DE20018815U1 - Transport and storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

A wooden pallet (2) is employed for the transport and storage of sausage, meat and other food products in accordance with EU regulations. The pallet (2) is entirely enclosed within a weld-sealed plastic shell, from which it is separated by a gap of between 0.1 and 2 cm.

Description

&igr; · · ■ a · · · > · «· &igr; · · · a · · a ·

SK 54090 02 November 2000

Rolf Kirschsieper, Leithestrasse 42 a, 45886 Gelsenkirchen

Transport and storage device

The invention relates to a transport and storage device for the transport and storage of meat and sausage products or foodstuffs subject to EC hygiene guidelines, with a wooden pallet with a loading area and with support planks or feet running along the sides and in the middle below the loading area.

Existing hygiene guidelines for companies licensed in the EC stipulate that foodstuffs such as meat and sausage products may only be stored on plastic pallets in the company. Plastic pallets cost DM 85,-- and are relatively expensive compared to wooden pallets, which cost just DM 15,--. As inexpensive wooden pallets are not permitted, a large number of plastic pallets must be purchased, which ties up considerable capital. Despite this, the goods are usually not delivered on plastic pallets, as it is too expensive to return the pallets to the supplier. However, it is uneconomical for the supplier to give up the pallets, as the plastic pallets are too expensive. The consequence is that the goods are still transported on wooden pallets and on site the goods have to be transferred from the wooden pallet to the plastic pallet in order to be able to store them hygienically in the company in accordance with the guidelines. The laborious transfer of goods from the wooden pallet to the plastic pallet is time-consuming and therefore costly.

The plastic pallets used have to be cleaned with disinfectants, which is also time-consuming and costly.

A wooden pallet is also unsuitable for applying advertising spots. Wood is a material that makes this difficult. Simply printing an advert on it is not possible.

The object of the invention is to make the transport and storage of meat and sausage products or foodstuffs subject to EC hygiene guidelines more economical.

The object of the invention is achieved in that a cover made of plastic film or plastic film-like material is arranged close to the wooden pallet and completely surrounds the wooden pallet.

This ensures that an inexpensive wooden pallet can be used and the hygiene regulations for EC companies can still be met. The wooden pallet is covered. The covered wooden pallet is reusable. It is transportable and can be moved by a forklift without affecting the hygiene of the goods or their surroundings. It can be handled like a plastic pallet. Nevertheless, it is inexpensive and has no relation to the costs of an expensive plastic pallet. The supplier can load his sensitive and perishable goods onto the pallet wrapped in film and have them transported on site. The customer is not burdened and does not have to go and reload the goods he has received onto a plastic pallet that meets the hygiene regulations. Instead, it is possible to take the loaded pallet, as it was delivered, directly to the company and store it there.

The expensive plastic pallets are saved and there are no disadvantages compared to using plastic pallets. The material of the cover, i.e. plastic film, is inexpensive and the preparation of the cover is quick and easy. Covering the wooden pallet is also quick and can be done on site. The film can be easily cleaned and the wooden pallet covered with film can be used multiple times. Plastic film is also well suited for printing commercials, which can mean additional income.

·

·

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distance between the cover and the pallet is 0.1 to 2.0 cm. This ensures that the cover can be pulled effortlessly over the pallet without being too large and hanging down at the sides in a hindering manner.

According to a special embodiment of the invention, the wooden pallet is welded into the shell. Welding the pallet is quick and unproblematic.

