AU2003224569B2

AU2003224569B2 - A system and method for creation of load units

Info

Publication number: AU2003224569B2
Application number: AU2003224569A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Allan Dickner
Original assignee: Inter Ikea Systems BV
Current assignee: Inter Ikea Systems BV
Priority date: 2002-05-28
Filing date: 2003-04-24
Publication date: 2009-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-24
Also published as: EP1509452A1; TWI295259B; JP2005533723A; LT5230B; US20050108988A1; EP1509452B1; UA80705C2; IS2326B; CN1655988A; ZA200409536B; BR0311319B1; NO20045230L; CA2487448A1; ES2270013T3; LV13264B; AR040051A1; RS110004A; HRP20041130A2; KR100982903B1; CN1329250C

Description

P:\OPER\JPN\12536370 2apa.doc-22/01/2009 TITLE: A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATION OF LOAD UNITS The present invention concerns a system for load unit creation, and more specifically a system based on two or 5 more stations used to form the load units. Each load unit is formed of one or more separate packages. Today it is common to use pallets of various forms and sizes as a base for different load units. Often so called 10 EUR pallets made of wood are used. The pallets as such take up a relatively large place in storing, are heavy and may be cumbersome to handle. Furthermore, the EUR pallets are normally reused, which means that they often are returned without carrying any load. In order to avoid the drawbacks 15 with the previously used systems based on EUR pallets or other forms of pallets it has been suggested that two or more smaller, separate loading members or loading ledges may be used instead of EUR pallets or other pallets. 20 As the use of loading ledges has increased, the need of a suitable system and method for creation of separate loading units has been felt. The system and method for creation of load units should 25 preferably fulfil a number of demands. Thus, the system and method in accordance with an example seeks to be relatively easy to adapt to different situations, both concerning the level of automation and the form and size of the packages forming each load unit. 30 P:\OPER\JPN\12536370 2 9pa.doc-22/01/2003 -2 In examples, it is sought that the system and method should be possible to form, to run and maintain at a reasonable cost. 5 In examples, it is sought that the system and method should function with different transport means. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for forming a load unit in two or 10 more stations, wherein in a first station, a number of packages are collected and placed to form a load unit and the load units formed in the first station are furnished with at least two loading ledges at opposing lower edges of the load unit in a second station, wherein the number of 15 loading ledges used and their placement are based on the size and shape of the packages, which are to form the load unit and wherein the bottom layer of the load unit has two or more packages. 20 In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system to be used in a method as described above, comprising two or more stations, in which the load units are formed, wherein one station has means for collecting a number of packages and placing said 25 packages to form a desired load unit wherein the bottom layer of the load unit has two or more packages and that another station has means to furnish each load unit with two or more loading ledges on at least two opposing lower edges of the load units. 30 P:\OPER\JPN\12536370 2spa.doc-22/01/2009 -3 According to an example a system for load unit creation is established. Said system comprises two or more stations for forming the load units. In a method using said system a first station is used to collect and place one or more 5 packages to form a suitable load unit. In further, at present preferred stations, loading ledges are placed on the load units and one or more straps and/or stretch wrapping are wound around the load units. 10 The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figs. la to li show different load units formed by 15 using an example of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a part of the system for creating load units according to an example; and 20 Fig. 3 shows one embodiment of the system of an example in a schematic way. The system and method of an example is based on the presumption that packages 1 of different sizes and shapes 25 are used to form load units 4. Even though the shown packages 1 all are of a general rectangular form, a person skilled in the art realises that it is possible to form load units 4 of packages having other general forms.

