NO20151504A1

NO20151504A1 - Apparatus including a pallet and related methods

Info

Publication number: NO20151504A1
Application number: NO20151504A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Dag Helge Veberg
Original assignee: Dhh Holding As
Priority date: 2014-11-06
Filing date: 2015-11-06
Publication date: 2016-05-09
Also published as: WO2016072860A1

Description

APPARATUS INCLUDING A PALLET AND RELATED METHODS

Technical field

The present invention re lates to the arranging, handling and transport of objects, and, in particular embodiments, relates to the arranging, handling and transport of objects such as gas bottles, canisters or cylinders, in particular using a pallet.

Background

In the handling and transport of objects, containers such as gas canisters or bottles used for containing pressurised gas have traditionally been placed in metal cages. The bottles may then be lifted or moved collectively and efficiently by lifting or moving the cage. The bottles may also be transported by vehicles in such a cage. The cage is non-flammable, and of relatively low risk when containing combustible gases within the bottles. Accordingly, cages have generally been regarded to be well suited for the transport of bottles of the above type.

Summary of the invention

The inventors have identified various improvements in relation to the above. Accordingly, in a first aspect of the invention there is provided a pallet configured to be provided on a plurality of objects so as to be retained in position on the objects. The pallet can be configured to be supported on the plurality of objects and can comprise a structure for securing or retaining the pallet in position.

The structure (e.g. an undercamage) may typically also be suitable for retaining or locking one or more of the objects in position. Thus, by way of the pallet being retained in position on the objects, the one or more objects may simultaneously be retained in position.

In otherwords, any one or more objects or the plurality of objects may be kept in relative position with respect to another, and/or with respect to the pallet, by way of the structure for retaining the pallet in position.

In a second aspect of the invention therefore, there is provided a pallet configured to be provided on a plurality of objects for securing the objects.

The pallet may accordingly be placed and/or supported on the plurality of objects, for securing the objects. The pallet may have a structure (e.g. an undercarriage) for securing the objects, e.g. locking them in place. The structure may retain one or more of the objects in place or in position, e.g., locking them in place.

The objects preferably comprise containers, such as gas containers, such as for containing pressurized gas, for example gas which has a pressure above atmospheric pressure. The gas containers may comprise cylinders, canisters or bottles. The plurality of objects may comprise a collection of such objects, e.g. organized in rows, e.g. in a regular or rec-tangulargrid.

The structure may typically be arranged to interact or interlock with at least one of the objects in the plurality, when supported thereon. In this way, the structure may restrict or prevent displacement between the pallet and the plurality of objects, in particular laterally. Furthermore, the structure may restrict or prevent displacement between the objects relative to one another within the plurality of objects. Thus, the structure may retain the objects in position within the plurality, when the pallet is supported thereupon.

The pallet or the structure may further comprise a platform such as for example a tray, board, plate or the like. The platform may be arranged to overlie the objects. The structure may be connected to the platform, e.g. integrally formed with, or otherwise attached to the platform, e.g. on the underside thereof. Accordingly, the objects may be secured or locked by means of the overlying platform when the pallet is supported on the objects. Conveniently therefore, the objects can be secured or locked by way of placement of the pallet on the objects. The plurality of objects on which the pallet can be supported, can be a first plurality of objects. The platform may be suitable for supporting a second plurality of objects thereupon. The first plurality of objects may itself be supported on pallet or platform thereof. The objects in the second plurality preferably comprise gas containers, such as for containing pressurized gas, for example gas which has a pressure above atmospheric pressure. The gas containers may comprise cylinders, canisters or bottles. The plurality of objects may comprise a collection of such objects, e.g. organized in rows, for example in a regular or rectangular grid. The platform may comprise a surface for standing the objects in the second plurality on the surface. For example, gas cylinders, canisters or bottles may be placed with respective end portions resting on the surface of the platform. The surface preferably comprises a planar, continuous or smooth surface, so as to allow sliding of the second plurality of objects across the surface, for example during loading of the objects. When the pallet is placed on the first plurality of objects and sup ported thereon, the second plurality of objects can thus be stacked above the first plurality of objects. By way of the structure and/or platform retaining the pallet in position on the first plurality of objects, the platform is supported in place and provides a stable base for the second plurality of objects.

