WO2002090198A1

WO2002090198A1 - Transport pallet

Info

Publication number: WO2002090198A1
Application number: PCT/FI2001/000437
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pekka E. Rapeli
Original assignee: Permar Oy
Priority date: 2001-05-08
Filing date: 2001-05-08
Publication date: 2002-11-14

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport pallet, which is especially well suited for transporting heavy unit load, such as paper rolls. The transport pallet includes a load plane with a flat surface, onto which the cargo to be transported is placed. The load plane consists of a surface panel (12), a bottom panel (14), and a body panel (16) between these. The body panel can preferably be made of metal sheet which is corrugated into trapezoidal shape so that the load plane becomes structurally rigid and durable, but nevertheless light. The bottom panel acts as a sliding surface, as the pallet is moved on a flat base. The surface panel and the bottom panel are detachably fastened to the load plane so that they can be replaced fast, when necessary. The transport pallet is provided with forked pipes (20) and lift holes (22) so that it is easy to lift and move the pallet with various kinds of lifting devices. Edge strips (18) are found on both edges of the load plane and end strips (19) at the ends so that they act as components making the transport pallet rigid. The edge strips can be provided with locking profiles, with the help of which the transport pallet can be fastened stationarily onto the base of a carrier vehicle or storage structure. The transport pallet is versatile, i.e. it can be used in many kinds of carrier vehicles and transfer systems.

Description

Transport pallet

The invention relates to a transport pallet defined in the preamble of claim 1 and its use.

The transport of goods can be made more effective by placing the goods to be transported onto a base or pallet so that, instead of handling single pieces of goods, larger numbers of goods can be handled at one time at different stages of the transport and delivery chain. In a palleted transport system, products are packed onto a pallet at the beginning of the transport chain, for example, in a factory, and transported on the same pallet throughout the transport chain. The palleted transport system requires that a loaded pallet can be handled in a flexible way at all stages of the logistics chain, and that the pallet is suitable for use in all transport and storage systems. Thus, there exist several different pallet types for the transport of light and relatively small goods. As an example, the so-called Euro pallet can be given, which has already been used for a long time as a transport pallet for different kinds of piece goods. However, no such transport pallet is available for heavy products, such as paper rolls, but heavy products are still transported as single unit cargo. Therefore, the handling of heavy unit cargo at the different stages of the transport chain is slow and inefficient. In addition, the handling of products as single pieces increases the risk that the products be damaged during transport.

The publication US 3 726 236 discloses a rectangular transport pallet with an edge strip of thin, bent metal sheet on two opposite edges. A loading plane and a parallel bottom panel have been fastened between the edge strips so that a gap is formed between the loading plane and the bottom panel. Such a pallet is structurally so weak that it can only be used for the transport of very light cargo.

The publication US 3 707 929 discloses a pallet, which is meant to be used especially in storage buildings in which pallets are moved on different kinds of roll rails, making use of the pallet's own gravity. This pallet includes a flat loading plane, the lower surface of which contains rails making the pallet rigid in the longitudinal direction at opposite edges of the loading plane. Inside the loading plane there is a corrugated metal sheet, making the pallet rigid in the transverse direction. Despite the corrugated metal sheet, according to the text in the specification part of the publication the weight-carrying capacity of the pallet is only about 1,500 kg so that it cannot be used for transporting heavy loads. The publication 5 497 708 discloses a rectangular transport pallet, the surface of the loading plane of which can be provided with detachable and adjustable fastening elements, with the help of which objects of different sizes and shapes, such as car seats, can be fastened onto the pallet. Further, the bottom of the transport pallet can be provided with a trough-shaped shield with holes for the forks of a forklift. The shield facilitates the handling of the transport pallet and reduces the risk that the pallet be damaged during the transport stage. Also this pallet has such a weak structure that it cannot be used for transporting heavy loads.

