WO2009004537A1

WO2009004537A1 - Method and retainer for securing loaded goods on a pallet

Info

Publication number: WO2009004537A1
Application number: PCT/IB2008/052565
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Enslin Clarke
Original assignee: Clarke Technologies (Proprietary) Limited
Priority date: 2007-06-29
Filing date: 2008-06-26
Publication date: 2009-01-08

Abstract

A method and strapping retainer (26) are provided for securing loaded goods (12) on pallets (10). The method comprises positioning strapping retainers (26) along a peripheries of the loaded goods (12), spanning elongate strapping members (38) around the loaded goods (12) and across the strapping retainers (26), tensioning the strapping members (38) and attaching the strapping members (38) to the pallets (10) by passing them adjacent retaining formations (30) defined on the strapping retainers (26). The strapping retainer (26) comprising a body defining an engagement formation for engaging a periphery of the loaded goods (12), and one or more retaining formations (30) adjacent which the strapping members (38) can extend. The retaining formations (30) are configured to retain the strapping members (38) against sliding along the peripheries of the loaded goods (12).

Description

METHOD AND RETAINER FOR SECURING LOADED GOODS ON A PALLET

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the loading of goods onto pallets such as wooden or plastic pallets and securing the loaded goods on the pallets in the international transport and warehousing industries. In particular, the invention relates to a method of securing loaded goods on a pallet and a strapping retainer.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION The international transportation and warehousing industries have historically used wooden pallets for moving and storing goods. The industries have used various means of securing goods to pallets and these include: a) goods are held on the pallet by vertical and/or horizontal strapping where the use of edge protectors further spreads the localized load applied to the goods by the strapping. The strapping is held in place by tension in the strapping, which causes it to grip on the pallet and the loaded goods, by friction. b) goods are plastic wrapped, typically by placing the loaded pallet on a turntable and applying multiple layers of plastic sheet while turning the pallet. c) the loaded pallet is placed on a stand and a plastic sheath or "sock" is dropped over the loaded pallet to extend around the loaded goods and the pallet. The plastic "sock" is then heat shrunken so that it grips the loaded pallet.

There are inherent problems with the above methods (a), (b) and (c) in that with method (a) the strapping can only be applied in a generally horizontal line or a generally vertical line, i.e. only with generally orthogonal orientations, which limits the ability of the strapping to secure the loaded goods. The reason why it is not currently possible to apply the strapping around the goods at an angle, is that if the strapping were angled, e.g. extending diagonally from the bottom left hand corner to the top right hand corner, tension in the strapping which is required to pull the strapping tightly against the pallet and/or goods so that it is held in place by friction, is applied at an angle and has a force component pulling the strapping along the surface of the pallet/goods, which typically causes the strapping to slip along the surface so that it looses its angular orientation and thus its tension. The result is that the strapping could fall off the pallet leaving the loaded goods unsecured and exposed to damage. Further, if the strapping is not angled, it often slips over the edges of the pallet and/or the goods, thereby releasing the loaded goods.

Methods (b) and (c) are very time consuming as the pallet is usually loaded/packed in one area, e.g. in a warehouse and then the loaded pallet is moved (this entails handling of the pallet with unsecured loaded goods) to the plastic wrapping area where it is once more handled. Importantly, plastic wrapping is applied horizontally or at small angles from horizontal and has practically no capability of securing the goods to the pallet in a vertical direction. It is also not possible to secure goods such as fresh produce in this manner as the plastic sweats (i.e. prevents ventilation and causes moisture trapped inside the plastic to condensate), causing bacterial growth. The plastic also forms a barrier against refrigerated airflow, thus making cooling of the loaded goods practically impossible and causing damage to goods such as fresh produce. Further, the production of ethylene by the fresh produce is enhanced and the gas is concentrated by the plastic barrier causing further damage.

The present invention seeks to provide for the securing of loaded goods on a pallet in a manner that overcomes these deficiencies of presently used methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of securing loaded goods on a pallet, said method comprising the steps of: positioning at least one strapping retainer along a periphery of the loaded goods; spanning an elongate strapping member to extend at least partly around the loaded goods and across the strapping retainer; applying tension to the strapping member; and attaching the strapping member to the pallet; wherein the method includes passing the strapping member adjacent a retaining formation defined on the strapping retainer.

The strapping retainer may be positioned along an edge of the load, particularly an upper edge. The method may include a preceding step of attaching said retaining formation to a body of the strapping retainer.

