WO2015050490A2

WO2015050490A2 - A pallet collar for a pallet, a goods support comprising such a pallet collar and a method for assembling and disassembling such a pallet collar

Info

Publication number: WO2015050490A2
Application number: PCT/SE2014/051105
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anders JÖNZON; Jonas FRIBERG; Kent ROSBERG
Original assignee: Wellplast Ab
Priority date: 2013-10-01
Filing date: 2014-09-25
Publication date: 2015-04-09
Also published as: EP3052392B1; WO2015050490A3; EP3052392A2

Abstract

A pallet collar (12) for a pallet (1 1 ), comprising a first element (13), a second element (14), a third element (15) and a fourth element (16), wherein the pal¬ let collar (12) is foldable, and wherein a bottom side and a top side (21 ) of the elements (13-16) is provided with protrusions (22) and recesses (20), respec¬ tively, which recesses (20) are arranged for receiving protrusions (22) of an adjacent pallet collar. The first element (13) and the second element (14) comprise inner protrusions (22a) outer protrusions (22b), wherein a height of the outer protrusions (22b) is arranged so that they are disengaged from cor- responding recesses (20) of an adjacent pallet collar when the third element (15) is lifted from an underlying pallet collar to disengage the inner protru¬ sions (22a) while the fourth element (16) simultaneously engages the under¬ lying pallet collar. The invention is also related to a goods support with such pallet collars and methods for assembly and disassembly thereof.

Description

A PALLET COLLAR FOR A PALLET, A GOODS SUPPORT COMPRISING SUCH A PALLET COLLAR AND A METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING AND DISASSEMBLING SUCH A PALLET COLLAR FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a pallet collar for a pallet. Pallets are used for transporting goods and there is a plurality of different types of pallets. Generally, this type of pallets has a rectangular loading surface for receiving the goods. Pallet collars are positioned on pallets to form goods supports for different types of goods, wherein the pallet collars form a space within the pallet collars and prevent the goods from leaving the goods support while the pallet collars simultaneously can protect the goods. Pallet collars comprise four collar elements connected to each other for positioning on the pallet and to form on the pallet a space for the goods within the elements. Pallet collars are stackable, so that goods supports having suitable height can be provided. The invention also relates to a goods support comprising a pallet collar and methods for assembly and disassembly thereof. PRIOR ART

A plurality of different pallets can be found, but the most common standard in Europe is based on EUR pallet dimensions, i.e. pallets having the base 1200x800 mm. Historically, these pallets have been made of wood in Sweden and other countries, mainly in the form of wooden pallets. For such pallets there are a large number of different types of pallet collars. Also lids can be found, which fit on these pallet collars. Wood is still the most common material for this type of pallets and pallet collars for protecting goods loaded on them. Also systems based on plastic materials can be found, wherein pal- lets, pallet collars and lids of plastic materials are included.

A plurality of pallet collars are positioned on the pallet and form walls around the goods to ensure that it does not fall out. Pallet collars can be stacked on top of each other, which give a flexible system with reference to height where the height can be adapted by multiples of the height of a pallet collar. Another advantage with the pallet collar is that pallet collars can be added/removed when goods is loaded or unloaded to reach down with/to the goods.

Some advantages with plastic materials instead of wood is

Longer duration (goods supports of plastic materials can be used more times than goods supports of wood

Improved total economy (can be used more times)

More clean (wood gives splinters and fibres)

Washable (goods supports of plastic materials can be washed when returned for further increased cleanness

Does not bind moisture (moisture can affect the loaded product negatively)

Plastic solutions give better opportunities to cost efficient solutions for improved functionality of the goods supports (e.g. han- dies, locks etc.)

• The product can be recycled after its lifetime to produce new goods supports

Downsides

• Pallet collars and pallet containers of plastic materials are more expensive to purchase

• The plastic raw material is based on fossil raw material.

There are pallet collars of different types of materials, such as wood or plastic, in the prior art.

One problem with prior art pallet collars is that it is difficult to assemble a goods support having a plurality of pallet collars. Similarly, it is difficult to remove pallet collars from a goods support with a stack of pallet collars. Hence, assembly and disassembly of pallet collars according to the prior art require a lot of work and involve ergonomically unfavourable working postures. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to avoid the above mentioned problems of the prior art and provide a pallet collar which easily and safely can be positioned on and removed from an underlying pallet collar of a goods support having a stack of pallet collars.