The object of the present invention is to provide a new transport pallet for transporting especially heavy unit cargo, such as paper rolls, with which the drawbacks and disadvantages related to the state of the art can be reduced. The transport pallet of the invention is characterised in what is disclosed in the independent claims. Some advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The basic idea of the invention is to provide a transport pallet that has such a durable and rigid structure that it is especially well suited for the transport of heavy cargo, such as paper rolls. In the state-of-the-art solutions, heavy products have to be transported as separate parts, because no suitable palleted transport solution exists for them. The transport pallet comprises a rectangular, structurally very rigid, but nevertheless light loading plane, onto which the cargo to be transported on the transport pallet is placed. Both edges of the loading plane are provided with edge strips made of shaped metal profiles, and the ends of the loading plane are provided with end strips. The edge strip and the end strips make the pallet rigid in the transverse and especially in the longitudinal direction.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, locking profiles provided with cogging are arranged to the edge strips and the end strips, with the help of which the transport pallet can be fastened in place onto the base of a carrier vehicle or storage structure.

In a second advantageous embodiment of the invention, the loading plane of the transport pallet consists of a surface panel, a bottom panel, and a body panel between these. The body panel, which is the primary bearing component of the loading plane, is manufactured of corrugated metal sheet so that the structure of the loading plane becomes honeycombed. The bottom panel works as a sliding surface balancing the loads as the pallet is transferred on a flat base. In a third advantageous embodiment of the transport pallet of the invention, the transport pallet is provided with forked pipes and lift holes, due to which the transport pallet is easy to handle with different kinds of hoisting devices.

An advantage of the invention is that it is applicable to all kinds of cargo handling systems. The transport pallet can be moved by rolling, sliding or lifting so that there always is a suitable method for handling the transport pallet at all stages of the transport chain. The transport pallet is suitable for all forms of transportation, such as train transport, road transport, sea transport, and for the transport lines of automatic storages.

A further advantage of the invention is that it is efficient. The cargo to be transported is loaded onto the pallet, for example, in the manufacturing factory, and unloaded from the pallet as the cargo reaches the buyer. Palleted cargo can be handled as one entity in the transport chain, which makes faster the transfer of the cargo from a carrier vehicle to another and reduces, for example, the amount of work and time needed for the fastening and detachment of the cargo. Thus, transporting the cargo is more efficient and faster.

It is further an advantage of the invention that it reduces the damages during transport. The transport pallets contain fastening elements both for fastening the cargo to the pallet and for fastening the pallet to the base. Due to the reliable fastening systems, the cargo can efficiently be prevented from moving in the carrier vehicles so that transport damages are reduced.

It is also an advantage of the invention that it is of simple structure and well suited for industrial mass production. The parts of the transport pallet are modular, easy to install and replace so that the pallet is easy to service and repair. Broken or worn parts can be replaced or repaired by conventional working methods without special knowledge or special tools.

The invention is next described in more detail, referring to the enclosed drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows in an exemplary way a transport pallet of the invention seen obliquely from above;

Figure 2a shows in an exemplary way a transport pallet of the invention as a so- called exploded view; Figure 2b is an exemplary cross-sectional view of an advantageous embodiment of a body panel of a transport pallet according to the invention;

Figure 3a shows in an exemplary way a cross-section of a transport pallet of the invention;

Figure 3b shows in an exemplary way a cross-section of an advantageous embodiment of a transport pallet of the invention;

Figure 3c shows in an exemplary way a cross-section of a second advantageous embodiment of a transport pallet of the invention;

Figure 3d shows in an exemplary way a transport pallet of the invention seen obliquely from below;

Figure 3e shows in an exemplary way an advantageous embodiment of an edge strip of a transport pallet of the invention;

Figure 4a shows in an exemplary way a transport pallet of the invention, with a supporting structure fastened to the surface of the load plane;

Figure 4b shows in an exemplary way a transport pallet of the invention, with metal pipes placed in racks loaded onto the load plane;

Figure 4c shows in an exemplary way a transport pallet of the invention, with paper rolls placed onto the load plane;

Figure 4d shows in an exemplary way a transport pallet of the invention, with so- called Euro pallets placed onto the load plane; and

Figure 4JΪ shows in an exemplary way transport pallets of the invention stacked on top of each other as a bundle.

