WO2004037662A1

WO2004037662A1 - Pallet and handling system

Info

Publication number: WO2004037662A1
Application number: PCT/GB2003/004611
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Dean
Original assignee: Intellident Limited
Priority date: 2002-10-24
Filing date: 2003-10-24
Publication date: 2004-05-06
Also published as: GB0224791D0; AU2003278340A1

Abstract

A pallet (10) is described that is arranged to receive one or more wheeled units (100). The pallet includes engagement means (40) arranged to engage at least selected wheels of the one or more received wheeled units and thereby hold the one or more wheeled units in position. The handling system operates in conjunction with the pallet and comprises a platform (200) adapted to mate with the when the pallet is lowered thereon, the platform including disengagement means (210) arranged to disengage the engagement means of the pallet from the at least selected wheels of the one or more received wheeled units when the platform is mated with the pallet.

Description

PALLET AND HANDLING SYSTEM

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pallet and a handling system that are particularly suitable for handling and transporting trays and the like.

Background to the Invention

Typically, field produce such as fruit and vegetables are packed into a tray. The produce is typically kept in the trays throughout loading, transportation and storage until their final destination to prevent crushing/spoiling. As the trays are typically loaded and moved by hand at the packing end, their size and weight is limited. In order to transport the trays, they are normally stacked onto a pallet, that is, a portable platform typically made of wood or plastic for use in transporting and storing loads, as is illustrated in Figure 1. As many trays are normally stacked on a pallet, the overall weight is normally too much to be moved manually and typically requires the use of a forklift truck or other specialised lifting gear. In some cases, to avoid the need for such equipment at the packing end, an empty pallet is placed on the back of a lorry and the trays are then stacked on the pallet. This has the disadvantage that the lorry must wait whilst the trays are loaded onto the pallet and also requires lifting gear at the receiving end.

An alternative to pallets that is sometimes used is a wheeled platform referred to as a dolly. An example dolly is illustrated in Figure 2. A dolly may be a single and/or double wheeled unit and may vary in size. The trays are stacked onto the dolly in a similar manner to that of a pallet. However, the dollies can be wheeled around which negates the need for lifting gear. The disadvantage with a dolly is that they can roll around inside a vehicle whilst being transported and this can cause damage to the dolly, produce and/or vehicle. In addition, dollies tend to have a smaller surface area and therefore hold fewer trays that pallets. As dollies must be pushed around, this requires extra personnel at the source/destination that would not necessarily be required if pallets were being used. Particularly at the destination where great numbers of goods are being processed, this can be a significant disadvantage. In order to store the produce, pallets are often placed either into racking to save space and/or placed onto a open chain bed of a forced vacuum cooler. Neither of these processes lends themselves to a smaller wheeled dolly unit. Additionally, whilst a pallet can be placed in a field and loaded with trays, the instability of the load and handling due to rough surfaces prevents the use of a dolly.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved means for transportation and handling of produce and the like.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pallet arranged to receive one or more wheeled units, the pallet including engagement means arranged to engage at least selected wheels of the one or more received wheeled units and thereby hold the one or more wheeled units in position.

Preferably, the pallet includes a plurality of engagement means, each engagement means being arranged to engage one of the selected wheels.

Preferably, the engagement means comprises an aperture for receiving at least part of the wheel.

Preferably, the pallet includes an aperture for each wheel of the one or more wheeled units. The aperture(s) may include restriction means operable to restrict the size of the aperture.

The restriction means may be resiliently sprung to allow entry of at least part of the wheel into the aperture.

The restriction means may include one or more inserts for insertion within the aperture.

The pallet may include a plurality of sets of apertures, each set of apertures being arranged to receive a particular configuration of wheeled unit.

The pallet may include cover means for covering sets of apertures not in use. The pallet may include an RFID (Radio frequency Identification) tag or similar identifier.

Preferably, the pallet has a textured surface for preventing slippage. The textured surface may comprise a plurality of ribs. Alternatively or in addition, one or more projections may be provided on the pallet for mating with a complementary recess in the dolly when the wheels are engaged.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a handling system comprising a platform adapted to mate with a pallet as described above when the pallet is lowered thereon, the platform including disengagement means arranged to disengage the engagement means of the pallet from the at least selected wheels of the one or more received wheeled units when the platform is mated with the pallet.

Preferably, the disengagement means comprises a plurality of projections, each projection being oriented for mating with a respective aperture of the pallet to thereby eject the received wheeled units from the engagement means of the pallet when the platform is mated with the pallet.