The present invention relates to a pallet collar for a pallet, comprising a first element, a second element opposite the first element, a third element and a fourth element opposite the third element, wherein the elements are connected to each other through hinges, wherein the first element and the second element in a central portion are provided with pivots, so that the pallet collar can be folded, wherein each of the elements comprise a bottom side and a top side, and wherein the bottom side and the top side of the elements are provided with protrusions and recesses, respectively, which recesses are arranged for receiving the protrusions of an adjacent pallet collar in a stack of pallet collars, characterised in that the first element and the second element at least comprises inner protrusions or inner protrusion portions, and the first element and the second element comprises outer protrusions or outer protru- sion portions, wherein the inner protrusions or protrusion portions are arranged closer to the pivot than the outer protrusions or the outer protrusion portions, wherein a height of the outer protrusions or the outer protrusion portions wholly or partially is smaller than a height of the inner protrusions or the inner protrusion portions, or that the bottom side of the first element and the second element between the hinges and the inner protrusions is arranged without the outer protrusions.

The outer protrusions or the outer protrusion portions can be arranged with a height being entirely or partially lower than a height of the inner protrusions or the inner protrusion portions, so that the outer protrusions are disen- gaged from the corresponding recesses of an adjacent pallet collar when the third element of the pallet collar is lifted from an underlying pallet collar while disengaging the inner protrusions from recesses corresponding to the inner protrusions while the fourth element simultaneously engages the underlying pallet collar, or that the bottom side of the first element and the second element between the hinges and the inner protrusions is arranged without the outer protrusions, so that the pallet collar is foldable when the fourth element engages the underlying pallet collar. The first and second elements can form short sides of the pallet collar, wherein the third and fourth element can form long sides of the pallet collar. The pallet collar is constituted by four sides wherein the hinges are in each of the four corners and the pivots are in the middle of each of the short sides, so that the pallet collar can be folded together and, lying on the side, take up a minimum amount of space during transport and storage of empty goods supports. On pallet collars of wood there usually are hinges only in the corners, wherein the pallet collar becomes longer than the pallet when the pallet collar has been folded. Due to the pivots in the centre of the short sides on the pallet collar the pallet collar does not project outside the pallet in the longitudinal direction when the pallet collar has been folded and lie on the side on top of the pallet. Pallet collars of wood generally have protrusions integrated with the hinges in the corners and extending outside the corner of the below pallet collar or pallet to keep the pallet collars positioned on top of the pallet and each other. Pallet collars of plastic are extruded cost efficiently and this pro- cess makes it possible to more complex and detailed designs than for a wooden pallet. By said process the pallet collars can be provided with protrusions in the bottom sides and recesses in the top sides, so that the protrusions fit in the recesses when the pallet collars are stacked on top of each other. Likewise, the pallet is formed with recesses or grooves in which the protrusions of the pallet collar fit. One advantage with grooves in the pallet for taking up the protrusions is that the groove also makes it possible to use the same pallet for pallet containers.

By providing the pallet collars with such protrusions and recesses and the pallet with recesses or the groove a fixing of the pallet collars on top of a pallet and each other is achieved when the pallet collars are stacked on top of a pallet and each other. Hence, the pallet collars are fixed in all horizontal directions, also when the goods support is subject to extensive forces from the goods inside the goods support and/or from goods on the pallet, regard- less of whether it occurs during storage, handling or transport. Fixing by means of protrusions and recesses along the sides of the pallet collar results simultaneously in that the goods support can carry a significantly higher load due to that the fixing by protrusions along the sides of the pallet collar pre- vents said sides from bending outwards, particularly laterally along the sides of the pallet collar and in relation to each other. A pallet collar without protrusions and recesses, which is subject to great loads, instead forces the sides to be bent outwards and to be displaced in relation to each other. Hence, the supporting surface of the pallet collars is reduced and the goods support cannot carry the same total load.

