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(11) | EP 3 643 638 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | TRANSPORT UNIT FOR FOODSTUFF PRODUCTS |
| (57) Transport unit (10) for products (P) comprising a pallet (1) or similar supporting
structure and a series of supports (2) stacked on top of one another, arranged on
which are said products (P) and which are carried by said pallet (1). Said supports
are constituted by trays (2), which contain said products (P) and are stacked on top
of one another, said trays each comprising a bottom (22), on which said products rest,
and side walls (24), which surround said bottom (22) and have a small height with
respect to said products (P), so as to render visible a prevalent part of said products
(P). Said unit (10) comprises at least one covering panel (4) that covers at least
one side of said stack of trays (2) and leaves, instead, exposed at least one side
(A1) for display of said products. Said trays (2) are each provided with corner protections
(28) at least on said side (A1) for display of said products.
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[0002] In particular, the present invention regards a transport unit of a pallet type, i.e., of the type comprising:
- a pallet or similar supporting structure; and
- a series of stacked supports, arranged on which are the products and which are carried by the aforesaid pallet.
[0003] Such a unit is designed for the transport of products, for example from a production site to a sales point, passing through warehouses.
[0004] In this context, the object of the present invention is to provide a transport unit that will moreover be suited for displaying the products at a sales point.
[0005] The object of the present invention is also to meet one or more of the following needs:
- providing ample surfaces for representing the brand and advertisements;
- providing a protection for the products in regard to any possible impact during transport; and
- providing a simple, low-cost, structure that can be assembled in a simple and fast way.
[0006] The transport unit according to the present invention is characterized in that it presents the features recalled in Claim 1.
[0007] The claims form an integral part of the technical teaching provided herein in relation to the invention.
[0008] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the ensuing description, with reference to the annexed drawings, which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example and in which:
- Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the unit described herein, according to an axonometric view;
- Figure 2 illustrates a single empty tray of the transport unit of Figure 1; and
- Figure 3 illustrates a panel or sheet out of which the tray of Figure 2 is made.
[0009] In the ensuing description, various specific details are illustrated, aimed at providing an in-depth understanding of the embodiments. The embodiments may be obtained without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, or materials, etc. In other cases, known structures, materials, or operations are not illustrated or described in detail so that various aspects of the embodiment will not be obscured.
[0010] The references used herein are only provided for convenience and hence do not define the sphere of protection or the scope of the embodiments.
[0011] As already referred to above, the transport unit described herein, designated in the figures by the reference number 10, is of a pallet type, comprising:
- a pallet 1 or similar supporting structure; and
- a series of supports 2 stacked on top of one another, arranged on which are the products P and which are carried by the pallet 1.
[0012] It should be noted that by the term "pallet" is here meant the type of support without any limitation as regards format or dimensions, so that the above term may include, for example, half pallets or quarter pallets.
[0013] For the reasons that will become evident in what follows, the products P preferably have rigid packagings, for example made of glass, plastic, metal, as well as paper or cardboard.
[0014] In a conventional way, the above unit is designed for the transport of products, for example from a production site to a sales point, passing through warehouses.
[0015] In particular, the unit 10 is prearranged for being moved, within an industrial plant or a warehouse, using specific equipment, such as forklift trucks, pallet trolleys, etc.
[0016] According to an important characteristic, the transport unit described herein is, moreover, designed to be used as structure for the display of the products in the sales point.
[0017] For this purpose, as will be seen in detail in what follows, the transport unit described herein has a configuration that renders clearly visible the products and enables communication to the consumer.
[0018] It should be noted that the aforesaid configuration derives from the particular structure of the unit, so that it is ready for a use as display unit already from when it is assembled for transport of the products. Clearly, this characteristic affords the advantage that it is possible to arrange the transport unit directly in the area of sale or display of the products, without any need to carry out any preparatory activity.
[0019] To return to the structure of the transport unit described herein, the aforesaid supports 2 are constituted by trays, each of which has a bottom 22 and side walls 24 that surround the bottom and which are characterized in that they have a small height as compared to the height of the products P, preferably less than half the height of the latter.
[0020] The trays 2 containing the products P are prearranged for being stacked on top of one another according to a condition in which the bottom of each tray that overlies another tray of the stack, rests directly on the products carried by the latter so that the weight of the stack of products is supported by the products themselves.
[0021] In view of the above arrangement of the products, the trays 2 do not require a particularly rigid and strong structure.
[0022] The stack of trays 2 containing the products P rests directly on the top surface 1A of the pallet 1.
[0023] In a way in itself conventional, the pallet 1 has two resting feet 1B set at a distance from one another to enable insertion of forks or equivalent members of the means for handling goods normally used in industry and logistics. Preferably, the pallet 1 is made of plastic or wood, or cardboard material.
[0024] The transport unit described herein further comprises a covering panel 4, which is prearranged for covering preferably two or three sides of the stack of trays 2.
[0025] In various preferred embodiments, as in the one illustrated, the panel 4 has dimensions such as to identify three distinct portions 4A, 4B, 4C, which are connected together by two folding lines (not visible), and are prearranged for covering, respectively, the rear face and the two lateral faces of the stack of trays 2. Preferably, the height of the panel 4 is such that its edge terminates at the same level of the top end of the products of the top tray 2, or else above it.
[0026] In various preferred embodiments, as in the one illustrated, the transport unit 10 comprises a band 6, which envelops the bottom region of the covering panel 4 and the corresponding parts of the stack of trays 2, and is anchored to the pallet 1. In various preferred embodiments, as in the one illustrated, the band 6 is in particular provided with connection portions 62 that project downwards and fit into corresponding seats made in the pallet 1.
[0027] The band 6 performs the multiple functions of communication to the consumer, protection from impact (during transport and at the sales point), and support for the covering panel 4.