In Figure la, there is shown in an exemplary way a transport pallet of the invention seen obliquely from above. The transport pallet comprises a substantially rectangular, planar load plane 10, with two substantially parallel flat surfaces, the upper surface and the lower surface. The upper surface of the load plane refers to the surface, against which the cargo to be placed onto the pallet is placed, and the lower surface refers to the surface opposite to this one. The transport pallet has two opposite edges of substantially equal length and two opposite ends of substantially equal length. The direction of the edges of the transport pallet is the longer direction and the direction of the ends of the pallet is the shorter direction of the pallet, respectively. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the transport pallet refers to the direction of the edges of the pallet, i.e. the longer direction, and the transverse direction refers to the direction of the ends of the pallet, i.e. the shorter direction, respectively. The edges of the pallet have edge strips 18 manufactured of shaped metal profile, and the ends have end strips 19. The edge strip and the end strip are preferably of similar profiled shape, as in Figure 1, but they can also be different.

The principal dimensions of the transport pallet can be chosen suitably, for example, on the basis of the transport systems used and the known size of the cargo. The transport pallet's principal dimensions preferably fit into modular containers and transport systems so that its length is about 5.9 - 7.4m and width about 2.3 - 2.43m.

Figure 2a shows in an exemplary way a transport pallet of the invention as a so- called exploded view. In the figure, the load plane of the pallet has been divided into parts, and the edge strip 18 and the end strips 19 of the pallet are shown detached from the load plane. In the load plane of the pallet there is the surface panel 12 forming the upper surface of the load plane, the bottom panel 14 forming the lower surface of the load plane, and the body panel 16 between the surface panel and the bottom panel. The purpose of the body panel 16 is to act as the principal bearing component of the load plane. The purpose of the surface panel is to act as the base for the loads to be placed onto the pallet and to distribute the possible spotlike loads more evenly to the body panel. The purpose of the bottom panel is to distribute the point loads directed to the lower surface of the pallet more widely to the area of the body panel. Point loads are generated, for example, as a loaded pallet is transferred along transport chains, roller sets, track sets or slide rails. The surface panel and the bottom panel can be arranged fixedly to the body panel, or they can be replaceable. The material, structure, strength properties and dimensions of the surface panel, bottom panel and body panel are chosen so that a load plane is provided, which is as light as possible, but however, structurally sufficiently durable and rigid. The strength and rigidity of the load plane are such that cargo weighing even 26,000kg can be loaded onto one pallet.

The central area of the body panel includes two forked pipes 20 of rectangular cross-sectional shape, extending substantially in the direction of the ends of the transport pallet and as a uniform tubular cavity from the first edge of the body panel to the second edge of the body panel. The forked pipes are open from both ends and of such a size that forks of a forklift or an automatic loading device can extend into the forked pipe. The forked pipes are rigid pipes that endure bending well so that they simultaneously make the transport pallet efficiently rigid in the transverse direction of the pallet. Besides the forked pipes, lift holes 22 with a cross-section in the shape of the forked pipes are found on both edges of the pallet in the vicinity of the ends of the transport pallet. The lift holes do not extend through the body panel from the first edge to the second edge, as the forked pipes, but they extend a relatively short way into the body panel, preferably 200 - 300mm. In Figure 2, both edges of the transport pallet contain two lift holes, but their number can also be different.

Due to the forked pipes 20 and lift holes 22, the loaded pallet can be lifted, for example, by a bridge crane, by fitting the lifting pikes of the lifting apparatus of the bridge crane to the lift holes and forked pipes. Because the transport pallet has four gripping points at regular intervals on both sides, the transport pallet endures lifting without damages, even if it were heavily loaded with, for example, paper rolls. The pallet can also be lifted by a forklift by fitting the lift pikes of the forklift to the forked pipes. However, in this case, the pallet has to be empty or very lightly loaded so that the pallet could endure the lifting without damages. Thus, transferring the pallet with the help of a forklift is principally meant to be the handling method for empty transport pallets. The edge strips of the transport pallet naturally include apertures 24 at the mouths of the forked pipes and lift holes so that the lifting apparatus can be used for gripping the transport pallet.

In Figure 2a, the edge strips 18 and the end strips 19 shown separately are made of metal profile, which can be untreated or treated in some way, for example, zinc coated. The metal material is preferably steel, but is can also be, for example, aluminium or some other metal. The end strips 19 of the transport pallet have preferably the similar profile shape as the edge strips, but they can also be different. The edge strips and the end strips are attached to each other at the corners of the transport pallet by welding, or by some mechanical fastening elements.