The projections may include a bevelled mating surface to facilitate mating with the pallet. The projections may be moveable on the platform to facilitate mating with different configurations of pallets.

The platform may include edge members for guiding the pallet into the correct mating position.

The platform may be larger than the pallet and include a number of configurations of disengagement means, the configuration of the disengagement means applied being dependent on the position of the pallet with respect to the platform. Preferably in this embodiment, guiding markers or lines are included on the platform.

The platform may include a ramp running from the loaded surface of the pallet, when mated to the platform, for unloading the wheeled units. The disengagement means may be actuable to disengage the engagement means when the pallet is mated with the platform. For example, the disengagement means may initially be flush with the platform and be driven into the apertures when loading or unloading the wheeled units to allow them to be freely wheeled over the pallet. Such an arrangement may be incorporated into a lorry or trailer to allow wheeled units to be wheeled on/off but permitting locking during transit.

The principle features of the preferred embodiment include: a) providing means to convey and vertically store, by self-supporting or by mechanical racking, wheeled stacks of produce/materials. b) providing bulk handling of wheeled stacks of produce/materials. c) providing the facility to handle bulk wheeled stacks of produce/materials through an existing process, whereby traditional pallets are used. d) maintaining operating efficiencies and movement of product throughout the existing operation. e) providing bulk movement by either hand/battery pallet truck and or powered fork truck, as existing without the need for further or floor finishes to accommodate smaller wheeled stacked units. ) providing a secure location of the wheeled unit without the need for additional locks and or other devices. g) providing a safe method of assembly and removal, without the need for additional handling/lifting equipment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a known pallet;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a dolly;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a pallet according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the pallet of Figure 3 loaded with dollies and a first layer of trays;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a handling system according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the handling system of Figure 5 and pallet of Figure 4 when in use; and, Figures 7a and 7b are sectional views of Figure 6.

Detailed Description Figure 3 is a perspective view of a pallet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The pallet 10 has preferably substantially the same dimensions as traditional pallets and includes slots 20 to accept forks from a forklift truck or similar. The pallet includes a load surface 30 and a number of engaging means in the form of apertures 40. The pallet also includes a number of projections 50.

In the field or initial loading point, the pallet is simply placed in the conventional way. The wheeled units 100, such as is shown in Figure 2, are then placed on top with their wheels 110 dropping into the apertures 40, as is shown in Figure 4. Preferably, the apertures 40 are sufficiently large enough to allow any wheel orientation. The underside of the wheeled units lOOinclude a complementary recess to fit the projection 50 to prevent the units 100 moving when loaded. The trays 150 are then filled and stacked on the wheeled unit. Although only one layer of trays 150 is illustrated, it will be appreciated that the trays 150 will be stackable on top of each other to allow possibly 10 or more layers on each wheeled unit 100.

Additional banding can then be applied around the pallet 10, wheeled units 100 and trays 150 to secure the load.

The loaded pallet can then be handled and treated as an existing pallet containing materials/produce. In addition or alternatively to the projections 50, the load surface 30 may be textured. Another alternative would be to use ribs or ridges with a complementary pattern on the underside of the wheeled units 100. It should be noted that all of these are optional features and the pallet 10 will function without a mechanism to prevent slippage due to the engagement of the wheels 110 in the apertures 40. Other engagement means, such as sprung loaded locking means on a pallet that clamp around, or otherwise prevent movement of, the wheels could also be envisaged.

In order to accommodate different wheeled unit sizes and configurations, the pallets may include resiliently sprung loaded clamping means within the apertures that are forced apart when the wheel passes over them, allowing the wheel to enter the aperture 40 and clamp the wheel in place. In this example, preferably the surface of the clamping means is slightly tapered where the clamps meet to allow the weight of a wheel passing over it to force the clamping means apart. Another alternative would be to use some form of removable insert so that the size of the aperture can be increased/decreased to suit the wheeled unit. Another alternative would be to have various sets of apertures in the same pallet to suit different wheeled unit configurations. To prevent misalignment, covers may be provided so that only one set of apertures is open to accept wheels. The underside of the pallet 10 may be provided with appropriate recesses, clamping means or other fixtures to allow a further pallet to be stacked on a layer of trays. For example, the underside of a pallet may be shaped to receive the tops of a layer of trays that are themselves stacked on a dolly and pallet 10.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a handling system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The handling system includes a platform 200 and a number of disengagement means in the form of projections 210. In a preferred embodiment, the handling system also includes one or more edge members 240 for guiding the pallet 10 into position and a ramp 230 for use in loading/unloading the wheeled units 100. Figure 7a shows the wheels 110 of a wheeled unit 100 engaged in a pallet 10.