According to a special embodiment of the invention, the cover has two small engagement tabs in the area of a front pallet side and a large engagement tab in the area of a rear pallet side, with the tabs cut into the cover. This creates access areas to the pallet that can be opened and closed as required.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the large engagement tab has two vertical cuts along the outer edges of the base and a horizontal cut connecting the vertical cuts along a lower edge of the base, the tab being rectangular. This ensures that a large entry opening for the forklift can be opened quickly and easily. After the transport process - when the forklift is driven out - the opening closes automatically.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the large engagement tab is rounded at an angle of less than 45° in the area of the intersection points: outer base edge / lower base edge. The cut when producing the large engagement tab can also be rounded. Depending on the type of production, this may prove to be easier, and no functional disadvantages are to be expected.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the small engagement tabs run at the height of the front pallet side between the feet of the pallet, with each engagement tab having two vertical cuts along the inner edges of the feet and a horizontal cut connecting the vertical cuts along the lower edge of the feet. This ensures that the clad pallet can be loaded and transported from either side of the pallet.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the small engagement tabs are U-shaped or rectangular. Here, consideration can be given to the type of forklift truck or to specifications for the cover production.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the engagement tabs in the area of the intersection points: inner base edge / lower base edge are rounded with an angle of less than 45°. Deviations from the tab shape in the corner area of the tabs are irrelevant. The type of production can be taken into account.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distance between the small engagement tabs is at least as large as the distance between the tines of a forklift truck and the diameter of the engagement tabs is not smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the tines of a forklift truck. This ensures that a conventional forklift truck can be inserted into the engagement tabs both in terms of the distance between its tines and their diameter, thus enabling the transport of the pallet.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the engagement tabs are perforated into the cover. This can be advantageous if the covers are manufactured in advance and delivered to the companies. This means that the tabs cannot be damaged when the covers are stored, as they are still integrated into the cover. When in use, it is not difficult to cut through the perforations and expose the tabs.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover can be printed on. The cover can be left around the pallet for several transport operations, so that advertising prints can be effective on the cover and unfold their advertising function. Advertising prints can also be applied easily and inexpensively, particularly to plastic film.

An embodiment of the invention is explained with reference to Figures 1 to 3, namely:

Figure 1 : A front view of the front pallet side with the cover pulled over

according to embodiment 2 in section,
Figure 2 : a frontal view of the rear pallet side with the cover pulled over

according to embodiment 2 in section,
Figure 3 : a side view of the covered pallet with the large

Engagement tab according to example 2.

The transport and storage device according to the invention consists of a plastic cover 1, which is designed in such a way that it can cover a wooden pallet 2, which is usually used for the transport of goods. The DEST 15146 Euro pallet is mostly used. In principle, any type of pallet can be covered. The cover 1 must be designed so that it encloses the pallet close to the pallet. The distance between the pallet and the cover should not be greater than 2 cm and not less than 0.1 cm. The size of the cover, i.e. the distance between the pallet and the cover, also depends on the plastic film material selected. A stiffer film can tolerate more distance from the pallet without it starting to hang down from the pallet 2.

The pallet 2 has a loading surface 3 which rests on three plank-like square wooden pieces 4 a, b, c which run to the right and left and along the middle of the loading surface 3 and are firmly connected to them so that they stabilize the loading surface 3 and serve as feet. The feet 4 a, 4 b, 4 c have outer feet edges 11, lower feet edges 13 and inner feet edges 15, see Figures 1 and 2.

· · · I III

According to embodiment 1, the cover 1 completely encloses the pallet 2 without openings. Welding the cover 1 is suitable for this. The material of the cover 1 should be a stretchable, washable, tear-resistant and printable plastic film or a material with similar properties to plastic materials or films.

According to embodiment 2, the cover 1 surrounding the pallet has two opening areas, namely in the area of the front pallet side 8 and in the area of the rear pallet side 9. The openings in the film are made by cuts or perforations.

The opening area of the cover 1 in the area of the rear pallet side 10 is a large engagement tab 7. The cut to create tab 7 is made with two vertical cuts along the outer base edges 11 and a horizontal connecting cut at the level of the lower base edges 13. The engagement tab 7 falls freely downwards like a curtain to the base edges 13. It is freely movable at the front and back and, in accordance with the shape of the pallet side 10, is rectangular with right angles left and right to the outer base edges 11, see Figures 2 and 3.