Figure 2b presents in an exemplary way the cross-section of an advantageous embodiment of a load plane 10 of a transport pallet according to the invention. In this embodiment, the body panel 16 of the load plane is corrugated metal sheet. The corrugate form can be any wavelike form, preferably trapezoidal. The space between the folds can be filled by some suitable filling agent, for example urethane or mineral wool. The surface panel and the bottom panel can be fastened to the ridges of the body panel detachably, for example, by screws, or fixedly, for example, by welding, gluing or by rivets. The body panel is placed to the load plane so that the direction of the fold ridges, which is the more rigid direction of the body panel, is the same as the transverse direction of the transport pallet. In this way the loads on top of the load plane transfer principally to the edge strips on the longitudinal edges of the transport pallet. The corrugated body panel and the planar surface and bottom panels provide a load plane with a honeycombed structure, which has very good strength and rigidity properties, but nevertheless small mass.

The load plane may also have a structure that is different from the one shown in Figure 2b. For example, extruded aluminium panels with shaped edge profiles can be used between the surface panel and the bottom panel. Another preferable alternative is to place light filler material between the surface panel and the bottom panel, which is attached to the surface and bottom panels by gluing. In this way a bedded, so-called sandwich structure is achieved which has good strength properties and nevertheless low weight.

In Figure 3a there is shown in an exemplary way a cross-section of a transport pallet according to the invention so that the edge strip 18 of the transport pallet and part of the load plane are visible. The purpose of the edge strip is to provide the transport pallet with sufficient longitudinal strength and act as a fastening support for the load plane 10. The edge strip has an upper flange 26 and a lower flange 28, pointing from the plane of the edge of the transport pallet towards the middle of the pallet. The edge strip is fitted to the edge of the load plane so that the edge of the body panel 16 of the load plane settles into the slot between the upper and lower flanges. The edge of the surface panel 12 arranged to the upper surface of the load plane is fitted against the upper flange so that the upper surface of the surface panel and the upper surface of the upper flange are substantially in the same plane. Respectively, joining the bottom panel 14 to the lower flange is arranged so that the lower surface of the lower flange and the lower surface of the bottom panel are substantially in the same plane. In this way, both the upper and lower surfaces of the pallet are substantially planar. It is especially significant that the lower surface of the pallet is planar, because the pallet can then be well moved even when loaded on different transport systems. In Figure 3a, the connecting surface of the surface panel and the upper flange is perpendicular and the connecting surface of the lower flange and the bottom panel is oblique. However, the connecting surfaces need not be parallel as in the Figure, but they can also extend to some other direction.

In Figure 3a, a central panel 13 is placed between the surface panel 14 and the body panel 16. The surface panel can be attached to the central panel fixedly or preferably detachably, for example, by screws. Thus the surface panel can easily be replaced, when necessary. The central panel can be attached to the body panel fixedly or detachably. The surface panel and the central panel can be of the same material, or they can be made of different materials. Preferably, plywood can be used as surface panel and central panel.

In a respective way, one or several central panels 13 can be placed between the bottom panel 14 and the body panel. The purpose of the bottom panel is, on the one hand, to distribute the point-like and rail-like directed to the bottom panel to the body panel and, on the other hand, to work as a sliding surface so that it could be possible to move the transport pallet by sliding. By using a separate central panel between the bottom panel and the body panel, these tasks can be differentiated. The bottom panel can be a thin sheet, for example, of plastic material, with a low friction coefficient. Respectively, a thicker and more durable metal sheet with good structural strength is selected as the corresponding central panel. Thus, the purpose of the bottom panel is only to act as the sliding surface, and the compensation of point loads is taken of by the central panel.

As substantially planar central panels are arranged to both surfaces of the body panel 16, a honeycombed structure is achieved, which is extremely durable and nevertheless light. In such a solution the surface panel 12 and the bottom panel 14 can be attached to the central panels in a detachable manner so that they can easily be replaced, when necessary.