In order to unloaded a loaded pallet 10, it is lowered over the platform 200. The projections 210 mate with the underside of the apertures 40 forcing the engaged wheels out of the apertures, as is shown in Fig 7b. This has the effect of lifting the wheeled units 100 so that their wheels are disengaged from the apertures 40 and so that they are free of any of the projections 50 or similar on the pallet 10. The wheeled units 100 can then be simply wheeled or lifted. Preferably, the projections 210 are substantially the same height as the pallet's loading surface 30. The projections 210 preferably have bevelled mating edges 220 to allow a minor degree of misalignment when mating with the aperture 40 of the pallet 10. The slots 20 on the pallet to which the forks are to pass provide means for visibly ensuring that the pallet fully locates on the projections 210.

This process in reverse can also be used to load the pallet 10 with wheeled units 100.

The ramp 230 may have cut-outs to facilitate banding or for banding removal of the load as and if required. As an alternative to the edge members, the platform 200 may be larger than the pallet 10. In this example, the positioning of the projections 210 can be such that they can be used for different pallet configurations depending on where the pallet 10 is placed on the platform 200. In such a case, some form of visible marking indicating the various configurations could be applied to the platform itself. A pallet 10 with one configuration of apertures 40 would then be mated in a different position on the platform 200 to pallets with other aperture configurations.

Whilst the above description has concentrated on transportation of produce, it will be appreciated that the apparatus and system disclosed could be applied to the transportation of anything substantially similar size. In addition, whilst the embodiment illustrated show a number of dollies being used, it will be appreciated that different sized dollies could also be used for items requiring, for example, a larger carrying surface area.

Claims

1. A pallet arranged to receive one or more wheeled units, the pallet including engagement means arranged to engage at least selected wheels of the one or more received wheeled units and thereby hold the one or more wheeled units in position.

2. A pallet according to claim 1 , including a plurality of engagement means, each engagement means being arranged to engage one of the selected wheels.

3. A pallet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engagement means comprises an aperture for receiving at least part of the or each wheel.

4. A pallet according to claim 3, including an aperture for each wheel of the one or more wheeled units.

5. A pallet according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the aperture includes restriction means operable to restrict the size of the aperture.

6. A pallet according to claim 5, wherein the restriction means is resiliently sprung to allow entry of at least part of the wheel into the aperture.

7. A pallet according to claim 5, wherein the restriction means includes one or more inserts for insertion within the aperture.

8. A pallet according to any one of claims 3 to 7, including a plurality of sets of apertures, each set of apertures being arranged to receive a particular configuration of wheeled unit.

9. A pallet according to claim 8, further comprising cover means for covering one or more of the sets of apertures when not in use.

10. A pallet according to any preceding claim, including a Radio frequency Identification tag.

11. A pallet according to any preceding claim having a textured surface.

12. A pallet according to any preceding claim having an underside shaped to mate with the tops of a layer of elements held on another pallet to thereby permit stacking.

13. A handling system comprising a platform adapted to mate with a pallet as claimed in any of the preceding claims when the pallet is lowered thereon, the platform including disengagement means arranged to disengage the engagement means of the pallet from the at least selected wheels of the one or more received wheeled units when the platform is mated with the pallet.

14. A handling system according to claim 13, wherein the disengagement means comprises a plurality of projections, each projection being oriented for mating within a respective aperture of the pallet to thereby eject the received wheeled units when the platform is mated with the pallet.

15. A handling system according to claim 14, wherein the projections include a bevelled mating surface to facilitate mating with the respective aperture.

16. A handling system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the projections are be moveable on the platform to facilitate different configurations of pallets.

17. A handling system according to claim 13, 14, 15 or 16, wherein the platform includes one or more edge members for guiding the pallet into the correct mating position.

18. A handling system according to any of claims 13 to 17, wherein the platform is larger than the pallet and includes a number of configurations of disengagement means, the configuration of the disengagement means applied being dependent on the position of the pallet with respect to the platform.

19. A handling system according to any of claims 13 to 18, further comprising a ramp running from the loaded surface of the pallet, when mated to the platform, for loading/unloading the wheeled units.