PALLET FOR STORING AND TRANSPORTING GOODS

PALETTE DE STOCKAGE ET DE TRANSPORT DE MARCHANDISES

English Abstract

A pallet for storing and transporting goods by a load platform (2) supported
by parallel supports (4), characterised in that: - the load platform (2)
comprises a plurality of continuous parallel grooves (6), - the supports (4)
are tubular and comprise parallel continuous grooves (16, 18) in their side
walls (6) and base (14), in the upper edge of the side walls (16) they
comprising recesses (20) complementary to the grooves (6) of the platform (2),
the axis of said supports (4) being perpendicular to the grooves (6) of the
load platform (2), - the supports (4) are provided with a plurality of
internal baffles (26, 32), - cut-out holes (22) are provided in the side walls
(12) of the tubular supports (4) for the passage of a fork of a lifting means,
each cut-out hole being bounded lowerly and upperly by strips of the support
side wall (12), - the lower surface of the platform (2) is provided with
reinforcement elements positioned between said supports (4) and said platform
(2) at said cut-out holes (22).

French Abstract

La présente invention concerne une palette utilisée pour stocker et transporter des marchandises par une plate-forme de charge (2) reposant sur des supports (4) parallèles. Cette invention se caractérise en ce que: la plate-forme de charge (2) comprend une pluralité de rainures parallèles continues (6); les supports (4) sont tubulaires et comprennent des rainures parallèles continues (16, 18) dans leurs parois latérales (6) et leur base (14), le bord supérieur des parois latérales (16) comprenant des évidements (20) complémentaires aux rainures (6) de la plate-forme, l'axe de ces supports (4) étant perpendiculaire aux rainures (6) de la plate-forme de charge (2); les supports (4) comportent une pluralité de chicanes intérieures (26, 32); des orifices découpés (22) sont prévus dans les parois latérales (12) des supports tubulaires (4) en vue du passage d'une fourche d'un engin de levage, chaque orifice découpé étant borné en bas et en haut par des bandes de la paroi latérale (12) du support; la surface inférieure de la plate-forme (2) comporte des éléments de renfort disposés entre lesdits supports (4) et la plate-forme (2) au niveau desdits orifices découpés (22).

Claims

6

CLAIMS


1. A pallet for storing and transporting goods by a load platform (2)
supported by parallel supports (4), characterised in that:

- the load platform (2) comprises a plurality of continuous parallel grooves
(6),

- the supports (4) are tubular and comprise parallel continuous grooves (16,
18) in their side walls (6) and base (14), in the upper edge of the side
walls (16) they comprising recesses (20) complementary to the grooves (6)
of the platform (2), the axis of said supports (4) being perpendicular to the
grooves (6) of the load platform (2),

- the supports (4) are provided with a plurality of internal baffles (26, 32),

- cut-out holes (22) are provided in the side walls (12) of the tubular
supports (4) for the passage of a fork of a lifting means, each cut-out hole
being bounded lowerly and upperly by strips of the support side wall (12),

- the lower surface of the platform (2) is provided with reinforcement
elements positioned between said supports (4) and said platform (2) at
said cut-out holes (22).

2. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised by being formed of sheet
metal.

3. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised by being formed of plastic
material.

4. A pallet as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the platform (2)
and the two outer supports (4) are formed from a single sheet of bent sheet
metal.



7

5. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised by being totally formed
from a single sheet of bent sheet metal.

6. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that anti-slip material is

applied to the outer surface of the base (14) of the supports (4).

7. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the outer surface
of the base (14) of the supports (4) is rough.

8. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the upper surface
of the platform is rough.

9. A pallet as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that those edges (8) of
the platform (2) parallel to the grooves (6) provided therein are at least
partially bent downwards.

10. A pallet as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that those edges (8) of
the platform (2) parallel to the grooves (6) provided therein are at least
partially bent upwards.