Any one or more of the pallet, platform or structure may comprise, or consist essentially of, a plastics material, and/or optionally a metal or metal alloy e.g., aluminium or aluminium alloy, tin sheeting or the like. The platform may have or be provided with a wall or a lip, for example extending at an angle to the surface at an edge of the platform, for containing or retaining in position the second plurality of objects on the platform.

The platform may be provided with an adaptable lip portion at an edge of the surface for laterally retaining the second plurality of objects on the surface. The lip portion may be adaptable to facilitate loading of the second plurality of objects onto the surface. More specifically, the lip portion may be collapsible or removable.

The pallet is preferably fireproof. Thus, any of the pallet, platform or structure for retaining the first plurality of objects may comprise, or consist essentially of, a fireproof or non-flammable material, e.g., if gas accidentally leaks out of a gas container into the air and combusts.

The structure for retaining the first plurality of bottles may for example be (e.g. consist of) or may comprise an undercarriage, for example an undercarriage of the platform. The structure and/or undercarriage may be arranged to engage an end portion of one or more objects in the first plurality. The structure and/or undercarriage may further comprise a body or projection arranged between adjacent objects in the first plurality, for example to space the adjacent objects apart. The structure and/or undercarriage may comprise at least one formation, cut-out, cup or recess for receiving an end of an object in the first plurality in the cup or recess. The cup or recess may be configured to surround an outlet or outlet fittings of a gas container, preferably so that the outlet or fitting is protected by the structure or undercarriage. The structure and/or undercarriage may be adapted to the objects in the first plurality to fit over a part of the respective upper ends of the bottles in the first plurality. In general, the structure and/or undercarriage may be configured or be profiled, to complement at least one end configuration of the objects, e.g. gas containers, in the (first) plurality. The structure and/or undercarriage may be profiled to complement a first end configuration of the objects, e.g. when the (first) plurality comprises gas containers of a first type, and a second configuration of the objects, e.g. when (first) plurality comprises gas containers of a second type. All of the gas containers in the first plurality or second plurality in relevant embodiments, may typically be of the same type, e.g. substantially the same. Thus, the same pallet may advantageously be applied without modification to different types of gas containers or other objects.

The platform may be provided with one or more supports or feet. The structure and/or undercarriage may comprise one or more supports or feet for supporting the pallet. At least one formation, cut-out, cup or recess may be provided in one or more, e.g. each of, the feet. In particular, the supports or feet may support the pallet on planar surface, for example in a first configuration, e.g. for loading the pallet, and for supporting the pallet on the first plurality of objects, for example in a second configuration, e.g. for stacking of the second plurality of objects. The second plurality of objects may be preloaded upon the platform of the pallet. When the pallet is supported on a plurality of objects (e.g. the first plurality of objects), the structure and/or undercarriage, e.g. the supports and/or feet, may be arranged to support the platform so that the platform is elevated or suspended above, and/or bridges across, the tops of the objects. The feet or supports may be adapted to fit, e.g. interlockingly, on the tops of the objects, e.g. by way of the cut outs, recesses or cups in the feet or supports.

