WO1996012650A1

WO1996012650A1 - Pallet with a non-slip load-carrying surface

Info

Publication number: WO1996012650A1
Application number: PCT/AU1995/000690
Authority: WO
Inventors: Morris Wail; Lazer Berelovich
Original assignee: Vicfam Plastics Recycling Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1994-10-25
Filing date: 1995-10-19
Publication date: 1996-05-02

Abstract

The pallet is constructed of plastics, and has a continuous, substantially flat, load-carrying platform (2). The load-carrying platform (2) is provided with a multiplicity of upstanding projections (4) (see Figure 1A) distributed over its entire surface. The projections (4) are formed integrally with the platform (2), with each projection (4) being of approximately conical shape tapering upwardly to a pointed top. Each projection (4) is only a few millimetres in diameter (approximately 2 or 3 mm) at its base and is only a few millimetres (approximately 2 or 3 mm) in height. Each projection (4) is spaced from the projections adjacent thereto to provide a substantially smooth, planar, area surrounding the base of each projection. The upwardly-directed pointed projections (4) on the otherwise flat and smooth load-carrying platform (2) enable the projections (4) to grip onto the surface of a cardboard container to a sufficient extent to prevent slipping of the container on the surface but without actually penetrating the surface layer of the container; likewise the projections (4) can grip onto the surface of a shrink-wrapped plastics wrapping.

Description

PALLET WITH A NON-SLIP LOAD-CARRYING SURFACE

The present invention relates to a pallet and more particularly to a pallet which can easily be cleaned.

Most pallets currently in use are constructed of wood, with the load-carrying platform of the pallet being defined by a series of spaced wooden planks. Conventional wooden pallets are liable to accumulate dirt and other contaminants during use which can become embedded into the surface structure of the wood with the result that it can be very difficult to properly clean the pallet by a normal hosing or steam cleaning operation after use. This is unsatisfactory when the pallet is used to carry foodstuffs, pharmaceutical, or medical products or other products sensitive to contamination by dirt or bacteria.

According to the present invention, there is provided a pallet wherein the load-carrying surface of the pallet is constructed of a substantially flat impervious material having a multiplicity of upstanding projections to prevent slippage on d e surface.

Advantageously, in a preferred embodiment the respective projections are spaced on the surface so that the base of each projection is surroimded by a flat, smooth, surface area. Each projection preferably tapers substantially to a point at its upper end and this may be achieved by making each projection substantially of a conical shape.

Advantageously, the underlying support structure for supporting the surface is configured to permit insertion of the tines of a fork-lift, the structure including ramps associated witL ground engaging parts of the structure to permit movement of the wheels of hand-operated fork lift trolleys into the interior of the structure. The ramps are provided at edges of ground-engaging struts of the structure, with the struts preferably having parallel, longitudinally-extending, ribs in contact wjth the ground and serving to increase the bending resistance of the struts. Preferably, the overall pallet including the load-carrying surface and underlying support structure is integrally moulded in one piece in a suitable plastics material.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-

Figure 1 is a perspective view from one end of a pallet in accordance with the preferred embodiment;

Figure 1 A is an enlarged detailed view of a part of the pallet to illustrate projections on the load-carrying platform; and

Figure 2 is an underneath plan view of the pallet.

As shown in the accompanying drawings a pallet in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention is constructed of plastics, and has a continuous, substantially flat, load-carrying platform 2. The load-carrying platform 2 is provided with a multiplicity of upstanding projections 4 (see Figure 1A) distributed over its entire surface. The projections 4 are formed integrally with the platform 2, with each projection 4 being of approximately conical shape tapering upwardly to a pointed top. Each projection 4 is only a few millimetres in diameter (approximately 2 or 3 mm) at its base and is only a few mill-metres (approximately 2 or 3 mm) in height. Each projection 4 is spaced from the projections adjacent thereto to provide a substantially smooth, planar, area surrounding the base of each projection. T e upwardly-directed pointed projections 4 on the otherwise flat and smooth load-carrying platform 2 enable the projections 4 to grip onto the surface of a cardboard container to a sufficient extent to prevent slipping of the container on the surface but without actually penetrating the surface layer of the container; likewise the projections 4 can grip onto the surface of a shrink-wrapped plastics wrapping.