11. A pallet as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said reinforcement
elements are formed by bending inwards those sheet metal portions
corresponding to the cut-out holes (22) of each tubular support (4) so that
they adhere to the lower surface of the platform (2).

12. A pallet as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said reinforcement
elements consist of the edges of the cut-out holes (22), bent into the
interior
of the support.

13. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the crest of the
ribs
(18) provided in the base (14) of the supports (4) lies at a level not less
than
that that of the lower edge of the cut-out holes (22).



8

14. A pallet as claimed in claim 12, characterised in that said
reinforcement elements are formed from the edges of the cut-out holes (22),
which are drawn, bent over and fixed to the lower surface of the platform (2).

15. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the platform (2) is
formed in several parts fixed to the tubular supports (14).

16. A pallet as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the platform (2) is
formed in several parts seam-joined together.

17. A pallet as claimed in claim 15, characterised in that the constituent
parts of the platform (2) are riveted to the supports (4).

18. A pallet as claimed in claims 2 and 15, characterised in that the
constituent parts of the platform (2) are welded together and/or to the
tubular
supports (4).

19. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the constituent
parts of the platform (2) are adhesive-bonded together and/or to the tubular
supports (4).

20. A pallet as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the constituent
parts of the platform (2) are crimped together and/or to the tubular supports
(4).

21. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the surface of the
platform (2) is provided with a plurality of projections (10) for centering
containers.

22. A pallet as claimed in claim 21, characterised in that said centering
projections (10) consist of ribs disposed in a circular pattern.



9

23. A pallet as claimed in claim 21, characterised in that said centering
projections (10) consist of ribs disposed to form squares.

24. A pallet as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the terminal baffles

(32) of said tubular supports (4) consist of portions of the constituent sheet

metal of the platform (2) and/or of the support (4) bent towards the interior
of
the support.

25. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the base (14) of
the tubular supports (4) is provided with reinforcement elements at said cut-
out holes (22).

26. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the ends of the
base of the supports (4) are provided with a bevel.

27. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised by comprising a
connection element (23) between the lower edge of each cut-out hole (22)
and the facing rib (18) provided in the base of the tubular support.

28. A pallet as claimed in claim 27, characterised in that the connection
elements (23) provided at each cut-out hole (22) consist of portions of sheet
metal corresponding to the cut-out holes, which are drawn and bent over
against said base of said tubular supports (4).

29. A pallet as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the internal baffles

(26) consist of sheet metal elements fixed to the inner walls of said tubular
supports (4).

30. A pallet as claimed in claim 29, characterised in that at least a fraction

of said internal baffles (26) consist of sheet metal elements bent into
several
parts along vertical lines.



10

31. A pallet as claimed in claims 24 and 29, characterised in that the
internal baffles (26, 32) of the supports (4) are provided in their horizontal

edges with recesses (28, 30) for passage of the grooves (6) present in the
platform (2) and of the ribs (18) present in the base (14) of each support
(4).
32. A pallet as claimed in claim 31, characterised in that the recesses (30)
provided in the lower horizontal edge of the internal baffles (26, 32) of the
supports (4) have greater dimensions than the corresponding ribs (18) of the
supports (4).

33. A pallet as claimed in claim 21, characterised in that said projections
(10) consist of deep-drawn parts of the platform (2).

34. A pallet as claimed in claim 21, characterised in that said projections
(10) are formed separately from the platform (2) and are applied to it.

35. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised by comprising
reinforcement ties (34) connecting adjacent tubular supports (4) together.

36. A pallet as claimed in claim 35, characterised in that said
reinforcement ties (34) are applied to the base (14) of said tubular supports
(4).

37. A pallet as claimed in claim 35, characterised in that said
reinforcement ties (34) are permanently applied to said tubular supports (4).
38. A pallet as claimed in claim 35, characterised in that said
reinforcement ties (34) are removably applied to said tubular supports (4).