A tab shape with rounded corner areas is also possible. In this case, the angle in the area of the intersection points: outer base edge 11 / lower base edge 13 is less than 45°.

The opening or engagement area of the cover 1 in the area of the front pallet side 8 consists of two engagement tabs 9 a, 9 b. The engagement tab 9 a runs between the feet 4 a and 4 b and the engagement tab 9 b runs between the feet 4 b and 4 c. The engagement tab 9 a is cut into the cover 1, namely with two vertical cuts along the inner feet edges 15 and a horizontal cut connecting the vertical cuts along the lower feet edge 13. The small engagement tab 9 b is produced accordingly with two vertical cuts along the inner feet edges 15 and a horizontal cut connecting the vertical cuts along the lower feet edges 13, see Figure 1.

If the cut is made over the entire distance between the feet 4 a, 4 b or 4 b, 4 c, rectangular tabs 9 a, 9 b result. The tabs 9 a, 9 b can also be selected so that they do not fill the entire distance between the feet 4 a, 4 b or 4 b, 4 c, so that the tabs 9 a, 9 b are U-shaped. The distance between the small engagement tabs 9 a and 9 b must, however, be at least large enough to allow the tines of a forklift to be inserted. The diameter of the tabs 9 a, 9 b must also not be smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the tines of a forklift.

A tab shape with rounded corner areas of the tabs 9 a, 9 b is also possible. In this case, in the area of the intersection points: inner base edge 15 / lower base edge 13, the angle is less than 45 °.

The engagement tabs 9 a, 9 b can also be moved forwards and backwards like a curtain. They fall freely downwards to the lower edge of the base 13. The engagement tabs 7, 9 a, 9 b can be perforated in the cover.

In use:

The pallet welded into the cover according to example 1 can be loaded like a plastic pallet. If the loaded pallet is to be transported, the forklift truck drives towards the pallet and guides its tines into the gaps between the feet 4 a and 4 b and 4 b and 4 c of pallet 2. It cuts the film at this point. The loaded pallet 2 can be brought to the company and stored there.

If the forklift puts down the pallet and drives away from under the pallet, damage to the film remains in the area of the forklift's tines. However, this is insignificant and does not constitute a violation of hygiene regulations. The goods can remain on the pallet and be stored in the company.

•·♦··

·*

The use of the cover according to example 2 is as follows: To cover the pallet, the large grip tab 7 is opened or held open. The wooden pallet 2, lifted by a forklift truck, for example, is covered with the plastic cover 1. This can be done on site at the supplier's premises. The cover 1 has been properly pulled over or put on when the front pallet side 8 of the pallet 2 touches the rear part of the cover 1 and the grip tabs 9 a, 9 b are between the square pieces of wood 4 a, 4 b and 4 b, 4 c, see Figure 1. The pallet can now be put down. The large grip tab 7 completely covers the rear pallet side 10. The pallet 2 stands completely on the underside 5 of the cover 1. The cover 1 fits optimally when the grip tabs are properly seated and the cover covers the pallet without hanging down on it.

For a cover with perforated flaps, the perforation is cut and the flaps opened before the pallet is covered. The pallet is then covered as described above.

It is also possible to use a plastic hose that is closed on one side instead of the prepared cover with cut or perforated tabs and to prepare this on site. The diameter of the plastic hose must be adjusted to the pallet. The pallet 2 must only just fit in. The hose is held up and the pallet 2 is driven in using a forklift until the front end of the pallet 8 reaches the end of the hose or the bottom of the hose. The engagement tabs 9 a, 9 b can now be cut by hand in the area of the front pallet side 8. In the area of the rear pallet side 10, a protrusion equal to the height of the pallet is left.

Now the entire overhang on the underside 5 and on the edges 11 is cut away and only the overhang on the top 6 is left in the full size of the pallet cross side. It falls down to the lower base edges 13 and completely covers the rear pallet side 10.

