MEANS TO FORM AND RAISE BATTERIES OF GOODS
Description of the Invention The present invention relates to a means for forming packages or packages of goods comprising a lifting means and load carrier, which can be raised by means of a lifting device. In particular, the invention relates to an improved means for forming large packages or packages of at least two merchandise units. The patent application owned by Applicant WO 98/26977 discloses a lifting belt that surrounds a pair of stacks of merchandise units, wherein the belt is of the shape of a loop or closed ring having a substantially equal width. to the transversal width of the piles. The belt is formed in a closed ring comprising a suspension ring for lifting the package. To make the union of the ends of the belt, different methods are proposed, such as sewing, application of different types of glue and thermal fusion adhesive. The lifting eye is formed by cutting a hole in the belt in the area just above the two self-fastening piles of sacks or sacks, where a hole is provided in the belt to pull through it , and then a ring is formed. In this application it is suggested that the REP. 150455 Belt can be made of any fabric material that has the required strength. This material could be polypropylene, polyethylene, jute, etc., and even cardboard. A problem related to the solution mentioned above is that as a consequence of the load, it can be balanced under dynamic load handling conditions or, on the other hand, during rough / biased handling, - transverse ripping forces can occur in the proximity of the slit in the strap where the ring is pulled through the strap. In case of a severe rupture of the band, the package or package becomes unstable and in this way, the operation of operation must be canceled. An object of the invention is to provide a means for forming and elevating a package or package in which the aforementioned problems can be reduced or in some situations can be avoided. According to the present invention, the means is provided with reinforcements that will oppose the tearing or breaking forces that may occur under conditions of lifting or handling of load. GB 1463055 discloses a sling which is intended to surround two merchandise units, where their ends can be joined by means of one or more connecting pieces, allowing a lifting ring to pass through it. This solution implies that the sling has to be joined in the region where the lifting ring is placed and then the joint can be placed with high unwanted forces in situations of dynamic and skewed handling. The sling can be reinforced at its free ends, in which the connecting pieces are joined in order to prevent the material from separating in this region. These reinforcements are placed in the transverse direction of the sling. The Applicant now observes a potential to make improvements in the constructions of "the prior art." In particular, the lifting means in the form of one or more bands can be adapted in a manner in which plural advantages are presented. the band can be adapted to handle the distribution of force in lifting operations in a more precise way than that described in the prior art In accordance with the invention, at least one reinforcement can be placed symmetrically in the longitudinal direction of the band in critical regions, such as on the outermost sides thereof and / or in the central middle section, while the band may be of smaller dimensions in other transverse regions In accordance with the invention, total savings in material costs can be obtained related to the band, while at the same time the security and stability of the cargo can be improved. In accordance with . In the present invention, it is now possible to handle goods comprising at least one pair of stacks or merchandise units surrounded by at least one load carrying band, wherein the band has provisions for stabilizing and reinforcing the same in a symmetrical way with respect to the hole through which the ring eye / elevation is formed. This feature will imply improved stability of the package or package in handling situations and will reduce the risk of tearing the band in the regions of the groove. Further, in accordance with the invention, reinforcements may be placed at strategic positions in the transverse direction of the band, such as in the outer side regions of the band or in the central mid-section of the band, while the band in a modality may be of a relatively small strength and thickness on the outside of the reinforcements. The reinforcements on the outermost sides of the band will contribute to the improved overall stability of the packages, and in this way, will reduce the risk of transverse movements of the ring and the lifting eye with respect to the slit through which the He passes the ring. The reinforcements in the region of the slit itself will make the band against breaking in this region more resistant. These and other additional