The edge strip 18 of the transport pallet has a side flange 30 pointing to the side from the plane of the pallet edge, the side flange comprising an upper plane 32, a side plane 34 and a lower plane 36. With the side flange, the overturning or harmful tilting of the transport pallet can be prevented, for example, during sea transport, as the overturning prevention flange (not shown in the figure) of the fastening elements of carrier vehicles is placed against the upper plane of the side flange. The side plane of the side flange again forms a stop-face for the guide wheels (not shown in the figure) guiding the movement of the transport pallet, for example, on automatic roller planes or in automatic storage rooms.

Two locking rails 40 are embedded to the upper surface of the edge strip. The first locking rail is arranged to the upper surface of the edge strip so that the edge of the locking rail pointing upwards is at the same level as the upper surface of the load plane. The second locking rail is arranged arranged to the protruding corner part 42 with a rectangular cross-section at the corner of the edge profile so that the upper surface of the locking rail is found at the same plane with the upper surface of the corner part. The cross-section of the locking rail resembles a rectangular pipe profile the upwards pointing side of which has a groove 44 penetrating the wall of the profile, with flanges 46 on the edges. The locking rails are used for fastening the load to be placed onto the pallet. The locking rails can be provided with a fastening element (not shown), to which it is easy to fasten the load ropes and/or nets used for fastening the cargo in a fast and reliable way. Further, the locking rails can be provided with supporting structures, so-called jigs, with the help of which the transport pallets can be used for transporting different kinds of separate heavy piece goods, packed or loaded into racks. The locking rail can be like the pipe profile shown in Figure 3b or any other rail-like part, to which other parts can be fastened by suitable fastening elements. Preferably the so-called douglas rail generally used in air freighting can be used as the locking rail, for which tried, proved and tested fastening elements are already available. The transport pallet may include two locking rails, as in the figure, or their number may differ from this. By placing the locking rails to different places in the edge strip and end strip it is made sure that the transport pallet always includes a suitable fastening point according to the transport and fastening need at a given time.

The cross-sectional shape of the edge strip is such that the lower surface of the edge strip can be placed opposed against the upper surface of the second edge strip so that no noticeable clearance is left between the edge strips. Because of this, transport pallets can well be stacked on top of each other. The corner part 42 of the edge strip contains nodules 48 with a triangular cross-section, and the lower surface of the edge strip contains notches 50 that are approximately of the same shape and size as the nodules. As empty transport pallets are stacked on top of each other, the nodules 48 settle into the notches 50 so that the overlapping pallets cannot slide in relation to each other. In this way, it is easy to handle and move the pallets as whole bundles, for example, by using a forklift. The corner part 42 is not a necessary part of the edge strip, but the upper surface of the edge strip can also be planar. In this case the whole upper surface of the transport pallet is substantially planar.

The lower surface of the edge strip further includes a guide groove 52 extending in the longitudinal direction of the edge strip. The guide groove controls the movement of the transport pallet as the pallet is moved on such a surface or base that is provided with a guide bar fitting the guide groove. Suitable objects, in which such guide bars can be used for laying out the transport pallets or for controlling the travelling direction are, for example, roller sets, transfer chains, storage rooms and bases for different kinds of carrier vehicles. Figure 3b shows in an exemplary way a cross-section of an advantageous embodiment of a transport pallet according to the invention so that the edge strip 18 of the pallet and part of the load plane are visible. In this embodiment, the transport pallet is provided with locking profiles 38a, 38b, 38c, with the help of which the transport pallet is locked to the base or structures of a carrier vehicle or storage structure. The locking profile is a shaped ribbon-like part with recesses and projections. The base or structure, to which the transport pallet is locked, is provided with counter profiles (not shown in the figure) which have a substantially reversed shape compared to the locking profile. The reversed shape of the profiles means that the surface of the locking profile and the surface of the counter profile can settle against each other so that the protruding parts of the locking profile fit into the recesses in the counter profile, and vice versa. When placed opposed, the locking profile and the counter profile thus lock mechanically to each other, preventing the profiles from moving in relation to each other in at least some direction. The cross- sectional shape of the locking profile can be, for example, serrated or trapezoidal, or some other suitable form. The locking profile and the counter profile need not have the same profile shape.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3b, the locking profile 38a is arranged to the side plane 34 of the side flange 30. The locking profile can be a separate part, which is fastened to the side plane, or cogging acting as the locking profile can be machined to the side plane. It is preferable to arrange the locking profile of the side plane so that the ridges of the coggings of the locking profile 38a are at most on level with the plane defined by the side plane. In this way, the locking profiles do not disturb the transfer of the transport pallet in storage or transport systems, in which guide rolls meeting the side plane of the edge strip are used. It is preferable to arrange the counter profile for the locking profile 38a to the base or structure so that the transport pallet can be pulled against the counter profile.

