DE29912047U1 - Device for storing and transporting goods, comprising a pallet - Google Patents

Description

GS/jo990517G

30 September 1999

Device for storing and transporting goods,

a range comprehensive

The present invention relates to a device for storing and transporting goods, which comprises a pallet with a base part and an upper deck resting thereon for carrying goods, wherein the base part delimits insertion channels for receiving lifting means and with holding means for holding together the goods arranged on the upper deck of the pallet.

The invention further relates to a method for storing and transporting goods, wherein such a device as well as pallet, holding means and transport means are used for use in and with the device according to the invention.

Storage and transportation of goods using pallets is well known and is widely used for many types of goods.

The pallets are usually made of wood or plastic with standardized dimensions, also known as "Euro pallets" or "industrial pallets". The goods arranged on a pallet are often covered with a cover to protect them from external influences, such as the ingress of moisture, or as protection against vermin, etc. Applications with a plastic shrink film or a tarpaulin are well known, with rings on the circumference for pulling a rope or wire through.

for fastening the cover to the pallet with a tie. To place the pallets on a rack or in a means of transport, such as a truck, train wagon and the like, and to remove them, a forklift truck is generally used, the forks of which fit into the slots in the pallet.

In practice, a cover such as one made of shrink film is very poorly protected against mechanical influences, which means that the intended protective effect is often not sufficient. Shrink films are also only suitable for single use. Although a tarpaulin is generally less likely to be damaged, it is often not able to hold the goods arranged on a pallet together and on the upper deck sufficiently firmly. To transport goods packaged in this way, a means of transport with an enclosed loading space is therefore necessary. This causes logistical problems, as the pallets have to be loaded and unloaded in a specific order, which means that it is difficult or impossible to deviate from a predetermined route during transport, e.g. in connection with changed traffic conditions and the like.

The invention is therefore based on the object of creating an improved device for storing and transporting goods of the type mentioned at the beginning.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the holding means are double-walled and are provided with inlet/outlet means for fluids such as air and with fastening means for fastening to or on the goods and/or the pallet.

The double-walled holding means according to the invention preferably engage at least two opposite sides of the goods, on all sides or on the top side of the goods, for example opposite the upper deck. The holding means can also engage the goods from all sides in the form of a double-walled cover which completely surrounds the goods.

After the double-walled holding means have been attached to the goods and/or the pallet, the space between their walls is filled with a fluid, preferably air, in such a way that the inner wall, i.e. the wall of the holding means adjacent to the goods, grips the goods as much as possible in order to ensure that the goods are held together firmly on the pallet.

A double-walled cover according to the invention not only provides improved protection against external influences such as moisture, vermin and the like, but also allows the goods to be held firmly on the pallet, which is advantageous during the transport of goods so that they cannot slip off the pallet and shocks are absorbed. The double-walled nature of the cover also provides better resistance to temperature fluctuations, which is advantageous when storing and transporting temperature-sensitive products.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the fastening means for the cover consist of a slot-shaped recess formed on the peripheral edge of the pallet, which opens into a channel-shaped space in order to

to receive the peripheral edge of the cover via the slot-shaped recess into the channel-shaped space and to hold it therein.

The slot-shaped recess and the associated channel-shaped space may extend around the entire circumference of the pallet or, if the pallet has an inherently rectangular shape, be arranged at least on two opposite sides of the pallet.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the fastening means for the cover are formed by support means fastened to the pallet at its peripheral edge with a slot-shaped recess provided therein and a channel-shaped space for receiving and holding a peripheral edge of the cover therein.

In another further embodiment of the invention, the fastening means of a profile to be fastened to the peripheral edge of the cover are provided with a slot-shaped recess which opens into a channel-shaped space in order to receive the peripheral edge of the cover through the slot-shaped recess into the channel-shaped space and to hold it therein.

According to the invention, the profile is designed in such a way that it can engage in a slot-shaped recess of a pallet or in support means attached to the upper deck of the pallet in a locking manner via a snap connection, as described above.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, an elongated

Fastening element which can assume a first cross-section for receiving the peripheral edge of the cover hood via the slot-shaped recess in the channel-shaped space and a second cross-section, wherein the fastening element mainly fills the channel-shaped space for holding the peripheral edge of the cover hood.