The pallet may have at least one passageway, e.g. provided by the undercarriage, for inserting a jacking means or lifting (and/or lowering) means, for example a fork of a forklift truck, whereby the fork may be inserted underneath the platform of the pallet. The passageway^) may thus be provided under the platform, and can allow the pallet to be loaded onto the forks of a forklift truck. Accordingly, the pallet, for example together with a load of objects on top of the platform, may be arranged to be manoeuvred, or lifted or lowered by means of the truck, for example to place the pallet onto a plurality of objects on which the pallet may be supported.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of using the pallet of the first or second aspects.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of stacking objects, the method comprising the steps of providing a pallet on a first plurality of objects, the pallet interacting with the first plurality of objects. The pallet may interact with the first plurality of objects so as to be secured or retained in position thereon. Alternatively or in addition, the pallet may interact with the first plurality of objects so as to secure the objects or retain the objects in position. The pallet may be loaded with a second plurality of objects. The method may further comprise sliding the objects in said second plurality onto a platform of the pallet.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of arranging bottles, comprising the steps of loading a first plurality of objects onto a first pallet; loading a second plurality of objects onto a second pallet; and placing the loaded second pallet onto the loaded first plurality of objects, to secure or retain the first plurality of bottles, or whereupon the second pallet is secured or retained in position.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a pallet arranged to be supported upon a plurality of objects and to interact with at least one of the objects in the plurality to restrict displacement between the pallet and plurality of objects.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus comprising the pallet of the first, second or sixth aspects, or obtained in any of the methods of the second to fourth aspects.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of making the pallet of any of the first to seventh aspects, or providing the stack according to the tenth aspect.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention there is provided a platform configured to be supported on a plurality of objects so as to secure the objects.

According to a tenth aspect of the invention there is provided a stack comprising:

a first plurality of gas containers; and a pallet provided on top of the gas containers, the gas containers being secured by the pallet.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a pallet configured to be supported on a plurality of objects and comprising an undercarriage for securing or retaining the pallet in position on the objects and/or for securing or retaining the objects.

Any of the above aspects of the invention may include further features as described in relation to any other aspect, wherever described herein. Features described in one embodiment may be combined in other embodiments. For example, a selected feature from a first embodiment that is compatible with the arrangement in a second embodiment may be employed, e.g. as an additional, alternative or optional feature, e.g. inserted or exchanged for a similar or like feature, in the second embodiment to perform (in the second embodiment) in the same or corresponding manner as it does in the first embodiment.

Various further advantages of the invention and its features are described and will be apparent from the specification throughout.

Description and drawings

There will now be described, by way of example only, embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective representation of a pallet according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a representation of the underside of the pallet of Figure 1; Figure 3 is side sectional representation along the line CC in Figure 2; Figure 4 is side sectional representation along the line EE in Figure 2; Figure 5 is another perspective representation of the pallet of Figures 1 to 4; Figure 6 is perspective representation of the pallet of Figures 1 to 4 with a lip portion removed; Figure 7 is a side representation of the pallet of Figures 1 to 4 with the lip portion removed; Figure 8 is a perspective representation of the pallet of Figures 1 to 4 in use to provide stacked gas bottles according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 is a further side representation of the stacked gas bottles of Figure 8 in which the pallet of Figures 1 to 4 is used; Figure 10 is a yet further side representation of the stacked gas bottles of Figure 8; Figure 11 is a perspective representation of a pallet according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 12 is an end view representation of the pallet of Figure 11; Figure 13 is a side view representation of the pallet of Figure 11; Figure 14 is a top view representation of the pallet of Figure 11; Figure 15 is a bottom perspective representation of the pallet of Figure 11; Figure 16 is a bottom view representation of the pallet of Figure 11; Figure 17A is a side perspective schematic representation of a first type of gas container; Figure 17B is a top view schematic representation of the gas container of Figure 17A; Figure 18A is a side perspective schematic representation of a second type of gas container; Figure 18B is a top view schematic representation of the gas container of Figure 18A;

and

Figure 19 is a perspective representation of a pallet according to another embodiment

of the invention.

With reference firstly to Figure 1, there is depicted generally a pallet 1 for use in the handling, stacking or transport of objects such as gas containers. In this example, the objects are gas containers in the form of gas bottles (not shown in Figure 1).