The load-carrying platform 2 of the pallet is supported by an underlying support structure consisting of a series of parallel beams 6, the two outer beams defining opposed outer side walls of the pallet. The lower edges of the beams 6 are interconnected by a series of transverse struts 8 which define the ground-engaging surface of the pallet. The beams 6 are spaced to define an access for the tines of a fork-lift truck from either of the two open ends of the pallet. The beams defining the opposed outer side walls of the pallet may also be apertured to permit entry of the fork-lift tines from either of the two opposed sides, thereby providing so-called 4-way entry for the tines.

Preferably, the overall pallet consisting of the load-carrying platform 2, the supporting structure defined by the beams 6 and the transverse struts 8 is moulded in one-piece in a suitable plastics, for example post-consumer recycled plastics, although other plastics may also be used.

Advantageously, the outer edges 8a of the opposed outermost struts 8 are inclined to define ramps to facilitate the movement onto the upper surface of the struts 8 of wheels at the underside of the tines of a hand-operated fork lift trolley. The underside of each of the struts 8 is formed with a series of longitudinally- extending parallel ribs 8b to provide increased rigidity against bowing of the struts 8 and hence bowing of the pallet in a direction transversely to the beams 6. It will be appreciated that the incorporation of these strengthening ribs increases the effective depth of the struts 8 and this increased depth would result in the outer edge of the struts presenting a substantial step which could make entry of the tines of a hand-operated fork lift trolley quite difficult but for the presence of the ramp which is incorporated to facilitate such entry, the ramp extending upwardly from the ground engaging surface of the strut. In fact, even without the strengthening ribs which are advantageous but which could be omitted, the outer edge of the strut would, but for the presence of the ramp, present a significant step over which the wheels of a fork-lift trolley would need to be manipulated.

In the pallet described herein, the upper load-carrying surface of the platform can also be effectively cleaned by steam cleaning and hosing. Although the projections 4 on the surface facilitate grip with packages carried by the surface, the surf ace profile of each projection 4 is relatively smooth and also the projections 4 are sufficiently spaced to permit free access to cleansing water onto each projection and also onto the surrounding flat surface to thereby facilitate complete cleaning of the load-carrying surface from contaminants. The underside of the load-carrying platform 2, and the beams 6 and struts 8 have a substantially smooth surface characteristic which enables these surfaces to be effectively cleaned from accumulations of dirt, debris, and bacteria by steam cleaning and hosing; cleaning of the underside by steam cleaning and hosing will not be adversely effected by the strengthening ribs, when present.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A pallet having a load-carrying surface, wherein the load-carrying surface is constructed of a substantially flat impervious material having a multiplicity of upstanding projections to prevent slippage on the surface.

2. A pallet according to claim 1, wherein the respective upstanding projections are spaced on the surface so that the base of each protection is surrounded by a substantially flat, smooth, surface area.

3. A pallet according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each projection tapers substantially to a point at its upper end.

4. A pallet according to claim 3, wherein each projection is of a substantially conical shape.

5. A pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the load-carrying surface and projections are integrally moulded from an impervious plastics material.

6. A pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the load-carrying surface is supported by underlying support structure, said support structure being configured to permit insertion of the tines of a fork-lift, and said structure including ramps associated with groimd-engaging parts of the structure to permit movement of the wheels of hand-operated fork-lift trolleys into the interior of the structure.

7. A pallet according to claim 6, wherein the ramps are formed at edges of ground-engaging struts of the structure at the underside of the structure.

8. A pallet according to claim 7, wherein the struts include parallel, longitudinally-extending, ribs in contact with the ground, said ribs serving to increase the bending resistance of the structure.

9. A pallet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the entire pallet is moulded in one piece from plastics.