A flexible (safety) hose can advantageously be used as a fastening element, the cross-section and, if desired, the length of which can be varied by means of a fluid such as air. According to a further embodiment of the invention, a fastening element can be part of the cover hood, designed as a separately attached element or as a double-walled part of the hood on its peripheral edge.

Since the fastening element is provided with means for holding the peripheral edge of the hood in a sealed manner in the channel-shaped space, effective protection and control with regard to tampering with the goods on the pallet are ensured. In the case of a safety hose or similar, an appropriate inlet/outlet valve can be arranged for locking in a sealed manner.__

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the pallet comprises an upper deck with a closed surface and one or more fluid channels, such as air and/or ventilation channels, opening into it for supplying/discharging fluid outside the pallet. In this way, the atmosphere in the space delimited by the upper deck and the cover can be controlled when it is fastened. Control of the temperature, humidity level and the like in the corresponding space can be considered.

Since the goods are held firmly on the upper deck of the pallet after the use of fluid in the double-walled cover, it is also possible in practice to first fill the cover with goods such as clothes and then attach the cover to the pallet and fill it with fluid so that the goods are held firmly on the upper deck of the pallet. The pallet can then be placed with its base on a surface for storage and/or transport.

Since the pallet or the double-walled holding means are connected to means such as air pressure to keep the holding means under pressure during storage, effective protection can be achieved against manipulation or misuse or malfunctions by detecting a drop in air pressure. By attaching the corresponding pressure means to the surface on which the pallet is placed with its base, efficient and even invisible protection can be achieved. Such a system is particularly suitable for night distribution, for example, where pallets and goods can be delivered to and stored in a safe manner at factory premises, shops or the like.

Since the goods of the device according to the invention are protected from shifting and bumping on the pallet by means of the pressurized double-walled holding means, a means of transport can advantageously be used in which the pallets are loaded and/or unloaded by means of the lifting means along the longitudinal loading area of a means of transport such as a truck, wagon or the like. From a logistical point of view, this is particularly advantageous,

because the pallets in question are directly accessible regardless of their position on the means of transport, so that the need to position the pallets in a specific order, for example according to a transport route, is no longer necessary. This means that the transport route, for example in the case of road transport, can easily be adapted to the traffic conditions, such as avoiding traffic jams and the like.

For use with such a means of transport, the pallet is preferably provided with means for locking to a frame of the means of transport. The pallets, i.e. the base part and the upper deck, can be manufactured as a single unit from plastic, whereby the upper deck can be closed.

The double-walled holding means are preferably made of an airtight plastic material.

The invention also relates to a means of transport, such as a lorry, provided with a frame located transversely to the longitudinal direction of the means of transport when approached, provided with means for positioning a pallet on the frame, such as one or more centering pins engaging in the foot part, locking means in the form of locking hooks for locking to a frame of a pallet and, if necessary, means engaging in one or more fluid channels of the pallet for controlling the atmosphere of the space delimited by the double-walled holding means in the form of a cover and the upper deck of the pallet.

Further advantages and special features of the device according to the invention and a method for using it, as well as pallets, double-walled holding means and a transport means according to the invention are described in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Shown here:

Fig. 1 shows schematically and partly in cross section a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention during use.

Fig. 2 shows schematically, in side view, a means of transport loaded with devices according to the invention.

3a and 3b schematically, partly in cross section, an alternative embodiment of fastening means for fastening a cover according to the invention. _

Fig. 4 shows schematically, partly in cross section, the fastening means according to Figures 3a and 3b attached to the peripheral edge in a pallet.

5a and 5b show schematically, in plan view, part of the fastening means and a cover according to Figures 3a, 3b and 4.

Fig. 6 shows schematically and in perspective further embodiments of double-walled holding means according to the invention.

In the preferred embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention, a pallet 2 is shown on which goods 4 are arranged, e.g. in the form of rectangular boxes or the like, which are surrounded by a covering hood 3.

In the embodiment shown, the pallet comprises an upper deck 5 which is supported by a base consisting of parallel, rectangular beams 6, 7. The beams 6 are arranged near the peripheral edge of the upper deck 5, while the beam 7 extends in the middle of the upper deck 5. The beams 6, 7 delimit two insertion channels 8 for receiving lifting means, such as forks of a forklift truck (not shown).