The retaining formation may include a recess and the method may include passing the strapping member through the recess, at least in part. Alternatively or in addition, the retaining formation may include a protuberance and the method may include passing the strapping member adjacent the protuberance. Preferably, the retaining formation includes a recess and the protuberance is angled and extends over the recess, at least in part. The strapping member may be passed adjacent the retaining formation by passing it through the recess and simultaneously passing it under the protuberance.

The strapping member may be any elongate element capable of bearing a tensile load, e.g. a polymeric strap.

The method may include spanning the strapping member to extend at an angle relative to the pallet and may include attaching the strapping member to the pallet directly, or indirectly by extending around at least part of the pallet.

Preferably, a plurality of retaining formations are used, e.g. on opposing upper edges of the loaded goods and a plurality of strapping elements or a plurality of passes of strapping elements are used to secure the loaded goods. The strapping elements are preferably disposed symmetrically around the loaded goods so that tensile loads applied from different strapping elements to the loaded goods are in balance.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a strapping retainer, said retainer comprising a body defining at least one engagement formation configured to engage a periphery of goods loaded onto a pallet and at least one retaining formation adjacent which an elongate strapping member can extend, said retaining formation being configured to retain the strapping member against sliding along the periphery of the loaded goods. The body may have an L-shaped cross-sectional profile, and the recess between the two flanges of its profile may form the engagement formation that is configured to engage an outer edge of the loaded goods.

The body may be elongate and may include a plurality of the retaining formations, spaced apart along its length.

Each retaining formation may include a recess that may be configured to allow the strapping member to pass through it.

Said retaining formation may include an angled protuberance that extends partly over a recess.

The free end of the protuberance may be angled towards the closest end of the strapping retainer and/or towards the centre of the strapping retainer, depending on the strapping configuration for which it is intended. The engagement formation may for example include two such protuberances that are angled towards each other, defining an aperture between them that is configured to receive the strapping member. The protuberances may also be joined at their ends, thus forming a loop surrounding an aperture through which the strapping member can pass, e.g. a strapping member such as a strap or rope.

The protuberance may be made as a separate item that can be attached to the body or the entire strapping retainer may comprise of a body forming the protuberance, that can be attached, e.g. with adhesive or straps, to the load that is intended to be secured.

The strapping retainer may include spacing protuberances such as ribs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, the invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of loaded goods on a pallet, secured on the pallet with strapping in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of loaded goods on a pallet, secured on the pallet with strapping in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of a retaining formation of a strapping retainer in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of loaded goods on a pallet, secured on the pallet with strapping in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, a pallet is generally indicated by reference numeral 10 and goods loaded onto the pallet are indicated by reference numeral 12. The goods 12 are shown in the drawings as rectangular boxes, but the invention has an unlimited number of other applications as well and the boxes merely serve as an illustrative example.

Each pallet 10 has a reasonably conventional construction with an upper deck 14, a lower deck 16 and spacers 18 extending between the decks to define apertures 20 into which the forks of fork trucks can extend. In the preferred embodiments shown, the pallets 10 also include attachment lugs 22 at each corner of each upper deck 14 with apertures 24 through which strapping can pass.

A strapping retainer in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 26 and has a shape generally resembling a conventional edge protector, comprising an elongate body with an L-shaped cross sectional profile and transverse spacing ribs 28 extending on the outside of both of the two flanges of its L-shape. Preferably, each rib 28 extends for the entire width of the relevant flange, extends around the corner of the L-shaped profile of the retainer 26 and continues (without interruption) for the full width of the other flange. This can be seen in Figure 3, which shows that the rib 28 covers both faces of the retainer 26 and extends around the corner from the vertical flange to the horizontal flange. The purposes of the ribs 28 are to add strength (stiffness) to the retainer 26, to assist in creating a gap between the of the upper, horizontal flange of a retainer and a pallet (or other load) placed on top of the goods 12 and to lift or keep such a top load off of the retaining formations 30 described below. The recess on the inside of the L-shape, between the two flanges forms an engagement formation in the form of a V-shaped recess with a shape that complements the outer edges of the goods 12 and that can thus engage the outer edges of the goods, snugly.

Each strapping retainer 26 shown in Figure 1 has four retaining formations and each strapping retainer shown in Figure 2 has two retaining formations. The retaining formations are spaced apart along the length of each strapping retainer 26 and each retaining formation is generally indicated by reference numeral 30. Any other number of retaining formations 30 can be used, as required in a particular case and some of the retaining formations 30 may be left idle, as required.