advantages can be achieved according to the invention which is defined according to the accompanying claims and which refers to a means for forming and elevating packages or packages, which are constituted, at least, of two stacks or units of merchandise comprising at least one load carrying band which is placed to surround the stacks, in a way where it continues the outer periphery of the stacks, in this way, a package is formed, and where a ring of the band is positioned so that it protrudes upwards in an intermediate space between the piles and also through a hole in an upper part of the band in order to form a lifting eye - above the piles, and in wherein the load carrier web comprises at least one reinforcement that is symmetrically placed with respect to the center length axis of the web. Next, the present invention will further be described by the examples and the figures, wherein: The Figure shows a load carrying band with a reinforcement according to the present invention, Figure Ib is a diagram showing the carrier band of Fig. 2a shows a load carrying band with reinforcements on its outermost sides according to the present invention, the Figure of the Figure forming a ring that can surround two merchandise units, if seen in a perspective view. 2b is a diagram showing the load carrying band of Figure 2a forming a ring that can surround two merchandise units, if seen in a perspective view, Figure 3a shows a load carrying band with two reinforcements next to the axis of central length of the band according to the present invention, Figure 3b is a diagram showing the load carrying band of Figure 3a forming a ring that can surround the units of goods, if observed in a perspective view. In Figure la, a band 1 stored in a reel 2 is shown. The band is provided with a reinforcement 3 placed in symmetrical position with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the band. In Figure Ib, the same band as in Figure 1 is shown, where it is placed to enclose two stacks or merchandise units (not shown). The piles can comprise piles of piles or any other type of cargo that can be surrounded by a band 1, in this way, a package or package P, a ring 14 and a lifting eye 15 is formed. The band itself is symmetrically placed with respect to the packages, and the lifting eye protrudes from the band in its middle transverse region. The lifting eye can be folded and surrounded by a sleeve 16. Preferably, the band 2 is of a suitable width to secure the load in a satisfactory manner. It should be understood that band 2 can be applied as an endless ring in. where it is constituted of pre-cut lengths, wherein the ends of the band are joined by a suitable joining operation such as sewing, gluing, welding or the like. Alternatively, the joining operation can be carried out in the place of origin by means of the appropriate machinery. The joint is indicated as the reference number 4 in the Figure. As seen in the Figure, the lifting eye protrudes from the upper part 1 'of the band 1 through the slit 5. The reinforcement placed in the central position 3 is of a width that will reinforce the sides of the slit. It should be understood that the reinforcement is grooved before the ring is entered in a mode in which it will cover both sides of the groove. In Figure 2a there is shown a band 101 stored on a spool 102. The band is provided with the reinforcements 103, 104 on its outermost sides and furthermore, these are placed symmetrically with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the band. Figure 2b shows the same band as in Figure 2a, where the band is placed to encircle two stacks or merchandise units (not shown). The piles can comprise piles of piles or any other type of cargo that can be surrounded by a band 101, in this way, a package or package P1, a ring 114 and a lifting eye 115 is formed. The lifting eye can be folded and reinforced by a sleeve 116. Preferably, the band 101 is of a suitable width to secure the load in a satisfactory manner. Preferably, the width of the band is similar to the width of the load. It should be understood that the band 101 can be applied as an endless ring where it is constituted of pre-cut lengths, wherein the ends of the band are joined by a suitable joining operation such as sewing, gluing, welding or the like. Alternatively, the joining operation can be carried out in the place of origin by means of the appropriate machinery. The joint is indicated as the reference number 106 in the Figure. As seen in the Figure, the lifting eye protrudes through the upper part 101 'of the band 101 through the slit 105. The symmetrically placed reinforcements 103, 104 on the outermost sides of the band will contribute to the operations of elevation / mane o with improvements in the stability produced among other reasons by the distribution of triangular force of the lifting eye and down in the direction of the lower part of the load.