The pallet 2 has an externally accessible slot-shaped recess 9 in the circumferential direction, which opens into a channel-shaped space 10. The slot-shaped recess 9 and the channel-shaped space 10 can extend both in the upper deck 5 and in the foot part, formed by the supports 6. In the case of a pallet cast from plastic, for example, the slot-shaped recess 9 and the channel-shaped space 10 can be located both partially in the upper deck 5 and in the foot part or the supports 6.

The slot-shaped recess 9 and the channel-shaped space 10 can extend around the entire circumference of the pallet 2 or be limited to certain parts thereof.

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such as on two opposite sides of the upper deck 5 or the supports 6 of the foot section.

The cover 3 according to the invention comprises an outer shell 11 and an inner shell 12, which are connected to one another in an airtight manner at the peripheral edge 13 of the cover 3. The outer shell 11 is provided with inlet/outlet means 14, in the form of an air valve, for example, in order to keep the fluid under pressure in the space 15 between the inner shell 12 and the outer shell 11, such as air or another suitable gas with the desired characteristics, a foam or, for example, granular particles such as polystyrene foam and the like. The term fluid used in the present description is intended to include gaseous, liquid and granular as well as other such substances or combinations thereof.

The peripheral edge 13 of the cover 3 is, as shown, received in the channel-shaped space 10 and is held therein by a fastening element 16 in the form of a flexible air hose or blocking hose, which can be designed as a separate element or as a whole with the cover 3. The fastening element 16 or the air hose can have a first cross-section, wherein the peripheral edge 13 of the cover 3 can be fastened in the channel-shaped space 10 via the slot-shaped recess 9, and a second effective, larger cross-section for holding the peripheral edge 13 of the cover 3 in the channel-shaped space 10. In the embodiment shown, a valve 17 is provided for varying the cross-sectional dimensions of the fastening element 16 or the air hose by means of a fluid, preferably air.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the fastening means 16 is not limited to an air hose, but that essentially different types of fastening elements can be used therefor, wherein the cross-sectional dimensions can be varied.

By making the valve 17 sealable, for example, it is possible to directly check whether the goods 4 have been tampered with or not. This means that if the seal is intact, it is very likely that the goods on the pallet have remained untouched. Lockable valves are known in practice. For the purpose of the invention, other sealing techniques can of course also be used, such as means engaging in the slot-shaped recess 9, which are held in the channel-shaped space 10 in a clamping, sealing manner.

In the embodiment shown, the pallet 2 contains fluid channels 18, such as air or ventilation channels, which open into the upper deck 5 from the foot part or via the supports 6. The atmosphere in the space between the upper deck 5 and the cover 3 can be regulated via these fluid channels 18, e.g. with regard to humidity, temperature and the like, if the goods 4 require this. The goods 4 can be stacked in such a way that good air circulation is possible between them. Of course, the fluid channels 18 can extend in a branched manner in the upper deck 5 of the pallet 2 and, if desired, can be reached from the side of the upper deck 5 or the supports 6 or 7 outside the pallet 2.

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In the embodiment shown, the pallet 2 is located on a frame of a means of transport, such as a truck or train wagon, e.g. in the form of a chassis beam 19 and hollow supports 20. The supports 20 are provided with supply/discharge means 21 which connect to the fluid channels 18 of the pallet 2. The supply/discharge means 21 can, if desired, comprise over- and/or under-pressure safety means (not shown). The chassis beam 19 is provided with locking hooks 22 which engage in the cams 23 which extend laterally of the support 7, as shown schematically in the figure. The locking hooks 22 can be operated automatically or manually, e.g. in the form of a snap system.

The frame is preferably provided with centering means such as centering pins for centering the pallet 2 in a certain position on the frame. In the embodiment shown, the feed/removal means 21 fulfill the function of centering pins for their engagement in corresponding recesses 24 of the supports 6. It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the chassis beam 19 and the support 7 can also be provided with corresponding positioning means (not shown).

Fig. 2 shows a means of transport in the form of a truck with a trailer 26, on which the frame parts 19, 20 are arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the truck 25 or the trailer 26. The pallets 2 are then loaded and unloaded on the open loading area of the means of transport. This is possible because with the device 1 according to the invention the goods are firmly secured to the pallet 2 by the pressurized cover 3.