P:\OPER\JPN\2536370 2 epa.doc-22/01/2009 - 4 Examples of the present invention are based on the use of several stations 8-10, in which the load units 4 are successively formed. In a first station 8 one or more packages 1 are collected and placed in the form of each 5 desired final load unit 4. In a second station 9 at least one loading ledge 2 is placed at each of two opposite lower edges of the load unit 4. In a third and final station 10 straps 7 and/or stretch wrapping or the like are wound one or more turns around the load unit 4, including the loading 10 ledges 2. The loading ledges 2 used are normally of the kind described in PCT/DK01/00748 or any corresponding load members. The loading ledges 2 have a generally L-shaped 15 cross section. The loading ledges 2 are to be placed at a lower edge of a package or the like, in such a way that one part of each loading ledge 2 is placed under the package and one part along the side of said package. The part of the loading ledge 2 to be placed under the packages has 20 protrusions to allow a lifting and/or transport means to be slid in under the package. If e.g. the load units 4 are to be formed of several small packages 1, there may be a need for further stations. 25 Thus, such further stations may include stations where subunits each furnished with loading ledges 2 are formed. (See e.g. Figs. 1c and lf.) The subunits may be furnished with straps, but it is normally not necessary. A number of 30 subunits are then forward to a station for forming of the P:\OPER\JPN\l2S36370 29pa.doc-22/01/2009 -5 final load units 4. It is also possible to have different stations for straps 7 and stretch wrapping. As indicated in Figs. lg and 1h a plate may be placed at the bottom of the load unit 4, if a large number of small packages 1 form the 5 load unit 4. A person skilled in the art realises that the packages 1 and load units, respectively, may be transported to and between said stations in many different ways. Furthermore, 10 the different stations may be totally or partly manual and/or automatic. The expression "totally automatic", as used in this description, means that all actual handling of the packages 1 or load units 4 is done by a machine, robot or the like, which on the other hand may be driven 15 automatically or be controlled by a person. The packages 1 are normally stored in some kind of ware house. The first station 8 is normally placed in or adjacent the ware house or the like. In said first station 8 the 20 appropriate number of packages 1 to form a load unit are collected. The load units 4 may be formed of one single package 1 or by many packages 1. The desired size of the finished load units will govern the number of packages 1 used for each separate load unit 4. 25 In the example of Fig. 2 the packages 1 forming the load unit 4 are collected on a conveyor 6. By means of the conveyor 6 the load units 4 are brought to the second station 9. In the second station 9 the load units 4 are 30 received in a machine 5, in which each loading unit 4 is P:\OPER\JPN\12536370 2.pa.doc-22/01/2009 -6 furnished with loading ledges 2, in a more or less automatic fashion. In other examples the loading ledges 2 are furnished in a more manual way (not shown). The loading unit 4 with loading ledges 2 is then transported away from the 5 machine 5, by means of a further conveyor 6. A person skilled in the art realises that the form of the conveyors may vary, thus bands, belts, rollers, wheels etc. may be used. 10 Furthermore, a person skilled in the art realises that the load units 4 may be transported to and from the machine 5 by any other suitable means, such as industrial trucks, cranes, traverses etc. 15 In the station 9 comprising the machine for addition of loading ledges 2, a suitable number of loading ledges 2 are added to the load units 4. In Fig. 1 it is schematically shown that depending on package size, the sensitivity of the contents etc. the number of loading ledges 2 on each side 20 may vary and loading ledges may be placed on several different heights and widths in each loading unit 4. After the machine 5 furnishing the load units 4 with loading ledges 2 the load units are brought to the third 25 station 10. In said station 10 the load units are furnished with straps 7 and/or stretch wrapping or the like. Normally, a machine, well known in the art, is used to furnish the load units 4 with straps 7, stretch wrapping or the like. However, it is also possible to apply the straps 7, stretch 30 wrapping or the like in a more manual way.

P:\OPER\JPN\12536370 2.pa.doc-22/01/2009 -7 When the load units 4 leave the third station 10, they are ready for transport in any suitable way. Thus, the load units 4 are forward to a container, lorry, truck or any 5 other means of transportation. While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of 10 limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments. 15 The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that 20 that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. Throughout this specification and the claims which 25 follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of 30 integers or steps.

Claims

1. A method for forming a load unit in two or more stations, wherein in a first station, a number of packages 5 are collected and placed to form a load unit and the load units formed in the first station are furnished with at least two loading ledges at opposing lower edges of the load unit in a second station, wherein the number of loading ledges used and their placement are based on the size and 10 shape of the packages, which are to form the load unit and wherein the bottom layer of the load unit has two or more packages.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more straps 15 and/or stretch wrapping is wound one or more turns around the load unit, including the loading ledges, in a third station.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the finished load 20 units are forward to a container, lorry, truck or other means of transportation.

4. The method of any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the sizes of the load units are adapted to the size of a 25 container, a truck, a lorry or the like, by which the load units are to be shipped.

5. A system to be used in a method according to any of the previous claims, comprising two or more stations, in which 30 the load units are formed, wherein one station has means for P:\OPER\JPN\12536370 2.pa.doc-22/01/2009 -9 collecting a number of packages and placing said packages to form a desired load unit wherein the bottom layer of the load unit has two or more packages and that another station has means to furnish each load unit with two or more loading 5 ledges on at least two opposing lower edges of the load units.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the station for furnishing each load unit with loading ledges comprises a 10 machine for placing the loading ledges at the load units.

7. The system of claim 5 or 6, wherein one station has means to furnish each load unit with one or more straps and/or a stretch wrapping wound around the outside of the 15 load unit, including the loading ledges.

8. A method for forming a load unit in two or more stations substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings and/or Examples. 20

9. A system to be used in a method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings and/or Examples.