A gas bottle of this type has a elongate cylindrical body, and is arranged to stand unassisted in an up right configuration on a planar surface, with a base of the bottle resting upon the surface and with a top of the bottle (at an opposite end of the body) provided with an outlet and/or outlet fitting for letting out gas. The bottle typically comprises heavy duty walls, e.g. of metal or composite, designed to withstand pressure differentials across the wall between pressurised gas inside the bottle and the surrounding region outside of the bottle. Thus, the bottle can be filled to contain pressurised gas at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, and it is typically sought to transport such a bottle with the pressurised gas contained therein, for example in a delivery of gas to a customer. The gas contained in the bottles can be any of for example, propane, butane, hydrogen, helium or the like, as for example used by consumers for gas appliances such as heaters or boilers, or the like.

Whilst gas bottles are described nere as an example, it will be appreciated that the pallet may be applied correspondingly in relation to other objects, cylinders or containers which may be the same or similar in configuration, shape orfunction.

In Figure 1, it can be seen that the pallet 1 has a platform 2 comprising a planar surface 3 on which the gas bottles can stand upon, in the manner described above. The platform 2 provides in effect a tray or board for the bottles to stand upon. Bottle outlines 4 indicate the lateral positions of the bases of the bottles that may be stood on the surface 3. In this example, the platform 2 is adapted to support a regular 4 x 3 (n x k) horizontal grid of bottles standing on their ends side-by-side upon the surface 3. Thus, four (n) bottles can stand side-by-side along the long side 5 of the pallet 1 in each of the three rows (k) aligned with the short side 6 of the pallet, and essentially equal in length.

Along the sides of the pallet, the platform 2 is provided with a lip comprising lip portions 12a-12d, upstanding from the surface 3. The lip portions 12a-12d act to contain the bottles laterally (e.g., parallel to the surface 3). Thus, if the bottles on the surface are subjected to a force tending to move them sideways across the surface 3 toward the lip portion 12b, the outermost bottles in the grid will meet the lip portion 12b so that they are obstructed and hindered from dislodgement.

With further reference to Figures 2 to 5, it can be seen that the pallet 1 in this example also has an undercarriage (a structure) comprising number of supports 11 in the form of corner feet 7, intermediate feet 8, 9 and a central foot 10 for supporting the platform 2. The supports 11 project on the underside of the platform 2, for providing support for the platform 2 in a stable manner on a planar surface such as a floor. As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the supports 11 project to an equal extent to provide such support and distribute forces.

The supports 11 are also adapted to support the platform 2 on top of a first set of gas bottles, allowing a second set of bottles to be stacked on the platform 2 above the first set. To do so, cut-outs 20 are provided in the feet 7, 8, 9, 10 to receive therein respective upper end portions of the gas bottles in the first set. In this way, the pallet 1 fits over the upper end portions, e.g. the tops of the bottles containing the outlets or outlet fittings. The pallet 1 can thus engage with the end portions at the edges of the cut-outs, so that movement sideways of the bottles is prevented, locking the bottles in place. In particular, retaining surfaces or walls 21 are provided which help to prevent movement and to contain the bottles in position laterally, e.g. by interlocking with the ends of the bottles. This arrangement also helps to provide lateral stability for the platform 2 and the second set of gas bottles thereupon. The supports 11 also keep the bottles in the first set aligned relative to one another, and it can be noted that the various feet 7-10 and the retaining surfaces or walls 21 extend between adjacent bottles helping to keep them in position or avoid displacement laterally relative to one another.