11


CLAIMS

1. A pallet for storing and transporting goods by a load platform (2)
supported by parallel supports (4), characterised in that:

- the load platform (2) comprises a plurality of continuous parallel grooves
(6),

- the supports (4) are tubular and comprise parallel continuous grooves (18)
in their base (14), in the upper edge of their side walls (12) they
comprising recesses (20) complementary to the grooves (6) of the platform
(2), the axis of said supports (4) being perpendicular to the grooves (6) of
the load platform (2),

- the supports (4) are provided with a plurality of internal baffles (26, 32),

- cut-out holes (22) are provided in the side walls (12) of the tubular
supports (4) for the passage of a fork of a lifting means, each cut-out hole
being at least upperly bounded by strips of the support side wall (12),

- the lower surface of the platform (2) is provided with reinforcement
elements positioned between said supports (4) and said platform (2) at
said cut-out holes (22).

2. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the supports (4)
also comprise parallel continuous grooves (16) in said side walls (12)

3. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that each cut-out hole
(22) is also lowerly bounded by strips of the support side wall (12)

4. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised by being formed of sheet
metal.



12

5. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised by being formed of plastic
material.

6. A pallet as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the platform (2)
and the two outer supports (4) are formed from a single sheet of bent sheet
metal.

7. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised by being totally formed
from a single sheet of bent sheet metal.

8. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that anti-slip material is

applied to the outer surface of the base (14) of the supports (4).

9. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the outer surface
of the base (14) of the supports (4) is rough.

10. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the upper surface
of the platform is rough.

11. A pallet as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that those edges (8) of
the platform (2) parallel to the grooves (6) provided therein are at least
partially bent downwards.

12. A pallet as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that those edges (8) of
the platform (2) parallel to the grooves (6) provided therein are at least
partially bent upwards.

13. A pallet as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that said reinforcement
elements are formed by bending inwards those sheet metal portions
corresponding to the cut-out holes (22) of each tubular support (4) so that
they adhere to the lower surface of the platform (2).



13

14. A pallet as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that said reinforcement
elements consist of the edges of the cut-out holes (22), bent into the
interior
of the support.

15. A pallet as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the crest of the
ribs
(18) provided in the base (14) of the supports (4) lies at a level not less
than
that that of the lower edge of the cut-out holes (22).

16. A pallet as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that said
reinforcement elements are formed from the edges of the cut-out holes (22),
which are drawn, bent over and fixed to the lower surface of the platform (2).

17. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the platform (2) is
formed in several parts fixed to the tubular supports (14).

18. A pallet as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the platform (2) is
formed in several parts seam-joined together.

19. A pallet as claimed in claim 17, characterised in that the constituent
parts of the platform (2) are riveted to the supports (4).

20. A pallet as claimed in claims 4 and 17, characterised in that the
constituent parts of the platform (2) are welded together and/or to the
tubular
supports (4).

21. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the constituent
parts of the platform (2) are adhesive-bonded together and/or to the tubular
supports (4).

22. A pallet as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the constituent
parts of the platform (2) are crimped together and/or to the tubular supports
(4).



14

23. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the surface of the
platform (2) is provided with a plurality of projections (10) for centering
containers.

24. A pallet as claimed in claim 23, characterised in that said centering
projections (10) consist of ribs disposed in a circular pattern.

25. A pallet as claimed in claim 23, characterised in that said centering
projections (10) consist of ribs disposed to form squares.

26. A pallet as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the terminal baffles

(32) of said tubular supports (4) consist of portions of the constituent sheet

metal of the platform (2) and/or of the support (4) bent towards the interior
of
the support.

27. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the base (14) of
the tubular supports (4) is provided with reinforcement elements at said cut-
out holes (22).

28. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the ends of the
base of the supports (4) are provided with a bevel.

29. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised by comprising a
connection element (23) between the lower edge of each cut-out hole (22)
and the facing rib (18) provided in the base of the tubular support.

30. A pallet as claimed in claim 29, characterised in that the connection
elements (23) provided at each cut-out hole (22) consist of portions of sheet
metal corresponding to the cut-out holes, which are drawn and bent over
against said base of said tubular supports (4).



