ITVE20130002A1 - PALLET PERFECTED WITH ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS. - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

"Improved pallet with assemblable components" The present invention relates to an improved pallet with assemblable components.

Metal or plastic pallets are known for the storage and transport of goods. For a long time they have joined the traditional wooden pallets, and indeed are often preferred to them in various sectors, for a series of performances such as price, feasibility with automated equipment, compliance with international standards, etc.

However, currently known metal or plastic pallets are not completely satisfactory both in terms of weight and capacity ratio and in terms of overall dimensions. In particular, the latter is a critical factor during the transport phase of the unloaded pallet and, precisely to overcome this problem, modular pallets have been proposed at the time of use. Despite this, the known modular pallets are still expensive to make as well as particularly complex to assemble since, having to be assembled at the time of use, they require specific equipment.

The purpose of the invention is to realize a modular pallet that has an optimal ratio between weight and capacity as well as a remarkable structural rigidity and stability.

Another purpose of the invention is to make a pallet which, in the disassembled configuration, has reduced overall dimensions.

Another purpose of the invention is to make a pallet that is easy to make and of low cost.

Another purpose of the invention is to make a pallet that can be assembled by the user in a simple and fast way without the use of special equipment.

These objects and others which will emerge from the following description are achieved, according to the invention, with an improved pallet according to claim 1.

The present invention is further clarified hereinafter in some of its preferred embodiments reported for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the pallet according to the invention in a first embodiment,

figure 2 shows it in the same view as fig. 1 with a platform having a different embodiment,

figure 3 shows an enlarged and partially sectioned perspective view of a detail of the platform of the pallet of fig. 1,

figure 4 shows in perspective view the body of a base of the pallet, figure 5 shows it in an exploded perspective view in a different embodiment,

figure 6 shows it in the same view as fig. 5 in assembled configuration, figure 7 shows an enlarged and sectioned detail of the coupling between floor and base,

figure 8 is a perspective view of the base of the plinth, and

figure 9 shows an enlarged and sectioned detail of the coupling between the base and the body of the plinth.

As can be seen from the figures, the improved pallet 2 according to the invention substantially comprises two distinct types of components: a platform 4 and three bases 6, each comprising a body 8 and a base 10. Each component can be made of metal sheet or in plastic material suitable for the purpose. Preferably, the components are made by molding a steel sheet having a thickness substantially comprised between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm.

The platform 4 has a substantially rectangular shape and has a plurality of stiffening grooves. More in detail, the platform 4 shown in fig. 1 is affected by a perimeter groove 12, by a plurality of longitudinal grooves 14 and by grooves 16 at â € œXâ € integrated by a series of grooved sections 18. A pallet with a platform 4 having these characteristics has a dynamic capacity of approximately 1500 kg, if made with a 0.3-0.4 mm thick sheet.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the platform 4 is affected by a perimeter groove 12 and by a plurality of parallel transverse grooves 20. A pallet with a platform 4 having these characteristics has a dynamic capacity of about 1500 kg, if made with a sheet of 0.6 mm thick.

It should be noted that by `` dynamic load '' we mean the weight that the pallet can withstand during handling, for example by forklift, or on shelving (`` rack ''), and that is the weight that can be supported by the pallet supported by the its side edges on a shelving unit.

Preferably, the perimeter edge 22 of the platform 4 is first folded down to form a band 24 and then to the outside and then upwards to define a folded edge 26 having a slightly rounded profile, as is well visible in fig. 7. This folded edge 26 allows to eliminate the inconveniences otherwise caused by a sharp free edge and, at the same time, to substantially double the thickness of the edge, thus making the portions of the platform that come into contact with the tines of the forklift during the phases of engagement, lifting and transport of the pallet.

The body 8 of the hooves 6 has an elongated shape and has three raised hollow portions 28, with a slightly truncated cone shape, arranged in the center and at the ends of the body itself. This allows that when the platform 4 is coupled with the plinths 6, the two spaces delimited by the three raised portions 28 of these define two gaps 30, within which the tines of a lifter can be inserted.

The body 8 can be made in a single mold or from several parts of sheet metal printed separately and then mutually constrained. More in detail, as seen in figs. 5 and 6, the body 8 is formed by two lateral half-portions 29a and 29b with longitudinal development and mirroring each other, which are mutually joined by seaming or riveting or other joining techniques. The whole of these two half portions 29a and 29b defines the side walls of the raised portions 28 as well as the longitudinal connecting sections 31 between the latter. Furthermore, the upper base 38 of the raised portions 28 is also made separately; more particularly, the upper base 38 embraces both the two sheet metal half-portions 29a and 29b at the top of the raised portions 28 and is linked to these by a series of tabs which are formed in the edge of the upper base 38 and snap into engagement within slots provided in the upper band 33 of the half portions 29a and 29b.