The pallet 1 is further configured on the underside of the platform 2 to provide first and second passageways 30, 32 for the insertion of forks of a forklift truck or other lifting means for lifting the pallet 1. The first passageways 30 are provided across the pallet in the long direction, between opposing walls 31, 33 of the intermediate feet 9 and the central foot 10. The second passageways 32 are provided across the pallet in the short direction, between opposing walls 33, 34 of the intermediate feet 8 and the central foot 10. This provides four-way access so that forks or other means can enter at each side of the pallet 1, by way of either set of passageways 30, 32 underneath the platform 2 for lifting or manoeuvring the pallet 1. It can be seen that the supports and feet 7-10 are spaced apart to provide the passageways 30, 32. When the pallet 1 is supported on a surface, e.g. a floor, the first and second passageways 30, 32 are further defined between the platform 2 and the surface.

With further reference nowto Figures 6 and 7, it can be noted that the lip portion 12d can be detached and is removable from the platform 2. This functionality can be useful for loading the pallet with gas bottles, as bottles can be slid smoothly sideways onto the surface 3 of the platform from an adjacent position. To facilitate this, the surface 3 is a smooth, planar and continuous surface, and provides low friction contact with the base of the bottles. In other embodiments, the lip portion 12d may be hinged to the platform or otherwise adaptable, so as to allow sliding access onto the surface 3. Variants are also possible in which any number of the lip portions 12a-12d are removable like the lip 12d in the embodiment described above, or otherwise adaptable. For example, opposing lip portions 12b, 12d may be removable or adaptable to allow sliding loading from two sides simultaneously, which may speed up processes for loading, stacking and transport of filled gas bottles.

The pallet 1 in this example is formed in totality from a plastics material which is fireproof such that it is non-flammable for example in the event of any combustion event of the gas from the bottles, e.g. accidentally during transport. In this example, the pallet is press-moulded in two parts, where a first part consists of a flat plate which provides the surface 3 and which is glued onto a second part including the undercarriage including the feet 7-10 and lip portions. The first and second parts are formed by press moulding. In other variants however, the pallet 1 can be formed by east moulding to form a single object directly without requiring mechanical fixings or joins. Nonetheless, in other embodiments, such components could be attached to the other with mechanical fixing means, or glued, welded, orfused or the like, and the individual components may be formed of different materials. For example, if forming the pallet 1 from tin metal sheeting, the pallet 1 may be made in two parts which are mechanically interlocked to construct the pallet 1.

In Figures 8 to 10, a palletised stack 100 containing four layers of bottles 102a-102d is shown, using the pallet 1 at the bottom of the stack 100 and in between adjacent layers of bottles, e.g. between the layers 102b and 102c. The pal lets 1 are spaced apart from one another by the layers of bottles 102a-102d. The pallet 1 at the bottom of the stack 100 is supported on a ground surface 105 on supports 11 comprising various feet as described above, in contact with the surface 105. A first layer of bottles 102a (in which bottles are arranged side-by-side, each bottle standing up right on its base) is provided on the platform 2. Above the first layer 102a, a second layer of bottles 102b is provided in the same way on a further pallet 1, although this further pallet 1 is placed on the upper ends of the bottles in the first layer of bottles 102a, råtner than directly upon the ground surface 105. Each upper end of the bottles in the first layer 102a is received in a corresponding cut-out in the underside of the further pallet 1, as described above. The weight of the second layer of gas bottles 102b helps to press down on the pallet and press the pallet 1 onto the bottles in the first layer 102a, keeping the pallet in place on the top of the first layer 102. It can be noted that the supports 11 may be adapted, e.g. have an angled surface, to help locate and/or guide the pallet into position on the tops of the bottles in the first layer as the pallet is placed (moved from above and lowered) onto the bottles. A pallet 1 is likewise provided between the second layer of bottles 102b and a third layer of bottles 102c and between the third layer of bottles 102c and a fourth layer of bottles 102d. At the top end of the stack 100, a cover 106 is provided on the top of the fourth layer of bottles 102d. The cover provides channels 107 for passing straps through. The straps may be passed over the cover 106 and underneath the bottom pallet 1 for helping to secure the bottles together height-wise to prevent any vertical dislodgement or movement of the bottles during transport.