The locking profile 38b is arranged to the lower plane 36 of the side flange 30, and the locking profile 38c is arranged into the guide groove 52 of the edge strip. The surface of the locking profile 38b pointing to the side in the lower plane is oblique. The oblique surface acts as the guide surface, due to which the transport pallet finds its way to the right place on the counter profile, as the pallet is lowered onto the base. It is naturally required that the base or the counter profile has a similar oblique guide surface, which the oblique surface of the locking profile can meet. In some cases, the locking profile 38c arranged to the bottom of the guide groove is a more useful solution for locking the transport pallet than the locking profile in the lower surface of the side flange. This may be the case, for example, in situations in which pallets are placed into box-like structures, such as containers. The total height of the locking profile placed to the bottom of the guide groove is preferably at most equal to the depth of the guide groove 52. In this way, the locking profile does not disturb the sliding of the transport pallet on the flat base. All the locking profiles are not necessary used simultaneously. By providing the pallet in a versatile way with locking profiles placed in different places it is made sure that a suitable method is always found for locking the pallet to the base in question at different stages of the transport chain of the transport pallet. The surface of the corner part 42 of the edge strip 18 pointing towards the middle of the pallet is oblique. Respectively, the lower surface of the edge strip has an oblique bevelled surface. These oblique surfaces act as guide surfaces, due to which the pallets match exactly together as empty pallets are stacked on top of each other.

Figure 3c shows in an exemplary way a cross-section of an advantageous embodiment of a transport pallet according to the invention so that the edge strip 18 of the pallet and part of the load plane are visible. In this embodiment, the edge strip of the transport pallet has a widened guide groove 52, and the guide groove is provided with a ribbon-like sliding batten 54. The sliding batten is manufactured of material with a small friction coefficient and good durability, especially plastic material. The purpose of the sliding batten is to reduce friction between the base and the transport pallet on the base so that it is easier to pull the pallet on the flat surface. The sliding batten can be placed either to the edge strips or end strips of the pallet, depending on the principal transfer direction of the pallet at any given time. The sliding battens can be fastened to the guide groove permanently, for example, by gluing, or preferably detachably by some mechanical fastening elements, for example, screws.

Sliding battens can also be fastened to the bottom panel of the transport pallet as strips extending in the longitudinal or transverse direction of the pallet. The principal transfer direction of the transport pallet on a flat base is the longitudinal direction of the pallet so that it is preferable to arrange the sliding battens to the longitudinal direction of the pallet. Another alternative is to fasten the sliding battens directly onto the base on which pallets are moved. The sliding battens fastened to the bottom panel or the base can have a width, for example, of approximately 100mm and a thickness of approximately 5 - 10mm.

In Figure 3d there is shown in an exemplary way an advantageous embodiment of a transport pallet of the invention, seen obliquely from below. The purpose of the figure is to present an advantageous way for placing short modular locking profiles to the transport pallet. In this embodiment, the side plane 34 of the side flange 30 of the edge strip 18 is provided with locking profiles 38a in the vicinity of the centre part and both ends of the edge strip. The locking profiles 38b arranged to the lower plane of the side flange are found in the vicinity of both ends of the edge strip and approximately in quartiles of the length of the edge strip. The locking profiles 38c in the bottom of the guide groove are at the same place as the outermost locking profiles 38b. In the end strips 19 with a similar profile shape as the edge strips, locking profiles 38a are found in the vicinity of both ends of the end strips. In the end strip 19, the locking profiles 38b and 38c are placed in the vicinity of the centre part of the end strip.

The locking profiles to be arranged to the lower plane of the side flange and to the guide groove are placed comparatively near to the centre part of the edge strip of the pallet so that angular changes in the pallet in relation to the transport direction disturb the settling of the locking profiles and counter profiles against each other as little as possible. Because of the angle of view of the transport pallet, Figure 3d only shows clearly the placing of the locking profiles to the second edge strip and the second end strip. However, the placing of the locking profiles is symmetrical, i.e. locking profiles are provided in a similar way to the edge strip and end strip that are not shown so clearly in the figure.