15

31. A pallet as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the internal baffles

(26) consist of sheet metal elements fixed to the inner walls of said tubular
supports (4).

32. A pallet as claimed in claim 31, characterised in that at least a fraction

of said internal baffles (26) consist of sheet metal elements bent into
several
parts along vertical lines.

33. A pallet as claimed in claims 26 and 31, characterised in that the
internal baffles (26, 32) of the supports (4) are provided in their horizontal

edges with recesses (28, 30) for passage of the grooves (6) present in the
platform (2) and of the ribs (18) present in the base (14) of each support
(4).
34. A pallet as claimed in claim 33, characterised in that the recesses (30)
provided in the lower horizontal edge of the internal baffles (26, 32) of the
supports (4) have greater dimensions than the corresponding ribs (18) of the
supports (4).

35. A pallet as claimed in claim 23, characterised in that said projections
(10) consist of deep-drawn parts of the platform (2).

36. A pallet as claimed in claim 23, characterised in that said projections
(10) are formed separately from the platform (2) and are applied to it.

37. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterised by comprising
reinforcement ties (34) connecting adjacent tubular supports (4) together.

38. A pallet as claimed in claim 37, characterised in that said
reinforcement ties (34) are applied to the base (14) of said tubular supports
(4).



16

39. A pallet as claimed in claim 37, characterised in that said
reinforcement ties (34) are permanently applied to said tubular supports (4).
40. A pallet as claimed in claim 37, characterised in that said
reinforcement ties (34) are removably applied to said tubular supports (4).

Description

CA 02589728 2007-05-29
WO 2006/061183 PCT/EP2005/013045
1

PALLET FOR STORING AND TRANSPORTING GOODS

The present invention relates to a pallet for storing and transporting
goods.

Wooden pallets are known for storing and transporting goods. They
present a series of drawbacks, and in particular:

- they have a large weight (25-26 kg if the wood is dry), often comparable
with the weight of the goods placed on them,

- they require the use of costly equipment for their construction, resulting
in
an added cost to the transported product.

An object of the invention is to eliminate these drawbacks by
providing a pallet for storing and transporting goods which is of simple and
automated construction, using traditional methods and plants.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pallet which presents
characteristics suitable for international transport and conforms to the FAO
Standard, even without accompanying documentation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pallet which can be
formed in accordance with patterns corresponding to different requirements.
All these and further objects which will be apparent from the ensuing

description are attained according to the invention by the pallet defined in
claim 1. .

The present invention is described in detail. hereinafter with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pallet according to the invention,
Figure 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view thereof,


CA 02589728 2007-05-29
WO 2006/061183 PCT/EP2005/013045
2

Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed view of a support portion,

Figure 4 shows a different enlarged detailed view of a support portion, and
Figure 5 is a vertical section through a pallet of the invention taken through
the cut-out holes provided in the supports.

As can be seen from the figures, the pallet of the invention comprises
substantially a load platform 2 of sheet metal supported by three tubular
supports 4 of U cross-section disposed parallel to each other along the
longitudinal edges and along the centre line of the platform 2.

The platform 2 comprises a plurality of continuous parallel grooves 6
substantially of V cross-section with their axis perpendicular to the axis of
the
supports 4.

Those edges 8 of the platform 2 parallel to the grooves 6 are bent
downwards to facilitate the operations involved in loading the pallet and to
create a bevel with an anti-cutting function; alternatively, those edges 8 of

the platform 2 parallel to the grooves 6 can be bent upwards to perform a
containing function.

The upper surface of the platform is made rough or provided with a
plurality of centering ribs or projections 10 disposed in a circular or square
pattern. They can be obtained by drawing the sheet metal forming the
platform or be formed separately and applied thereto.

The platform is formed from a single piece of sheet metal, but could
also be formed in several parts joined together by seam-joining, welding,
adhesive-bonding or crimping.


