Foot for the palletization of cartons

Abstract

 A foot for the palletization of cartons comprising two elements (11, 12) superimposed so as to grip a part of a flap (14') of a carton bottom and block it firmly by means of a screw (13) piercing the carton, resting on an element (12) at one side and screwed to the other element (11) at the opposite end, said elements (11, 12) and the screw being made in plastic material.

Description

[0001] The present invention concerns palletization of cartons in general, and more particularly feet applicable to cartons for such palletization.

[0002] In practice, palletization of cartons is getting more and more widespread for direct handling by means of ordinary fork-lift and translation devices, with no need for any pallets or supporting platforms. Palletization is performed by applying detachable supporting feet to the bottom of each carton when using it, with the possibility of recovering and recycling carton and feet separately.

[0003] At present, feet may be applied to a carton by means of a bayonet cap or by providing each foot with a neck designed to be introduced into a hole provided in the carton and blocked therein by means of an element coupled to the neck by pressure or in any other way. In any case however, cartons require adequate prior punching so as to be provided with the openings designed to receive the feet. Moreover, said feet are fixed only on a limited area corresponding to the edges of said openings, sometimes in unstable condition, and may accidentally come off.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a foot which may be removably applied to a carton to be palletized thus permitting separate recycling of cartons and feet, and which rests on a large surface so as to remain steadily fixed thereto with no need for any prior punching.

[0005] Such object is achieved by a new, original embodiment of a foot comprising two elements designed to be superimposed so as to grip part of a flap of a carton bottom, which is firmly blocked by means of a screw pin piercing the carton, resting on an element at one end and screwed to the other element at the opposite end.

[0006] Further details will however become apparent from the continuation of the description of the invention, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example with reference to the accompanying drawings showing a practical embodiment of the foot, in which:

Figure 1 shows the components of a foot according to the invention, separately

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the foot applied to the bottom of a carton

Figure 3 shows a palletized carton.

[0007] The foot according to the invention essentially comprises plastic components such as a body 11, a plate 12 and a screw pin 13. The body 11 may be prism-shaped and constitutes the real foot, designed to define, with other feet, adequate supports for the palletization of a carton 14. The body 11 may be provided with a relieving cavity open downwards and closed by a horizontal top wall 15. A threaded hole 16 is provided in said wall 15 proximate to a reinforcing neck 16' which extends into the cavity of the body. Pointed projections 17 designed to engage in the carton to which the foot is applied are preferably provided on the outside surface of the wall 15.

[0008] The plate 12 is articulated on one side of the body 11, preferably in a separable manner, and is designed to extend parallelly above the top of the body. For its articulation, the plate 12 comprises a square-shaped side 18 designed to be introduced into a corresponding slit 19 provided in the top wall 15 of the body 11. The square-shaped fin 18 is provided with an intermediate shoulder 18' which limits penetration thereof into said slit 19 and permits a certain spacing between the plate 12 and the wall 15 so that the said units define an intermediate pocket 20.

[0009] The plate 12 is provided with a hole 21 designed to coincide with the threaded hole 16 in the top wall 15 of the body 11.

[0010] The screw pin 13 is designed to freely pass through the hole 21 of the plate 12 and to be screwed into the threaded hole 16. Such pin 13 has a pointed end 22 for piercing the carton and, at the opposite end, a large head 23 designed to rest against the plate 12 when the pin is screwed in. At the centre of the head 23 a polygonal hole 24 is provided to permit introduction of a corresponding wrench for screwing/unscrewing the screw pin 13.

[0011] Palletization feet of the carton 14 are applied to the flaps 14' which concur to form the bottom of the carton. Application takes place when forming the carton for use, starting from its original flat condition, however before closing and taping its bottom flaps.

[0012] This operation is performed by arranging the carton flap 14' into the pocket 20, between the plate 12 and the wall 15 of the body 11, and then introducing the screw pin 13 into the hole 21 of the plate, pressing it so as to pierce the carton with the pin pointed end 22, and screwing it down into the screwed hole 16 until its head 23 rests against the plate 12. Carton and foot will therefore be closely joined - see Figure 2 - but separable by removing the screw for separate recycling of carton and feet.

Claims

1. A foot for palletization of cartons characterized in that it comprises two elements (11, 12) superimposed so as to grip a part of a flap (14') of a carton bottom and block it firmly by means of a screw (13) piercing the carton, resting on an element (12) at one end and screwed to the other element (11) at the other end, such elements (11, 12) and the screw being in plastic material.

2. A foot as claimed in claim 1 which comprises a hollow prismatic body (11) having a horizontal top wall (15) provided with a threaded hole (16); a plate (12) articulated to a side of said body which extends above the top wall (15) so that they define a pocket (20) designed to receive the carton flap (14') to which the foot is applied and provided with a hole (21) coinciding with the threaded hole (16) in said top wall (15); and a screw pin (13) provided with a piercing end (22) and a large head (23), said screw pin (13) passing through the hole (21) of the plate (12) and through the carton introduced in said pocket (20) after piercing it and being screwed down in the threaded hole (16) of the top wall of said body (11) so as to rest on said plate with its head (23).

3. A foot as claimed in claim 2, wherein said plate (12) is separably articulated to said body (11).

4. A foot as claimed in claim 3 wherein said plate (12) is supplied with a square-shaped fin (18) designed to be introduced into a corresponding slit (19) provided in the top wall (15), said fin having an intermediate shoulder (18') which limits penetration thereof into said slit (19) and permits spacing between such plate and said top wall in order to define a pocket (20).

5. A foot as claimed in the previous claims, wherein pointed projections (17) are provided on the outside surface of such top wall (15).

6. A foot as claimed in the previous claims wherein a hexagonal hole for a wrench is provided at the centre of the head of the screw pin (13).

Drawing