Figure 3e shows in an exemplary way a cross-sectional view of an advantageous embodiment of an edge strip 18 of a transport pallet according to the invention. In this embodiment, the side flange 30 of the edge strip has projections 56 pointing upwards and downwards, and the side plane 34 of the side flange is concave. Due to the concave side plane, it is easy to push the transport pallet, for example, with the help of forklift forks, as the fork ends are fitted against the concave side plane. Due to the projections, the edge strip can also be easily gripped by scissors-shaped gripping elements. These characteristics of the edge strip facilitate the handling of the transport pallet, for example, when transporting in railway carriages, trailers or containers.

The structure of the transport pallet is such that it makes it possible to move and transport the transport pallet in very different carrier vehicles and transport devices. The pallet can be moved on a flat base, on roller sets, track sets and transfer chains either by pushing or pulling. The pallet suits well for many kinds of carrier vehicles and storage systems. Due to the forked pipes and lift holes, the pallet can be lifted by different kinds of hoisting devices, such as a forklift, bridge crane or travelling gantry crane. Container lock elements used for lifting the containers can further be installed to the centre and the ends of the edge strips, with the help of which container gripping devices can be used for gripping the pallet. This further enhances the versatility of the transport pallet.

Figure 4a presents in an exemplary way a transport pallet according to the invention, with a supporting structure 58 preferably of metal material fastened to the surface of the load plane. The supporting structure has two elongated edge supports 60 set against the upper surface of the edges of the transport pallet and several rails 62 with a rectangular cross-section extending transversely to the transport pallet. The rails are fastened from their first end to the first edge support and from the second end to the second edge support. The distance between the rails is selected so that different baskets or cages for product parts of standard measure or, for example, pallets of standard measure used for transporting small goods can be installed between them. Due to the support structure, these cargo consignments which are small compared to the size of the pallet can be fastened to the pallet in a fast and reliable way. The support structure shown in the figure is only one possible form of supporting structure shown in an exemplary manner. The supporting structure can also be different from the solution shown in the figure.

The advantageous embodiment of the transport pallet of the invention shown in Figure 4a is provided with an active portable storage device 80, into which logistic information can be recorded. In this way, the contents and destination of the cargo can be identified at different stages of the transport chain by using automatic reading devices of the portable storage device. This makes the handling of the cargo considerably easier and faster, for example, in automatically operated intermediate storage rooms. Logistic information can be flexibly changed at different stages of the transport chain. For example, a total delivery originally leaving the factory without the final address can be directed to a certain customer at some point of the transport chain, and the transaction is automatically recorded into the data systems concerning the transports.

Figure 4b shows in an exemplary manner a second transport pallet of the invention, with metal pipes 66 loaded in racks onto the load plane. The size of the transport pallet can preferably be selected so that a desired number of racks of standard measure can be placed onto the transport pallet. The racks are fastened with the help of load ropes to the locking rail in the edge strip of the transport pallet. The length and good weight-carrying capacity of the transport pallet makes possible the palleted transport of very long and heavy products. Figure 4c further shows a transport pallet of the invention, with paper rolls 68 placed onto the load plane. Due to its large weight-carrying capacity, the transport pallet is especially well suited for the transport of paper rolls. For example, various kinds of load ropes and locking comb solutions can be used for fastening the paper rolls to the load plane.

In Figure 4d there is shown in an exemplary manner a transport pallet of the invention, with so-called Euro pallets 70 placed onto the load plane. The width of the transport pallet can advantageously be selected so that two rows of Euro pallets can be placed onto the pallet side by side. Thus, one transport pallet can be loaded with always one consignment that can include various products and that is intended for one customer.

Figure 4e presents in an exemplary way transport pallets of the invention stacked on top of each other as a bundle. If no suitable return cargo is found for the pallets, they have to be returned to their place of departure empty. The transport pallets according to the invention can be stacked as a tight bundle, in which the pallets stay well on top of each other, due to the notches and nodules mentioned earlier in the specification part. Due to the low height of the pallet, they require very little room, thus keeping the costs of the return transport low. For the transport, the pallets placed on top of each other can be tied to each other, for example, with load ropes so that it is easy to handle the bundle of pallets. Empty bundles of transport pallets can advantageously be transported in containers.

