GB2422364A

GB2422364A - Paperboard dolly with detachable castors

Info

Publication number: GB2422364A
Application number: GB0512093A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Feiko Nauta; Petrus Johannes Mathias Herben; Roger Joseph Wonnacott
Original assignee: DS Smith PLC; Besin BV
Current assignee: Besin BV
Priority date: 2004-12-03
Filing date: 2005-06-14
Publication date: 2006-07-26
Also published as: GB0426635D0; GB0512093D0

Abstract

A dolly is provided that comprises a platform 1, preferably of rectangular shape, for carrying articles. Wheels are mounted below the platform, which are preferably in the form of detachable castors 2. The castors are attached using connectors 3 that are preferably stuck to the platform 1 using a hot-melt glue. The platform is formed from a paperboard material, preferably a honeycomb board, allowing the platform to be recycled. In one embodiment the honeycomb board is folded over on to itself to form a platform 1 comprising two layers of board.

Description

DOLLY

1]This invention relates to a dolly, i.e. a wheeled platform for carrying and optionally displaying objects such as merchandise.

2]A known dolly comprises a heavy wooden or metal rectangular platform with a castor mounted at each corner.

3] It is an aim of the invention to provide a lightweight and at least partially disposable dolly.

4] The invention provides a dolly comprising a platform for carrying articles and wheels mounted below the platform, wherein the platform is formed from a paperboard material.

5] A particular material that can be used for the platform is cellular board, e.g. honeycomb board, comprising a cellular layer formed from sfrips of paper arranged in planes substantially perpendicular to the plane of the platform, the cellular layer being arranged between two outer layers of board or paperboard.

Where the outer layers are of paperboard, a sheet of cellular board can be folded on to itself to form a platform comprising two layers of cellular board.

6]The wheels can be provided as conventional castors and may be detachable from the platform. In this way the wheels, which have a longer lifespan than the platform, can be reused with a new platform.

7] In order to attach the castors to the platform, connectors may be provided.

For simplicity, each connector may have a planar upper surface for attachment to the lower side of the platform, for example by gluing. A hot-melt glue may be used in an automated production line.

8]In an alternative embodiment, each connector comprises an upper part for engaging an upper side of the platform and a lower part for engaging a lower side of the platform, the lower part including a castor- retaining formation. The upper and lower parts of the connector may be hinged together and closable around an edge of the platform. Alternatively the connectors may each include a rod extending though the platform and connecting the upper and lower parts e.g. by means of a screw thread or a snap fit. If so, the upper part of the connector can be received in a recess in the platform so as to be substantially flush with the platform.

9] A particular embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [OOIO]Figure 1 shows a dolly according to the invention; [001 l]Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of a partially formed platform used in the dolly of Figure 1; [0012] Figure 3 shows a connector used in the dolly of Figure 1; and [0013] Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of an alternative connector.

[OOI4]Figure 1 shows a dolly comprising a rectangular platform 1 formed of paperboard material. At each corner of the platform, a castor 2 is attached thereto by means of a plastics connector 3.

[OOI5]Figure 2 shows how the platform 1 is formed from a sheet of paper honeycomb board folded in two at 4 and glued to itself. The board comprises hexagonal cells 5 formed from strips of paper in planes perpendicular to the plane of the platform 1. The cells are faced with sheets 6 of strong paper. Figure 2 shows the platform prior to the attachment of further side strips 7 of paper of plastic, one of which is shown in Figure 1, along edges thereof.

[OOI6]Figure 3 shows one of the connectors 3 in more detail. The connector comprises a lower part 8 formed as a quadrant-shaped panel 9 with first and second vertical sides 10, 11. An quadrant-shaped upper part 12 of the connector is joined to the first vertical side 10 at a living hinge 13. Clips 14 on the free straight side of upper part 12 are engageable with the second vertical side 11 to secure the connector around a corner of the platform 1. The lower part 8 has formations 15 for engaging a castor 2.

7] An alternative connector (not shown) comprises a lower part in the form of a panel for spreading the force borne by a castor. The lower part is attached to an upper part of the connector by means of a rod extending through the platform and engageable with the upper part for example by means of a screw thread or a snap fit. The upper part can be received in a recess in the panel, which recess can be formed by pushing the upper part into the material of the platform. The upper part can have a substantially planar upper surface that is substantially flush with the upper surface of the platform. Such a connector is advantageous in that it can be attached to a platform of any shape. Thus the dolly of the invention may for example comprise a circular or triangular platform.