As can best be seen in Figure 3, each retaining formation 30 includes a recess 32 and a protuberance 34 that extends partly over the recess with its free end being angled either towards the closest end or towards the centre of the strapping retainer 26 (see below) and the retaining formations 30 can be in close proximity to each other or distanced from each other. The wall thickness of the strapping retainer 26 is small and the recess 32 extends through the strapping retainer, but the edges along the periphery of the recess on the outside of the strapping retainer are raised sufficiently such that a straight line between any of these edges would not intersect the V-shaped recess on the inside of the strapping retainer. The result is that when a strap passes through a recess 32 (see below), it does not protrude on the inside of the strapping retainer 26 and if the strapping retainer is fitted on an edge or corner of an object such as the load 12, the strap will not impinge on the load. Further, each protuberance 34 is curved so as not to protrude too severely from the outside of the strapping retainer 26 and its free end extends generally parallel with the body of the strapping retainer, thus limiting its exposure to inadvertent damage. The exposure of the protuberances 34 to damage is further limited by the ribs 28 which prevent some larger objects from making direct contact with the outer surfaces of the strapping retainer 26. Each protuberance 34 is also typically reinforced by a longitudinal rib 36 along its outside. Referring to Figures 1 , 2 and 3, in use, the goods 12 can be secured on the pallet 10 by positioning two of the strapping retainers 26 along opposing upper edges of the goods, spanning elongate strapping members such as polymeric straps 38 to extend around the goods and across the strapping retainers, passing the straps through the recesses 32 and underneath the protuberances 34 as shown in Figure 3, tightening the straps to place them under tension and attaching the straps to the pallet by attaching them to the lugs 22. It is to be appreciated that any number of strapping retainers 26 can be used, depending on the goods 12 to be secured, that any number of straps 38 or any number of passes of straps can be used and/or that the straps can be attached to the pallet 10 in any suitable way, e.g. directly by passing them through the apertures 24 of the lugs 22 or indirectly through the apertures 20 to extend in part around the upper deck 14.

A wide variety of configurations are possible, but the straps 38 can extend generally vertically as illustrated by the vertical runs 40 of straps in Figure 1 , can extend generally diagonally as illustrated by the diagonal runs 42 of straps in Figure 2, can extend at any other angle as illustrated by the steep angled runs 44 of straps in Figure 1 , can extend generally horizontally around the goods 12 as shown by the horizontal runs 46 of the straps in Figures 1 and 2, or the like.

The vertical straps 40 are passed underneath the protuberances 34 of the retaining formations 30 nearest to the ends of the strapping retainers 26 and the free ends of the protuberances extend towards the centers of the strapping retainers, thus holding the straps 40 against slipping off the corners of the goods 12. Similarly, the steep angled straps 44 each pass underneath protuberances 34 with free ends that extend towards the centers of the strapping retainers 26, but the diagonal straps 42 each pass underneath protuberances 34 with free ends that extend towards the ends of the strapping retainers 26, thus holding the straps against sliding along the upper edges of the goods 12 and preventing the straps from assuming a less angular orientation (i.e. meeting the retainer at a larger angle) and losing their tension.

It may be added that use of the strapping configuration shown in Figure 2 would not generally be encouraged, since tension in the diagonal straps 42 would be transferred to the retaining formations 30 and would cause longitudinal compression forces in the strapping retainers 26. This is not problematic in itself, since the retainers 26 can be made strong enough to withstand the compression, but it would be possible to use less material in making the retainers - and thus keep manufacturing costs down, if they need not withstand longitudinal compression forces.

Referring to Figure 4, the retainers 26 can also be positioned along vertical edges of the goods 12 and the straps 38 can extend also around the vertical retainers. In Figure 4, the straps 38 include steep angled runs 44 and horizontal runs 46, similar to those shown in Figure 1 and in addition, it includes shallow angled runs 48, extending around the goods and the vertical retainers 26.

If desired, the retaining formations 30 can include protuberances 34 that extend in both directions (i.e. towards the ends of the retainer and towards the centre of the retainer), for versatility and/or for holding the straps 38 against sliding in either direction. The protuberances 34 in such a configuration can be arranged in pairs with the free ends of the protuberances in each pair facing each other, but being spaced apart and with a single recess 32 extending between the pair of protuberances.