The protrusions of pallet collars are normally arranged with a height preventing a pallet collar from leaving a below pallet or pallet collar during handling, internal transport with forklift, loading and unloading or during external truck transport. A typical height of the protrusions is then 20-50 mm. With low protrusions (0-20 mm) the pallet collars frequently leave each other or the pallet, as all such handling result in impacts wherein the pallet collars is somewhat elevated at one edge or side, leading to one or more pallet collars being misaligned. However, there are also drawbacks with prior art protrusions. When a pallet collar is to be positioned on top of another pallet col- lar it is a requirement that the pallet collar is unfolded and positioned so that the guiding protrusions is aligned right above the recesses of the below pallet collar before the pallet collar is lowered and fixed by means thereof. Hence, for a normal solution this is heavy and it is difficult to handle these pallet collars for a single person. For good ergonomics and efficient handling it is therefore normally required that two persons handle the pallet collars when these are built on top of each other with such prior art protrusions. The same applies when one or more pallet collars are to be removed from a pallet or a below pallet collar and the same applies to current handling of wooden pallets with pallet collars. Instead the invention makes it possible for a single person to ergonomically and efficiently handle the pallet collars.

The protrusions, such as all of the protrusions, can be tapered so that the protrusions easier can be fitted into the recesses, which can be formed with straight or tapered sides. The relative height of the protrusions is chosen so that it is not necessary to unfold the pallet collar beforehand to be positioned on top of a below pallet collar, or to fold together and remove a pallet collar. The same also applies for the handling of a multiple of pallet collars. The invention also makes it possible to fold one or more pallet collars lateral- ly towards one of the long sides of the below pallet collars, wherein the pallet collar still is fixed by means of the protrusions of the long side. In this way the operator can easily reach lower into the goods support during loading and unloading of goods, without having to remove such a pallet collar from the good support entirely. During loading, the folded pallet collars are easily un- folded when the goods has reached a height requiring it. During unloading the reversed applies. This gives ergonomic advantages and time-savings during assembly, handling, loading and unloading of the goods support.

The shape of each of the outer protrusions on the sides being divided, such as the short sides, can be in such a way that the pallet collar, when it is elevated in one of the integral sides, such as the long sides, makes these shaped protrusions to be positioned above the top side of the divided sides without having to elevate the pallet collar in its opposite integral side. When the shaped protrusions after this inclination of the pallet collar is positioned above the top side of the below pallet collar, the divided sides can be folded towards the centre of the pallet collar, wherein the shaped protrusions are positioned within the divided sides of the below pallet collar, wherein the pallet collar can be lowered to horizontal position and can be entirely folded to the side. Then, the pallet collar can be lifted off from the goods support ergo- nomically by a single person or can be maintained in its position without pre- venting continued unloading or loading of the goods support in its lower layers. By the protrusions being somewhat tapered and the recesses more straight in their sides, the protrusions are allowed to be inclined inside their recesses. This makes it possible to elevate the pallet collar to be folded in one of its integral sides without the protrusions in the opposite side offer re- sistance or are broken in their recesses.

One alternative solution to achieve a similar function during handling of the pallet collars but which possibly result in a somewhat reduced stability is to leave out the outer protrusions entirely on the divided short sides. What is required to do this is that the pallet on which the pallet collars are to be placed upon has recesses with a shape that the remaining protrusions fit in, instead of grooves which are preferred with reference to the flexibility of use of the system. The invention is also related to a goods support comprising a pallet collar as above and methods for assembly and disassembly thereof.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the embodiments below, the appended drawings and the dependent claims.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described more in detail with the aid of embodiment examples and with reference to the appended drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view obliquely from above of a goods support comprising a pallet and two pallet collars arranged on the pallet according to one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of a pallet collar according to one embodiment of the present invention,

Figs. 3-7 are schematic side views of the pallet collar illustrating different protrusion embodiments thereof,

Figs. 8-12 is a series of schematic side views of a goods support having two pallet collars and which illustrate disassembly of a pallet collar according to one embodiment, Fig. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a pallet collar according to one embodiment,

Fig. 14 is a schematic side view of a short side of the pallet collar of Fig. 13, Fig. 15 is a schematic side view of a long side of the pallet collar of Fig. 13, Fig. 16 is a schematic view from above of the pallet collar of Fig. 13,

Fig. 17 is a schematic perspective view of a goods support having a pallet and a plurality of pallet collars according to Fig. 13, wherein a long side of an uppermost pallet collar has been turned upwards to disengage the protrusions on the short sides,

Fig. 18 is a schematic side view of the goods support of Fig. 17,

Fig. 19 is an enlargement of a disengaged outer protrusion of the short side, Fig. 20 is a schematic perspective view of the goods support of Fig. 17, wherein the uppermost pallet collar partially has been folded,

Fig. 21 is a schematic side view of the goods support of Fig. 20, Fig. 22 is an enlargement of a disengaged outer protrusion of the short side,