Advantageously, depressed seats, not shown, can be provided on the side walls of the raised portions 28 for the application of a label for radio-frequency identification (RFID), containing data relating to the products loaded on the pallet. 2 and can be interfaced with suitable devices for reading / writing said data.

In the example described and represented in the figures, the pallet 2 has three baseboards 6, which are associated with the platform 4 in correspondence with shaped areas 32 of the latter. In particular, these shaped areas 32 of the platform are located in the center of the same and in proximity to its four vertices and the four midpoints of its sides.

More in detail, as seen in fig. 3, in correspondence with each shaped area 32, the platform 4 has a protuberance 34 with a slightly truncated cone shape, which is surrounded by a depressed annular band 36 having a depth equal to that of the perimeter groove 12.

The upper base 38 of each raised portion 28 of the plinths 6 is intended to be coupled within the corresponding shaped area 32 of the platform 4. More in detail, said upper base 38 has a central protuberance 40, having substantially the same shape and the same dimensions. of each of the protuberances 34 of the platform 4 and is intended to be inserted, from below, into the latter. Furthermore, the central protuberance 40 is surrounded by a series of protruding portions 42, separated from each other by hollowed portions 44, destined to receive the corresponding depressed annular band 36 of the platform 4. In this way, an interlocking bond with several points between the platform 4 and the plinths 6 and a considerable stability of coupling and restraint is guaranteed over the entire surface of the platform 4.

Preferably, the band 24 of the perimeter edge 22 of the platform 4 protrudes laterally beyond the external vertical wall of the raised portions 28 of the baseboards 6, so that a space 25 is left between them. In this way, when a cover made of heat-shrinkable material It is applied to the pallet, and is subjected to a heat source, it retracts and is inserted within the step defined by the space 25 adhering to the walls that define said space; this is particularly advantageous as it makes accidental removal of the cover more difficult.

Thanks to the slightly truncated cone shape of the protuberances 34 and 40, respectively of the platform 4 and of each raised portion 28 of the baseboards 6, they allow a mutual self-centering coupling; however this can be obtained even if these protuberances 34 and 40 form slightly truncated pyramidal.

At the top of each protuberance 34 of the platform 4 there are then two parallel notches which define a section 46 folded centrally in a "V" downwards shape and equipped on the lateral edges with engagement teeth 48. At the top of the protuberance instead central 40 of the baseboards 6 are defined two tabs 50 folded downwards, facing each other and mutually separated by a slot which extends substantially in the same direction as the V-shaped section.

At the moment of coupling between the base 6 and the floor 4, when each central protuberance 40 of the base enters the corresponding protuberance 34 of the floor, the fins 50 yield elastically downwards under the thrust of the `` V '' section 46 until defining sufficient space for the passage of the section itself. Once the section 46 has penetrated between the fins 50, these tend to return elastically towards the rest configuration, engaging with the teeth 48 and constituting a further stable and irreversible snap constraint between the platform 4 and the base 6.

The base 10 of the plinth 6 has the shape of an elongated and longitudinally ribbed strip and, in addition to giving high rigidity to the pallet, it allows to define a lower support surface wider than that defined by the lower edge 52 of the body 8 of the plinths alone. 6. More particularly, the base 10 shows a perimeter stiffening rib 54 and a central longitudinal rib 56, which extends along the entire length of the base 10 itself. The perimeter rib 54 of the base 10 comes into lateral contact with the internal wall of the body 8 of the base 6. Furthermore, the perimeter rib 54 has the external edge 60 turned outwards which acts as a support for the lower edge 52 of the body. 8 of the plinth 6. Preferably this lower edge 52 is folded upwards by 180 ° according to the same methods described above with reference to the folded edge 26 of the platform 4.

Furthermore, the perimeter rib 54 of the base 10 has flaps 62, folded upwards, which embrace the corresponding lower edge 58 of the body 8 of the base 6, improving the bond between the two. Equally advantageously, openings 64 are defined in the perimeter rib 54 of the base 10, within which tongues 66 formed in proximity to the lower edge 58 of the body 8 of the base 6 are snapped into place.

In the example described there are three plinths 6, however it is possible that, depending on the needs, only two plinths or possibly even more than three are provided.

Before assembly of the pallet, the components of the same type are stored in a stacked condition, i.e. the platforms 4 are stacked with other platforms, the bases 10 of the plinths 6 are stacked with other bases and the bodies 8 of the bases are stacked with others bodies. Preferably, the different components are affected by spacing bosses, in order to facilitate the separation of each component at the time of its individual withdrawal.

