is again a tight one, preventing accidental disengagement.

Of course, Figure 5 simply shows a schematic, exploded view. In practice the bearer 34 is attached to the floor 25 of the base 23. Attachment can be by any appropriate means including adhesive, double-sided tape, stapling, etc., as is known in the art.

Figure 5 is also useful in showing preferred flute directions. The flutes of the cardboard used to form the sloping side walls 12, 14 run along the direction of the slope, as illustrated by arrow 40. The flutes of the cardboard used to form the sloping platforms 19, 21 also run along the direction of the slope, as illustrated by arrow 36. The flutes of the cardboard used to form the horizontal floor 25 run at right angles to the rows of slots 32 in the base in which the tabs are inserted, as illustrated by arrow 38.

The slots 34 in the bearers that receive tabs 20, 22 lead into the cores 24, as can best be seen in Figure 6. (In practice the tabs 20, 22 will normally extend down to the base of the cores 24, although this is not shown in the figures for ease of illustration.) This figure, like Figures 1 and 2, is also useful in showing that the bearers 28 are attached to the underside of the base 23 in the finished support.

In the embodiment shown each bearer 28 has four cores 24, which act to reinforce the strength and rigidity of the bearer 28. Two inner cores 24 act to receive tabs as well as to provide rigidity at a relatively central portion of the support. Two outer cores provide rigidity at edge portions of the support 28.

Each bearer 28 has two horizontal slots 26. These are shaped and spaced appropriately for receiving a fork of a fork lift truck (not shown). Thus horizontal slots 26 in successive bearers 28 are aligned with one another so that a fork can pass through slots in a plurality of bearers.

Thus a fork lift truck can be positioned at either end of the support 10 to lift it. Alternatively the fork lift truck can be positioned at either side of the support to 10 lift it, because the fork can be slid underneath the base 23 from either side in a manner so that the blades of the fork are positioned between bearers 28.

Turning now to further features of the support 10, preferably the support 10 includes end walls located at positions 11 and 13 shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The end walls 11, 13 can be formed of appropriately shaped cardboard pieces that can be attached by any suitable means, including gluing stapling, use of slots and tabs etc. End walls 11, 13 can further enhance rigidity and structural strength. If desired the end walls 11, 13 may have flanges tabs or other additional material for aiding in attachment to other components.

Figures 7 shows one embodiment in which end walls 11, 13 are attached to side walls 12, 14 and to a base 23 via staples 41.

Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment in which tabs 42 are used to connect end walls 11, 13 with aside wall 14.

As can be seen from Figure 9 the end walls 11, 13 in respect of the embodiment shown in Figure 8 are formed from a template 45 that is used to form the upright 27. In addition to tabs 42 for insertion into slots 44 in a side wall 14, the upright template 45 comprises tabs 46 for insertion into cores. (Cores are not shown in Figure 9, but are described earlier with reference to Figures 1 and 6, for example).

Of course an alternative option would be to provide a side wall with tabs that fit into apertures in an end wall. This is also within the scope of the present invention.

Turning now to Figure 10 this is similar to Figure 7, apart from the fact that wedges 48 are provided rather than sloping platforms. This can be useful in reducing the amount of material needed and thereby in reducing costs. The wedges 48 pass through apertures 50 in horizontal platforms 52 and are attached to bearers underneath the platforms 52. Any suitable attachment means can be used, (e.g. double side sticky tape).

Figure 11 also shows wedges 48 being used rather than sloping platforms and is an alternative to the embodiment shown in Figure 8. Here four rather than two wedges 48 are shown (compare with Figure 10). The number of wedges 48 can vary with different embodiments. However it is preferred that if wedges 48 are present then there are at least two wedges 48 at each side of the upright 27.

Figure 12 shows a generally rectangular template 54 for the horizontal platforms 52 shown in Figure 11. This template has rectangular cut out portions 50 for receiving the wedges 48. It also has slots 44 for receiving tabs of the upright portion.

The support of the present invention preferably also includes a plurality of additional apertures (not shown) through which securing means (e.g. ties or straps) for securing glass (or other objects) in place on the support can pass.

Additional apertures can be located at any convenient locations. Preferably they are located in the side walls atlclose to ends thereof. They may conveniently be provided by tabs that can be opened. A pair of apertures may be spaced apart horizontally by a sufficient distance to allow securing means to be secured around several pieces of glass. A plurality of pairs of apertures may be provided in each side wall.

Glossary Various terminology used herein will now be described in further detail below: Template This is a piece of material that has been cutlformed into a desired shape that is adapted for use in the construction of a support of the present invention (preferably in conjunction with other templates). Templates preferably include a plurality of tabs. They may also include a plurality of apertures and/or one or more fold lines, if desired.

Foldable material This is a material that can be folded without substantial breaking or tearing.

Rectangular This includes both rectangles and squares. The term generally rectangular includes items that have an overall rectangular appearance although they may not be exactly rectangular. Thus, for example, items with additional tabs, apertures, etc. are included.

Horizontal When this term is used in relation to the support it is used in connection with the horizontal axis when the support is standing in an upright position on level ground.

Upright This is a part of a support comprising side walls against which articles can be leaned.

Bearers These are members located underneath the base of a support of the present invention. The presence of these members allows the base to be in a raised position on the ground. The bearers are generally elongate. They may be reinforced Leant/Lean A plurality of articles may be "lean" against or be "leant" against sloping side walls of the support of the present invention. These terms do not means that each article that is supported needs to contact a sloping wall of an upright, but simply means that the articles can be positioned at an angle to the horizontal and supported in this position by the wall (either directly or indirectly). For example a row of articles may "lean" against a sloping side wall but only the first one may contact the wall. Indeed if the articles are individually packaged or if protective spacers / cushioning is present, as is often the case for fragile articles, then even the article closest to a sloping side wall need not contact the wall directly.

