WO2023111833A1

WO2023111833A1 - Plastic pallet with shock absorbing means

Info

Publication number: WO2023111833A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/062118
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alberto CARBONARI; Doriano CARBONARI; Emanuele Ricci
Original assignee: S.C.S. Societa' Costruzione Stampi S.R.L.
Priority date: 2021-12-16
Filing date: 2022-12-13
Publication date: 2023-06-22

Abstract

Plastic pallet (100) comprising a base (1 ), an upper deck (2) disposed on top of the base (1 ), a plurality of coupling assemblies (A), each one comprising female coupling means (4), male coupling means (5) inserted in the female coupling means (4), and locking means (6) disposed between the male coupling means (5) and the female coupling means (4); wherein the coupling assemblies (A) comprise peripheral coupling assemblies (3) disposed along the perimeter of the pallet (100); the pallet (10) comprises shock absorbing means (7) associated with the peripheral coupling assemblies (3); the shock absorbing means comprise a bellows- folded plate (70) comprising an upper edge (7a), a lower edge (7b), and a plurality of vertical fold lines (73) extending from the upper edge (7a) to the lower edge (7b), in such a way that the plate has a triangular wave shape in cross section.

Description

PLASTIC PALLET WITH SHOCK ABSORBING MEANS

DESCRIPTION

The present patent application for industrial invention relates to a plastic pallet with shock absorbing means.

The reference field in which this invention has been conceived is the field relating to the transportation and storage of goods, and particularly the field relating to the pallets used for the transportation of goods.

Wooden pallets are used to facilitate the transportation and storage of goods, which are placed on top of the pallet in order to be transported. Wooden pallets are treated with chemical agents in order to prevent the settling of pathogens and insects in the wood of the pallet and their transfer from one country to another during the transportation of goods.

The chemical treatment of the pallets involves an environmental drawback because the pallet cannot be recycled and therefore it is burnt in special incinerators in order to be disposed. In addition, the chemically treated pallets cannot be used as firewood for fireplaces because they release harmful and polluting substances into the atmosphere.

In this regard, an alternative to wooden pallets is represented by plastic pallets because they are lighter, recyclable, and more hygienic. Plastic pallets undergo less wear compared to wooden pallets and therefore they can be used many more times than wooden pallets. However, plastic pallets have the disadvantage of being easily damaged, as they are subject to the shocks caused by the placement of the goods on top of the pallet, and to the stresses caused by the lift trucks, conveyors and forklifts used to transport the pallets.

US2007234933A1 discloses a plastic pallet having a top deck, a bottom deck, and a plurality of coupling means. Each coupling means comprises telescoped leg assemblies comprising a male member, a female member, and locking means. An absorbing means consisting of a compression spring or a block made of urethane foam or of any other i compressible material is arranged in the coupling means. The absorbing means described in US2007234933A1 only allow for cushioning the shocks and the stresses in vertical direction, and not the shocks and shearing stresses in horizontal direction.

WO9902412A1 discloses a container for transport and storage of bulk goods. The container comprises a base part and collapsible side walls connected to the base part by means of hinge parts. The base part has a pallet-like structure made of two parts, with a lower member and an upper member and a plurality of coupling means between the lower member and the upper member. Each coupling means comprises a male element and a female element that define a compartment wherein a shock absorbing means is arranged. The shock absorbing means consists of an insert made of rubber or of other type of material with elastic return. The shock absorbing means allows only shocks and stresses in vertical direction to be absorbed and not shocks and shearing stresses in horizontal direction.

US8584599B2 discloses a plastic pallet comprising a base, an upper deck, and coupling means between the base and the upper deck. Each coupling means includes a female element and a male element that are coupled together. A shock absorbing means is inserted between the male element and the female element. The shock absorbing means consists of a block of thermoplastic foam material that is injected into the cavity between the male element and the female element so as to permanently adhere to the cavity. Although the shock absorbing means consisting in the injected thermoplastic foam material allows for cushioning the shocks, it prevents the base and the deck from being separated when the thermoplastic material has set.

The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by devising a plastic pallet that does not require any chemical treatment and at the same time is capable of resisting the shocks and stresses both in vertical and horizontal direction.

Another purpose is to provide such a pallet, which is safe, durable, versatile, inexpensive and easy to make. Another purpose is to provide such a pallet, which can be made from recycled plastic material and at the same time can be recycled for the production of recycled plastic.

These purposes are achieved in accordance with the invention with the features listed in the appended independent claim 1 .

Advantageous achievements appear from the dependent claims.

The pallet according to the invention is defined by claim 1 .