In typical practice, in order to stack gas bottles in the layers as seen in Figures 8 to 10, the pallets 1 are first loaded with gas bottles, by placing the gas bottles on the respective platforms 2. This is done with the pallets 1 resting on the ground 105 or floor or conveyer or the like (with the various feet in contact the floor or conveyor surface). In this way, a number of loaded pallets can be obtained. Then, a first loaded pallet can be placed, e.g. by lifting the pallet 1 by forklift, onto the top of the gas bottles of the second loaded pallet, to stack the bottles, whereby the bottles on the underside are secured in place. With reference to Figures 8 to 10 therefore, the layer of bottles 102b is stacked by lifting the pallet I that supports the second layer of bottles 102b onto the first layer of bottles 102a.

By stacking gas bottles using a pallet 1 in this way, gas bottles can be arranged and stacked ready for transported in a convenient and space efficient manner. By way merely of the placement of a pallet onto an underlying layer of bottles, the bottles in the underlying layer provide support for the pallet 1 and vice versa through the structure of supports II and feet with cut-outs, providing a laterally interlocking relationship between the pallet and the bottles. When supported on the bottles, the pallet 1 is retained and locked in position, and so are the bottles retained and locked by the pallet 1, by way of the structure of the pallet 1 and the platform 2 (in particular the configuration of supports 11 and feet 7-10), providing good stability for the platform 2, and for forming a secure stack of the bottles.

With reference now to Figures 11 to 16, a pallet 201 is described. The pallet 201 has many similar features to that of the pallet 1 described above, and like numerals but incremented by two hundred are used to refer to the same or corresponding features.

The pallet 201 has a platform 202 and an undercarriage 242. The undercarriage 242 includes feet, namely corner feet 207, intermediate feet 208 (on short side), intermediate feet 209 (on long side), and centre feet 210. The pallet 201 is arranged to be supported on a floor or on a plurality of gas containers, via the feet, so as to elevate the platform 202 from the floor or the plurality of gas containers. The feet are adapted to fit onto respective ends of the gas containers. The feet rest against and fit around upper ends of the gas containers, when placed thereupon, so that the gas containers are secured and locked in place by the pallet 201.

The platform 202 provides a storage base in the form of a lattice structure 218 for standing further gas containers thereupon. In this embodiment, the lattice structure 218 is formed of intersecting strips of material with through-going openings 219 provided between adjacent strips. The openings facilitate water drainage through the platform 202, for preventing rainwater from collecting on the platform 202 if for instance the pallet 201 is being used outside and it is raining.

The structure 218 may also help to stabilise or rigidify the platform 202 for facilitating placement of gas containers on the platform. The lattice 18 defines the storage base for standing the further gas containers thereupon. The containers may be stood on the lattice 218 in side by side relationship in a similar manner to that shown in relation to the pallet 1 as described above.

The undercarriage 242 also has first and second passageways 230, 232 for the insertion of lifting forks underneath the platform 202. Recessed grooves 235 are provided in the sidewalls of passageways 232. As a lifting fork is inserted into one of the passageways 232, the sides of the fork are received in the recessed grooves 235 on opposite side walls of that passageway. The fork is received in interlocking relationship with the grooves 235. This can help to prevent flexure of the platform 202 and help avoid destabilisation of gas containers loaded onto the platform 202.

In Figure 14, circular outlines 900 of gas containers arranged on the underside of the pallet 201 are shown, the pallet 201 resting on top of the upper ends of the gas containers. When further gas containers are loaded onto the pallet 201 on the top side of the platform 202, the circular outlines 900 are also indicative of the positions of those further gas containers. Dots 901 are used to mark the through-going openings in the platform 202. Figures 15 and 16 do not illustrate the lattice structure in the platform, but the locations of the openings are still marked by the dots 901.

The pallet 201 is adapted in particular to two different types of gas containers, as will be appreciated in the following.