Fig. 23 is a schematic perspective view of the goods support of Fig. 17, wherein the uppermost pallet collar is folded and inclined, Fig. 24 is a schematic side view of the goods support of Fig. 23,

Fig. 25 is an enlargement of a part of the goods support,

Fig. 26 is a schematic perspective view of the goods support of Fig. 17, wherein the uppermost pallet collar is folded and is supported by the underlying pallet collar,

Fig. 27 is a schematic side view of the goods support of Fig. 26, Fig. 28 is an enlargement of a part of the goods support, and

Figs. 29-33 are schematic views of a pallet having grooves for receiving the protrusions of a pallet collar according to one embodiment.

THE INVENTION

Referring to Fig. 1 a goods support 10 according to one embodiment is illustrated schematically. The goods support 10 comprises a pallet 1 1 and a plurality of pallet collars 12 stacked on top of each other. In the embodiment of Fig. 1 the goods support 10 comprises two pallet collars 12. Alternatively, the goods support 10 comprises any number of pallet collars 12, such as 2-5 pallet collars. The goods support 10 is arranged for transporting goods. The goods are not illustrated in the drawings and can be any type of cargo. For example, the goods support 10 is formed in plastic materials, such as polypropylene or any other suitable plastic material. Alternatively, the goods support 10 is arranged in any other suitable material. For example, the goods support 10 can comprise a lid, which is not illustrated in the drawings. The pallet collar 12 is arranged to be positioned on the pallet 1 1 or to be positioned on another pallet collar 12. A lowermost pallet collar 12 of the goods support 10 is arranged to be positioned on the pallet 1 1 , at a periphery of the same. The pallet collar 12 comprises a plurality of interconnected elements, such as a first element 13, a second element 14, a third element 15 and a fourth element 16. The elements 13-16 are connected to each other in their ends through hinges 17. Further, the first element 13 and the second element 14 are divided and provided with a pivot 18 in a central portion, wherein the pallet collar 12 is foldable without increasing a length thereof. For example, the elements 13-16 are elongated, wherein the hinges 17 and the pivots 18 extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elements 13-16. The pivot 18 of the first element 13 extends, for example, in a plane of the first element 13, wherein the pivot 18 of the second element 14 extends in a plane of the second element 14. For example, the hinges 17 extend in parallel to the pivots 18. For example, the third element 15 and the fourth element 16, respectively, are integral. The third element 15 is arranged opposite the fourth element 16 and when the pallet collar 12 is unfolded the first element 13 is arranged opposite the second element 14 forming a space 19 within the elements 13-16, in which space 19 the goods are stored. For example, the first and second elements 13, 14 form short sides of the pallet collar 12 while the third and fourth elements 15, 16 form long sides of the pallet collar 12.

The pallet collar 12 comprises recesses 20. In the illustrated embodiment the recesses 20 are arranged in a top side 21 of the elements 13-16 of the pallet collar 12. The recesses 20 are arranged for receiving protrusions 22 of an adjacent pallet collar 12, which protrusions 22 are illustrated, inter alia, in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. In Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 the recesses 20 are illustrated by means of broken lines. In Fig. 2 the arrangement of the recesses 20 and protrusions 22 of the third element 15 are mainly illustrated, wherein the fourth element 16 is arranged in a corresponding manner, and in Fig. 3 the arrangement of the recesses 20 and the protrusions 22 of the first and second elements 13, 14 are mainly illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment the protrusions 22 are projecting, such as vertically, from a bottom side of each of the elements 13-16. The protrusions 22 of, for example, the third element 15 extend in the plane of the third element 15, etc. The recesses 20 extend in a corresponding manner, such as vertically, into each of the elements 13-16 from a top side. Alternatively, the protrusions 22 are arranged on the top side and the recesses 20 in the bottom side.