For the sake of explanatory clarity, the description of the pallet according to the invention continues with reference to the appended drawing, which are for illustrative and non-limiting purposes only, wherein:

- Fig. 1 is an axonometric view of a pallet according to the invention;

- Fig. 2 is an axonometric top view of the upper deck of the pallet according to the invention;

- Fig. 2A is an axonometric top view of the base of the pallet according to the invention;

- Fig. 2B is an axonometric view of two shock absorbing means of different type;

- Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the pallet according to the invention;

- Fig. 3A is a diagrammatic top view illustrating an arrangement of the shock absorbing means;

- Fig. 4 is a top view of a portion of the pallet according to the invention sectioned along a horizontal plane passing through a coupling assembly of the pallet according to the invention;

- Fig. 5 is an axonometric top view of an enlarged detail of Fig. 2, sectioned along a vertical plane passing through female coupling means of the coupling assembly of the pallet according to the invention;

- Fig. 6 is an axonometric top view of an enlarged detail of Fig. 2A, sectioned along a vertical plane passing through male coupling means of the coupling assembly of the pallet according to the invention;

- Fig. 7 is an axonometric view of a locking assembly sectioned along a vertical plane passing through said locking assembly; - Fig. 8 is an axonometnc view of a coupling assembly sectioned along a vertical plane passing through said coupling assembly, before coupling;

- Fig. 9 is a front view of Fig. 8; and

- Fig. 10 is a front view of the coupling assembly, sectioned along a vertical plane passing through said coupling assembly, after coupling.

With reference to the appended figures, the pallet according to the invention is described, it being comprehensively indicated with reference numeral 100. The pallet (100) is made of plastic and is of a modular type comprising several elements that can be mutually assembled and disassembled.

With reference to Fig. 1 , the pallet (100) comprises a base (1 ) and an upper deck (2) arranged on the base (1 ).

The pallet (100) comprises coupling assemblies (A) for coupling the upper deck (2) to the base (1 ). The coupling assemblies (A) comprise peripheral coupling assemblies (3) and a central coupling assembly (30). The peripheral coupling assemblies (3) can be eight in number and can be arranged at the four corners of the pallet and in a central position of each side of the pallet.

With reference to Figs. 2, 2A and 3, each coupling assembly (A) comprises female coupling means (4) and male coupling means (5). The male coupling means (5) are located on the base (1 ), whereas the female coupling means (4) are located on the upper deck (2). The male coupling means (5) are inserted into the female coupling means (4).

Referring to Fig. 5, the female coupling means (4) comprise a boxed frame (40) with annular shape, having an inner wall (41 ) and an outer wall (42). The inner wall (41 ) and outer wall (42) protrude orthogonally and inferiorly from the upper deck (2).

Referring to Fig. 7, a reinforcing rib (C) is provided between the inner wall (41 ) and the outer wall (42) of the boxed frame of the female coupling means to give additional strength to the upper deck (2). Returning to Fig. 5, the female coupling means (4) comprise a central compartment (43) defined laterally by the inner wall (41 ). The central compartment (43) allows for the insertion of the male coupling means (5).

The female coupling means (4) also include a perimeter compartment (44) defined by the inner wall (41 ) and by the outer wall (42). The perimeter compartment (44) is open inferiorly.

With reference to Figs. 2A and 6, the basement (1 ) comprises an annular centering wall (10) arranged around the male coupling means (5).

With reference to Fig. 10, the annular centering wall (10) of the base is inserted into the perimeter compartment (44) of the boxed frame (40) of the female coupling means (4) and abuts the outer wall (42) of the boxed frame (40). Such an arrangement of the annular centering wall (10) allows for the centering of the male coupling means (5) inside the female coupling means (4).

Referring to Fig. 10, the male coupling means (5) comprise a body (50) suitable for being inserted in the central compartment (43) of the boxed frame (40) of the female coupling means (4), and in contact with the inner wall (41 ) of the boxed frame (40) of the female coupling means (4). The body (50) of the male coupling means (5) is boxed.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, each coupling assembly (A) comprises locking means (6) arranged between the male coupling means (5) and the female coupling means (4) for the coupling and locking of the female coupling means (4) to the male coupling means (5). The locking means (6) comprise quick-release male coupling means, and quick-release female coupling means.

Referring to Fig. 5, the quick-release male coupling means comprise a central body (80) disposed in longitudinal direction relative to the quickrelease female coupling means (4). The central body (80) of the quickrelease male coupling means comprises two ends (80b) connected to the inner wall (41 ) of the boxed frame (40) of the female coupling means (4). The central body (80) also comprises four flexible tabs (80a), two by two in opposite position.

The central body (80) is divided transversely in two parts by a partition (P), and the four flexible tabs (80a) are arranged two on one side and two on the other side of the partition (P).

An opening (B) is obtained between the flexible tab (80a) and the end (80b) of the central body connected to the inner wall (41 ).