This means that there is no risk of loss of cargo during transport due to shifting of the goods and/or vibrations or impacts.

This type of transport is particularly interesting from a logistical point of view, as each pallet, regardless of its position, is directly accessible, so that loading and unloading are less dependent on a specific sequence, as is the case with means of transport with closed loading containers and the like.

If desired, the pallets according to the invention can be automatically loaded onto the truck 25 or the trailer 26 and the pallets can be arranged so that a uniform load is achieved over the length of the truck 25 and the trailer 26.

It will be appreciated that a frame and means of transport as described above are relatively inexpensive to purchase and maintain, and the smooth shape of the outer shell 11 in its pressurized state also provides a reduction in air resistance, resulting in a saving in fuel.

The cover 3 is preferably made of an opaque material. Since the cover 3 will always take on a spherical appearance when in use, it is difficult to give any information about the type and number of goods on the pallet from the outside. In order to enable verification, the pallet can be provided with identification means such as a bar code, chip card and other, preferably electronically processed, identification devices in an embodiment according to the invention.

The cover can be reused, unlike shrink wrap, for example.

Fig. 3a shows schematically in cross-section a profile 30, such as an extruded profile made of aluminum, with a slot-shaped recess 31 which opens into a channel 32 for internally receiving a peripheral edge of the hood 3. In the embodiment shown, a cord or a string 33 is attached to the hood. A fastening element 16 in the form of a flexible air hose is coupled to the peripheral edge of the hood 3 via a plate 34. The air hose 16 is of the type which, when pressurized, assumes a shorter length and a larger diameter for firm hold in the channel 32. In Fig. 3a, a support plate 35 is fastened by screws AA or otherwise to the upper deck 5 of the pallet 2 near its peripheral edge, said support plate having an edge 36 receding at an angle.

As shown in Fig. 3b, the profile 30 engages with the edge 36 with a protruding cam 37 for locking in order to fasten the fastening element or the profile 30 or the hood 3 to the pallet.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment in which the profile 30 engages with its cam 37 for locking in a hook-shaped part 38 of the slot 39 on the peripheral edge of a pallet 40, such as a plastic pallet.

Fig. 5a shows the coupling of two profiles 30 by a sliding hinge 41 at the corner of a pallet 2. The flexible air hose 16 is shown in broken lines.

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shown schematically. This air hose 16 is closed at its other end.

By injecting air into the air hose 16, the latter will attempt to assume a shorter length, whereby the profiles 30 are pulled towards each other by the sliding hinge 41, as shown in Fig. 5b.

Furthermore, a roller 42 is provided on which the inlet end of the air hose 16 rests when pressurized.

Fig. 6 shows schematically a pallet 45 with goods 4 in the form of, for example, rectangular boxes, into which double-walled holding means 46 according to the invention engage on one or more sides or the top. The holding means 46 can engage on one or more sides of the goods, be attached thereto by means of a band 47 or engage on the pallet 45, which is the case, for example, when holding means 46 engage on the top of the goods 4, i.e. on the outside of the goods 4 opposite the upper deck 5.

When the holding means 46 are pressurized by air or otherwise, as previously explained, the goods 4 are held firmly together and pressed onto the pallet 45 if the holding means 46 have been attached thereto.

As described above, the holding means 46 for controlling the internal air pressure can again be provided with secured valves 48.

The device according to the invention is therefore suitable for use in a distribution system, whereby the goods

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can be delivered unattended if required and can be connected to an air pressure safety system by means of the air valves 17 or supply/discharge means 21 (Fig. 1) or valves 48, which detects a drop in air pressure. In this way, manipulation of or malfunctions in the devices can be monitored. Such a system enables, for example, night distribution, whereby goods can be delivered to factory premises and the like at night.

The device according to the invention offers, as described above, a greatly improved transport and/or storage option for goods in many areas. Various additions and modifications to the parts described and shown are possible for a person skilled in the art, but without departing from the inventive concept as set out in the appended claims.