[0028] In view of the foregoing, the transport unit described herein hence has at least one side for display of the products, and at least one side for presentation of the brand or of advertisements.
[0029] In various preferred embodiments, as in the one illustrated, the unit 10 has, in particular, the front side A1, displayed on which are the products, and the two sides A2 and the rear side A3, positioned in which is the covering panel 4, which may present wordings or images on each of its portions 4A, 4B, and 4C.
[0030] To return to the trays 2, these are provided with corner protections 28 for protecting the products, obtained at least on their side walls that are to face the display side A1.
[0031] As will be seen in detail in what follows, in various preferred embodiments, as in the one illustrated, the protections 28 are defined by the same sheet or panel that constitutes the bottom 22 and the side walls 24 of the individual trays.
[0032] In various preferred embodiments, as in the one illustrated, on each tray the corner protections are provided on all four corners.
[0033] The above protections have the function of protecting the products from any possible impact during transport of the unit 10, as well as inside the sales point, for example form possible impact by shopping trolleys used in the sales point.
[0034] The positioning of these protections at the corners stems from the fact that the corners of the stack of trays 2 represent in effect the points that are subject to a higher risk of damage during transport (or at the sales point), and, moreover, from the fact that in these positions they do not hinder visibility of the products P arranged on the individual trays.
[0035] In various preferred embodiments, as in the one illustrated, the protections 28 are constituted by wall portions, characterized by a greater height, which are provided at the opposite ends of the respective side wall.
[0036] In various preferred embodiments, as in the one illustrated, the aforesaid portions extend on top of and underneath the bottom 22 of the tray, so as to constitute a protection in regard both to the products carried by the tray itself and to the products carried by the underlying tray.
[0037] As mentioned above, the tray 2 and the corresponding corner protections 28 may be constituted by a single folded sheet, for example a sheet of paperboard or corrugated cardboard.
[0038] By way of example, Figure 3 illustrates a sheet obtained according to a paperboard-manufacturing process, which has a pre-set contour and predefined folding lines (i.e., creases) so that the tray 2 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 can be assembled in only one way.
[0039] With reference to Figure 3, in general, the sheet shown for constructing a tray for the transport unit described herein, may comprise a central portion 202, designed to define the bottom 22 of the tray, and at least two, portions 204 that can be folded with respect to one another, connected to each side of the central portion 202, for defining double lateral walls 24. The two portions 204 designed to define a single double lateral wall may be fixed via slotting in the condition where they are folded against one another; for example, as in the embodiment illustrated, the outer portion 204 may present projecting tabs 204A at its end edge, which are to fit into corresponding slots 202' provided on the central portion 202.
[0040] As has been seen above, the protections 28 may be provided at all four corners of the tray and be defined by its side walls.
[0041] In various preferred embodiments, as in the one illustrated, the aforesaid protections are defined by just two portions 204, which are directly connected to the central portion 202 and are located in positions opposite to the central portion.
[0042] In particular, in each of these portions 204 the protections 28 are defined by two widened ends 205 that have a generic quadrangular profile and are positioned at opposite corners of the sheet. Each of the aforesaid ends has a predefined folding line 205', to be folded in the corresponding angular configuration envisaged.
[0043] In addition to the slotting arrangements described above, the sheet 200 may be fixed in its folded configuration to define the tray 2 with the aid of glue.
[0044] Preferably, also the covering panel 4 and the band 6 are both formed by a respective folded sheet of paperboard or corrugated cardboard.
[0045] In the light of what has been said above, the transport unit described herein is assembled directly in the industrial production plant, and in the configuration that has been described may be used for the transport of products from the industrial plant to the sales point.
[0046] Thanks to the characteristics that have been highlighted, at the sales point, the unit may then be directly positioned in the sales area.
[0047] Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary, even significantly, with respect to what has been illustrated herein purely by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the annexed claims.
1. A transport unit (10) for products (P), in particular foodstuff products, comprising:
- a pallet (1) or similar supporting structure; and
- a series of supports (2) stacked on top of one another, arranged on which are said products (P) and which are carried by said pallet (1);
said unit being characterized in that:- said supports are constituted by trays (2) that contain said products (P) and are stacked on top of one another, said trays each comprising:
a bottom (22), on which said products rest, and side walls (24), which surround said bottom (22) and have a small height with respect to said products (P), so as to render visible a prevalent part of said products (P); and
- said unit (10) comprises at least one covering panel (4) that covers at least one side of said stack of trays (2) and leaves, instead, exposed at least one side (A1) for display of said products;
- wherein said trays (2) are each provided with corner protections (28) at least at said side (A1) for display of said products.
2. The unit according to Claim 1, wherein each tray of said stack that is on top of another
immediately underlying tray, rests with its own bottom directly on the products carried
by said other underlying tray.
3. The unit according to Claim 2, wherein each tray (2) is constituted by a single folded
sheet or panel.
4. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a band (6) that
is designed to surround a bottom region of said stack of trays (2), and
wherein a bottom region of said covering panel (4) is inserted between said trays (2) and said band (6),
said covering panel (4) being supported vertically by said band (6).
wherein a bottom region of said covering panel (4) is inserted between said trays (2) and said band (6),
said covering panel (4) being supported vertically by said band (6).
5. The unit according to Claim 4, wherein said band has portions (62) projecting downwards
that engage corresponding seats provided in said pallet (1).
6. The unit according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein said band (6) is constituted by
at least one folded sheet or panel.
7. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said protections (28)
of said trays (2) are constituted by wall portions (204A) of one or more of said side
walls (24), which are characterized by a greater height and are obtained at the opposite ends of the respective wall.
8. The unit according to Claim 7, wherein said wall portions (204A) are bent in the form
of an L to assume a corner configuration.