Referring to Fig. 6, the quick-release female coupling means comprise an indentation (82) obtained on the quick-release male coupling means (5) and having a U-shaped profile. The indentation (82) comprises four seats (82a) opposed to each other and formed on the two opposite walls of said indentation (82).

Referring to Fig. 7, when the pallet (100) is assembled, the central body (80) of the quick-release male coupling means is housed in the indentation (82), whereas the flexible tabs (80a) are fitted in the seats (82a) of the indentation (82).

Each of said seats (82a) has an edge (82b), and when the flexible tab (80a) is elastically fitted into the seat (82a), the upper edge (83) of the flexible tab (80a) abuts the edge (82b) of the seat (82a), thus locking the flexible tab (80a) in the seat (82a).

Referring to Fig. 3, the pallet (100) includes shock absorbing means (7) associated with the peripheral coupling assemblies (3).

The shock absorbing means (7) are configured in such a way as to absorb/dampen the shocks caused during the use of the pallet (100). The shock absorbing means (7) give the pallet (100) according to the invention an excellent resistance to stresses. The pallet can be used repeatedly due to the presence of the shock absorbing means (7), which provide the pallet (100) with an excellent absorption/dampening of the stresses and shocks to which it is subjected.

The shock absorbing means (7) are housed in the perimeter compartment (44) of the boxed frame (40) of the female coupling means (4), as also shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. The shock absorbing means (7) are interposed between the inner wall (41 ) and the outer wall (42) of the boxed frame (40) of the female coupling means (4).

The shock absorbing means (7) are in contact with the base (1 ), extending between the inner wall (41 ) and the outer wall (42), and are superiorly in contact with the upper deck (2). More precisely, the shock absorbing means (7) are in contact with the reinforcing rib (C) of the upper deck (2). The shock absorbing means (7) in contact with the reinforcing rib (C) contribute to the discharge of the weight of the goods transported on the pallet to the ground. In fact, the weight is applied to the upper deck (2) of the pallet (100), which is transferred from the reinforcing rib (C) of the female coupling means (4) to the base (1 ) by means of the shock absorbing means (7).

Referring to Fig. 2B, the shock absorbing means (7) comprise a bellows-folded plate (70) comprising a top edge (7a), a bottom edge (7b), and a plurality of vertical fold lines (73) extending from the top edge (7a) to the bottom edge (7b). The plate (70) has a transverse section in the shape of a triangular wave.

The plate (70) of the shock absorbing media (7) is in the shape of an open ring and comprises two ending edges (74a, 74b) orthogonal to the upper and lower edges (7a, 7b) that define an inlet (75).

Referring to Fig. 3A, the inlet (75) of each plate (70) faces the center of the pallet. Thus, the plates (70) comprise:

- four C-shaped corner plates (701 ) arranged in the peripheral coupling assemblies at the four corners of the pallet; and

- four U-shaped center plates (702) arranged in the peripheral coupling assemblies at the center of each side of the pallet.

Referring to Figs. 2B and 10, each plate (70) comprises an upper portion (71 ) interposed between the inner wall (41 ) and the outer wall (42) of the boxed frame (40) of the female coupling means (4), and a lower centering portion (72) with a lower thickness than the upper portion (71 ) that is interposed between the annular centering wall (10) and the inner wall (41 ) of the boxed frame (40) of the female coupling means (4). The upper portion (71 ) and the lower portion (72) of the plate are connected by a step (76) that rests on the annular centering wall (10).

The lower centering portion (72) of the plate (70) allows for centering the plate (70) of the shock absorbing means (7) relative to the perimeter compartment (44) of the female coupling means (4).

Moreover, the shock absorbing means (7) comprise partitions (77) that protrude internally and/or externally from the plate (70) and are suitable for going in contact with the outer wall (42) and the inner wall (41 ) of the boxed frame (40) of the female coupling means (4).

The advantages of the pallet (100) according to the invention are numerous.

The special configuration of the shock absorbing means (7) consisting of bellows-folded plates (70) and the arrangement of said plates in the perimeter compartments (44) of the female coupling means (4) enable the pallet (100) to effectively absorb the external shocks, both in vertical and horizontal direction, thus making the pallet (100) safer and stronger than the pallets of the prior art.

In addition, the provision of open-ring plates (70) instead of closed- ring plates allows each plate (70) to be extended and shortened thanks to the opening or closing of the bellows-folded walls, inside the perimeter compartment (44), effectively absorbing and dissipating the energy of both vertical and horizontal shocks.

