AU1314301A

AU1314301A - Pallet for support and transport of large bag-like containers

Info

Publication number: AU1314301A
Application number: AU13143/01A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Antony James Cooper
Original assignee: CHEQUER CORP Ltd
Current assignee: CHEQUER Corp Ltd
Priority date: 1999-11-12
Filing date: 2000-11-09
Publication date: 2001-06-06
Also published as: WO2001034484A1

Description

WO 01/34484 PCT/NZOO/00221 1 TITLE: Pallet for support and transport of large bag-like containers TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 This invention relates to material handling apparatus. In particular the invention relates to a pallet for the support and transport of large bag like containers. BACKGROUND ART OF THE INVENTION Powder and similar granulated or detritus materials are often transported in flexible bag like containers; hereinafter "bulk-bags". For convenience of handling and otherwise the bulk-bags 10 tend to be cube shaped when charged and have a base of a size and shape commensurate with a standard transporting pallet. In some instances, particularly where the saving of transport or storage space is critical rather than supporting the bulk-bags with a conventional pallet a thin "slip-sheet" is utilised. A slip-sheet is of negligible thickness compared to a conventional pallet and thus the space taken by a conventional pallet is saved. The charged containers are 15 supported on the slip-sheet and manoeuvred by pushing and pulling the slip-sheet. An object of this invention is to provide a pallet that has the space saving features of a slip sheet and that is readily adapted for use as a slip-sheet. A further object of this invention is to at least provide the public with a useful choice to either known pallets or known slip-sheets. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 20 According to a first embodiment of this invention there is provided a pallet comprising a unitary sheet base supporting at least one lift tine engagable element standing proud of an obverse face of the base and extending longitudinally thereof WO 01/34484 PCT/NZOO/00221 2 According to a second embodiment of this invention there is provided a pallet as described in the preceding paragraph wherein a pair of lift tine engagable elements are provided in spaced apart parallel relationship with one another. According to a third embodiment of this invention there is provided a pallet as described in 5 either of the two preceding paragraphs wherein recess's, hollow throughout their length and having entry openings at least at their ends, are moulded into the material of the base to form the lift tine engagement element(s). According to a fourth embodiment of this invention there is provided a pallet as described in either of the first or second embodiments of the invention wherein the lift tine engagable 10 elements are formed from separate elements to the base. According to a fifth embodiment of this invention there is provided a pallet as described in the preceding paragraph wherein the base is formed from a single sheet of material to have a substantially continuous planar underside. According to a sixth embodiment of this invention there is provided a pallet as described in any 15 one of the five preceding paragraphs wherein at least at one end, at least part of the base extends beyond the associated end of the lift tine element(s) to provide at least one gripping flap. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In further describing the invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein; 20 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment with a bulk-bag supported thereon, and WO 01/34484 PCT/NZOO/00221 3 Fig.2 is an end view in the direction of arrow "A" on Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is an end view, equivalent to Fig. 2, without a bulk-bag supported thereon, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view depicting modifications to the pallet of Figs 1-3, and Fig. 5 is an end view of a first alternative embodiment of the pallet, and 5 Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the pallet, and Fig. 7 is an end view of the direction of arrow "B" on Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 is a modified form of the pallet embodiment depicted in Fig. 6. Throughout the specification the same identifying number is used to indicate the same or equivalent elements of the different embodiments of the invention. 10 BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In a preferred embodiment a pallet I is preferably fabricated from sheet plastics material of some 3-4 mm thickness to be semi-rigid. Pallet 1 is dimensioned to be commensurate in length and width to a standard storage and transporting pallet, that is approximately 1200 x 1000 mm. The pallet I comprises a base 2 which supports at least one lift tine engagable element 3. The 15 lift tine engagable element 3 is disposed longitudinally of the pallet 1 and this orientation is utilised in describing the pallet 1. Preferably the lift tine engagable element(s) 3 comprises at least one recess or aperture 4 hollow throughout its length and having entry openings 4a at the ends thereof Preferably a WO 01/34484 PCT/NZOO/00221 4 pair of parallel spaced apart lift tine engagement elements 3 are provided on the base 2. As depicted in Fig. 5-8 inclusive these may be formed by indentations moulded into the material of the base 2 or, as preferred and as depicted in the remainder of the drawings, by fixing separate "top-hat" shaped sections 5 thereto. These separate tine engagement elements 3 could be 5 formed by box-sections rather than "top-hat" sections 5. The lift tine engagable elements 3 enable lift tines of, for example, a folk lift truck to be inserted thereinto to thus carry a pallet 1. The lift tine engagable elements 3 are supported on what in use will be an obverse face of the base 2. The engagable elements 3 are preferably made from the same plastics material as the base 2 to stand proud of the obverse face of the base 2 and preferably take the form of a 10 flattened angular trihedral "top-hat" shaped projection. A mounting flange 6 is preferably provided along each longitudinal edge of an engagement element 3 by which the element 3 can be fusion welded or similarly attached to the base 2. Preferably each lift tine engagable element 3 extends continuously for the full or substantially the full length of the base 2. However, as depicted on Fig. I and Fig. 6 they may be intermittent with narrow transverse gaps 11 being 15 provided at intervals. As depicted in Fig. 1 the gaps 11 may extend completely through a tine engagable element 3 which is thus made of three distinct parts. This could provide a material cost saving. As depicted in Fig. 6 the gaps 11 may be of limited depth, in both cases the gaps 11 enable a bulk-bag 8 to marginally settle (but not as to interfere with the passage of a tine) thereinto to provide a grip against longitudinal movement between a pallet 1 and a bulk-bag 8. 20 Preferably the base 2 is formed from a single sheet of plastics material to have a substantially continuous planar underside 7. Thus a pallet suitable for handling bulk-bags as described below is provided having the space saving characteristics of a slip sheet.