Some advantageous forms of embodiment of the transport pallet of the invention have been described above. The invention is not restricted to the described solutions, but the inventional idea can be applied in several ways within the limits set by the claims.

Claims

1. Transport pallet with a rectangular load plane (10) for placing the cargo, characterised in that the longitudinal edges of the load plane contain edge strips (18) manufactured of shaped metal profile and the ends of the load plane have end strips (19) manufactured of shaped metal profile.

2. Transport pallet according to claim 1, characterised in that the edge strips (18) and the end strips (19) have substantially the similar profile shape.

3. Transport pallet according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the edge strip (18) and the end strip (19) have an upper flange (26) and a lower flange (28) and that the edges of the load plane (10) are arranged into a slot between the upper flange and the lower flange.

4. Transport pallet according to one of the claims 1 - 3, characterised in that the edge strip (18) and the end strip (19) have a side flange (30) with an upper plane (32), a side plane (34) and a lower plane (36).

5. Transport pallet according to claim 4, characterised in that side plane (34) of the side flange (30) is concave.

6. Transport pallet according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the side flange (30) has projections (56) for facilitating the gripping of the transport pallet.

7. Transport pallet according to one of the claims 1 - 6, characterised in that the lower surface of the edge strip (18) and/or the end strip (19) has a guide groove (52) for controlling the travelling direction of the transport pallet.

8. Transport pallet according to one of the claims 1 - 7, characterised in that the transport pallet has locking profiles (38a, 38b, 38c) for fastening the transport pallet to the base of a carrier vehicle or storage structure.

9. Transport pallet according to claim 8, characterised in that the locking profiles (38a, 38b, 38c) are arranged to the side plane (34), the lower plane (36) and/or the guide groove (52) of the edge strip (18) and the end strip (19).

10. Transport pallet according to one of the claims 1 - 9, characterised in that the transport pallet includes sliding battens (54) for reducing the friction between the pallet and the base.

11. Transport pallet according to claim 10, characterised in that the sliding battens (54) are arranged to the lower surface of the load plane (10) or to the guide groove (52) of the edge strip (18).

12. Transport pallet according to one of the claims 1 - 11, characterised in that the load plane (10) comprises the surface panel (12), the bottom panel (14), and the body panel (16) between these.

13. Transport pallet according to claim 12, characterised in that the central panel (13) is arranged between the surface panel (12) and the body panel (16) and/or the bottom panel (14) and the body panel.

14. Transport pallet according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the bottom panel (14) is made of very sliding material, preferably plastic.

15. Transport pallet according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the bottom panel (14) is made of material which endures surface pressure well, preferably aluminium.

16. Transport pallet according to one of the claims 12 - 15, characterised in that the surface panel (12) and/or the bottom panel (14) are arranged detachably to the load plane (10).

17. Transport pallet according to one of the claims 12 - 16, characterised in that the body panel (16) is corrugated metal sheet.

18. Transport pallet according to one of the claims 12 - 16, characterised in that the body panel (16) is so-called sandwich sheet.

19. Transport pallet according to one of the claims 12 - 18, characterised in that the body panel (16) has forked pipes (20) extending from the one edge of the body panel to the other for the gripping elements of a lifting apparatus.

20. Transport pallet according to one of the claims 12 - 19, characterised in that the body panel (16) has lift holes (22) extending from the edge of the body panel towards the interior of the body panel for the gripping elements of a lifting apparatus.

21. Transport pallet according to claim 19 or 20, characterised in that the edge strip (18) has apertures (24) at the place of the forked pipes (20) and lift holes (22).

22. Transport pallet according to one of the claims 1 - 21, characterised in that the edge strip (18) and/or the end strip (19) have locking rails (40) for facilitating the fastening of the cargo.

23. Transport pallet according to one of the claims 1 - 22, characterised in that the transport pallet has a portable storage device (80) for recording logistic information.

24. Use of the transport pallet according to one of the claims 1 - 23 for transporting the cargo.