If the pallet 2 is covered in the cover 1, the pallet 2 can be loaded. If it is to be moved after the loading process, the forklift can drive up to the front side of the pallet 8 and guide its tines through the engagement tabs 9 a, 9 b; the engagement tabs fold back and clear the way. The pallet can now be lifted normally by the forklift.

The pallet 2 can also be moved or transported from the rear pallet side 10 using a forklift. To do this, the large access flap 7 is opened or folded out and the forklift drives its tines into the opening. It lifts the pallet and moves it to the desired location. Once it has arrived at the company, the covered pallet can be stored with goods. If pallets have dimensions other than the usual dimensions, the dimensions of the cover 1 must be adjusted accordingly.

Conventional plastic film can be used as cover 1. The film should be printable. Material similar to plastic film can also be used, but it must be tear-resistant and stable enough that it cannot be rubbed between the wood and the goods or holes can form.

SK 54090 02.11.2000

parts list

1 plastic cover

2 wooden pallets

3 Loading area of the wooden pallet

4 a, b, c Square timbers - feet of the wooden pallet

5 Bottom of the case

6 Top of the case

7 Large access flap

8 Front pallet side

9 a, b Small access tabs

10 Rear pallet side

11 Outer stand edges 13 Lower stand edge

15 Inner stand edge

Claims (18)

1. Transport and storage device for the transport and storage of meat and sausage products or foodstuffs subject to EC hygiene guidelines, with a wooden pallet with a loading area and with support planks or feet running along the sides and in the middle below the loading area, characterized in that a cover made of plastic film or plastic film-like material is arranged close to the pallet over the wooden pallet ( 2 ), completely surrounding or enclosing the wooden pallet ( 2 ). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance between the cover ( 1 ) and the pallet ( 2 ) is 0.1 to 2.0 cm. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wooden pallet is welded into the casing ( 1 ). 4. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cover ( 1 ) has two small engagement tabs ( 9a , 9b ) in the region of a front pallet side ( 8 ) and a large engagement tab ( 7 ) in the region of a rear pallet side ( 10 ). 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the tabs ( 7 , 9a , 9b ) are cut into the casing. 6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the large engagement tab ( 7 ) has two vertical cuts along outer base edges ( 11 ) and a horizontal cut connecting the vertical cuts along a lower base edge ( 13 ). 7. Device according to claim 4 to 6, characterized in that the tab ( 7 ) is rectangular. 8. Device according to claim 4 to 6, characterized in that the large engagement tab ( 7 ) is rounded at angles of less than 45° in the region of the intersection points: outer base edge ( 11 )/lower base edge ( 13 ). 9. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the small engagement tabs ( 9 a, 9 b) run at the level of the front pallet side ( 8 ) between the support feet ( 4 a) and ( 4 b) and between the support feet ( 4 b) and ( 4 c). 10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the small engagement tab ( 9a ) has two vertical cuts along inner base edges ( 15 ) and a horizontal cut connecting the vertical cuts along the lower base edge ( 13 ). 11. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the small engagement tab ( 9b ) has two vertical cuts along the inner base edges ( 15 ) and a horizontal cut connecting the vertical cuts along the lower base edge ( 13 ). 12. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the small engagement tabs ( 9 a, 9 b) are U-shaped. 13. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the small engagement tabs ( 9 a, 9 b) are rectangular. 14. Device according to claim 9 to 11, characterized in that the engagement tabs ( 9 a, 9 b) in the region of the intersection points: inner base edges ( 15 )/lower base edge ( 13 ) are rounded with angles of less than 45°. 15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between the small engagement tabs ( 9 a) and ( 9 b) is at least as large as the distance between the tines of a forklift truck. 16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diameter of the engagement tabs ( 9 a) and ( 9 b) is not smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the tines of a forklift truck. 17. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the engagement tabs ( 7 , 9a , 9b ) are perforated into the casing ( 1 ). 18. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover ( 1 ) is printable.