This distribution of forces, similar to a fork distribution, will be advantageous and will give the package a nature of self-stability. For . Some types of loads, the band can be wider than the load itself and this implies that the band has a width directly wider than the width of the load. In this way, the protruding part of the band will tend to fold inward against the front and rear sides of the load and consequently, the goods will be well secured against any fall of the load carrying band. In handling operations to form the load carrying band at least around two merchandise bundles, this solution having additional reinforcements at the transverse ends of the belt will be easier to handle through the packaging machinery because it will exist Little risk of slope with bias and bad alignment of the band in the machinery. In Figure 3a there is shown a band 201 stored on a spool 202. The band is provided with the symmetrical reinforcements 203, 204 on each side of its central longitudinal axis, and next to it. In Figure 3b the same band as in Figure 3a is shown, where the band is placed to encircle two stacks or merchandise units (not shown). The piles can comprise piles of piles or any other type of load that can be surrounded by the band 201, in this way, a package or package P, a ring 214 and a lifting eye 215 are formed. The lifting eye can be folded and reinforced by a sleeve 216. Preferably, the band 201 is of a suitable width to secure the load in a satisfactory manner. In this way, the width of the band can be similar to the width of the load. It should be understood that the band 201 can be applied as an endless ring, wherein the latter is constituted of pre-cut lengths, wherein the ends of the band are joined by a convenient joining operation, such as sewing, gluing, welding or the like. Alternatively, the joining operation can be carried out in the place of origin using the appropriate machinery. The joint is indicated as the reference number 204 in the Figure. As seen in the Figure, the lifting eye protrudes through the top 2011 of the band 201 through a slit 205. The symmetrically placed reinforcements 203, 204 on the sides of the slit will contribute to the lifting operations / handling with improvements in stability and reduce the risk of rupture of the upper part of the band 2011 in the area of the slit. The band according to the invention may be of any suitable material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, any suitable plastic material, cardboard, jute, and the like. The band can be made of any type of material such as a homogeneous band with additional reinforcement elements, a net, a woven fabric, or a knitted band with suitable reinforcements. A suitable band can be constituted of different materials that imply both elastic properties and susceptible properties to be deformed (that is, ductile) that provide the best assembly for the current application. In addition, the modalities shown above are not intended to limit the scope of protection. In this way, any combination of symmetrically distributed reinforcements according to the invention can be applied. For example, the band can be reinforced on its sides together with a reinforcement placed in central position or alternatively, by applying two reinforcements also placed in the central position. In case the load carrier web is constituted of a material having longitudinal filaments, the longitudinal filaments in the web can be placed in a denser way in the region where the reinforcements are desired. If only one reinforcement is applied, it is applied in a symmetrical way with respect to the longitudinal axis of the band and therefore, it is located in the region where the slit is formed, in this way, both sides of the slit are covered. It should be understood that the reinforcements may be constituted by additional or similar bands joined with the band in a suitable manner and in convenient positions. These reinforcements can be of any suitable web material that can be fixed to the load carrier web by convenient methods, such as thermal fusion adhesive, glue, seam or the like. This can be carried out easily in the case that the band is made of polypropylene or cardboard or the like. In a band made of woven material, the reinforcements may comprise, that the filaments in the longitudinal direction in the tuck are placed in a denser way in the positions where the reinforcements are desired. In a knitted fabric, reinforcements can be provided by making the fabric tighter in the positions to be reinforced. It should be understood that the reinforcements can be provided by folding the band in convenient positions, in this way, one or more additional layers of the band are formed, where the band is to be reinforced. These folds can also be secured against separation by means similar to those of joining the ends, that is, by sewing, gluing, welding or the like. In some applications it will be sufficient to press the folded edge to keep the fold closed.
The reinforcement may be continuous or non-continuous in the longitudinal direction of the band. In case the length of each piece of the band forming a ring in the strip production step is known, the reinforcement can be applied in the regions corresponding to the required degree of reinforcement. For example, in case the band is reinforced just in the central region to reinforce the band in the area of the slit, a short piece of reinforcement may be applied just in this section. This reinforcement can be provided by any convenient fixed material in the band in this position. However, it should be understood that continuous reinforcements may also be applied on each outer side of the band. Similar to what has been produced previously, suitable reinforcements can be placed to provide the desired properties of the lifting eye. For example, non-continuous reinforcements may be placed in the area of the band corresponding to the reinforcements that will form part of the ring and the lifting eye. In this area, reinforcements may be added to distribute the lifting forces and / or withstand mechanical wear. In addition, these reinforcements can have elastic and / or plastic properties, so that the lifting eye will remain elevated above the package and in this way, will make the entrance of the lifting hook easier.
The modalities mentioned above deal with a single load carrying band having different reinforcement configurations. However, it should be understood that the lifting means may comprise plural load-bearing bands which may overlap with their side regions or be physically integrated with each other in some suitable way and may even make the inventive concept profitable. For example, in a not shown embodiment, it comprises two bands that are placed superimposed with their reciprocal side edges, in this way, a resulting composite band having a central longitudinal connection is formed, the additional reinforcements can be provided symmetrically with respect to to the central length axis of this band according to the invention. In this specific embodiment, the reinforcement may be constituted by the union superimposed on itself. Similar bands will be applied to another diversity of overlapping / physically integrated bands.
It is noted that in relation to this date the
The best method known to the applicant for carrying out said invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.