In Figures 17A and 17B, a first type of gas container is shown in the form of a pressurised gas bottle 500. Taking for example the foot 207' in Figure 15, a first surface 207a' is provided for bearing against top of the bottle 500 in a region B, adjacent to outlet fitting 510. Indeed, the surface 207a' is arranged on a projection on the foot 207' to fit between the outlet fitting 510 and the handle 520a or 520b. A recess 207^ in the foot gives space for accommodating the outlet fitting 510 of the bottle, whilst the pallet and any load thereupon is borne by the upper end portion of the main body 530 of the bottle. The surface 207a' bears against a dome surface 531. The foot 207a' is profiled to a depth exceeding the extension of the outlet fitting 510 from the top body of the bottle so that the outlet fitting 510 does not interfere and does not bear the weight of the pallet 500 when supported on the bottle 500.

In Figures 18A and 18B, a second type of gas container is shown in the form of a pressurised gas bottle 600. Again taking the foot 207' (best seen in Figure 15) as an example, a second surface 207b' is provided for bearing against a rim 633 extending from an upper portion of the main body 630 beyond the extension of outlet fitting 610. The rim 633 has handles 620, and partially surrounds the outlet fitting 630, whereby the outlet fitting may be shielded by the rim 633. The recess 207^ is aligned with and can provide space for accommodating the outlet fitting 630. The projection in the foot 207' on which the first surface 201a' is provided fits in the space S between the rim 633 and the outlet fitting 630. The first surface 207a' does not reach or bear against the bottle in this case. The weight of the pallet with any load thereupon is supported on the bottle by the rim 630, and again does not interfere with the outlet fitting 633.

In this way, the foot 207' is profiled to fit both these types of gas bottle. The other feet are configured likewise. Indeed, each foot may be configured in the same way. Indeed, each bottle in the plurality may be engaged by a surface in the undercarriage bearing against an end portion of the bottle, where such surface may be provided on a foot or a projection, or in a recess formed in a foot or other projection. The feet thus complement the upper configuration of the gas containers and engage with the upper ends of the containers to prevent movement laterally between the pallet (feet) and the gas containers. When several bottles are provided as described above, the pallet may be located on the upper ends of the bottles to secure the bottles in place relative to one another. As can be seen, the undercarriage has a profile including many projecting parts and walls which fit in the spaces in between and around the gas bottles when the pallet is installed thereupon. These projecting parts or walls help to interlock the pallet with the bottles and keep the bottles in positions as determined by the profile of the undercarriage.

The outlet fitting 530, 630 may comprise a valve which may be shut to contain pressurised gas in the bottle 500, 600, or opened controllably to release the gas out of the bottle.

In Figure 19, a pallet 301 is shown which is configured in the same way as the pallet 201 except that a portion of the storage base of the platform 202 comprises a pick-up surface 303 for allowing the pallet to be lifted by applying suction to the surface 303. For instance, suction lift equipment such as a vacuum hose may be applied sealingly against the surface 303, and a vacuum generated so that an end of the vacuum hose is connected to the surface 303. The pallet 301 may then be lifted up by the vacuum hose. This can be useful orconvenient in a packaging facility for instance, and may allowthe pallet to be readily lifted and manoeuvred, e.g. by operating and moving the vacuum hose robotically. Such a technique may be used for placing the pallet 301 onto a set of gas bottles.

The pallets herein may be constructed by injection moulding.

The gas bottles may have a weight of between 1 and 30 kg, typically between 5 and 15 kg, e.g. in the range of 9 to 14 kg. The gas bottles may have a capacity of between 1 and 30 litres, typically in the range 5 to 15 litres. The pressure of the gas contained therein may be in the range of 8 to 15 bar, e.g. typically around 10 bar. The gas containers or gas bottles as described with reference to Figures 11 to 19 may otherwise be configured in the same way as those described anywhere else herein.

Various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention herein described.