Claims

Claims 1. A support formed of foldable material that is suitable for supporting one or more articles in an inclined position during transportation; wherein the support comprises an upright having two opposed sloping walls against which opposing articles can lean, a base upon which the articles to be transported can be supported, and a plurality of bearers located beneath the base; and wherein the support comprises one or more inserting members that fit into one or more bearers.
2. A support according to any preceding claim; wherein said fit is a compression fit.
3. A support according to claim 1 or claim 2 that is formed of multilayered material.
4. A support according to any preceding claim; wherein at least two inserting members fit into a bearer.
5. A support according to any preceding claim; wherein there are at least two bearers that each receive at least two inserting members.
6. A support according to any preceding claim; wherein there are a plurality of bearers and each bearer receives at least two inserting members.
7. A support according to any preceding claim; wherein the inserting members fit into reinforced parts of the bearers.
8. A support according to any preceding claim; wherein the reinforced parts of the bearers are tubular.
9. A support according to claim 7 or claim 8; wherein the reinforced parts are cylindrical.
10. A support according to any preceding claim; wherein the inserting members, or a least some of them, extend downwardly from the side walls of the upright.
11. A support according to any preceding claim; wherein the base provides a platform at each side of the support and each platform is formed by a foldable material that is folded back upon itself.
12. A support according to claim 11; wherein the platforms are sloping platforms, with each platform sloping in an opposite direction.
13. A support according to claim 11; wherein each sloping platform is substantially at right angles to an adjacent sloping wall.
14. A support according to any of claims 11 to 13; wherein at least one bearer receives at least two inserting members from the folded back material.
15. A support according to claim 14; wherein a plurality of bearers (e.g. all bearers) each receive two inserting members from the folded back material and two inserting members that extend downwardly from the side walls.
16. A support according to claim 14 or claim 15; wherein the inserting members are located in reinforced parts of the one or more bearers.
17. A support according to any preceding claim; wherein each bearer that receives inserting members in reinforced parts thereof also comprises reinforced parts that do not receive inserting members.
18 A support according to any preceding claim wherein said inserting members are tabs.
19. A support according to any preceding claim comprising one or more wedges.
20. A support according to claim 19 comprising a plurality of wedges at each side of the upright.
21. A support according to claim 19 or 20 comprising a flat platform; wherein the upper surface of the wedges is located above the flat platform.
22. A support according to any preceding claim comprising a flat top.
23. A support according to any preceding claim that also comprises two end walls.
24. A support according to any preceding claim that is formed of cardboard.
25. A support according to claim 24; wherein the cardboard is fluted and the direction of fluting runs along the direction of the slope of the sloping walls andlor wherein the platforms are sloping and the direction of fluting runs along the direction of the slopes of the platforms.
26. A support according to any preceding claim that also comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving securing means that can be used to secure on or more articles to the support.
27 A template that can be used to make a support according to any of claims I to 26 or that can be used to make at least part of said support.
28. A template according to claim 27 comprising a plurality of tabs and, optionally, at least one fold line.
29. A template according to claim 27 or claim 28 that is a template for the base of the support.
30. A template according to any of claims 27 or 29 that has one or more apertures positioned for receiving one or more tabs.
31. A template according to claim 29 or claim 30; wherein the template comprises two pairs of fold lines positioned so that edges of the base can be formed by regions between the fold lines.
32. A template to claims 30 or claim 31 that comprises two rows of apertures positioned for receiving tabs.
33. A template according to any of claims 29 to 32 that has one or more bearers attached thereto.
34. A template according to any of claims 27 to 33 comprising one or more apertures shaped for receiving one or more wedges.
35. A template according to claim 27 that is a template for an upright of the support.
36. A template according to claim 35 that has a central fold line that is positioned so that it can form a ridge at the top of the support.
37. A template according to claim 35 that has two fold lines positioned so that a flat top of the support can be formed by the region between the two fold lines.
38. A template according to any of claims 35 to 37 that comprises a plurality of apertures for receiving securing means to secure one or more articles to the support.
39. A template according to any of claims 27 to 38 that incorporates one or more end walls of the support.
40. A template according to claim 27 that is a template for an end wall of the support.
41. A kit comprising one or more templates according to any of claims 27 to 40.
42. A kit according to claim 41 comprising a plurality of templates
43. A kit according to claim 42 comprising at least two templates; wherein one template is shaped to form the base of the support and the other template is shaped to form the upright.
44. A kit according to claim 43; wherein at least one of the templates also incorporates one or two end walls.
45. A kit according to any of claims 41 to 44, wherein said kit also includes one or more of the following components: a) instructions for use in making the support b) one or more bearers c) one or more end walls d) attachment means e) one or more wedges
46. A method of forming a support according to any of claim I to 26 comprising using one or more templates as described in any of claims 27 to 40, or a kit as described in any of claims 41 to 45, to form said support.
47. A method according to claim 46; wherein the method includes folding at least one template and connecting together at least two templates.
48. A method according to claim 46 or 47 that includes the step of inserting one or more tabs into one or more apertures.
49. A method according to any of claims 46 to 48 wherein a plurality of bearers are attached to the base.
50. A method comprising placing one or more articles onto a support according to any of claims 1 to 26 and moving the support with the one or more articles thereon from a first location to a second location.
51. A support according to any of claims I to 26 comprising one or more articles supported thereon.
52. A support according to claim 51; wherein the one or more articles are secured to the support.
53. The use of a support according to any of claims 1 to 26 to display material
54. A vehicle transporting a support according to any of claims 1 to 26, 51 or 52.
55. The invention substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.