With reference to Fig. 3 the first and second elements 13, 14 comprise inner protrusions 22a and outer protrusions 22b. The inner protrusions 22a are arranged closer to the pivot 18 than the outer protrusions 2b. For example, the inner protrusions 22a are arranged at the pivot 18 while the outer protrusions 22b are arranged so that the pallet collar 12 can be inclined upwards and folded while the third element 15 or the fourth element 16, i.e. a long side of the pallet collar 12 in the illustrated embodiment, simultaneously is connected to or engages an underlying pallet collar 12. The outer protrusions 22b are arranged with a height being smaller than a height of the inner protrusions 22a. For example, the height of the outer protrusions 22b is en- tirely or partially below 20 mm while the height of the inner protrusions 22a is more than 20 mm. In the embodiment of Fig. 3 the outer protrusions 22b are arranged with an inclined surface or free end, which surface is a lower surface when the pallet collar 12 is assembled, so that the height of the outer protrusions 22b is smaller in a direction towards the closest hinge 17 than in a direction towards the pivot 18. Hence, the outer protrusions 22b are tapered in a direction outwards towards the nearest end of the element 13, 14. For example, the free end of the outer protrusions 22b is inclined, so that an imaginary line extending along the free end touch upon the closest corner of a lower edge of the closest inner protrusion 22a.

With reference to Fig. 4 an alternative embodiment is illustrated in which the first and second elements 13, 14 comprise the inner protrusions 22a but lack the outer protrusions 22b, For example, the bottom side of the first and second elements 13, 14 is substantially planar or level between the hinges 17 and the inner protrusions 22a.

With reference to Fig. 5 an alternative embodiment is illustrated wherein the first and second elements 13, 14 comprise the inner protrusions 22a and the outer protrusions 22b. In the embodiment of Fig. 5 the outer protrusions 22b are arranged with a bottom side being substantially in parallel to the bottom side of the first and second elements 13, 14, wherein the outer protrusions 22b are arranged with a height being smaller than for example, 10 mm.

With reference to Fig. 6 an alternative embodiment is illustrated wherein the first and second elements 13, 14 comprise the inner protrusions 22a and the outer protrusions 22b. In the embodiment of Fig. 6 the outer protrusions 22b are arranged with an outer section in a direction towards the closest hinge 17 and in a direction away from the inner protrusions 22a, which outer section is arranged with lower height than an inner section in a direction towards the inner protrusions 22a. With reference to Fig. 7 one alternative embodiment is illustrated wherein the first and second elements 13, 14 comprise the inner protrusions 22a. In the embodiment of Fig. 7 the inner protrusions 22a are elongated, so that they extend along a substantial part of the bottom side of the first and second elements 13, 14 between the hinges 17 and the pivot 18. Further, the bottom side of the inner protrusions 22a are inclined, so that a height of the inner protrusions 22a is higher in a direction towards the pivot 18 than in a direction towards the hinges 17. Alternatively, the embodiment of Fig. 7 can be said to comprise elongated protrusions 22a with inner protrusion portions and outer protrusion portions, wherein the inner protrusion portions are arranged closer to the pivot 18 than the outer protrusion portions, and wherein the inner protrusion portions are arranged with a higher height than the outer protrusion portions.

With reference to Figs. 8-12 removal of an uppermost pallet collar 12 from a goods support 10 having a stack of pallet collars 12 arranged on a pallet 1 1 is illustrated schematically. To remove or disassemble the uppermost pallet collar 12 the third or fourth element 15, 16, i.e. one of the integral elements, is elevated, which is illustrated by means of the arrow A in Fig. 9, while the opposite fourth element 16 is connected to the underlying pallet collar 12 by means of its protrusions. Hence, the pallet collar 12 is turned around the bottom side of the fourth element 16. For example, the protrusions 22 and/or the recesses 20 are arranged to allow said turning without breaking the protrusions 22. For example, a thickness of the protrusions 22 is tapered in a direction towards its lower side. The uppermost pallet collar 12 is turned like this until the inner protrusions 22a of the first and second elements 13, 14 are disengaged from the corresponding recesses 20 of the underlying pallet collar. Due to the arrangement of the outer protrusions 22b or the lack of the outer protrusions 22b the uppermost pallet collar 12 is foldable in the elevated or position turned upwards while the fourth element 16 is connected to the underlying pallet collar 12. To fold the pallet collar 12 the third element 15 is displaced towards the fourth element 16, which is illustrated by means of the arrow B in Fig. 10, wherein the first and second ele- ments 13, 14 are folded within the space 19 through the arrangement of the pivots 18. The third element 15 is displaced further until the parts of the first and second elements 13, 14 are arranged substantially in parallel to the third and fourth elements 15, 16, which is illustrated in Fig. 1 1 . In its folded posi- tion the folded pallet collar 12 can be supported by the underlying pallet collar 12, which is illustrated in Fig. 12. When needed the folded pallet collar 12 can be removed from the underlying pallet collar 12 by lifting it upwards, as illustrated by means of the arrow C, wherein the protrusions 22 of the fourth ele- ment 16 are disengaged from the recesses 20 of the underlying pallet collar 12. The assembly of a pallet collar 12 is performed in a corresponding manner, however reversed, wherein the fourth element 16 of a folded pallet collar 12 is arranged on an underlying pallet collar 12, wherein the folded pallet collar 12 is unfolded and inclined upwards, so that the protrusions 22 of the first and second elements 13, 14 are positioned above the corresponding recesses of the underlying pallet collar 12, and then is lowered or turned downwards, so that the protrusions of the first, second and third elements 13, 14, 15 are inserted into the corresponding recesses 20 of the underlying pallet collar 12. With reference to Figs. 13-16 the pallet collar 12 is illustrated according to one alternative embodiment, wherein the pallet collar is formed by extruded plastic material, such as polypropylene. In the embodiment of Figs. 13-16 the first and second elements 13, 14 comprise the pivot 18, the inner protrusions 22a and the outer protrusions 22b, wherein the outer protrusions 22b are arranged with lower height than the inner protrusions 22a and with inclined bottom side. In Figs. 13-16 the first and second elements 13, 14 are divided short sides of the pallet collar 12, wherein the third and fourth elements 14, 15 are integral long sides of the pallet collar 12.