In all the illustrated embodiments, the straps 38 have been applied symmetrically around the goods 12 so that the tensile loads applied from different straps to the goods are in balance.

In other embodiments of the invention (not illustrated) the protuberance 34 is made as a separate item that can be attached to the body, or the entire strapping retainer 26 may comprises a body forming the protuberance 34, that can be attached, e.g. with adhesive or straps 38 to the load 12 that is intended to be secured. Additionally, two protuberances 34 can be joined at their ends to form a separate item that can be attached to the body, thus forming a loop surrounding an aperture through which the strapping member 38 can pass, e.g. a strapping member such as a strap or rope.

The invention illustrated allows the load 12 to be secured on the pallet 10 with straps 38 in a variety of configurations, with a substantially reduced likelihood that a strap will slip along the periphery of the load and at the same time, the invention prevents tension from the straps 38 from damaging the goods 12. The use of angled strapping also inhibits pilfering of the palletized goods 12.

Claims

1. A method of securing loaded goods (12) on a pallet (10), said method comprising the steps of: positioning at least one strapping retainer (26) along a periphery of the loaded goods (12); spanning an elongate strapping member (38) to extend at least partly around the loaded goods (12) and across the strapping retainer (26); applying tension to the strapping member (38); and attaching the strapping member (38) to the pallet (10); characterised by passing the strapping member (38) adjacent a retaining formation (30) defined on the strapping retainer (26).

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , characterised by positioning the strapping retainer (26) along an edge of the load (12).

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the edge is an upper edge.

4. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the retaining formation (30) includes a recess (32).

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, characterised by passing the strapping member (38) through the recess (32), at least in part.

6. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the retaining formation (30) includes a protuberance (34).

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, characterised by passing the strapping member (38) adjacent the protuberance (34).

8. The method as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, characterised in that the retaining formation (30) includes a recess (32) and the protuberance (34) is angled and extends over the recess (32), at least in part.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the strapping member (38) is passed adjacent the retaining formation (30) by passing it through the recess (32) and simultaneously passing it under the protuberance (34).

10. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the strapping member (38) is an elongate element capable of bearing a tensile load.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the strapping member (38) is a polymeric strap.

12. The method as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, characterised by spanning the strapping member (38) to extend at an angle relative to the pallet (10).

13. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the strapping member (38) is attached to the pallet (10) directly.

14. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the strapping member (38) is attached to the pallet (10) indirectly by extending around at least part of the pallet (10).

15. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a plurality of retaining formations (3) are used.

16. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a plurality of strapping elements (38) are used to secure the loaded goods (12).

17. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a plurality of passes of strapping elements (38) are used to secure the loaded goods (12).

18. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the strapping elements (38) are disposed symmetrically around the loaded goods (12) so that tensile loads applied from different strapping elements (38) to the loaded goods are in balance.

19. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised by a preceding step of attaching said retaining formation (30) to a body of the strapping retainer (26).

20. A strapping retainer (26) comprising: a body defining at least one engagement formation configured to engage a periphery of goods (12) loaded onto a pallet (10), and at least one retaining formation (30) adjacent which an elongate strapping member (38) can extend, characterised in that said retaining formation (30) is configured to retain the strapping member (38) against sliding along the periphery of the loaded goods (12).

21. The retainer (26) as claimed in claim 20, characterised in that the body has an L-shaped cross-sectional profile.

22. The retainer (26) as claimed in claim in claim 20 or claim 21 , characterised in that the body is elongate.

23. The retainer as claimed in claim 22, characterised in that the body includes a plurality of the retaining formations (30), spaced apart along its length.

24. The retainer as claimed in claim 20, characterised in that the retaining formation (30) includes a recess (32).

25. The retainer as claimed in claim 24, characterised in that the recess is configured to allow the strapping member (38) to pass through it..

26. The retainer as claimed in claim 20, characterised in that said retaining formation (3) includes an angled protuberance (34)

27. The retainer as claimed in claim 26, characterised in that the protuberance extends at least partly over a recess (32).

28. The retainer as claimed in claim 26 or claim 27, characterised in that the free end of the protuberance (34) is angled towards the closest end of the strapping retainer (26).

29. The retainer as claimed in claim 26 or claim 27, characterised in that the free end of the protuberance (34) is angled towards the centre of the strapping retainer (26).

30. The retainer as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 29, characterised in that the protuberance is attachable to the body of the retainer.

31. The retainer as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 30, characterised in that the retainer (26) includes spacing protuberances (28).