Claims

1. A pallet configured to be provided on a first plurality of gas containers for securing the gas containers, the pallet comprising a structure configured to interlock with at least one of the gas containers in the first plurality.

2. A pallet as claimed any claim 1 or 2, wherein the structure is configured to lock or retain the gas containers in place.

3. A pallet as claimed in any claim 1 or 2 wherein the pallet further comprises a platform for supporting a second plurality of gas containers on the platform.

4. A pallet as claimed in claim 3, wherein the platform is configured to allow slidable loading of the second plurality of gas containers onto the platform.

5. A pallet as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the platform is provided with a removable lip portion at an edge of the platform.

6. A pallet as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the platform has at least one drainage opening for letting water drain through the opening from one side of the platform to the other when, in use, the pallet is provided on the first plurality of gas containers.

7. A pallet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure has at least one pair of passageways configured to receive a lifting fork pair.

8. A pallet as claimed in claim 7, wherein a side wall of at least one of the passageways has a groove arranged for inter-engagement with a fork in said lifting fork pair when received in the passageway.

9. A pallet as claimed in any preceding claim comprising plastics material.

10. A pallet as claimed in any preceding claim comprising heat or flame resistant material.

11. A pallet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the gas containers in the first plurality each have an end portion, and the structure is configured to interlock with the end portion of at least one of the gas containers in the first plurality, upon pro-visjon of the pallet thereupon in use.

12. A pallet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the gas containers in the first plurality each have an end portion, and the structure comprises at least one cup or recess for receiving the end portion of at least one of the gas containers in the first plurality.

13. A pallet as claimed in claim 12, wherein the end portion received comprises an outlet fitting for letting out gas from the gas container.

14. A pallet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure is configured to bear against a dome surface of a main body of at least one of the gas containers in the first plurality.

15. A pallet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure is configured to bear against a handle extending from an end portion of a main body of at least one of the gas containers in the first plurality.

16. A pallet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein structure is profiled to allow use of the pallet for securing the gas containers if the first plurality comprises either: i) first gas containers each håving an end configuration of a first type; or ii) second gas containers each håving an end configuration of a second type; wherein in case i) each of the first gas containers has a domed end surface and a first surface of the structure is configured to be able to bear against the domed end surface, and wherein in case ii) each of the second gas containers has a handle or rim extending from a main body, and a second surface of the structure is configured to be able to bear against the handle or rim.

17. A method of using the pallet of any of preceding claim.

18. A stack comprising: a first plurality of gas containers; and a pallet provided on top of the gas containers, the gas containers being secured by the pallet.

19. A stack as claimed in claim 18, wherein the pallet has a structure configured to interlock with at least one of the gas containers in the first plurality.

20. A stack as claimed in claim 18 or 19, further comprising a second plurality of gas containers loaded on top of the pallet, the first plurality of gas containers bearing the weight of the loaded pallet with the second plurality of gas containers.

21. A stack as claimed in claim 20 wherein each gas container in the second plurality is arranged directly above a corresponding gas container in the first plurality.

22. A stack as claimed in any of claims 18 to 21 wherein the pallet has a platform arranged between the first and second plurality of gas containers, the first plurality arranged on a first side of the platform, the second plurality arranged on a second, opposite side of the platform.

23. A stack as claimed in any of claims 18 to 22, wherein the pallet has an undercarriage configured to fit an upper end configuration of the first plurality of gas containers.

24. A stack as claimed in any of claims 18 to 23, wherein each of the gas containers in either or both of the first and second pluralities is arranged side-against-side against an adjacent container.

25. A method of arranging gas containers, comprising the steps of: loading a first plurality of gas containers onto a first pallet; loading a second plurality of gas containers onto a second pallet; and placing the loaded second pallet onto the loaded first plurality of gas containers to secure the first plurality of gas containers.

26. A method of making the pallet of any of claims 1 to 16 or providing the stack of claims 18 to 24.