In Figs. 18-28 a goods support 10 comprising pallet collars 12 accord- ing to Figs. 13-16 and a pallet 1 1 of plastic materials is illustrated, wherein assembly/disassembly of the uppermost pallet collar is illustrated. In Figs. 17- 19 the uppermost pallet collar 12 is turned upwards to disengage the protrusions 22a, 22b of the first and second elements 13, 14 from the corresponding recesses 20 of the underlying pallet collar. In Fig. 19 an enlargement of the disengaged outer protrusion 22b closest to the fourth element 16 is illustrated. In Figs. 20-22 the goods support 10 with the uppermost pallet collar 12 turned upwards and partially folded is illustrated. In Figs. 26-28 the uppermost pallet collar 12 is illustrated in its folded position and supported by the underlying pallet collar 12. As particularly evident from Fig. 26 the third and fourth elements 15, 16 are arranged with a length corresponding to a distance between an outer side of the first element 13 and an outer side of the second element 14, so that the third element 15 can be supported by the first and second elements 13, 14 in the folded position of the pallet collar 12 when the fourth element 16 is connected to the underlying pallet collar 12.

In Figs. 29-33 the pallet 1 1 is illustrated according to one embodiment, in which the pallet 1 1 is arranged with a groove 23 for receiving the protrusions 22 of a lowermost pallet collar 12 of the goods support 10. The groove 23 extends continuously at a periphery of a top side of the pallet 1 1 . Alternatively, the pallet 1 1 is provided with recesses corresponding to the protrusions 22.

Claims

1 . A pallet collar (12) for a pallet (1 1 ), comprising a first element (13), a second element (14) opposite the first element (13), a third element (15) and a fourth element (16) opposite the third element (15), wherein the elements (13-16) are connected to each other through hinges (17), wherein the first element (13) and the second element (14) are provided with pivots (18) in a central portion, so that the pallet collar (12) is foldable, wherein each of the elements (13-16) comprise a bottom side and a top side (21 ), and wherein the bottom side and the top side (21 ) of the elements (13-16) are provided with protrusions (22) and recesses (20), respectively, which recesses (20) are arranged for receiving protrusions (22) of an adjacent pallet collar in a stack of pallet collars, characterised in that

the first element (13) and the second element (14) comprise inner protrusions (22a) or inner protrusion portions, and

the first element (13) and the second element (14) comprise outer protrusions (22b) or outer protrusion portions, wherein the inner protrusions (22a) or protrusion portions are arranged closer to the pivot (18) than the outer protrusions (22b) or the outer protrusion portions, wherein a height of the outer protrusions (22b) or the outer protrusion portions entirely or partially is lower than a height of the inner protrusions (22a) or the inner protrusion parts, or that the bottom side of the first element (13) and the second element (14) between the hinges (17) and the inner protrusions (22a) is arranged without the outer protrusions.