Claims (31)

1. Device for storing and transporting goods, which comprises a pallet with a base part and an upper deck resting thereon for carrying goods, the base part delimiting insertion channels for receiving lifting means and with holding means for holding together the goods positioned on the upper deck of the pallet, characterized in that the holding means are double-walled and are provided with inlet/outlet means for a fluid such as air and with fastening means for fastening them to or on the goods and/or the pallet. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding means engage at least two opposite sides of the goods. 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding means engage the upper side of the goods opposite the upper deck. 4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding means engage the goods on all sides. 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the holding means are designed as a double-walled cover covering the goods. 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the fastening means comprise a slot-shaped recess formed on the peripheral edge of the pallet, which opens into a channel-shaped space, for receiving through the slot-shaped recess in the channel-shaped space and for holding a peripheral edge of the cover therein. 7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the fastening means on the upper deck of the pallet comprise support means fastened to the peripheral edge thereof, with a recess which opens into a channel-shaped space, for receiving via the slot-shaped recess into the channel-shaped space and for holding a peripheral edge of the cover therein. 8. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the pallet has a substantially rectangular shape and the slot-shaped recess and the associated channel-shaped space extend along at least two opposite edges of the pallet. 9. Device according to claims 6 and 8, characterized in that the foot part of the pallet comprises at least two parallel elongate supports, each of which is arranged near the peripheral edge of the upper deck, the slot-shaped recess and the associated channel-shaped space extending in the longitudinal direction of the supports on the circumference thereof. 10. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the fastening means comprise profiles to be fastened to a peripheral edge of the cover hood with a slot-shaped recess, which open into a channel-shaped space, for receiving through the slot-shaped recess into this space and for holding a peripheral edge of the cover hood therein. 11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the profiles are provided in such a way that they can engage by means of locking in a slot-shaped recess formed on the peripheral edge of the pallet. 12. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the profiles are designed in such a way that they can engage by means of locking in a slot-shaped recess of support means which are fastened to the upper deck of the pallet at its peripheral edge. 13. Device according to claim 10, 11 or 12, characterized in that the profiles are coupled at their ends by a sliding hinge. 14. Device according to one or more of claims 6 to 13, characterized in that the peripheral edge of the cover can be held in the channel-shaped space by an elongate fastening element, wherein the fastening element can assume a first cross-section for receiving through the slot-shaped recess in the channel-shaped space of the peripheral edge of the cover, and a second cross-section, wherein the fastening element mainly fills the channel-shaped space for holding the peripheral edge of the cover therein. 15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the fastening element is provided with means for holding the peripheral edge of the hood in a sealed manner in the channel-shaped space. 16. Device according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the fastening element is part of the hood. 17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the fastening element is formed by a double-walled part of the hood at its peripheral edge. 18. Device according to claim 14, 15, 16 or 17, characterized in that the fastening element has the form of a flexible hose with means for introducing/discharging a fluid for varying the cross-section of the fastening element. 19. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that the fastening element is provided with an inlet/outlet valve for the inlet/outlet of the fluid, in particular air, and the valve is provided with means for sealed locking. 20. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pallet is provided with an upper deck with a closed surface with one or more fluid channels opening into it, such as air channels, for supplying/discharging fluid outside the pallet into the space delimited by the upper deck and hood in the fastened state. 21. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that the fluid channels are accessible from the outside starting from the foot part of the pallet. 22. Device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that overpressure and/or underpressure protection means are connected to the fluid channels. 23. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the foot part is provided with means for locking the pallet in one position. 24. Device according to claim 23, characterized in that the foot part is provided with one or more cams for locking the pallet to a frame or the like by hooks engaging therein. 25. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pallet is provided with identification means in the form of bar codes, chip cards, etc. 26. Pallet for use in a device according to one or more of the preceding claims. 27. Pallet according to claim 26, characterized in that the foot part and the upper deck are made entirely of plastic. 28. Double-walled holding means for use in a device according to one or more of claims 1 to 25. 29. Double-walled holding means according to claim 28, characterized in that the holding means have the shape of a double-walled hood and the covering hood is made of an airtight plastic material. 30. A means of transport, such as a lorry, for use with a device according to one or more of the preceding claims. 31. Transport means according to claim 30, characterized in that this transport means is provided with a frame which, when approached, is located transversely to the longitudinal direction of the transport means, with means for positioning a pallet on the frame, such as one or more centering pins engaging in the foot part, locking means in the form of locking hooks for locking a pallet on the frame and, if necessary, means engaging in one or more of the fluid channels of the pallet for directing the atmosphere into the space delimited by the holding means in the form of a double-walled cover and the upper deck of the pallet.