WO 01/34484 PCT/NZOO/00221 5 As depicted in the drawings, at least at one end and maybe at both ends, the base 2 may include an extension 2a adapting the pallet for use as a slip-sheet. Preferably the extension is in the form of a flap that extends beyond the associated end(s) of the lift tine engagable element or elements 3. Preferably a fold line 9 is formed on the base to delineate the flat extension 2a. 5 Preferably the fold line is formed by a shallow scour line formed in the obverse face of the base 2. This facilitates the upward folding of the base extension 2a to simplify gripping thereof by handling apparatus. The extension flap 2a is preferably formed as an integral part of the base 2 and preferably extends the full width thereof Alternatively, as best depicted in Figs. 1 and 8 the extension flap 2a may be formed by one or 10 more separate projecting tabs 10 affixed to the base 2. Tabs 10 may include fold lines 9 preferably aligning with the ends of the base 2. This variation is best depicted in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. Fig. 4 depicts both forms of extension flap 2a. Gripping of the pallet 1 for pushing and pulling purposes is thus facilitated, such equipment having ready access to the appropriate extension 2a of the base. 15 Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a collapsible bulk-bag 8 is typically fabricated from yeildable textile or reinforced plastics film material is located on the pallet 1. When the container 8 is charged with a powdery, granular or similar detritus flowable material the bottom of the container 8 will settle over and about the lift tine engagable elements 3. Similarly, a previously charged bulk bag 8 will settle about the elements 3 on being placed on the pallet 1. This settling of a charged 20 bulk-bag 8 will tend to locate it on the pallet 1. The end openings 4a of the lift tine engagable elements 3 will remain exposed enabling lifting tines to be placed into the openings 4 for lifting of the pallet 1 and the bulk-bag 8. Similarly with the flap extensions 2a provided these will WO 01/34484 PCT/NZOO/00221 6 project clear of the bulk-bag 8. Thus the pallet 1 can also be used as a slip-sheet by gripping the flap extension 2a.

Claims

1. A pallet comprising a unitary sheet base supporting at least one lift tine engagable 5 element standing proud of an obverse face of the base and extending longitudinally thereof

2. A pallet as claimed in claim 1 wherein a pair of lift tine engagable elements are provided in spaced apart parallel relationship with one another.

3. A pallet as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein recess's, hollow throughout their length and having entry openings at least at their ends, are moulded into the material of the base 10 to form the lift tine engagement element(s).

4. A pallet as claimed in either claim I or claim 2 wherein the lift tine engagable elements are formed from separate elements to the base.

5. A pallet as claimed in claim 4 wherein the base is formed from a single sheet of material to have a substantially continuous planar underside. 15

6. A pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least at one end, at least part of the base extends beyond the associated end of the lift tine element(s) to provide at least one gripping flap.

7. A pallet as claimed in claim 6 wherein the extension(s) is/are formed from an integral part of the base. WO 01/34484 PCT/NZOO/00221 8

8. A pallet as claimed in claim 6 wherein the extension(s) is/are formed from separate elements affixed to the base.

9. A pallet as claimed in claim 7 wherein a fold line is formed in the base delineating the extension section(s) of the base beyond the associated end of the lift tine engagement elements. 5

10. A pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the lift tine engagable element(s) are formed with at least one transverse gap along the length thereof

11. A pallet substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.