CA 02589728 2007-05-29
WO 2006/061183 PCT/EP2005/013045
3

The side walls 12 of each support 4 comprise continuous parallel
grooves 16 performing a stiffening function. A similar stiffening function is
performed by ribs 18 provided on the base 14 of the support, the lower
surface of which is covered with anti-slip material or is made rough.

The upper edge of the side walls 12 of each support 4 comprises V-
shaped recesses 20, complementary to the grooves 6 of the platform 2, both
ends of the base 14 of each support comprising a bevel 15.

The side walls 12 of the tubular supports 4 comprise cut-out holes 22
for engagement by the prongs of a lifting fork. The cut-out holes 22
generally have a height less than the height of the side wall 12 of the
support

4, i.e. each cut-out hole 22 is bounded lowerly and upperly by a strip of the
side wall 12 of the support. In addition, in order to facilitate fork
insertion,
the lower edge 24 of each cut-out hole lies at a level slightly lower than the
crest of the ribs 18 provided on the base 14 of each support 4. Again to

facilitate fork insertion, the lower edge of each cut-out hole and the crest
of
those ribs closest to it are connected together by an inclined surface 23
preferably obtained by bending a strip of the sheet metal portion
corresponding to the cut-out hole.

As generally each cut-out hole 22 is preferably obtained by cutting
the sheet metal forming the side wall of the support 4, the cut sheet metal
portion, instead of being completely removed, is preferably bent upwards
through 90 and fixed to the lower surface of the platform 2, to form a
reinforcement element for the platform at its most highly stressed parts.


CA 02589728 2007-05-29
WO 2006/061183 PCT/EP2005/013045
4

Further reinforcement elements comprise profiled plates 26 inserted
into the tubular supports 4 at those portions not comprising the cut-out
holes.
These reinforcement elements are fixed to the side walls 12 and to the base
14 of the respective supports 4, and to the platform 2.

These reinforcements are made of sheet metal bent several times in
order to involve a certain length of the support and are provided in both
horizontal edges with recesses 28 and 30 complementary to the grooves 6 of
the platform and to the ribs 18 of the base 14 of the respective support 4.
The recesses 30 preferably have larger dimensions than the corresponding

ribs 18 to allow passage of liquids accidentally spilled and/or used to wash
the pallet.

Further reinforcement elements comprise terminal plugs 32 applied to
the ends of each support and preferably consisting of portions of the sheet
metal of the platform and/or support bent towards the interior of the support.

To further stiffen the structure of the pallet of the invention, adjacent
supports 4 can also be connected together at floor level by ties 34
permanently or removably applied between the facing side walls 12 of
adjacent supports 4.

To construct the pallet of the invention, the platform 2 ands the
supports 4 can be formed separately of sheet metal then, after inserting and
fixing the reinforcement elements 26, 32 into the supports 4, be joined
together by seam-joining, welding, riveting, clinching, adhesive-bonding, etc.

The platform itself can be made in one piece or be formed by joining
several parts together by seam-joining or riveting or welding or crimping.


CA 02589728 2007-05-29
WO 2006/061183 PCT/EP2005/013045

The pallet can also be obtained by bending and profiling a sheet
metal web to form the platform and the three supports, or to form the
platform and the outer supports, between which the inner support can then
be fixed to the platform.

5 From the aforegoing it is apparent that the pallet of the invention
presents numerous advantages, namely:

- it is of lower weight (less than 9 kg) for equal performance (static
capacity
and dynamic capacity),

- it can be easily produced by known machines and techniques (drawing
presses, bending machines, profiling machines),

- it has the same dimensions as wooden pallets and can hence be used for
the same purposes,

- it can also be used as a removable floor to be maintained on a previously
erected frame,

- it can be engaged and lifted as required, by forks inserted below the
platform both parallel and perpendicular to the axis of the supports.

- finally, instead of being constructed of sheet metal, the pallet can be
constructed entirely of plastic material.

Representative Drawing