2. A pallet collar according to claim 1 , wherein the outer protrusions (22b) or protrusion portions are arranged with a height adapted so that the outer protrusions (22b) are disengaged from the corresponding recesses (20) of an adjacent pallet collar when the third element (15) of the pallet collar (12) is lifted from an underlying pallet collar while disengaging the inner protrusions (22a) from recesses corresponding to the inner protrusions (22a) while the fourth element (16) simultaneously engages the underlying pallet collar, or that the bottom side of the first element (13) and the second element (14) between the hinges (17) and the inner protrusions (22a) is arranged without the outer protrusions, so that the pallet collar (12) is foldable when the fourth element (16) engages the underlying pallet collar.

3. A pallet collar according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first element (13) and the second element (14) comprise the outer protrusions (22b), and wherein a height of the outer protrusions entirely or partially is lower than a height of the inner protrusions (22a).

4. A pallet collar according to claim 3, wherein a height of the outer protru- sions (22b) entirely or partially are below 20 mm.

5. A pallet collar according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first element (13) and the second element (14), respectively, comprises a first inner protrusion, a second inner protrusion, a first outer protrusion and a second outer protru- sion, wherein the first inner protrusion and the second inner protrusion are arranged on opposite sides of the pivot, wherein the first inner protrusion is arranged between the pivot (18) and the first outer protrusion, and wherein the second inner protrusion is arranged between the pivot (18) and the second outer protrusion.

6. A pallet collar according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the outer protrusions (22b) are arranged with a height being lower in a direction towards the closest hinge (17) than in a direction towards the pivot (18).

7. A pallet collar according to claim 6, wherein a free end of the outer protrusions (22b) is inclined so that an imaginary line extending along the free end is tangent to an outer corner of a free end of the closest inner protrusion (22a).

8. A pallet collar according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a height of the inner protrusions (22a) and a height of the protrusions (22) of the third and fourth elements (15, 16) are bigger than 20 mm.

9. A pallet collar according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a thickness of the protrusions (22) is tapered.

10. A pallet collar according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hinges (17) are arranged so that a length of the third and fourth elements (15, 16), in the folded position of the pallet collar (12), corresponds to a distance between outer sides of the first and second elements (13, 14) in the unfolded position of the pallet collar.

1 1 . A goods support (10) comprising a pallet collar (1 1 ) and a plurality of stacked pallet collars (12) according to any of claims 1 to 10.

12. A goods support according to claim 1 1 , wherein the pallet (1 1 ) is arranged with continuous grooves (23) for receiving the protrusions (22) of a pallet collar (12) arranged at the bottom.

13. A goods support according to claim 1 1 , wherein the pallet (1 1 ) is arranged with recesses corresponding to the protrusions (22).

14. A method for disassembling a pallet collar (12) according to any of claims 1 to 10 of a goods support (10) having a pallet (1 1 ) and a plurality of pallet collars (12) stacked on each other, comprising the steps of

a) turning the pallet collar (12) by lifting the third element (15) of the pallet collar (12) from the underlying pallet collar while keeping the fourth element (16) connected to the underlying pallet collar,

b) by said turning of the pallet collar (12) disengaging the inner protrusions (22a) of the first and second elements (13, 14) from the recesses (20) of the underlying pallet collar,

c) folding the pallet collar (12) by bringing the third element (15) towards the fourth element (16) while the fourth element (16) is connected to the underlying pallet collar, and

d) after step c removing the folded pallet collar (12) from the goods support (10) for disassembly thereof.

15. A method for assembling a pallet collar (12) according to any of claims 1 to 10 of a goods support (10) having a pallet (1 1 ) and a plurality of pallet collars (12) stacked on top of each other, comprising the steps of

a) positioning the fourth element (16) of a folded pallet collar (12) on an underlying pallet collar and connecting the fourth element (16) therewith by means of the protrusions (22) and the recesses (20),

b) partially unfolding the pallet collar (12) by moving the third element (15) away from the fourth element (16),

c) turning the pallet collar (12) by lifting the third element (15) of the pallet collar (12) while maintaining the fourth element (16) connected to the underlying pallet collar, and by said turning elevating the protrusions (22a, 22b) of the first and second elements (13, 14) above the underlying pallet collar, d) unfolding the pallet collar (12) entirely and thereby aligning the protrusions (22) of the first, second and third elements (13-15) with the corresponding recesses (22), and

e) turning the pallet collar (12) by bringing the third element (15) into engagement with the underlying pallet collar and thereby inserting the protrusions (22) of the first, second and third elements (13-15) in corresponding recesses (22) of the underlying pallet collar.