In the case of horizontal lateral stresses, the plates (70) behave as elastic springs inserted into the perimeter compartment (44), in contact with the inner wall (41 ) and the outer wall (42) of the perimeter compartment (44) wherein the shock absorbing means (7) are contained. Due to such a constraint imposed on the bellows-folded plates (70) by the structure of the perimeter compartment (44) of the pallet, the plates are capable of absorbing and dissipating the energy caused by the stresses.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that, being of open-ring type, the plates (70) can be compressed manually in order to be mounted in the perimeter compartment (44) of the pallet. Finally, it is also important to note that the base (1 ) and the upper deck (2) can be disassembled and replaced in case of wear and tear or damage, by means of a special tool, without damaging or breaking both components. Such an advantage is given by the use of the special elastic locking means (6) provided between the coupling means (4, 5). Conversely, in the pallets of the prior art, such a disassembly of the base and of the upper deck is not possible because the locking means consist of interlocking means.

Numerous variations and modifications may be made to the present embodiment of the invention, within the reach of a person skilled in the art, and still within the scope of the invention as expressed by the appended claims.

Claims

1 . Plastic pallet (100), comprising:

- a base (1 ),

- an upper deck (2) disposed on top of said base (1 ), and

- a plurality of coupling assemblies (A) for coupling said upper deck (2) with said base (1 ); each coupling assembly (A) comprising:

- female coupling means (4);

- male coupling means (5) inserted in said female coupling means (4); and

- locking means (6) disposed between the male coupling means (5) and the female coupling means (4) for locking said female coupling means (4) with said male coupling means (5); wherein said coupling assemblies (A) comprise peripheral coupling assemblies (3) disposed along the perimeter of the pallet (100); said pallet (100) comprises shock absorbing means (7) associated with said peripheral coupling assemblies (3) and suitably configured to absorb/dampen the shocks caused during the use of the pallet (100); characterized in that said shock absorbing means (7) comprise a bellows-folded plate (70) comprising an upper edge (7a), a bottom edge (7b), and a plurality of vertical fold lines (73) extending from the upper edge (7a) to the bottom edge (7b), in such a way that the plate has a triangular wave shape in cross section.

2. The pallet (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein said female coupling means (4) comprise:

- a boxed frame (40) of annular shape comprising an inner wall (41 ) and an outer wall (42) projecting orthogonally and inferiorly from said upper deck (2); and io - a perimeter compartment (44) defined by said inner wall (41 ) and by said outer wall (42) of the boxed frame; wherein said shock absorbing means (7) are arranged in said perimeter compartment (44) of the boxed frame of the female coupling means.

3. The pallet (100) according to claim 2, wherein said male coupling means (5) are surrounded by an annular centering wall (10) inserted into the perimeter compartment (44) of the boxed frame of the female coupling means.

4. The pallet (100) according to claim 3, wherein the plate (70) of the shock absorbing means comprises an upper portion (71 ) interposed between the inner wall (41 ) and the outer wall (42) of the boxed frame (40) of the female coupling means (4), and a lower centering portion (72) with a lower thickness than the upper portion (71 ) interposed between the annular centering wall (10) and the inner wall (41 ) of the boxed frame (40) of the female coupling means (4).

5. The pallet (100) according to claim 4, wherein the upper portion (71 ) and the lower portion (72) of the plate (70) of the shock absorbing means (7) are connected by a step (76) that rests on the annular centering wall (10).

6. The pallet (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plate (70) of the shock absorbing means (7) is in the form of an open ring and includes two ending edges (74a, 74b) orthogonal to the upper and lower edges (7a, 7b) that define an inlet (75).

7. The pallet (100) according to claim 6, wherein the pallet has a center and each plate (70) of the shock absorbing means (7) has the inlet (75) facing the center of the pallet (100).

8. The pallet (100) according to claim 7, wherein said plates (70) of the shock absorbing means comprise:

- four C-shaped corner plates (701 ) arranged in the peripheral coupling assemblies at the four corners of the pallet; and i i - four U-shaped center plates (702) arranged in the peripheral coupling assemblies at the center of each side of the pallet.

9. The pallet (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said shock absorbing means (7) comprise partitions (77) protruding internally and/or externally from the plate (70) of the shock absorbing means (7).

10. The pallet (100) according to claim 2 to 9, wherein said female coupling means (4) comprise a central compartment (43) laterally defined by said inner wall (41 ); wherein said male coupling means (5) comprise a body (50) inserted in said central compartment (43) of the female coupling means (4) in contact with the inner wall (41 ) of the boxed frame (40) of the female coupling means (4).

11 . The pallet (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein said locking means (6) comprise:

- a central body (80), which is disposed in longitudinal direction to said female coupling means (4) and comprises two ends (80b) connected to the inner walls (41 ) of the boxed frame (40) of the female coupling means (4); said central body (80) comprising at least one flexible tab (80a);

- an indentation (82) obtained on the male coupling means (5) and wherein said central body (80) is inserted; said indentation (82) comprising a seat (82a) wherein said at least one flexible tab (80a) is elastically inserted.