[001 8]The dolly of the invention can be used many times and is inexpensive and extremely light, e.g. less than 5 kg. The platform has a high resistance to bending and is suitable for carrying all loads usually encountered in retail logistics. The shape, area, thickness and strength of the platform and the number of castors can be adapted to suit many different circumstances. A radiofrequency identification tag can easily be located inside the platform, and there is no metal structure to interfere with the detection of such a tag.

9] The dolly of the invention can be used as alternative to fixed shelving and a communications medium. A second filled dolly can be stacked on top of another after placing a cellular paperboard platform on top of products carried by the first dolly. This can save 50% of storage space and 50% of transportation costs. The castors of the lower dolly can bear more weight in storage than they can in transportation so that heavy- duty castors may not be required.

(0020] If the platform of the dolly is damaged, the wheels and connectors can be detached and secured to another platform, not necessarily of the same configuration. Thus only the expense of the new platform is incurred. The used platform can be recycled with other paper products. Where sales fluctuate, a large number of dollies may be required during a sales peak. Storage space can be saved by storing only the wheels and connectors of surplus dollies which are not required until a subsequent sales peak.

1]The platforms and connectors can be colour-coded and the platforms can have printed information or designs. The platforms can bear special coatings, e.g. non-slip or waterproof coatings.

2] Figures 4 and 5 show an alternative connector designed for gluing to the underside of the platform. The connector is comprises a plate 41 having an upper gluing surface 42. In use, a projection 43 on the upper side of the plate 44 is received in a recess in the platform. On its lower side the connector has a hollow protrusion 45, which in this example is cylindrical, and is shaped to receive a pin or lug of a castor. Load-spreading ribs 46 extend radially from the protrusion 45 to support the plate 41.

3] As the platforms are preferably disposable they will not require washing, unlike the platforms of existing dollies.

Claims

S

Claims 1. A dolly comprising a platform for carrying articles and wheels mounted below the platform, wherein the platform is formed from a paperboard material.

2 A dolly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the platform comprises a cellular board comprising a cellular layer arranged between two outer layers of board or paperboard 3 A dolly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the cellular layer is formed from strips of paper arranged in planes substantially perpendicular to the plane of the platform.

4. A dolly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the platform comprises honeycomb board * * *::: 5 A dolly as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the cellular board is * :* * folded on to itself to form a platform comprising two layers of cellular board 6. A dolly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the wheels are : : provided as castors. sit,

* 7. A dolly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the castors are detachable from the platform 8 A dolly as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein connectors are provided for connecting the castors to the platform 9 A dolly as claimed in claim 8, wherein a connector is provided for each castor 10. A dolly as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the connectors have been attached to a lower surface of the platform by gluing 11. A dolly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the connectors have been glued using a hot-melt glue.

12. A dolly as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein each connector has a plate with a planar upper surface for attachment to a lower side of the platform.

13. A dolly as claimed in claim 12, wherein said planar upper surface of each connector is a gluing surface.

14 A dolly as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein each connector has a projection extending from the plate that is received within a recess in the platform.

A dolly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lower side of each connector has a hollow cylindrical protrusion for receiving a pin of a castor 16. A dolly as claimed in claim 15, wherein load-spreading ribs extend * . radially from the protrusion to support the plate 17 A dolly as claimed in any of claims 8 to 11, wherein each connector comprises an upper part for engaging an upper side of the platform and a I'll lower part for engaging a lower side of the platform, the lower part including a castor-retaining formation.

18. A dolly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the upper and lower parts of each connector are hinged together and closable around an edge of the platform 19. A dolly as claimed in claim 17, wherein each connector includes a rod extending through the platform and connecting the upper and lower parts 20. A dolly as claimed in claim 19, wherein the rod connects the upper and lower parts by means of a screw thread.

21. A dolly as claimed in claim 19, wherein the rod connects the upper and lower parts by means of a snap fit.

22. A dolly as claimed in any of claims 17 to 21, wherein the upper part of the connector is received in a recess in the platform so as to be substantially flush with the upper surface of the platform.

23. A dolly as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a rectangular platform 24. A dolly as claimed in claim 23 having a wheel mounted below the platform at each corner.

25. A dolly as claimed in any preceding claim weighing less than 5kg.

* : * 26 A dolly as claimed in any preceding claim including a radio frequency Identification tag located inside the platform * 27 A dolly as claimed in any preceding claim having a non-slip coating on the platform 28 A dolly as claimed in any preceding claim having a waterproof coating on the platform.

29 A kit for making a dolly as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a platform formed from a paperboard material and a plurality of wheels for mounting below the platform 30. A dolly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1-3 or Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.