From what has been said it is clear that the pallet according to the invention is much more advantageous than the traditional ones and, in particular, the assembly / assembly operation is rather simple and fast as it can be done simply by superimposing the various components in sequence. . This can be done manually but more advantageously automatically.

In this case, the three bases are first positioned in correspondence with fixed shapes provided on a continuous conveyor belt; subsequently on top of the bases, the three plinths and finally the platform are placed. When this is loaded with the products to be transported, it is the same weight of these that pushes the components downwards, thus allowing their mutual interlocking as well as their snap constraint. This assembly operation can be carried out manually by an operator or, advantageously, it can be completely automated and implemented continuously along a roller conveyor line.

The present invention has been illustrated in a preferred embodiment thereof, but it is understood that executive variations may be applied to them in practice, without however departing from the scope of protection of the present patent for industrial invention.

Claims (12)

R I V E N D I C A Z I O N I 1. Improved pallet (2) comprising a platform (4) and at least two bases (6) made separately from the platform (4) and connectable thereto, characterized in that: - the platform (4) is made by molding and is affected by a plurality of stiffening ribs (12,14,16,18,20) and by a plurality of shaped areas (32) for snap fastening to said bases (6), - each plinth (6) is made by molding and includes a hollow body (8) and a ribbed base (10), made separately and mutually clickable, - the body of each plinth (6) has three raised portions (28) which delimit two openings (30) between them and with the platform for the insertion of a fork to lift the pallet and are affected at their top ( 38) by shaped areas of snap fastening with the corresponding shaped areas (32) provided in the platform (4), - the snap fastening means (34,40,36,44,46,50,66,64) between the platform (4) and the body of each plinth (6) as well as between the body of each plinth (6) and the respective base (10) are operative following the application of a force having a component directed orthogonally to the platform (4). 2. Pallet according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the shaped areas (32,38) for snap-fastening of said platform (4) and of said raised portions (28) of the body (8) of the bases comprise at least one protrusion of shape truncated cone (34,40) surrounded by a depressed annular band (36, 44). 3. Pallet according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized in that it is made of metal sheet having a thickness substantially comprised between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm. 4. Pallet according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized in that said ribbed platform (4) has at least one of the following types of stiffening grooves: perimeter grooves (12), longitudinal parallel grooves (14), transverse parallel grooves (20) , â € œXâ €-shaped grooves (16), grooved sections (18) for connection between said grooves. 5. Pallet according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized in that at least one of the edges (26,52) of the platform (4) and the lower edges of the body (8) of the bases are folded substantially 180 °. 6. Pallet according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized by the fact that the bases (6) are three and that each of these comprises a raised portion (28) in the center and one at each end and by the fact that the shaped areas ( 32) of the platform (4) are defined in correspondence with the vertices of the platform (4), its center and the midpoints of its sides. 7. Pallet according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said snap fastening means comprise a section (46) bent centrally in a "V" shape defined in the truncated cone protrusion (34) of the shaped snap fastening area (32) of the platform (4) and intended to be inserted and stably engaged in the space defined between two mutually facing fins (50) defined in the truncated cone protrusion (40) of the corresponding shaped area (38) for snap fastening of the raised portion (28) of the body ( 8) of the plinth. 8. Pallet according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized by the fact that said snap fastening means comprise tabs (66) formed in the body (8) of each base (6) and intended to be inserted into corresponding openings (64) obtained in the base (10) of the base itself (6). 9. Pallet according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized in that said platform (4) and / or said base (10) and / or said base body (8) are configured for mutual stacking and are provided with bosses that keep them slightly spaced when in stacked condition. 10. Pallet according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said force, which makes said snap fastening means operative (34,40,36,44,46,50,66,64) and having component directed orthogonally to the platform (4), consists of the weight of the same objects to be stored / transported with the pallet (2), once they have been placed on the platform (4). 11. Pallet according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized in that the bodies (6) of the bases are made in several parts printed separately and comprise a shaped plate (38) and two lateral half portions (29a, 29b) which are specular and longitudinally developed , said shaped plate (38) constituting the upper base of the raised portions (28) of the body (8) of the hooves and embracing, engaging by means of constraint means, said half portions (29a, 29b), which are mutually constrained and together define the lateral walls of said raised portions (28) as well as the connecting sections (31) between them. 12. Pallet according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the perimeter edge (22) of the platform (4) protrudes laterally beyond the vertical walls of the raised portion (28) of the body (8) of the baseboards and defines a space with them (25) within which a cover cap for the pallet made of heat-shrinkable material is intended to be inserted, when it is subjected to a heat source.